Branson Summer Vaca 2012- Part 2

Day 3- On Sunday, we slept in a little and then the 5 of us headed out to breakfast to McFarlin's. After breakfast, Mimi and PePaw headed back to the condo, while the 3 of us went to play some Mini Golf!!

After mini golf we went back to the condo for some sunshine and swimming...then while Mitch worked on some homework and Luci napped, Mom and I went shopping!

Quinn and her crew arrived in the afternoon. Mom and I made dinner for us + Ellie, while Quinn, Brendon, and his friend C went to the Dixie Stampede Show. We put pork in the crock pot, so it was another easy dinner!! After dinner, we went back out for some more swimming!!!

Day 4- We got up early on Monday and all of us went to SDC. Ellie stayed with our crew, while Quinn took the older kids. We had a great time...but it got hot fast!! We only stayed for a few hours and then headed back to the condo!!

Luci rode the carousel like 3 or 4 times, rode the swings, Dumbo, and the Miner Ride.

Obviously she loved the swings!

 “You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.”

After we got back from SDC, we rested for a while and then decided to go out to eat at Fall Creek. I got a horrible migraine during this time. Probably in my top 5 of worst ones. Thankfully after 2 Aleve, 2 Asprin, and an Imitrex, I was feeling better. I imagine it was the heat that caused it. Other than the migraine, we had  a great, fun day!!!

Day 5 - On Tuesday, Quinn and her crew headed home. Luci decided she wanted to stay with Mimi and PePaw while Mitch and I went to White Water for a few hours. It was a nice little date for Mitch and I...and it allowed us to ride some of the slides together! We also hopped on some tubes and cruised the Lazy River for probably almost an hour (I have sun burns on the tops of my legs to show for it!)

After we got back to the condo, we cleaned up and greeted the rest of our family that had arrived for the trip!!! We all got together and pitched in to make a yummy spaghetti dinner for all 11 of us!! 

After dinner, it was back to the pool!!!

Branson Summer Vaca 2012 - Part I

This was a fun-filled, family oriented trip!!! We stayed with Mom and Dad in their condo the entire time. Quinn and her crew came up for a few days...and my Aunt Renata, Jordan, Jathan, Uncle Randy, Aunt Terri, and Nana came up for the end of the week...Oh and we can't forget about Randy and Terri's pup, Rascal!!!

Day 1- We left FSM around 11.

We barely fit Luci in the car! :-)

We stopped for lunch in Fayetteville at Jason's Deli...and of course grabbed a Bliss cupcake!!! Yum yum!!! We arrived in Branson around 3.

Upon arrival, we realized that we left our Silver Dollar City (SDC) and White Water (WW) season passes at home. All of these years of going...and we had never left them. Kerri offered to overnight them to us, and we knew Quinn and her crew were coming up a few days later...so we had options...but we called and they were able to issue us new ones!!! We also left all of Luci's swim suits behind. So, we had to run out and buy a new one until Quinn came up with her ones from home!!!

All of this stuff...and we still ended up leaving the passes and swim suits! Lol!

As soon as we got unpacked, we went right out to swim. Luci had to swim in shorts and t-shirt since we forgot her suits and hadn't had time to run to the store yet!

Mom and I had planned some meals for the condo so that we weren't eating out as much...a. to help save some money and b. it is honestly easier sometimes than going and waiting.

Our first night was Taco night! 

After dinner we went and bought some groceries (aka snacks) and then went swimming that night!!!

Day 2- We woke up, grabbed a quick breakfast in the condo, and then the 3 of us headed out for White Water!!! We stayed for a few hours, and Luci had a blast!!! The beauty of the season passes are that you can come and go as you please and not feel like you have to stay all day to get your money's worth.

Later that afternoon, we came back for Luci to have a nap, went and did a little shopping, and then came back to the condo for dinner...Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff over noodles and broccoli and cheese casserole. Mom and I were able to come up with some really easy, yummy meals!!!

A few hours of swimming = a few hours of napping!!

When Good Things Go Awry

We took Luci for her first snow cone of the season...and if memory serves me correct, her first sugar snow cone. I always get Sugar-Free Snow Cones...So, Luci does too. I think regular ones are too sweet and make my teeth hurt (you can save me your aspartame speech please). BUT, I thought since we were meeting Kerri and Taylor for a treat, we would both try some sugar ones! I got sour apple and she got bubblegum (Mitch got pineapple, Kerri got banana, and Taylor got raspberries and cream...you know in case anyone is interested! lol!!!).

Maybe it was the sugar...maybe it was the sugar at 7:30 at night...I'm not sure...but since Miss Luci did not go to sleep until almost 10:30...this will probably be the last sugar snow cone she gets for awhile!! This kid was bouncing off the walls last night! Late Bedtime=Grouchy Morning=no more sugar snow cones!!

Lol! I know, I know that you are only a kid once...but this little girl has to get her sleep!!! Maybe we will save the next one for a Friday night!

Weekend in Review

We were really busy this weekend. This will be our last full weekend home for a while...Summer busy times are upon us!

Friday night, Jocie and her boyfriend Chase came and stayed the night with us...

We played lots of dress up Saturday morning in the play room so we didn't wake Chase up on the couch...Miss Priss has decided that 6:45am is her new awake time on Saturday. What happened to my 7:45am girl?!?! I want her back!!!

Saturday afternoon, Luci got a hair cut. I love it!!!

Saturday night, we grilled out...

Sunday, Luci rode her bike for a bit...but it was sooo hot...

She took a few naps in the car because we were busy running around...

And we went over to Kerri and Taylor's for dinner Sunday night...This is Luci playing her own version of pool! lol!

Photo dump from this week.

Playing with some books!

 Bring your bike to school day!

Every kid needs a Sunkist moustache every now and then!

My name is Luci and I love to wear band aids!

 Showing off her new bike helmet!



Sweet Potato Foil Packet Tacos

I found this recipe off of Tasty Kitchen!! I am in love with it!! It is soooo good!!! I adapted it of course to suit our tastes. It is that kind of recipe. You can really make it your own!!! Here is my version...

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch-1 inch cubes

1 lb of ground chuck

1 small can of Rotel tomato sauce (you could definitely use regular)

1 packet of Taco Seasoning

2 cups of cheese  (I used about one cup of  cheddar and one cup of Montery Jack)

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

corn tortillas

Butter
Salt
Garnishes (salsa, sour cream, tomatoes etc.)
Aluminum Foil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425ºF.

 Brown ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and beans. Set aside.

To assemble packets, spray the foil with non-stick spray. Place about 1/2 cup of sweet potato cubes in the center of each piece. Top with a small piece of butter (about 1 teaspoon) and a pinch or two of salt. Then, top with about 1/3 cup of meat/bean mixture and a sprinkle of cheese. Fold the sides in, then bring the top and bottom ends of the foil together in the center and fold, sealing the packet.

Repeat with remaining ingredients, placing the packets on a rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Once packets are finished cooking, carefully open and spoon the mixture over corn tortillas. Top with cheese and whatever garnishes you wish!!!

Sooooo good!!!!

The Process

 

The Finished Yummy Product!!!

Weekend Recap- Father's Day Weekend

On Friday after work, Mitch went and played nine holes with his buddy Cody while Luci and I hung out and made dinner.We stopped at Target to pick up Father's day cards...and Luci scored herself an icee and a cookie!! After target, I made a big batch of Baked Rigatoni so we could eat on it for lunches.

On Saturday, Mitch had to wake up early so he could attend a retreat for his office. Luci also woke up early as well...6:40 am. Yuck. She is normally good for a solid 7:45...but not on Saturday. We got up, ate breakfast, and then headed out to play in the sprinkler. After playing, we came in and cleaned up and then headed out to the grocery store.

Mitch got home around 2 while Luci was finishing up her nap. I ran a few errands and then we just hung out around the house for a while. Mitch grilled burgers for dinner, and then Luci and I made a cake for Sunday's lunch! Mitch received his Father's Day gift last month...a brand new grill!!! He has been grilling a bunch lately...and I am loving it!!!!! :-)

On Sunday, we woke up and headed down to my parent's for Father's Day. We went to church and then came back to the house for an awesome lunch...roast, potatoes, carrots, pasta salad, fresh fried squash (thanks Joe), french bread, and butter pecan cake and ice cream!!! YUM!!!

After lunch, we drove back home because Mitch had homework. Luci kept herself entertained while I was cleaning house and Mitch was vacuuming...

Fun weekend!!!