MarytheKaytheBlog

Playing Tourist in Branson

Two of Dave's aunts came to visit last week, so our family got to play tourist guides.  I have to tell you--we sometimes forget what a FUN town we live in.  Typically, we take all the shortcuts driving around town, and avoid certain restaurants and activities during high tourist season.  We've become pretty savvy about avoiding all the tourist hot spots.

But, this weekend?  We were smack dab in the middle of it all.  And we had a blast!  (Of course, 2 fun aunts sure added to the excitement!)

The activity that topped the list for me was the brand new Joseph musical at the Sight and Sound theater.  I was really looking forward to the new musical--especially since it has already gotten great reviews.  But, WOW.  It far exceeded my expectations!  The set design is AMAZING.  Joseph's elaborate sets and costumes would rival any Broadway show.  The beautiful songs and upbeat dances kept all of us entertained the entire 2 hours.  The story of forgiveness that runs through the whole story was believeable, and had me thinking about it even after it was over.  Seriously, I recommend you do NOT MISS this show while it's here!

Next, on my list of fun was the Dixie Stampede.  It's been a couple of years since I've been, and there were some amazing additions!  I couldn't stop giggling the entire time the miniature horses were racing around the track.  I also loved the addition of the bird "dancer" flying through the air.  I was happy that I was really hungry when we arrived, and of course, the food did NOT disappoint!  (Anybody else want to "amen" the buttery cheese biscuits?)

One night, we decided to go play miniature golf.  Our town is filled with great miniature golf courses.  We have so many to choose from!  We picked an outdoor one, since the weather was PERFECT that evening!  However, in the hundred-degree summer, I love that our little town has a couple of nice and cool INDOOR miniature golf courses.

The activity that was both at the top AND the bottom of my list...was our 2-day garage sale.  We were uncertain about having a garage sale, since our aunts were in town...but (once they saw our garage!!!), they encouraged us to have the sale, and offered to pitch in.  The sale was at the top of my list--because, hello, CASH MONEY!!  The sale was at the bottom of my list--because, ugh, I really hate garage sales.  But, the best part of every garage sale (besides the CASH) is that beautiful feeling of bagging everything up afterwards, and dropping it off at the thrift store.  Even though I was tired and sweating in that moment, I felt exhilirated to be getting RID of so much stuff.  I think I could easily get addicted to that feeling.

Sadly, Dave's aunts have gone home, and we are back to normal life in Branson.  We're back to driving the shortcuts and avoiding the tourist spots.  But, it sure was FUN for a couple of days!!!  (We already miss you, Ginger and Jean!!)

What did you do this weekend?

Celebrating a Birthday...Airborne!

I want to give a birthday shout out to my sweet 12-year-old Rebecca!!!  Where have the years gone?  It seems like only yesterday I was holding a sweet little fuzzy blond-haired baby girl. 

Well...she wasn't all that little... (Click here if you want to read about Rebecca's birth story, as well as find out how much she weighed at birth.  I PROMISE you will not guess her birth weight...)

Dave and I prayed and prayed a long time for a baby.  Every day of her life--now for 12 years--we have thanked God for such a sweet blessing, our daughter, our Becca Boo.

To celebrate her last year as a pre-teen (sigh), we invited a couple of dear friends to go ziplining!  Because nothing says "Happy Birthday" like FLYING THROUGH THE AIR!

Sweet friends, and an adoring little sister who was thrilled to be included!

We started out at the Sky Surfer Zipline.  This is brand new to our town, and is the only one of its kind in the world!  I have to tell you--it is AMAZING!!!  We all LOVED it! 

Even I rode it--and I am afraid of heights.  I just hiked up my big girl pants, and decided I didn't want to miss out!  The fact that I could sit down on the "surf board" and hang on for dear life made it much easier.  I am SO GLAD I joined in!  I loved every second of my ride!!

Our Flight Instructor was amazing!  In fact, everyone at the Sky Surfer was all about good customer service!   (I promise they didn't pay me to say this!  They were just so friendly, and so helpful!)

 

You can even STAND UP on the Sky Surfer!  A couple of the girls--and Dave--literally surfed through the skies!

 

Next, on our airborne adventures was the Adventure Ziplines of Branson...

And, once again, the people there could not have been ANY nicer or more helpful!  (Big shout out thank you to Kate and Jared Story!!!)

I may have been a big girl at the Sky Surfer, but this spiral staircase at the entrance told me I would be the designated "picture taker" and "watcher." 

And, very contently, I sat in one of the rocking chairs on their back deck with Rebecca's Grandma and Grandpa, and sipped on a cold Coke while we enjoyed the GORGEOUS afternoon!

Look what we got to watch...

Well, here's the birthday girl herself!

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

 I really love this pic...Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

 

After a full afternoon of ziplining, and after a starving girls dinner at Freddy's, we loaded up and headed to our FAVORITE place for ALL celebrations--COLD STONE!!! 

What a sweet way (literally!) to end a fun day celebrating our Rebecca.

Cold Stone treats = Smiling girls!  (And smiling mama taking the picture)

We love you, sweet girl!

(Just so you know, no one paid me to say any of these nice things...but if they WANT to pay me--I would happily accept some cash-ola!  *grin*)

What's your favorite birthday adventure memory?

Farmers have Invaded my Kitchen!

I don't mean to alarm you...but farmers have invaded my kitchen.

Want to see what I mean?

My husband and daughters are starting a brand new gardening project tonight!  This summer our urban sports camp is going to sport a mighty fine vegetable garden.  Dave found some wonderful heirloom seeds from the nearby Baker Creek Seed Company, and has gotten some good advice from our local College of the Ozarks Landscaping Department.  He's hoping to supply our camp kitchens this summer with some home-grown vegetables--like lettuce, watermelon, tomatoes, spinach, peppers, chives, and basil.  We have lots of other hopes for our garden, too, including getting the inner-city campers involved!

But, for tonight, in this first week of March, there are farmers in my kitchen planting tiny seeds in some dark fertile soil.

Just like life, huh?  Sometimes you have to plan far in advance...planting tiny seeds along the way, lovingly watering and caring...and waiting for results that we won't get to enjoy for quite some time.

What have you been planting and cultivating lately?

After the Storm

I almost didn't write tonight.  But, since the last post I wrote was 2 days ago, and it was about the tornado that hit our little town, I figured I'd better post something, or you all would send in a search team to find me.  Only...you'd find me tidying up my messy house, doing a load of laundry, making a batch of strawberry freezer jam, and putting away approximately 42 pairs of my daughters' shoes they have strewn all over the house.

And none of those things are tornado-related.  I have no excuse for not writing after the tornado--except life.

We have power back at our house, and are SO thankful that no lives were lost in the tornado's destructive path.

We have friends who have lost trees in their yard, and lived through the tornado's terrifying roar, while destroying their neighbor's homes.  We know people who have lost their homes.  And we know people who have lost their jobs and their businesses to the tornado.

And yet, we have hope. 

Branson is a small town, with a mighty spirit.  Just ask anyone who lives here.

Oh, but we don't have any special formula for that hope.

There's no big secret why our town has such a mighty spirit. 

Once you get to know us, it's pretty clear... Whether times are good and our economy is booming and people are smiling; or times seem devastating, and crumbled buildings and homes and lives seem overwhelming...

We look to the One who created it all, created us all.  He will carry us through.  Good or bad, He will sustain us.  He will give us peace.

Our town worships a faithful God.  Inside brick churches and wood, big churches and little, wild and crazy churches and stuffy ones, and even a log cabin church or two.

And come Sunday--we will be worshipping Him again.  Thanking Him for life, and for protection.  Thanking Him for the strength to rebuild and renew.

Surely my soul remembers
And is bowed down within me.
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope. 

 The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. 
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”

-Lamentations 3:20-24

How do you stay hopeful?

Photo credit

Friday Five: Moles, Movies, Cards, and Junk...

In case inquiring minds want to know...or even if they don't, here are 5 things I've been up to this week.

 

1.  Today, I felt like I was inside an old-school video game.  I was one of the little aliens in Space Invaders, and the mean ole dermatologist zapped me over 100 times.  Okay, he used liquid nitrogen to freeze off some moles/skin growths.  (Sorry, do the words "skin growths" make your stomach tense up?  I agree.) 

I'm sorry. Did you see that number above?  100 times.  Have you ever been stung by a bee?  Multiply that by 100.  Dang, it hurt.  Hurt 100 times in a row.  At one point, I asked the doctor, "Am I supposed to say 'Uncle or something?'"  So now, for about a week, my neck and back look like I've got the Pox or the Scaly Mumps.  I thought of posting a picture...but I guess I have a teeny shred of dignity left, and decided against it.  But, if you see me in public, feel free to ask to see the war zone on my neck.

 

2.  I've seen more movies at the theater recently than I have in a very long time.  Here are the movies I've seen:

War Horse--loved it!!  However, sensitive viewers beware--some scenes are difficult to watch.  I loved the storyline, and learning something I'd never thought about--how horses were used in the war.

New Year's Eve--thoroughly enjoyed it!  I didn't know what to expect, and hadn't even seen a preview of this movie beforehand.  I LOVED all of the cameo appearances.

Joyful Noise--loved, loved it!!!  Now, this movie was predictable, and I knew that going in.  I just let myself enjoy Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah.  What I didn't expect?  The amazing voices, and just how much I would enjoy the music.

 

3.  Here are the upcoming movies I CAN'T WAIT to see:

Red Tails

(Click here if you cannot see the link below)

 

The Iron Lady

(Click here if you cannot see the link below)

 

and I still haven't seen Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

(Click here if you cannot see the link below)

 

 

4.  I've played 2 card games recently, and I have LOVED both of them.  I don't always love games...especially games that require counting or keeping track of scores.  (Like Nertz--my brain just doesn't work as fast as my opponents, I guess.)  But, recently, I played Spoons and Golf (the card game), and thoroughly enjoyed them!

 

5.  On Saturday, we are joining in a HUGE INDOOR garage sale.  Please come by and buy some of our junk.  And, if my husband's not looking, I may even GIVE you some...just to get rid of it.  You may remember how MUCH I despise garage sales...

 

That's it for me!  What have you been up to this week? 

Happy Birthday, America!

We've been celebrating America's birthday for about a week now.  One of our all-time favorite traditions in Branson is Honor America, sponsored by College of the Ozarks.

 I would show you pictures of all the fun we had last weekend at Honor America...but I am wrestling my computer right now.  Since I live and work in THE BOONIES and have to use my cell phone to provide internet for my personal laptop, my poor laptop and cell phone are being stubborn about uploading pictures.  Sorry.  (I am currently breathing deeply, and reciting these words:  "Working at a summer camp really is worth it...Working at a summer camp really is worth it..."  Inconveniences like this really make me wonder sometimes.)

So, in lieu of pictures, I give you Honor America, 2010.  Because, really--the traditions are the exact same every year.  And, in my book--that's a GOOD thing!!!

Go on, now.  Click on last year's post.  You'll also get a BONUS and find my EASY BREEZY recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream!  I'm probably churning my very own batch right now as you're reading this.

What about you?  What are you doing to celebrate America's birthday?

Crazy Fun in Branson: Guest Post and a CHALLENGE

Do do-do, do do do doooooo!!!  (Faux trumpet herald)  Here at MarytheKay, things are shaking up.  The administration around here has decided to add a new feature to the ole blog-ola.  They have decided it's high time to feature some Branson highlights.  I mean, since we are a vacation destination, we might as well share some of our local secrets.  So, from time to time, I'll share some of my own favorite things to do, favorite places to eat here in Branson.  I'll call these posts:  What Happens in Branson...is FUN!

Today, I am excited for my friend Amy to share about a CRAZY FUN thing our family loves to do in Branson.  She'll also tell you about a wonderful new Branson Blog!!  A Branson blog with insider information!  And, what's a blog, if it's not telling juicy secrets and insider information, I ask you?  Boring, that's what!

Do do-do, do do do doooooo!!!!!  (Heralding my first-ever What Happens in Branson...is FUN)

 Take it away, Amy!!

 

  Hello, friends and followers of MarytheKay!  My name is Amy, otherwise known in virtual circles as “The Mom with the Inside Track.”  If you read Mary Kay’s post on Sunday, you may have noticed her shout-out to my blog (thanks, Mary Kay!).  But, just in case you didn’t, here’s the scoop . . . 

This summer I have had the privilege of writing a Blog for The Track Family Fun Parks  in Branson.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, The Track offers lots of ways for families to have fun, but their specialty is go-karts.  Now, when I say “go-karts,” you might think of that dinky, run-down track you’ve seen on the side of the road – pretty unimpressive.  But, The Track is nothing like that!  In fact, I might call the variety and wow-factor of their go-kart tracks, well, impressive. 

If you are at all like me, you’re a mom who wants to visit places that your entire family (girls, boys, toddlers to teens, and yes, even Mom and Dad) can enjoy.  I think this is one of the reasons I’m so partial to The Track (and to Branson in general, for that matter!) – there is something for everybody!  And that, my friends, makes this mamma very happy. *smile*   

So, I hope that you (yes, even you locals!) will take a few minutes to check out The Mom with the Inside Track Blog.  You will certainly find insider information about The Track, but you will also find some great tips about other must-visit spots in Branson.  I hope that what you read will convince you (if you need convincing!) to get out and enjoy Branson – with your first stop, of course, at The Track!

 ------

News alert!  News alert!!!!  I think it might be fun to make a little challenge here.  Since I (MarytheKay) have always LOVED a little go-kart competition, I thought it would be fun to challenge my fellow Branson bloggers to a go-kart RACE. Yep, you heard me.  I think I can whup all of ya in a go-kart race.  Who's in?  (Details, shmetails.  We'll figure that part out.  Just go with the flow!)

If you want to join me in a Branson Blogger go-kart race, please go leave a message on The Mom with the Inside Track blog.  Now, Amy doesn't know a thing about this!  But, won't she be surprised when she starts getting comments about this race I've just planned?  We'll snap some photos, and...you know...get a good blog post out of it, of course!  And the WINNER will get bragging rights. 

What do you think?  Ya think MarytheKay can BEAT the PANTS (or shorts) off the other Branson bloggers???  Come on, Team MarytheKay!!!! 

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