Last day in Branson

Only slightly delayed, I am now posting the remainder of my Branson blog. I was so incredibly blogged out with my new design that I sorta put it on a temporary hold. With us having a bit of a rainy/cloudy day, I suppose I've found time to actually write. Anyhow, where was I? Oh yes...the last day of Branson.

Well, we ended up leaving our family fun time behind us fairly early the last day. We had a plan for the day and it didn't involve staying idle. Heather decided to try making pancakes over an open fire with her cast iron skillet. Turns out that two-feet high flames and a pool of vegetable oil floating in a pan just don't mix. Who knew? After the first pancake burst into a stunning array of flames, we realized that it just wasn't meant to be. So, after a failed breakfast attempt by the breakfast queen (Don't sweat it Heather. Even professionals can't get it right every time ;-), we went with cold cereal and anything miscellaneous that we could scrounge up. And by miscellaneous, I pretty much mean a big bag of marshmallows over the campfire. The kiddos really enjoyed that. Who wouldn't enjoy marshmallows for breakfast?

Heather and the Great Pancake of Doom.

I toasted the mallows for the wee ones that were unable to handle the heat.

Finally, we herded up the kiddos (some more reluctantly than others) and got some great photos of them together. Have you ever tried to get seven kids to smile at the same time for a camera? Turns out...not possible. But they are still cute nonetheless. From here, it was time to part ways with half of our crew. We headed back to Ben and Heather's house for the night because the boys had an Eagles vs. Chiefs football game to go to that evening. It was Josh's first football game and all the men had fun going. But before we went to the game we stopped off at a rather famous restaurant called Lambert's Cafe. Ever heard of it? No? Well, it's one of the top ten places to eat in the ol' U.S.A. Why? Large portions of fried food and rolls being chucked at you from across the room. It wasn't too bad, but not really someplace I'd go again by choice. I'm not exactly a fan of large plates of meat and half of their menu ended with the words 'large portion of hog jowl.' Don't get me wrong. I'm sure hog jowl is a perfectly acceptable piece of the pig to eat...if you're starving to death on a deserted island and you've completely exhausted your endless supply of coconuts, bananas and seaweed. Otherwise...you can't put it on my list of 'Things I plan to never eat'.

So here are the pics of the pack of cousins.

All in all, it was a great week and we're glad we got to spend some time together with everyone. I know that the kids had a blast. Alex especially was sad to go home. He already misses his cousins and can't wait to see them again. Thanks to my inlaws for making our trip possible and lots of fun!