Branson: Part 2

After the fun-filled water sports day, we ended up doing a few random things the next day. When asked what I would like to do on this family vacation, I searched high and low for a good place to go horse-back riding. I found a place that was really close to where we were staying and it was decided that only the girls age six and over could go. That pretty much meant that the boys got to stay home with all the kids except Lauren. She's quite the little rider and I was proud to see her on her own big horse on the trail. Of course, the rule was no cameras so I didn't get to take pictures of this fun event. The trail was beautiful but extraordinarily rocky. Due to the slower late season business, it was just us girls with no other riders. I, being the natural bad example that I am, chose to ride without a helmet quoting to my almost seven-year old niece, 'Do as I say, not as I do.' But no worries folks. I came through unscathed.

The night before this of course was an amazing moment to witness for all who were still awake. Ben, the master fisherman himself, fought a fish down at the docks for fifteen minutes. I was planning on going down to the docks to join him for a little fishing only to be one minute too late for the excitement. He comes truckin' up the hill carrying this...

That my friends is a buffalo carp (if I'm not mistaken). And judging by the constant stream of sweat dripping from Ben's nose and the busted up thumb he got, I'd say that would count as most awesome catch of the year. I was lucky enough to catch one of these bad boys way back in my Manhattan days on a fishing trip with Ben. Needless to say, I was giddy at the thought of catching another one. But drat the luck, all I caught was a three-inch bluegill perch. In other words...the bait to Ben's fish. Oh...and I almost caught a copperhead snake. It literally leaped out of the water for my jig. Nearly scared the pee out of me.

We also checked out some outlet malls that day. I'm not a fan of shopping, but I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I got some quality sister time when everyone went home leaving JanDell, Heather, and me to a little extra kid-free time. I did catch this adorable picture of Grandpa (Paul) and his two grandsons holding hands. Too cute.

The evening before we left, some of us (most definitely not me) went dock jumping/swimming. All the kids went except mine. We almost got Alex to go in, but too many people were encouraging him and it scared him back into his chair. I got some shots of all those involved in leaping crazily off of the dock into the murky depths. My bro-inlaw, Stephen, was quite animated in his jump skills. It was pretty entertaining to watch to say the least. What is the reason yours truly was not involved in the fun-fun dock diving, you ask? Um, yeah...scroll back up. Do you see the picture of Ben's fish above? I am so not going in the water with things of that magnitude swimming around. That was a big fish...but there's always a bigger fish. :-) So for now, I shall leave you with the dock-diving photos.

Stephen in mid-jump.

Caleb in mid-jump.

My kiddos safely sitting in their chairs...high and dry.

Fearless Kate.

Wild and crazy Linsey.

The fish in water, Lauren.

Heather and her girls.

Alex almost gettin' in the water. Part of me was relieved he sat it out. When he decided not to go, Abby shrugged her shoulders and said, "I'll do it."