Branson 2011 Part One

Our family took a trip to Branson recently. The kids had lots of fun in the pool...
Kara could stay there all day (and almost did!)
Here is a trip to the fish hatchery. The kids can feed the trout and learn about the hatchery from a movie and hands on activities.


Cousins...Sisters...
More to come...

More from North Carolina

We went on a few trails while visiting Asher last week. Here are some of the pictures that Luke took of Kara:

And my maybe all time (current) favorite:
Oh wait...this one is of me:

Luke needs to start his own photography blog but until he does, you can appreciate some shots here:

And here's a cool spider we saw:

Introducing Asher James

Here's my new nephew, Asher James! We got to visit him (and his brother and sister and mom and dad) last week in North Carolina.Kara adored her new cousin (just a little)!
Look how tiny he is!!!
Here are the proud parents:
The cousins:
And the happy family:
Congrats, Carroll family!

Out takes...or Mom, enough with the Pictures!

Kara's a good little picture taker (she wasn't always!) but here are a few from our vacation that, for various reasons, didn't turn out so well.



And here's one that Kara set up (that's her favorite stuffed animal, Sleeping Beauty) and took:
I think she's enjoying her ride :)

Pt. 5 of New Hampshire trip--The drive home

On our way home from New Hampshire, we stopped at Niagara Falls and Erie, PA.

We thought that after liking the falls in New England like here and here, Kara would love the HUGE Niagara Falls.



And she did, but whenever we asked her how she liked it she said "I like Justin's waterfall better."
Here's the Maid of the Mist:

There is a pennisula by Erie that has a lighthouse at the end (our original destination).

The lighthouse was a private residence so we couldn't get very close, but the beach was such a find. It was beautiful. And Kara was so happy to go to her second beach. A wedding was just ending as we walked up.


As soon as we got in the car she said "Now can we go to my third beach?"
And, finally, one of my favorite pics of the week...our sweet girl sitting where she sat a lot (her car seat), doing what she did a lot (smiling!)

Pt. 4 of New Hampshire

Really, this wasn't that long of a trip, but we packed a lot in!

The final day we visited the Vermont Country Store.

There was lots to see and do and smell and taste.




After that outing, we got to go to Spofford Lake and Kara had her first* time at a beach. She played a little in the sand and a lot in the water.



Then we took a boat ride on a VERY fast speed boat. I didn't get a lot of pictures of that. I mostly held on to Kara really tight!!!


That night, our hosts planned a great meal for us: Maine Lobsters, clams and steak! Here's Mrs. Mousette showing Kara two of the lobsters (I think there were 20!)

Here's Kara's reaction to Mrs. Mousette naming them and pretending they were talking to each other.


Kara also got to feed the clams. I learned that if you give them cornmeal the day before, it replaces the sand and dirt in their stomachs. Interesting..

It was a very delicous meal. They served the lobster with melted butter, but Luke and I didn't think it was needed. The lobster (and clams and steak) was soooo yummy!


*Kara's been to a beach before, but she doesn't remember it so she doesn't count it!

Tomorrow...last installment of our New Hampshire trip--The trip home!