(8-13 May 2013)
A few weekends ago the Hintzes and our little family headed down South for a little vacation. When we got to Ozark we stopped in to have dinner at Lambert's. It was kind of crazy trying to eat dinner with 2 babies and 4 little ones, but it was fun anyway. I especially loved seeing Brie bravely raise her hand when the hot rolls came out. Good ol' Home of the Throwed Rolls ;0)
(notice Alex's Cheetos face and fingers. Oh boy :0))
The drive down was beautiful with all of the green rolling hills. Thankfully the kids napped for most of the drive, but the last 45 minutes or so Elijah was screaming...he doesn't like being in his car seat and wouldn't take a bottle. He had Brie in tears by the time we pulled up to where we were staying (Branson Towers Hotel) because it made her so sad to hear him crying like that :0( She ended up being sick for part of our trip and I think that, the excitement of traveling with friends, lots of road trip snacks and potential motion sickness) contributed to that. Poor girl. She, Elijah and I ended up spending part of a day in the hotel watching cartoons and napping so that she could get feeling better.
Bry took Alex to Silver Dollar City for the morning (they did some smaller rides, tested a myriad of BBQ sauces and rode the train) then came to pick us up so we could spend the afternoon in the park. Thankfully Brie was feeling much better by that point and was able to ride some of the kiddie rides! I took Brie and Alex on a river rapid one (Lost River of the Ozarks)...Alex of course got splashed by all of the waterfalls and rapids and was crying by the end. He was totally soaked and scared by the whole thing, poor kid. We got off the ride and I said, "let's go show Dad how wet we got!!" That seemed to help a bit. Other than that we just wandered around enjoying the fun western ambiance of the park and reliving some of Bry's childhood memories. We got a funnel cake (oreo), Brie won a stuffed animal bear, and we spent the rest of the time riding some smaller rides with the kiddos. Alex LOVED the Happy Frog ride and Brie and I did the swings (Magnificient Wave Carousel) together. We finished off the day with me riding one of the "bigger" rides (Electro Spin). The sun was starting to set and it felt like I was flying up over the trees....what a beautiful view and fun way to end the day. It was such a pleasant afternoon with our little family. A BIG thanks to Bry's high school friend who got us free passes for the day!!!
Yes, that's Little Lij crying in the background.
Filming and holding him wasn't quite working out :0(
After getting the kids down the Hintzes listened to our monitor so Bry & I could have a mini date. We went and got peach cobbler and ice cream and listened to a man playing turn of the century type music (am I thinking right, Bry?) on a grand piano in the lobby.
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Saturday we had breakfast in our PJs at the hotel then spent the rest of the morning at the pool. It was so cute to see the kids in their floaties swimming around (thank you Diana and Cynthia for lending us your Puddle Jumpers!), and so nice to relax in the hot tub too! Once we were all ready and packed up we headed to Springfield. Bry decided to take a scenic route so he could point out some memorable places from his childhood. It took us quite a bit longer to get into town, but it was fun to let him reminisce (sorry Hintzes who were following us! ;0)).
We went to Bass Pro to let the kids run around, see the COOL displays & live fish and to climb on the ATVs. They were in heaven! Those were some of my favorite moments from the trip :0) At that point the Hintzes headed back to St. Louis and we headed to Andy's for some frozen custard. (I wish we had been able to spend more time with the Hintzes, but the interactions we did have were fun.) It's like Ted Drewe's, but they have chocolate custard. So what did I order, the triple chocolate custard of course! to. die. for. Comme c'est délicieux :0)
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The rest of the time we spent with Ben & Ashley in the beautiful and spacious home they're now renting. It was so wonderful to just let the kids do their thing...running here and there, out through the breezeway into the back yard. It was great!
Ben & Ashley not only hosted us for a few nights, but also hosted a BBQ so Bry could reconnect with some Springfield friends. (Apparently we didn't get a picture of Taylor & Stephanie and Geni, and Rusty & Glenda Cane before they left. Bummer.) Although I don't know any of his friends very well, it was fun to see them again and catch up a bit...and be reminded that God puts specific people in our lives for different seasons and different reasons. What would life be without good friends and family who support, strengthen and inspire us?
the Allisons.
Bro. Zahn, Alex, Bry, Ben, Liam & Charlie Zahn.
Ashley, Me, Brie, Sarah and Autumn Zahn.
(Our three mothers-in-law were best friends here in Springfield and have since passed away. It seemed special to be spending time together...almost as if we were carrying on the legacy of their friendship. It'll be neat to meet the three of them someday.)
Saturday evening, after the BBQ, we put the TIRED kids down and Ben & Bry chatted while Ashley & I had a good ol' heart to heart. Ashley, thank you for sharing, listening and giving words of encouragement. It was SO wonderful to reconnect with you again!!
Sunday was Mother's Day. Ben (& Bry) made us a delicious home-cooked meal (omelette, yogurt parfait with Ashley's homemade yogurt & granola and fruit AND toast with Ashley's homemade wheat bread). Oh delish! And so nice to sleep in and not make breakfast ;0) We attended church in the chapel that Bry attended as a boy. It was cute to have him point out, that's where my family would often sit...and this is where I first passed the sacrament. We even ran into a sweet older couple who had known Bry's family. It was great to listen to the talks and attend church, but I have to mention that Elijah was really making sure I was doing my motherly duties on Mother's Day ;0) He blew out of his diaper twice and spit up all over me three times!
That evening we went over to the Petersen's for a laid back dinner (eat what and when you want) while the family did a Google Hangout with their brother Jarom who is on an LDS mission in Florida. At one point I was outside, the sun was beginning to set and was casting a beautiful golden and cheery light on the surroundings and a pleasant breeze was blowing (I've realized that most of my favorite moments are outside with beautiful weather and a slight breeze :0)). For whatever reason it made me think of Bry's Mom, Vicki. It seemed fitting to be back in Springfield, where most of Bry's memories of his Mom were made, on Mother's Day. We ended up driving past the two homes that they lived in and Bry told us a bit about Grandma Vicki...baking cookies and brownies, loving and serving others. It was a sweet way to end the day.
As always, it was hard to say goodbye! We sure love those Petersens. If only we could spend more time together, but I can't complain...I feel so blessed that we live in Missouri and get to do these fun little weekend trips occasionally. They are good for the soul :0)
And there you have it, our first official vacation as a family of five. It was sweet to be making so many wonderful memories with my kiddos over Mother's Day weekend. I have SO much to learn as a Mom. Most days I feel like I'm in the refiner's fire and half the time I feel like I'm getting burnt ;0), but I really love those sweet kidoodles and am SO grateful to be their Mom. (And I'm so grateful to my Mom and Grandma who have taught me SO much about being a Mother. I think so often of how my Mom would handle things and the never-ending love that she shows for us kids. I love you, Mom!)
