Family Fun!

Well, we've talked about doing it for the past couple of years, and finally, being that we flew into Kansas City v. driving this time, Branson, MO (home of the Precious Moments compound...or church, world's largest gift shop, pond, etc...) wasn't so much out of our way. We made it a quick stop because the kids were in tow, and we were sure that this wasn't going to be their cup of tea. But, as a collector of Precious Moments, I knew this opportunity might never come again.
It really was beautiful. I could have spent hours just walking around the grounds. Precious Moments were EVERYWHERE...literally!
The gift shop was unbelievable...there was a Precious Moments baby store, a wedding store, a Christmas store, a garden/outdoors store, just regular collectible stores, and so on....
The Precious Moments were life-like.
Yeah, Emily sucked it up and even posed for a picture.
And, believe it or not, both Greg and Matt made it out alive! Yeah, I bet Matt was wishing he would have driven with Aunt Kathy and Uncle John then.

Now this is a little more fun...Bickley, Greg, and Matt pose for a picture.
Cheese! We're excited to be on vacation with family and we're looking forward to catching some rays too!
Peace! Aunt Kathy relaxes on the boat.

Greg - ready for some fun in the water
Check out Katelyn's skills on the skis!
Cousins Katelyn and Emily - bathing beauties
Kailey...isn't she perty?!?!!?
Avary....the love of football must run in the family!

Nope, I don't think those are going to do the trick for ya!
The boys relax by playing a little pool.
Kailey...so precious and so serious.
Bella...this shoe thing must run in the family as well! Or maybe it's a "girl thing"!
Kailey "washing her hands" with the remains of her ice cream cookie sandwich. Yep, it was delicious!

Emily just kicking back
Bick, nice going with the fishing...although, he looks really small up against your 6'6" frame!
Greg proudly holds up his 2nd catch of the day.
Nice hair, Greg! Actually, it really does look cute!
Emily and Greg just getting a little R & R at the lakehouse.

Thanks for a great week, Aunt Kathy and Uncle John! We really appreciate you opening your home to us! As always, we're looking forward to next summer!

After about a week at the lake in Shell Knob, MO, we were back to Kansas City for Kathy and Guy's rehearsal dinner and wedding.

Aunt Kathy and her pride and joy(s) - Renee and Zack
Randi and Grandpa Milt at Kathy and Guy's rehearsal dinner
Bickley and Jennifer say "Cheese!" as well
Renee teaching Emily one of her signature poses

Siblings Anne and John
Cousins Heather and Renee
Kathy and niece Emily
Swimming at the hotel after the rehearsal dinner, Emily jumps in.
Katelyn is cooling off.

The younger cousins have a little fun horsing around.
What are you looking at?
Before the wedding we visited a local buffalo/bison reserve...it was cool how close you could get to the animals...and it was cool to see just how large they are.