Lake of the Ozarks vacation

With such high gas prices and all, we decided that we couldn't really afford a big vacation this year, so we went on a "mini-vacation" to Lake of the Ozarks instead. We were there for 5 days, and had an absolute BLAST! Cooper didn't want to leave! All that was available at the resort we stayed at was a studio room which had a kitchenette, bathroom, bed, tv, table, 2 chairs, and closet. It was very cozy, but Cooper loved it that way because he had everyone to himself and we were all right there close by! While there, we went swimming, played mini golf at 2 different places, went shopping, ate out a lot, and went to Miner Mike's (a VERY fun kids' place complete with an indoor train roller coaster, covered wagon ferris wheel, bumper cars, arcade games, and this HUGE maze thing that was like those McDonalds play place things but about 10 times bigger!)Zach & Laura came down Sat. evening, spent the night, and then left Sunday afternoon. Cooper LOVED having them there! Sunday morning, Jim's parents' came and stayed until Monday afternoon. While they were there, Jim and his dad played golf at 2 different courses, so Chris, the boys, and I went shopping in Osage Beach and went to Jefferson City to see the Capitol Building. We got our own personal tour and got to use the governor's elevator since we had Colton in his stroller. So, that was neat! I didn't think Cooper would enjoy the tour, but he did quite well (except at the end when he was getting tired of walking slowly, being quiet, and listening)! It was a very fun trip, but it was good to be home and back in our own beds!

Predator World

Today Jim, the boys, and I went to Predator World in Branson West. It was fun to get a close-up look at some animals that we usually only get to see from far away. In some cases, I would have PREFERED to see them far away--like the HUGE Burmese pythons! I only took pictures of them because I was amazed at just how huge they really were--NOT because I liked them! Cooper didn't like them either. He kept saying, "Let's get out of here!" Besides the snakes, we got to see lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Sorry! I couldn't resist! We also saw crocodiles, a kangaroo, all kinds of fish--including Nemo & Dory (from "Finding Nemo"), tarantulas, wolves, HUGE turtles, sharks, sea turtles, Sting Rays, panthers, cougars, and some weird animals that I can't remember the names of! Cooper had the unique opportunity to feed some Sting Rays, a GIANT sea turtle, and sharks! Wouldn't you know it though, my camera batteries decided to die just as Jim and Cooper were getting ready to feed the Sting Rays! And the 6 spare batteries that I thought I had were all dead as well! Figures! Cooper dropped the little fish into the pool for the Sting Rays to eat and Jim fed a Sting Ray from his hand--with the guidance of the lady who worked there! I wouldn't have done that! Jim talked me into feeding one of the sharks. The Predator World guy put the fish on the stick and gave it to me, and I nearly screamed when the shark came up and ate it! Once I felt the power of the shark as he bit the stick and saw him just a few feet from me, I jerked the stick away as fast as I could! Let's just say I didn't enjoy that experience very much! Besides that, though, Predator World was a lot of fun!

4th of July

We had a lot of fun this 4th of July! The weekend before the 4th, we went to CofO for their "Honor America" celebration. We went with Jim's parents, Rick, Janell, and Paul. After a nice picnic, we went and found a spot to watch the fireworks. It was a wonderful display, and both of the boys loved it! I thought that Colton would cry because of the loud noises, but he was fascinated with all the colors and lights! On the morning of the 4th, Jim & Cooper set off some firecrackers (bottle rockets, champagne party poppers, snappers, smoke bombs, and snakes). It was the first time that we had bought firecrackers for Cooper, so he was very excited! The first one scared him because he wasn't expecting it, but after that he had a blast! That evening, Rick & Janell went out to eat at the Golden Corral with us and then we all went to see Zach & Laura at Dick & Nancy's house (Laura is staying with them for the summer). We had a perfect view of the fireworks from Big Cedar! It was a great evening!

Rainy Day Fun

What is it with kids and mud puddles? It's like the puddles send out messages that only kids can hear--"Come on! Jump in me! PLEASE?!" Anyway, Cooper and I had a lot of fun playing in the rain, spashing in the puddles, and throwing rocks in the water! I love the last picture on this post! Cooper was delighted by the rain falling on his face! It reminds me to look at life through the eyes of a child and to enjoy the simple things of life!