Dogwood Canyon

On Monday we headed to Dogwood Canyon in Branson for a 6 1/2 mile hike.  We pass on the tram, the scooters, the bicycles, and 4-wheelers...literally....we pass on all those and actually pay to walk 6 1/2 miles.  Granted it was pretty. 

Side note: I woke this morning with my whole body feeling achy. 

And off we go with sandwiches, lots and lots of water, 1 stroller, 1 wheel chair, and several water mist fans.

Grady and Hayden.  All smiles before we leave. 

 The first bridge we came across.  We had to get a family picture on it of course. 

 Gorgeous water fall.

 Craig was trying out the stroller making sure it worked for Granny.  Seriously, Granny would not get in the wheelchair.  We ended up having to make her get in it.  She was a trooper.

 Grady and Hayden wearing down on the trip...probably about 1 mile in if that.  At this point I was wishing I could sit in the wheelchair.

 Garon loved the fan. 

 Notice how Hayden went from the wheelchair to the stroller.  We were all so tired. 

 Garon is too cool to take his picture with mom.  Covering his eyes and saying no. 

 This was the point where I realize I will not make the rest of this trip.  My Granny is the only one that felt sorry for me and actually even let me sit in her wheelchair and SHE pushed me.  Only for a minute though because I felt bad. 

 At this point we had about a mile and a half left.  Sarah, Heath, and Staci start running.  Craig gets Granny in the wheelchair, I push Garon in the stroller because I was lazy and wanted something to lean on, Dan lifts Grady on his shoulders and off we go.  Determined to quickly make it to the end and see this big pretty waterfall that we kept hearing about. 

 And we made it.  The water was so cold and the closer you got the cooler it was.  It felt so good.

 Thankfully the tram was at the waterfall also and had room to take us back.  Otherwise I wouldn't have made it.  And I mean that.  Here we are SO happy to be on this tram. 

Back to my side note: at this point I am so sick that I can't even turn my head on this tram.  I went home with 101 fever that night and lots of sickness throughout the night.  Blah.  Come to find out I walked 3 1/2 miles with strep throat.  What a trooper I am!!  Glad to say that as I blog about this I feel much better.  But I might not ever return to Dogwood Canyon...

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

Labor day weekend we did a lot of hiking. I plan on blogging about both trips but thought it would be best to divide it by day 1 & 2. 

So Sunday afternoon my sisters call me with the idea of a little bit of hiking/zip lining.  I thought it sounded like fun...although Grady was not convinced to go off the zip line.  We headed to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch to check it all out. 

First, we started with a small walk around the area. 

 

 

This is the bridge that I did not want to go on.  I am such a baby when it comes to heights.  Or maybe it was the way it wobbled and looked like it was 500 years old. In my defense, my Granny did NOT want to take the bridge either.  So I kindly offered to take her AROUND the bridge.  I thought it was rather sweet of me. 

 

 Sarah, however, was not afraid of the bridge.  Look how brave and strong she is.  She was the first to go across.  I told her how much I loved her before she took off.

 

 There she goes....

 Here Dan, Granny, and I go under the bridge...

 And we all made it safely...Grady was sure to remind me all night and I quote, "Mom, remember when you were a scaredy-cat and wouldn't cross the bridge."
Garon getting spoiled and carried by Craig.

 Garon wanted to climb on a big rock like everyone else.

 If you know me and my fear of heights you can only imagine how bad I was screaming, "Grady, you are too close to the edge." However, I am happy that he doesn't share that same fear.

 A hike with a 30 pounder on your hip is GREAT exercise. 

 Love this picture.

 Craig and Scott stayed behind with Granny during the second trail.  She was happy to be out and about. 

 

We saw goats all over the place and tons of deer on the way home.  The kids loved that.  Unfortunately, we were very hungry when we got home and ate at Dairy Queen.  Oh well.  :) 

 



Evan came to play

Last week we had a visitor come stay with us for a little while. Little Evan. Garon and Grady called him Ev all night.  Evan quickly became my buddy and wanted on my hip at all times until he heard the word outside.

Garon showing Baxter his trucks.

 Evan was taking in Baxter.  He wasn't quite sure of him.  He's not big but he barks a lot. 

 

 Garon showing out on his tractor.

 

 Evan taking his turn on the tractor.  He figured the gas pedal out quick but not the steering wheel...but he didn't mind going round and round and round. :)

Grady just wanted to play baseball.

Grady actually went over and took the time to teach Evan how to drive the tractor. 

Then Grady wanted to give him a ride on the 4-wheeler.

We took a bath and Evan crawled up in the bed ready to go nite nite...we read a few books and played a LOT of peek-a-boo.  It was a guaranteed crowd pleaser by Evan.

But he actually ended up crawling on my lap to get some sleep.  I can't remember the last time I got to rock a little boy to sleep and I kind of missed it.  So glad Evan got to come spend some time with us.