Well, there is so much to talk about. We left at 5 am on Thursday, August 9th with Steve's parents to go to Branson. We made it through the border at Windsor with no wait and no problems. About noon, it was starting to get hotter, about 84 and I turned on our air in the van. About a hour later, it was now 92 and the van was getting warmer by the minute. Of course the air conditioning picks now to decide to not work. We just got our van not too long ago, so this was unexpected of course. We turned up the fan to high and trudged through. We arrived in Dayton, Ohio, our first stay along the way about 2:30. We asked the hotel clerk where the nearest dodge dealer was and we were in luck, it was only 20 minutes away. Steve phoned and they did have a shuttle but couldn't get us in that day. We explained that it now was over 100 degrees and were on our way to st. Louis the next day and couldn't do without air. They told us to bring it in and they would see what they could do. We were very lucky that they fixed it for us. It was very hot outside, so we swam for the afternoon, then we went to CiCi's pizza for dinner. It is an all you can eat pizza, pasta, salad and dessert place for 4.99 for an adult and 2.99 for children. We were stuffed. We did some shopping at a Kmart nearby to wear off our food and then went to a grocery store to load up on food for the next day's trip.
Friday, August 10th
We had breakfast at our hotel and left around 10 to go to St. Louis. It was only at 5 and a half hour drive so it wasn't bad and we crossed a time zone so we actually gained an hour! It was very hot, over 100. We got there about 3 or so and toured the giant arc on the mississippi river and went on a tour boat down the river. We then made our way to bush stadium for a cardinals game. It is brand new and very nice, very much like PNC park in Pittsburgh. The game was very good and it was a beautiful night.
Saturday, August 11th
We left our hotel today to go to our final destination:Branson. It was only a little over 3 hours drive. We arrived in Branson and stopped at the tourism centre to pick up our tickets that we had pre-ordered for the shows. We were glad that we did as they were very helpful showing us all of the back routes to travel by as the main strip is very congested. We also go roped into a timeshare presentation and earned 100 dollars towards our tickets. We got to our resort and found out that we had to check in someplace else. After doing so, we found out that the pool that was suppose to be built at our resort hadn't been yet. However with our unit being brand new, it was beautiful and fully equipped. It had two bedrooms and two baths, with three televisions, music unit, full kitchen and washer and dryer and a balcony. We went and grabbed some groceries for a quick dinner and then we were off to The Spirit of the Dance. This show was amazing. We had 5th row seating.
Sunday, August 12th
Today we slept in and then went to our timeshare presentation. Very interesting but didn't buy as we already own, but worth earning the 100 bucks. In the afternoon we went to the Walmart supercentre and did more grocery shopping and got the kids some clothes for back to school. 'That night we went out to dinner at the Golden corral, a chain of buffet restaurants. It was carver's night and had ham, turkey, roast beef and all you can eat steak. The salad bar was incredible and the whole thing had over 100 items, including mac and cheese, pizza, chinese food, soups, ribs, mashed potatoes, gravy, buscuits, shrimp, corn on the cob and other veggies, pasta and sauce, meatloaf and the list goes on. The bakery/dessert bar was much the same with ice cream and all of the toppings.
Monday, august 13th
today we went to the outlets and shopped till we dropped, then went to one of the nearby resort to swim. At night we went to The acrobats of China show. We had 2nd row seats for this and the show was amazing. These kids from 8 -18 were incrediably flexible and talented. It went too fast.
Tuesday, august 14th
today we went to another timeshare presentation and earned another 100 towards our tickets that we purchased at the last minute for the Liverpool legends show. we then went to the dolly Parton's Dixie stampede dinner and show. It is much like the Medieval times show here. they had a great pre-show with free drinks (non-alcoholic) and peanuts and popcorn. The main show was in an arenawith the seats all around. It was two teams, the north and the south. We were the north. The show was fabulous with horses, pigs, ostriches, doves and lots of audience participation. The dinner was great: all you could drink Pepsi or ice tea, a whole chicken, a good piece of pork, cream of vegetable soup, a buscuit, a potato, corn on the cob and apple turnover for dessert. we were stuffed again. The kids loved every minute of it.
Wednesday, August 15th
Today the temperature reached 110 so we went off to the local waterpark for the day. Steve's parents stayed behind. The park was great and we had a lot of fun in the wave pool, going down the family waterslide and the lazy river and other great things a water park should have. Ryley and Steve actully braved a waterslide that had a vertical drop. NO way for me. We all went out for supper at another buffet called the grand country buffet. This restaurant was good, but the Golden Corral was better for choices, however was food was there was terrific.
Thursday, August 16th
today we didn't do too much, except swim and take a ride out to the dam and see the fish hatchery and the mountains and table rock lake. It was beautiful. Then we went to the 50's at the hop show at night. It was a much smaller theatre, but very personal. we were again near the front and enjoyed the show thouroughly. shyla even wanted to get up and dance. Surprise, surprise. Steve's mom said she didn't want it to end.
Friday, August 17th
Since we bought our waterpark tickets through the branson tourism centre, we received another day for free so we were off to the park again. We only went for a couple of hours as we had to come home and pack to go home. That night we went to the liverpool legends show. It was a tribute to the beatles. We were a little further back this time as we didn't book this show until we were here, but the view was still great. The show was great and had a lot of hisory in it. The guys even had a very strong resemblance to the beatles. george harrison's sister louise was there also and had a lot of interesting background tidbits to share.
Saturday, August 18th
It was home time. We travelled to dayton to stay again. It was a long day with a 10 hour drive (we had some construction stops) and we lost the hour we gained we we came. We went to cici's pizza again and watched highschool musical 2 .
Sunday, August 19th.
our ride home was uneventful and crossed the border with no wait and no problems. All in all a great trip. The kids were awesome in the van and on the trip. We couldn't asked for more. Steve's parents were great to travel with and I think that they really enjoyed themselves also.
here are some pics from the trip
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A weekend away with my mom
Well this past weekend, we packed up and left with my mom and the kids to go to Presquille provincial park. Boy was it hot on thursday night when we were setting up our trailer. Thank god for air conditioning. I know roughing it with air: how dare we? If you have it flaunt it. Anyhow, the time we got there and set up, we sat around for awhile admiring the moonlite lake: our site was across from Lake Ontario. On Friday, we all slept in and spent the day playing games, reading and snoozing. It was wondeful. Friday night we had a fire and enjoyed the cooler evening air. On Saturday, it was history weekend, so the park put on many events. We started off by going to a home made min golf course made like they did in the 20's. It was cool. Both my kids got a hole in one and received a free ice cream cone from the store. Picture is above. In the afternoon there were games like they did a long time ago for picnics: wheelbarrel races, egg toss, tug of war, three legged races etc. It was a ball. That night we took off for brighton to watch the stock car races: one of my mom's favourite passtimes. Again a great evening. On Sunday, we were lazy again, playing games, going for walks etc. all about R and R and some good quality time with my mom enjoying the outdoors. On Monday, it was time to pack up: boy time goes fast. We had a great weekend with great weather. Now we have to work for two days and pack for our next trip to Branson, Missiouri. We leave this Thurday at 5am with Steve's parents. We are staying in a timeshare this time and we are all looking forward to this trip.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
catching up!!
Yes I have been lax in writing to my blog. Have we been busy.
Yes! In the past month we have wrapped up dancing and dancing exams, looked into new studios (as the communication at ours was horrible), went into full swing with ryley's rep baseball, went camping a few times and now that is it summer, I have up to 10 kids all day long to look after. Has it been fun? Most times yes.
Shyla's dance exams went very well. She completed her pre-bronze in ballet and jazz and scored highly commended in both (the highest mark you can get) and she did her pre-primary in tap and received honours(the highest mark again). We were very proud of her. We had been unhappy at the dance studio she had been with for the past four years with the organization and communication, so we scoped out other studios. We were proud to say that at every studio shyla tried out for (the competitive team)she was accepted for and even offered a solo at each. They said she danced not only great tecnique wise but with her heart and soul. We now had options. Being that we have been happy at the studio she is with with the foundation of her dancing, it was a hard decision. We sat down with the studio owner and discussed our problems that we had. She was very receptive to our complaints and suggestions. We are going to give it another shot and see how it goes. Her studio is going to try and skip her a level to catch her up with her ability. So she is taking some tap classes this summer. They think she has great potential to go big, but warned us of the commitment both from her and us...she will probably have to dance all year to be at her best, just as any good athelete would have to do...we don't mind at all as long as shyla keeps loving it....once that stops, then it ends or slows down....financially we will just have to do more fundrasing....
As for ryley, his baseball team hasn't done too well this year, but ryley is doing well at his first year of catch...he loves the signals and being in command....he is also done fairly well at hitting off of a pitcher for the first time (in the last three years, it has been a pitching machine)...he loves the fact that he can steal bases now and be walked...his team has qualified for the A provincials in sarnia on the labour day weekend....
As for holidays, we went camping for a week and it was very relaxing...we are going this weekend away to presquille and then we leave next thursday for Branson, missouri...i can hardly wait...
The kids both did well on there report cards this year: Shyla with all A's and Ryley with mostly A's and some B's....a C in art (guess he isn't artistic..lol)...i cannot believe that ryley is going into grade 5 and shyla is going into grade 2...boy time flies...if you have children, cherish every moment...
well that is about all for now.
Yes! In the past month we have wrapped up dancing and dancing exams, looked into new studios (as the communication at ours was horrible), went into full swing with ryley's rep baseball, went camping a few times and now that is it summer, I have up to 10 kids all day long to look after. Has it been fun? Most times yes.
Shyla's dance exams went very well. She completed her pre-bronze in ballet and jazz and scored highly commended in both (the highest mark you can get) and she did her pre-primary in tap and received honours(the highest mark again). We were very proud of her. We had been unhappy at the dance studio she had been with for the past four years with the organization and communication, so we scoped out other studios. We were proud to say that at every studio shyla tried out for (the competitive team)she was accepted for and even offered a solo at each. They said she danced not only great tecnique wise but with her heart and soul. We now had options. Being that we have been happy at the studio she is with with the foundation of her dancing, it was a hard decision. We sat down with the studio owner and discussed our problems that we had. She was very receptive to our complaints and suggestions. We are going to give it another shot and see how it goes. Her studio is going to try and skip her a level to catch her up with her ability. So she is taking some tap classes this summer. They think she has great potential to go big, but warned us of the commitment both from her and us...she will probably have to dance all year to be at her best, just as any good athelete would have to do...we don't mind at all as long as shyla keeps loving it....once that stops, then it ends or slows down....financially we will just have to do more fundrasing....
As for ryley, his baseball team hasn't done too well this year, but ryley is doing well at his first year of catch...he loves the signals and being in command....he is also done fairly well at hitting off of a pitcher for the first time (in the last three years, it has been a pitching machine)...he loves the fact that he can steal bases now and be walked...his team has qualified for the A provincials in sarnia on the labour day weekend....
As for holidays, we went camping for a week and it was very relaxing...we are going this weekend away to presquille and then we leave next thursday for Branson, missouri...i can hardly wait...
The kids both did well on there report cards this year: Shyla with all A's and Ryley with mostly A's and some B's....a C in art (guess he isn't artistic..lol)...i cannot believe that ryley is going into grade 5 and shyla is going into grade 2...boy time flies...if you have children, cherish every moment...
well that is about all for now.
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