Meet The Early's: A Weekend of Surprises

After we got back home, we kicked off our busy and fun Christmas season. We have been shopping, wrapping, watching Christmas movies, seeing Christmas lights, decorating gingerbread houses, and then the most exciting door was opened...Christmas vacation. They just thought we were going to be watching the movie Christmas Vacation. Briley packed her backpack, and was off to school. While she was gone we loaded the whole car without Baylor even noticing. At 11:00 we told him it was time to pick Briley up at school, and we all got in the car. I had already told Briley's teacher what was going on, and when I picked Briley up she said, "Have fun at the dentist, or where ever you may be going." By the way I love her teacher. When I sent her a message saying that I was taking Briley out of school she said "Oh how wonderful, enjoy making memories with your children." When Briley saw me she said, "Are we going to get flu shots?" I only said that we would see about that. She and Baylor were so worked up about flu shots for the first two hours of the car ride. Andy and I could not contain our giggling in the front seat. It wasn't until we were pulling into Branson that Briley finally realized where we were going. It was a beautiful day in the seventies, and we had time before check in so we stopped to let them do go karts. Baylor did not want to do them, so he stayed with Andy and I went with Briley.
After we got checked into our room, we went down to see Mrs. Claus and to get hot chocolate and cookies. Everyone wants hot chocolate when it is 70 degrees outside. After that, we played a little miniature golf, and then went to dinner at Devil's Pool. That night we went to the pool to swim, and then it was off to bed. We had a one bedroom room so the kids slept in the living room, and Andy and I did not have to share with them. We were the last room on our floor, and no one was next to us. We had a beautiful view of the lake to wake up to in the morning. The next day we walked down to the lake, and then did a little more golfing because Briley really wanted to. After that it was time to decorate stockings with the elves, and then breakfast with Santa. The breakfast was so good, and I could have honestly eaten more, but you have so much going on when Santa is in the room.. It is like character dinners at Disney. There really isn't much time for eating. Atticus was not a fan of sitting on Santa's lap this year which really surprised us. He really had not shown any sign of stranger danger until the moment Santa picked him up.
After breakfast/lunch, Andy took Briley and Baylor swimming while I stayed back to let Finley and Atticus take a nap. I sat on the deck and read my book. It was such a beautiful day, and I tried to soak it in. I'm guessing it is the last time we will enjoy 70 degree weather until spring. At around 3:00, we let the kids open their presents which was pajamas for the polar express. Again, our kids disappointed us with their reactions. Finley was excited, and then the pieces fell into place for Briley and she was happy. Baylor was not so sure about it all. He is so uncomfortable doing something different and new. We arrived at the depot, and waited for our turn to board. I couldn't get the best picture, but the hobo was sitting on top of the train as we boarded. He was yelling at those passing by, and again Baylor hurried by. We found our table inside, and waited for the fun to begin. They read the book Polar Express, passed out unlimited amounts of cookies and hot cocoa, carolers came by, the hobo visited our table, and then we picked up the big man and his elves at the Hollister depot. He visited with everyone, and then we traveled to an area of town that does a big Christmas light display. After it was over we were going to go out to eat, but decided to just stop at Chick-fil-a to let the kids play, and eat before heading back to Big Cedar. All the kids were asleep by 8:00 or 8:30 except for Finley of course who would party all night if we let her.
The next day we stopped at the Farmhouse for breakfast, and were on our way home. It was such a fun weekend full of memorable surprises. I think they were all sad to leave, and are already asking when our next trip to Big Cedar will be.

The elf joined us at Big Cedar.

The view from our room

Finley could not decided what cereal to eat so she had a little of everyones.

Finley was so excited, and she didn't even know why.

Baylor's favorite part of the trip. He had two glasses of hot chocolate. He thought it was the best he had ever had. I am sure he will only drink his hot chocolate from this glass from here on out.