Big Cedar Lodge 2012

On Tuesday afternoon, we headed back down to the Ozarks and then onto Big Cedar Lodge for another vacation-this time with Nanny Patty, Pa Pete, Uncle Paul, Aunt Kelly, David and Luke (in hind sight, mommy wishes she would have just taken a couple extra vacation days and stayed in the Ozarks for the in-between time! ).  Our first stop was at Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary Jo's condo in the Ozarks - super awesome!  We went swimming (there was a kid's sprinkle pool too), went for a boat ride and ended with dinner at Larry's on the Lake.

Getting ready to head to Larry's on the Lake.

 

The next day we headed further south to Big Cedar Lodge (on Table Rock Lake).  Along the way we stopped in Springfield, MO at the Bass Pro Shop.  I ended up with a really cool remote control truck with attached boat and trailer.  When we arrived at Big Cedar, we discovered that we were in the same lakeside cabin that we were in 4 years ago (I was only 6 months old, so I don't remember much from that trip).   After we unloaded, the shuttle picked us up and took us up to the main lodge where we explored the gift shop and Luke, Em and I played with the Lincoln Log table (which I promptly added to my Christmas and birthday wish lists).  That night after dinner (yummy homemade nachos!), we watched the Olympics and settled in while Paul, Kelly, David and Luke found a swimming pool (1 of the 4) to check out.  On a side note, I got to 'camp out' in the living room with Uncle Paul, Aunt Kelly, David and Luke during the vacation - I loved the slumber parties every night and they all liked my light up turtle!



 

Luke pretending to be the bear at Bass Pro Shop.

The camp-out set up each night in the living room.



The next morning we headed out to the stables.  Luke and I had a 'date' for a pony ride.  Luke liked the pony ride, I didn't so much.  End of story.

 

After the pony ride, Aunt Kelly, mommy and I went for a walk to some of the shops while Uncle Paul, daddy, David and Luke went for a hike on the nature trail.  After 1.5 hours (2 miles) they returned to the cabin - hot and tired.  They didn't expect the trail to be that long!

 

During the days we usually headed up to the main pool for awhile.  Since there were 4 pools total and they were all different shapes and sizes, none of them were very crowded.

 

 



 

 

One night we ate homemade ice cream and played some putt putt golf.  Some nights we even went swimming (until they kicked us out for lightning).  The week we were there, it rained HARD for three nights, but not during the day. 

 

On Friday, we headed into Branson to eat lunch at Fuddruckers (Luke's request).  It was yummy and the soda machines were touch screen and had any kind or flavor of soda that you would want. 

 

 

 

Then we headed to Bass Pro Shop.  After some shopping mommy, Aunt Kelly, Luke, Em and I headed back to Big Cedar and Uncle Paul, David and daddy headed to the fish hatchery.  On Friday night we had a great dinner at one of the restaurants and it was also Aunt Kelly and Uncle Paul's anniversary - so they shared a HUGE margarita (just like they did when they came to Big Cedar before they were married). 

 



 

Daddy and I also managed to get some fishing time in with Uncle Paul and David.  David and daddy said I am a good 'caster', but we didn't catch anything though :(

 

On Sunday it was time to pack up and head home.  It was a fun week and we can't wait to go back.  There are so many fun things to do at Big Cedar - for adults and kids!