July Part III: Branson Missouri Part II

 One of the days we spent a few hours about the about. We chose to go to the Butterfly Palace. It was little bit expensive for what you got, but we had a very nice time! We only lost Sammy in the mirror maze one time and it was 3 mins, max.. With that many kids that's still like a 90% passing rate. Still an A, if you ask me. You enter at the gift shop and then wait in a holding room until you can enter the butterfly enclosure. It wasn't too hot, but nice and humid. There were obviously, butterflies everywhere. you can grab a "flower" of nectar and identification sheet and walk around all you want. Butterflies were quick to start showing up. 

There was one giant butterfly that was black and blue. However, it NEVER landed on anyone. One group got one and shared it with us. Such a cool experience!

Outside the enclosure there was a mirror maze and small insect and reptile exhibit. The mirror maze was a favorite and Cole was the first to bump his face. It was trippy, but once the kids slowed down, they had more fun. We even lucked out to touch an animal on our way out. 

Tyler with Tommy's help decided to host another Family Olympics. Tommy did one in Bear Lake 2020 and we loved it. There were LOTS of games and points to win! We found the coolest park to host the outdoor activities. It was GREAT water that could be explored and we chose the perfect day and time to go. It was all fun and games until we found 2 ticks. Then it was time to move the rest of the game back to the house. Spoiler Alert: I did come home with a tick, not the highlight of my trip! We did all the hairs and headed out. I got to be the official timer and score keeper of the outdoor games and really enjoyed it! 

The winner of each game was awarded a point. We had medals to award each age division, Adults, Big Kids and Little Kids. It was an awesome memory maker!

Kenney and Teresa wanted to recreate a photo so we took the opportunity to take family photos. It gets easier every time! No babies cried and everyone did their best to follow directions! 

Thanks to Beth, good picture behavior was rewarded with the most awesome glow party ever! We broke SOOOOOOO many glow sticks. There. Were. So. Many. Glowsticks. The kids had an absolute blast. 

The last night Tyler and Tommy totaled all the points and winners were announced! Lots of well deserved medalists!

Then it was time to clean up and go! The trash was never taken out before we got there so Grayson had the privilege to stuff and stuff and stuff those trash cans. We made so much trash! It doesn't help that we ate 9 dozen Krispie Kreme donuts.  We ended up going home through some twirly whirly highways, and spent too long car sick. By that point, we weren't sure how much we loved the back highways to Arkansas. Beautiful yes, but a little too weaving for some of us in the car. 

We are honestly looking forward to the next one! We only have so many year left with the oldest grandkids that turned 12 this year. We will blink and they will be on missions and starting college. 

We are back home, tired and ready to enjoy the Olympics in a couple weeks! We got home just in time to start school shopping! The first day of school will be here before we know it! 

Until next time...