After several potty, gas, diaper change, and gas stops, we finally made it home about 10:45pm. We had a snack to eat and went to bed. We made it home safely. :)
After looking at the horses we went into a room that had a couple of the old wagons that used to parades and stuff.
The tour took us through how and where they make their beer. We went into several different buildings and several different floors. To see one part of the process we had to take 6 continuous flights of escalators. This, of course, was Marc's favorite part of the tour.
At the end of the tour they took us to a room where we could have up to 2 free beers (Marc had 1 and I had none), free soda pop, and free pretzels. Even though we are not beer drinks, it was neat to see the process they take to make their beer.
Daddy had to take this cute picture of Marc "pushing" the arch up.
We had to wait in line for about 30 minutes for our turn to go up in the arch. As we waited they came by and gave us cards to tell us what part of the tram we were to sit in. Marc was the keeper of our Red #5 cards.
The ride was 4 minutes up and 3 minutes down. They say that if you are claustrophobic not to go in the tram (which is more like an elevator) becasue they cram 5 people into 1 pod. This is a sample they have next to the ticket counter so you can see if you will freak out.
Once you get up there it is really cool. You can feel that the floor is slanted (since it is an arch). There are little windows for you to look out.
We have been in the Sears Tower, which we think is taller, but it was really cool to think about the fact that you were standing in the top of an arch 630 feet off the ground!
While we were walking around we found another fountain.....but the water was pink. Someone told us that the weekend we left was the weekend for their local Relay for Life walk, so that is why we think the water was dyed pink.
After wandering around outside the hotel, we decided to explore Union Station. Inside Union Station there is a mall, a Hard Rock Cafe, Landry's Seafood Restaurant, and a few other things. We found a train car in the mall, so we took a picture.
We also found a spot where they had painted a part of the wall to look like the platform in Harry Potter.
Inside of Union Station there were paddle boats you could rent and go around the small pond inside the building. Samantha sat between us and kept wanting to help Daddy steer the paddle boat. When Marc put his hand back on the steering handle, Samantha hit him untilk he moved his hand. I guess I better hide the car keys. ;)
We were the only ones on the trolley so Marc got to go up and ring the trolley bell. On this trolley, the bell was rung by stepping on a button on the floor.
After our trolley ride we went over to the National Historic site to finish looking at the stuff outside. Marc thought the old cannon looked cool.
There were parts of the original fort still on the grounds of the site. Marc thought it was cool that he was standing in part of the old fort.
After walking around (and in Marc's case, running around) in the high 80's for an hour we decided it was time for a cool drink. We went across the street to an old fashion soda fountain. Marc watched the soda jerk make his root beer "from scratch".
After a nap and dinner, we went over to Melisa & Paul's house for some fun. Marc and Parker had an all-out pillow fight. It was a blast to watch!
We enjoyed spending the evening with Melisa & Paul and Marc had fun playing with his cousins. :)
The court house is from Judge Parker, he is known as "The hanging judge". Any criminal he found guilty got the sentence us a hanging. We did not get to the gallows (where they did the hangings) today, but we will go back to see those a different day.
After we went to the Fort we had lunch with Marc's Nannie & Papaw (Grandfather & step-Grandmother). And now the kids are both getting some much-needed sleep.
After some lunch we went to a small strip mall with a large covered "porch" in front. We went there so the kids could run and get some energy out. There were some very pretty wooden benches so we decided to have a photo shoot and gets lots of pictures of various groups of people.
Samantha was finally able to meet her Aunt Jennifer. It took them both a little while to warm up to each other, but by the time we left Branson, they were all smiles, hugs, and kisses with each other.
After the phot shoot we went to the outlet mall. (I bought a couple of cute shirts) and Marc got a new CARS t-shirt for $5. After the outlet mall we went to McDonald's for some ice cream. After all of that we got back in the car for the 3 hour drive back to Fort Smith.
There were some mid-way type games that were castle themed for the kids to play. In order for them to play them, the kids had to dig in a big sand pit and find coins to pay for the games.
There were some ladies (I'm not sure who/what they were supposed to be) walking around naming trees after the kids they talked to. This is a picture of Marc with the ladies and the tree Marc.
Pearl paid for Marc and his cousin Kaylee to ride the ponies. (Marc should be glad that Grandma was paying for the day, because we wouldn't pay $5 for him to ride the pony ;) ). Marc has never ridden a pony before so he was a little unsure at first, but in the end he said he had fun.
Marc and Samantha posed for some pictures in the throne for us.
There was a lady walking around tying ribbons around kids wrists to remind them to be happy and smile all day. I think it worked, Marc wasn't crabby for most of the day. ;)
When I was younger my Aunt Sari & Uncle Gary took me and my cousin Susanne to the Renaissance Festivals for a couple of summers. Each time we went my cousin and I got the flower head dresses that some of the maidens wear. I told Marc that we had to get one for Samantha, so i could relive my childhood through her.
We were amazed at how long she wore it. She pulled it down around her neck (it was a little big for her) a few times, but I put it back on her head and she smiled, and rode in the stroller. :)
We spent about 4 hours there and I think we had fun. It was about 90 degrees. Luckily most of the kids section, where we spent most of our time, was in the woods so it was semi-shaded. Made enjoyed all the hand-on activities and looking at all of the people dressed up.
