Lambert's...oh how I love you

We started our last minute vacation/road trip by heading to pick up my in-laws. They live at one end of the turnpike. Why of why the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority feels the need to do 9 straight miles of road construction during summer break is beyond me. But to keep it fair they also do it during Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, and Spring Break. Basically anytime there's going to be twice as many cars as usual, they park a whole bunch of equipment, rip out several miles of road, make us merge to one lane, and drop us from 75 mph to 55. And believe me when I say this, in 17 years of regular turnpike travel, I have hardly seen any actual work being done. It gets finished obviously, but you hardly ever see actual work happening. Apparently they don't work before 9, after 3, on weekends, when there's bad weather, or on holidays. Sounds like a job I could do!

In one of the construction zones I was following this. Not a dog in a crate in the back of a truck, but a goat. I guess goats do have to be transported from time to time....but I must say, I thought this was a hunter taking his dog out for the day.

Maybe it's a hunting goat!Honestly, I just looked at the title of this post and wonder if you all think I'll ever get to the point.

I am now. Sorry for the wandering.

But wait! Just one more thing. Look at that sky! If the goat was a bad omen (come on, it could be viewed that way!), then the sky is a good omen.

Now I'm really back on track.

After we picked up Gogo and Grampa we set out for the final 4 hours. I don't mind the drive (even with more construction) because I know where I'm headed. Yes yes, Branson was our ultimate goal but Lambert's comes first.

If you've never been to Lambert's, you haven't lived. Food galore. Everything is all you can eat. I have never once in my life eaten all the food I've been served. My mother-in-law ordered the Chef Salad once and it took two people to bring it to our table. She ate and ate and it never looked like she took a bite. I have always gotten the vegetable sampler. That plus the pass arounds are plenty of food for me.

As soon as you're seated (and we've waited as long as an hour and a half) I grab a paper towel and start looking for the person with the pass around okra. As I was looking the roll guy came buy. Lambert's claim to fame is that it's the "Home of the Throwed Rolls". And they mean it. Rolls aren't brought to your table and placed in front of you, they're tossed across the restaurant. It's a good idea to stretch a bit first to prepare for your catch. And since they're hot it's a good thing I already had my paper towel out. I could have been fine with this food, okay, more of it, but there's more!After your order comes, which is about five minutes after your order is placed, you can get the other pass arounds. Black eyed peas, macaroni and tomatoes, and hello lover, fried potatoes. Add that to the mashed potatoes, creamed corn, green beans, and pineapple walnut salad I'd ordered for my meal. Sadly I didn't take any more food pictures because I was inhaling everything in sight.

As I sat back and wondered if I could unbutton my pants without anyone seeing, I took in the atmosphere. It's such a fun place. Almost every inch of wall space is covered with Norman Rockwell prints and old fashioned advertising signs. Flags from all 50 states hang from the ceiling. And there's the roll thrower.He's vying for my love. It's honestly between him and the okra girl.I'll have to go back and try to figure that out....I'll keep you posted:c)

Branson!

To squeeze in as much fun as we possibly could into the summer, we made a last minute trip to Branson, Missouri for shopping and Silver Dollar City. Shawn's parents have had season passes for years and are given free passes to share:) Mom always says that if we come pick her up and pay for gas she'll cover the hotel.

How can you say no to that?

We've gone with just them, and with the entire family more times than I can count. Since it's not a horribly long drive we have gone as many as four times a year. Since they have different festivals they have different decorations, shows, displays, demonstrations, and things to buy. It's almost like a new place every time you go! They even had new rides this time!

The Craftspeople Festival is my favorite. Demonstrations everywhere. There are certain craftspeople that are always there, but for the festival, there's extra.

Part of the festival this time was interesting facts. I loved walking around and reading them.

I did not know that.

We got in early and went to stand right by the chains so that we could head straight to the ride that all four of us wanted to do. (Shawn wasn't with us because his call schedule is made a month ahead.) When we saw this sign, we knew we were in the right place.Powder Keg. I have never been a ride rider....until Disney World. With an even number of people, I had to ride it all. I learned that I wouldn't get sick on rides like I always assumed I would. So as we were discussing who wanted to ride, Reagan said she did. That meant I was riding. I was willing, but if I didn't need to, I wasn't going to. We got into line and soon enough were standing in the bays. McKinley with Reagan, Kennedy with me. But as we waited Reagan started getting nervous. We all gave her pep talks. We reminded her of what she'd ridden in Florida. She decided she could do it. So we took off. Literally. It shoots you from 0-60 in about 3 seconds. After several drops and twists we slowed down to climb a hill. I had slightly heard Kennedy's screams over mine and grabbed her hand to thank her for letting me ride with her. She, who hadn't been nervous at all, looked me in the eye and screamed, "Let go of my hand so I can hold on to something!" Apparently she'd decided halfway through that she wasn't enjoying herself. Luckily we all survived.

Well, except the cat.After that we headed to Fire In The Hole. Until Disney World it was the only roller coaster I'd get on. There's one hill, and since it's indoor and in the dark, you don't even know. You also get shot with water when you least expect it so it's lots of fun. On a choir trip in high school I rode it with my teacher. (I absolutely loved her.) When we got off she sat down on the sidewalk and started leaving butt prints from her wet jeans. She yelled at the girls with me to join her and so we all did. Every time I get off that ride I have a huge smile on my face.

The ride is okay for Kennedy.

No matter what this picture shows.And in all my trips, I never knew this!The year round decorations are wonderful. The whole place is set in the late 1800's so most things go along with that. What I love most about it is if you're not a ride rider there are plenty of other things to do. Also the big rides aren't visible. To keep the 1800 look they build the big roller coasters behind trees. You can't even tell you're about to get on a roller coaster until you're about three people from getting on.

There's fun stuff all around. I think I see something new every time we visit.I don't do water rides. I don't like wet clothes. I don't like walking in wet clothes. Luckily Gogo is a water ride rider. But after being in line for a while the girls said they'd be fine and Gogo came to watch.And that's why I didn't get on.

See? 1800 decor.This, this cracked me up. My mother-in-law, she laughed as well.Can you read it? 'You can lose 150 lbs. Lose your mother-in-law.' I love the one right next to it. 'Are you spinning this silly wheel?'

This happens every time we visit. Poor things.The flowers and plants are astounding. No matter what season. I need a big black metal trunk. I need one. Really. Anyone want to give me one?This is a must. A tradition. I love looking at the old ones.We decided on a quick lunch and were so intrigued by Potato On A Stick. They were cute and delicious. But messy! I spent the rest of the day with an oil stain on my shorts.Seriously, why can't I get a normal picture of this child? Even my threats to put them all on Facebook doesn't help.Mom and I went to a cooking demonstration while Dad took the girls to the Grand Exposition area. When we met up with them Kennedy and McKinley begged to go on a ride that Reagan swore she'd never set foot on again. While they stood in line we played with our new friend. And saved him numerous times from strollers and toddlers.Just watching this ride made my stomach churn. The disc they're sitting on turned in a circle.But the thing the disc was on pulled it back and forth. From the top to the middle to the top on the other side.I think Reagan was smart not to do it again.

I got myself a man shortly after that. And hello humidity. My hair was perfectly straight when we got there that morning.As our time was coming to an end we started discussing the things we had to do before we left. McKinley checked the map to plan our attack.I had to have a swinging bridge picture. Isn't the setting beautiful? Just a few feet away is a roller coaster. You'd never know.The old water wheel is also a must. We always stay until we see two loads of water dump.Have I mentioned how much I love the plants and flowers?? My hostas never get that big. My sweet potato though? That I can grow.Forget the foliage for a minute. Holy skunk tail Batman! What is in that backpack??These girls...they never listen.By the time we stopped at the candy shop so I could get my traditional taffy they were done for the day. This was the last batch of peanut brittle. Luckily we got a really big sample taste:)We crossed the bridge to head to the exit and I had to take a picture of two of my favorite things.Oh, but the glass blower stopped us before we left. I love watching them! This guy was the youngest I've ever seen. He was great with the crowd and made two things I'd never seen before.

Can you imagine how hot he must be?? 2200 degrees!!Oh wait! I'm suddenly distracted by the lady with the ruffle tail!Okay, I'm back. Look at those beautiful globes they're using as a decoration. I could put those so many places in my house. Surely no one would notice if I took a few. I'm sure they were all looking at the tail anyway.Soon enough it was time to go. We'd done as much as we could. It had been another wonderful time.

But wait, one more tidbit.Well who knew?? Time to rent me some Beverly Hillbillies!

I love the place! The whole town is wonderful. From shows to outlet shopping to theme parks. And gorgeous scenery around every turn.

And my favorite part? The memories and the time spent with my wonderful in-laws. I love them!

Have you all been to Branson?

Colorado Day 6-Headed Home

Usually at the end of vacation I am ready to see my house. I miss my couch, and my lawn chair, and my bed. Why is it that I only miss the things I sit or lie in? Hmmm... Well, there's no time to go into that now. This time though I didn't feel like I was ready to say goodbye.

I of course had to take a few pictures of my mountain off the back deck. I promise you I have at least 100 pictures of Pikes Peak from this exact perspective. Yes, I am okay with that. And no, I don't plan on showing you all each and every one of them. You're welcome by the way.

After a final family breakfast, well, minus a sister-in-law and niece who apparently requested breakfast in bed (how did I miss that being an option?) we started packing up.

I had to take a few pictures of the great room and our loft bedroom just because. And by just because I mean, just because I have issues and take too many pictures.This is where the girls had slept each night. They had been offended every single night because they hadn't gotten the loft like last year.
As I was helping Shawn load the car (he likes hearing my suggestions) McKinley took the camera for some final pictures. And I'm completely lying, he doesn't really care for my suggestions.

I hadn't heard about the offense to the trees until I was looking through the pictures.And to tell you the truth, deep down inside I wished I'd done it.

Even though we hadn't seen our niece that morning, her dog Tucker was out and about. I love this shot of Kennedy holding him that McKinley took.Another family that was moving into the Chalet that morning had brought this dog. Isn't he cute? Looks like Jackie 'O' with about 30 extra pounds.
As always I was teary as we headed back down the mountain. I hate seeing this view for the last time. I seriously need to have Shawn pull over so I can get a non through-the-window shot sometime.And of course I took another one as I was passing through Woodland Park for the last time.We stopped in Colorado Springs to see the house that my Grandpa had built and my mom and her sisters had lived in. Grandpa died in 2003, my mom in 1996, my Aunt Nonie this April, and my Grandma Maybelle in 1974. I have no memories of my grandmother. I know though that she was a sweet, precious, loved by all woman. Her first name was June but after she was born her parents found out there was another little girl named June already living close by. So she always went by her middle name of Maybelle. McKinley's middle name is June after her.

To be standing where they had all stood, just in front of the house my sweet Grandpa had built was completely overwhelming. We'd been there before but after dark and in a rain storm. This time I was able to walk around it, take pictures, and take it all in.I stood in the front yard and looked at their view of my mountain. All those special people in my life had stood there and seen the same view. I had to get myself in the car before I collapsed in tears on the sidewalk.All too soon the mountains were gone and the fields started looking more like Kansas than Colorado. These were the cutest cows I saw in the whole trip though. Love the horns!These cows stunk. For miles. And miles. It's how we knew we were in Kansas.

I love Kansas. My mom's entire side of the family came from Kansas. Grandpa's from Ford and Grandma's from Garden Plain. But still, Kansas kind of stinks in a few places.And guess where we went?

Ford, Kansas. Home of the Blue Hereford.That's a restaurant, in case you were wondering. I don't want anyone hopping in their car and driving there searching for a blue cow.

It was our second stop of the day at a family home. Since I posted on Facebook that I'd been to this house there has been some family discussion going on. My Aunt Janis, mom's baby sister, told us it was the house her dad built. Our cousin Wanda told me that my great grandpa built it and that he and my great grandmother lived there. All I know is that as I stood in front of it I was once again overcome with emotion. No matter who lived there or who built it, my family once lived there.The town is so small that only the highway going through the center is paved. The dirt roads leading both directions are so cute. My Aunt Janis had also told us where the cafe she was born in once stood. We also found my Uncle LN's old grocery store. Or what's left of the building. The last thing she'd told us about that I wanted to visit was the high school. My grandpa and several of his siblings attended here and graduated from it. It was closed years and years ago and I was crushed to see the state of the building.If I could live in Ford, Kansas I would buy the land and building, re-do it, and move my family in. Wouldn't that be an amazing house? I used to watch a show on HGTV that showcased homes that were once banks, stores, schools, lighthouses, and other neat things. I wanted to move after every 30 minutes show ended.

As we drove out of town I was once again misty eyed. What a day.

This windmill just spoke to me. I had to add a quote. That seems to be something I do lately.Soon we saw this...
...and this. And as is family tradition we sang the state song as soon as we crossed into our state.

Okay, okay. It was nice to see our house. I had missed the pool. My couch was thrilled to see me. Jackie 'O' had a blast at the neighbors but she was glad to see us. But as I drove to and from the piano teachers house the next night I didn't take a single picture.

It broke my heart.