Travels To Branson - Day Two

On our first full day in Branson, it was supposed to get hot that day, so in the morning we went to an area with different nature trails while it was still cooler.  We chose the 1.1 mile trail.  Here are the kids at the lookout before our little hike:

Of course, Anthony had to immediately try to hoist himself up onto the railing!

Off we went down the trail, the boys leading the way.

Happy face for now.

After a few falls, Anthony ended up doing a lot of this.  Daddy got a workout!

We checked the map to make sure we went the right way.

At another lookout.  Anne was hoping to see lots of animals.

Tried to get another picture of the kids.

Now if Daddy gets in the picture, it's a lot easier!

The trail got very rocky in spots.

Time for a break.

Mommy made it into a picture.

Besides this creepy-crawly, we saw some salamanders (they all got away too fast for a picture) and a few squirrels.

A little off-trail exploring.

I have to say, that 1.1 miles seemed much longer than we thought 1.1 miles should be.   However, it was fun to get out and see some natural scenery. 

Day Two, to be continued!

Travels To Branson - Day One

Two weeks ago, we went on a vacation to Branson, MO.  It took about 6 hours or so to get there.  We drove through southeast Kansas, where we hit multiple sites of road construction.  I'm not talking slow-down-a-bit road construction.  I'm talking the kind where there is only one lane for both directions and you have to wait 5 minutes for the pilot car to come back and lead you through.  Then in Missouri, there was a bridge closed for construction and we had to take a very long detour on a narrow, curvy, and hilly road.  Luckily no one got sick.  Anthony did reasonable well in the car:

Look how all those books are squishing him over! 

After we settled in at the hotel, which had a living area connecting two bedrooms, and a small kitchen/dining area, hooray, we went down to the Branson Landing by Lake Taneycomo, which is so skinny it looks more like a river.

Looking out over the lake.

Nice picture of all the kids looking out.

Okay, everyone, look this way.

This is about as good as it gets.

Then, while we were standing there, all of a sudden the fountains started spraying so fiercely, we all got wet.  At the same time, there was a loud boom and fire starting shooting out of the tops of these columns.  Evidently we got there right in time for the fire and light show.

Joseph got so excited he was jumping up and down.

Of course, the kids loved getting wet.

After that excitement, we walked along the long bridge.  It was 9/11, hence the flag at half-mast.

We spent a bit more time walking around the Branson Landing Shopping Center, got ice cream, and the kids played at a playground there.  Then it was back to the hotel for a dinner made in our little kitchen, and later we went to the hotel pool.  Woohoo!  Day one accounted for. 

A Day At The Fair!

Two weeks ago today, we went to the Kansas State Fair.  We couldn't believe it had been three years since we went!

I think the kids' favorite part was riding the ponies.  Dominic on Diego.

Joseph on Sonny.

Anthony was thrilled!  He rode on Jake.

 

Anne on Jack.

Catherine was a little bit too big for the ponies, but they let her ride anyway.  She was excited to ride on Magic, the same horse she rode 3 years ago.

Anthony just grinned and laughed the whole time he rode.

I tried to get a picture of all the kids afterwards, but you know how that goes!

Checking out the exotic petting zoo.

We went through the rabbits and poultry sheds.

Farmer Joe

This man explained how cotton is processed with this machine simulating a cotton gin.

Anne and Anthony, and the pig.

It got hot in the afternoon, so we stopped by the fountains to cool off.

Fun to play in the spray!

Funny Joseph!

 We saw a lot of neat things at the fair, including the biggest pumpkin, a butter sculpture, a wheat fountain, and a weeds exhibit.  We ate lots of food, including cotton candy and a red velvet funnel cake, and some meatballs wrapped in bacon, all on a stick.  We did not ride any rides for a reason you will know later, but all agreed it was a great day!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today is Dan's birthday!  As well it is Padre Pio's feast day.  And it's also 10 years to the day that Dan asked me to marry him!  Dan always says that he picked his birthday so he would remember the day.  You'll have to ask him whether he remembered or not!

Padre Pio, pray for us.

Five Years!

Five years ago today, Dan started this little blog.  I wondered what on earth we would do with a blog!  I remember being nervous the first time I posted anything on it.   And now, five years later, I have taken it over and turned it into our family life, stories, and pictures blog.  It is a great place to store and share all of the happenings from around here. 

So, a happy five years to House of Brungardt!

My First Tiling Experience

Dan has tiled things before, in fact, at our previous house, he tiled the walls and floor of an entire bathroom!  I have seen him doing some of it before, but I personally had never tiled anything.  One weekend, there was a mishap with our coffee table, and it was discovered that the Italian marble tiles were no longer attached to the table.  Since some of them were broken, we decided to retile the whole thing.  This time, I got to help, and here is the proof. :)

After planning the tile pattern and spacing, and putting on the blue tape, we applied the tile adhesive.

The tiles were carefully placed on the adhesive, and the spacers inserted.

Everything was then left to dry.  I'm sure you can guess we did this job in the evening after the kids went to bed!

 A closer look at the pattern.  I especially like the fancy ones.

Dan applied the grout.

The kids got to watch this time.

Just about done!

The finished tile job! 

The Rabbits Are Jealous

Look at this giant carrot from our garden:

The kids ate it by the slice:

A yummy snack