It's Christmas Time in Silver Dollar City

When grandma and grandpa were in town, we took the kids out of school at noon the Friday before thanksgiving and went to Branson, Mo for a lovely day at Silver Dollar City. We only did a handful of rides (kiddie ones only) and just spent the evening wandering around looking at lights, watching parades and (awesome!)  holiday shows, sipping (delicious!) cocoa and (gross!) cider.  It was a special day to just be together. 

We took two cars and my travel partner was a little sleepy ;) she pepped right up when we stopped for chocolate covered pretzels and we both were wide awake after watching a huge RV towing a car fishtail on a bridge and nearly take our husbands over the edge into the lake.  It was a terrifying scene and has since played over and over in my mind. It's like it happened in slow mo. I had time to think "they're going to get hit!", "I'm about to become a widow!" And "my mom will move in with me" then finally, "why didn't I finish that worse case scenario book?! Do I I roll the windows when crossing a bridge or keep them rolled?" I know a woman is capable of a zillion thoughts in one nanosecond, but it felt like an ate eternity as I could do nothing but watch the large vehicle turn a corner too quickly, over correct, and start swerving out of control. I still cannot believe no one was hit. It was very scary. 

Needless to say, we hugged our husbands a little tighter when we got out of our cars at SDC! 

My cute mama in her cute hat. It was pretty chilly. I was glad to find a hat for Sloane in the depths of my diaper bag. It served a good purpose for any looks I got when she needed to eat, too. Thanks Karen for the hat! It's still my fave. ;) and hey, it kept her warm! 

We stuffed some hot hands down inside the layers of her blankets and Sloane's car seat/stroller was toasty warm all day. Except when she needed to eat, then she was a baby Popsicle. But a cute one! 

Rudolf's parade was short and sweet and the children were in awe of Santa at the end. 

My favorite was the look on my little elves faces as they took it all in. Priceless. 

This was a tender moment between a father and daughter. Sometimes dad is way better than mom at helping littles gather their cheer back together. 

Gotta include a pic of grandpa taking video of the everything! 

Corbin and Soren loved it all. I loved watching them watch the parades! Magical.