Weekend Away in Branson

ast weekend, Tyler and I packed our bags and headed to Branson, Missouri! It was so wonderful to be able to get away from our busy lives for a little while and spend some time together. We made our way to Branson after school on Friday, and after a 5 hour drive, we finally made it to the Vegas of the south! The next morning we officially started our vacation by sleeping in. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the Brandon Cafe in downtown Branson, where I had the "plate sized cinnamon roll."

 

They weren't joking...it was HUGE! Needless to say, I didn't finish it. After breakfast, we walked around the downtown area, and then shopped at the Branson Landing (Branson's outdoor mall).

After a full morning of mostly window shopping, we made our way to Silver Dollar City to spend the day eating and walking through all the little shops...but mostly eating. Because Saturday was the first day that Branson was celebrating their Christmas season, it was a bit crowded. What should have been a ten minute drive to the park (only 5 miles) took 1 1/2 hours! Both of us would tell you though, it was worth the wait in traffic. Once we finally got to the park we immediately found something to eat. It was such a wonderful afternoon.

The weather was perfect, and even though it was very crowded, we were able to do everything we wanted...except get that turkey leg we had been looking for. We saw Dicken's Christmas Carol in the park, and rode FIRE IN THE HOLE! The lights at the park were incredible. They claim to have over 1 million, and I wouldn't be surprised. Every inch of every building was covered. It was overwhelming, especially for a Christmas enthusiast.

Some hot chocolate while we enjoyed the train ride, and some succotash while we watched the parade made the trip even more enjoyable. One of my favorite parts of the day was watching the christmas tree light up. It was the perfect ending to our day!

 

After a quick brunch on Sunday, we made our way back home to Arkadelphia. It's always good to come back home, but it was such a wonderful weekend. We're already making plans for next year! Silver Dollar City is celebrating their 50th anniversary, and we don't want to miss it!

An Arkansas Fall

One of the things I love about Arkansas is Fall!  Arkansas (the natural state) has the most beautiful trees, and when fall takes over and the leaves start changing, the colors are incredible! Here are some pictures just around campus.

Red!

Orange!

Yellow!

Green!

Sweet Molly stopped to take a picture with me!

Happy Fall!

A Bittersweet Victory

 Last week, the Freshman 15 played their last game.  Even though it was a victory, it was sad to know that the team that came together our freshman year in college was together for the last time.

The original Freshman 15

At the beginning of my freshman year at Oauchita, a bunch of girls on my hall got together and we formed a flag football team called The Freshman 15.  Ever since that first fall semester, the team has come back to play each year.  So for the fourth time, the Freshman 15 took the field for another season of flag football, in what may have been our best season yet!  On Tuesday, our team played in the championship game for the women's upper division tournament, and we won!

We had so much fun, and the best part...we mercy ruled the other team.  That means we scored so many times that they called the game early!  It was the best way to end our career.  After four years of playing together, we put our hands in the huddle for one final cheer.......1....2....3....GAIN WEIGHT!  I love those girls, and I can't imagine what my Ouachita experience would have been like without them!

#1 Fan!

Signiture good luck charm!