Smokin' hot vacation, part 1

Whew! We are back from our 100-degree vacation and are now "enjoying" 100-degree weather here at home. If I have ever been thankful for central a/c, it has been this past week!

Due to a trying pregnancy and my inability to sit for too long, we had to forego our east coast vacation and we went to Branson, Missouri instead. However, before heading south to Branson we hit up a local attraction here at home--Circus Flora. I hadn't been to a circus since college, so I think I was more excited than the kids. It wasn't exactly what I expected--it seemed very European in style--but it was still fun.

The circus ring

The entire performance was a re-enactment of Don Quixote's quests across Spain. This act was of "the villian."

The big top only sat a few thousand people and the speaker system was pretty loud. An usher actually brought S. earplugs so that she could put her hands down!

Potentially one of the kids' favorite parts--intermission!



Branson bound
The trip to Branson took longer than we anticipated. We planned to eat lunch at a popular restaurant called Lambert's Cafe. (They are well-known for throwing fresh rolls throughout the restaurant to your table. And man, were they fresh! Pipin' hot is more like it. S. refused to eat one because she burnt her fingers catching it.) Unfortunately, we didn't arrive for lunch until after 2pm and by the time our food came the kids were beyond hungry, hot, and tired. It was a short-lived meal, but at least we can now say that we have been there! While we were waiting for our table, we waited outside; there are tons of benches and games under their covered porch ... think Cracker Barrel, just bigger. While Tyler and E. played a game of checkers on the sidewalk, the girls walked around in their new sunglasses making people smile. P. also practiced "jumping." I should have taken a video of that. Hi-lar-i-ous!