Vacation!!!

We took our family vacation in April this year between Dave's time of switching jobs. We loaded up the boys and headed south to the Branson, MO area. It was beautiful and warm and just what the Hansen clan needed after a long cold winter! We stayed at a beautiful resort just south of Branson in the Ozark Mountain area. Our place was much nicer then we had expected! We enjoyed our own cabin tucked in the woods and really enjoyed the peace-fullness of this place. It was such a great week and even though the defination of "vacation" is a bit different with 2 young children, we all had a good time and it was so nice to have quality family time with no distractions! We spent a lot of our time just laying low and hanging out, exploring the grounds of the resort, Silver Dollar City 1 day, and Dixie Stampede 1 evening. Our cabin was a peaceful place where we spent a lot of our time...grilling out, naps (well, the boys anyways!), hot tub, cozy fires at night, and just being together. We liked it all so much that we hope to go back soon! The boys did awesome in the van ride... I can't believe how well they were. Family vacation with four was a success all around!! I love that Dave has a strong passion for making family vacations a family tradition that we do in some way or form each year. It was a good week to reflect on the fact that we are so much more connected when we don't allow distractions to interfere with quality time spent together... Phones, emails, internet, TV... these were missed at first I think, but after a couple days it was so nice to just "be". We are so distracted by these things at home and I hope to be more conscious about how we spend our time here to allow for quality time spent as a family instead of keeping our noses plugged into whatever technology thing is appealing at the moment. It is so wonderful to just be together for a short time and experience fun, laughter, new things, and connection time with each other. Below are some pics from our trip ...enjoy!Jaxon would tell you his favorite thing was the pools! The place we stayed had an indoor and outdoor, as well as a 30 person hot tub and a few smaller hot tubs around the main lodges.

Jaxon and Dad goofy golfing at the resort... in the mouth of a big fish! One of the holes.

Jaxon & Austin posing for a brother pic!

Austin rolled over for the first time while we were there! He was so proud of himself!

Like father, like son... I was nursing Austin and I looked up from the couch to see Jaxon had climbed half way up our fire place. Remind you of anyone who also climbs up walls??? :)

Grandma Pat sent a little extra money for the boys to use on vacation. Jaxon used it for a special pony ride at the pace we were staying. They offered a pony ride with hat, badge, hand-cuffs, and pictures at their stables there. Jaxon smiled the whole time he rode that pony I think! Thanks Grandma!

Jaxon and Dad on the river ride at Silver Dollar City. Jaxon got brave enough to go on this one with his dad!!

Jaxon loved running through the shooting water at SDC. It was 80 this day and it felt good!

Jaxon was so intreaged with this air making machine that threw balls around. He spent a lot of time doing this :)

Mom & Austin waiting while Dad & Jaxon go on a ride. The boys were both so good at the park.

Austin happy to be outside!!

I loved this... Jaxon & Austin layed here like this for almost 20 minutes just talking and smiling at each other. It was so sweet :)

Dad & Jaxon on the paddle boat... I think Dad did all the work. :-)

Austin liked the pool too! if you look closely he's grinning a big smile back at Dad...

Jaxon as we began the long van ride. I made a chain for him and after each hour passed of driving time, he could tear a chain link off so he could tell how much longer we had. He thought this was so fun and it helped with the "how much longer?" and "are we there yet"? questions!