Branson Part 1

November 15 we left Salt Lake for a trip to Branson Missouri.  This is when they have all their Christmas shows.  We had been to Branson many years ago and saw a few shows then.  We've wanted to go back and see the Christmas shows.  There are over 70 shows being performed each day.  It is a fun place.  We went on a Brian Judd tour and it was great.  Five couples from our condo complex went on the tour.

Waiting at the airport

Gene and Priscilla Cook

Jean and Lynn Kenley

Lynette and Jack Young

Bob and Carmela Vernieuw

We flew through Denver and then on the Kansas City where our bus picked us up.  Roger Arnold was our tour guide on the whole tour.  He was wonderful!  He is a great singer and sang lots of songs to us.  This trip was his 41st trip to Branson.  

Roger has been to lots of places and this is part of a song he sang about the places he has been to. 

We made a stop in Osceola at a cheese market.  I've never seen so many different kinds of cheeses.  We got to taste lots of them.  

While driving, we saw several Amish buggies being driven down the road.  

We went on to Sikeston Missouri were we stopped at Lamberts Cafe, the home of the "throwed rolls." 

We had a great dinner and every 15 minutes they come out with hot rolls.  When you hold your hand up, they will throw them to you.  

Look at those yummy rolls!  They also walked around and gave you items to try with your dinner, like black eyed peas, fried potatoes, okra etc.  It was a fun eating place.  

We loaded the bus again and were off to Branson and our hotel, The Radisson.

It was a long day and it was nice to get to our hotel.  The hotel was a great hotel too.  We had a hot breakfast buffet each morning there at the hotel.  

After breakfast on Tuesday, we were off to the Shoji Tabuchi Christmas show.  

 At each place we went, we had greeters that came out to our bus.  They greeted us and then directed us to our seats in the theater.  We had to all be in our seats and then we could get up a look around the lobby etc.  The Shoji Tabuchi Theater is known for it's beautiful restrooms.  They are million dollar rooms and have received many awards. 

 

 Lots of decorations in the lobby. 

Here are some pictures of the restrooms.  In the women's there are orchids on each sink.  There is a pool table in the men's.  They were beautiful!!

After looking around, we were ready for the show to begin.

After the show, we boarded our bus (amazing how many buses there were).

We had a quick lunch at a Walmart fast food court and then were off to another show, "The Knudsen Brothers SIX"  There were awesome!  Six brothers of 10, members of the church, and all have been on missions.

You can go to youtube and see them as they perform.  They sing acappella and do all their sound effects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE3ia5ug5qE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q57OLVRHJsw&feature=related

After the show we bought some of their CD's and got their autographs.

On the bus with one of the brothers.  He was really funny, and if you watch the youtube video you will see that. 
This is only part of Tuesday.  We went to another show in the evening. 

Is it Christmas?

We had a little snow on Monday, the 25th (two months before Christmas) - enough that the grass was all white.  Then today we woke up to several inches.  It is beautiful!  I'm not looking forward to a harder winter this year, but we will see. 
Here are a few pictures taken this morning, October 27th.

Looking out our back deck

Pretty snow on the ground and trees.

 I love it when the snow is on all the branches of trees and there is no wind.

 Looking down our street

 Views around the Temple

Well, I think it is to the end of my flowers :(

 

Fun with Family

We had a nice time going on a trip to St. George with Cheri and Steve.  Then meeting up with Karen and Doyle.  It was Doyle's birthday and fun to be with them to celebrate.

We were able to borrow Jeremy's BIG van (12 seater) so we could all go together to Las Vegas.  We had tickets for the Donny and Marie show at the Flamingo.

Since we were there early, we walked across the street and watched the fountains at the Belligo.  I love those fountains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP0K6H2QK7A
Watch the video of the fountains - they are so pretty.  You can also watch other youtube videos there.

You can see a little of the fountains in the back as you look under the bridge.  Las Vegas is a busy crowded place.

We enjoyed the Donny and Marie show.  They were good and it was fun to see them.  Donny even came out and Cheri touched his hand - he gave her a high-five!  Marie was pretty close to us too. 

More of Trip to Sarahs

It was Sarah's Birthday while we were in Helena.  It was fun to be with her for the special day.

Here are some pictures of Sarah's house and the area. 

The tile in the entry is really pretty, it is also in the bathroom upstairs. 

The dining area. 

From the living room looking at the stairs. 

 

Looking up the stairs, it turns and then you look up to the second floor.  They have nice cabinets in the hall upstairs.  

The pretty cabinets in the hall upstairs and looking towards Sarah's room.

Sarah's room.  

Part of Sarah's bathroom

Bathroom looking towards closet.

Nice tile in shower.  

Montana capitol, down closer to where Sarah works.  It is a pretty town.  Pretty girl that works in Helena too.  Sarah is really liking it there.