Independence Day & Vacation

Over the week of the 4th of July, we went down to Branson, MO and enjoyed a vacation with Halley's family. His grandpa has a time share that we conveniently got to use, and his parents have a speed boat that we also borrowed. What's better than a free redneck vacation??? While we were south of the Mason-Dixon line, we also got to see Halley's cousin, her husband, and their new house. It was so good having a chance to relax and catch up!

On July 3rd, just the two of us went to dinner on the "landing." We had a great view of the lake and a Las Vegas style water show.

After having dinner, we met up with Halley's family to watch some fireworks and a Journey cover band (only in Branson)! You'll notice that Halley's mom and Grandpa are conspicuously missing from the picture because the music was too loud for Grandpa (he had to lay on the couch for an hour afterwards just to "regain his composure") so Doreen had to drive him home.

Here, the Journey Tribute Band is setting up for the live outdoor concert. The organizers said there was upwards of 20,000 people who came out to watch the show. Branson...enough said! Don't worry, we were way up in the front sitting in our U.S.A. fold out chairs. I know, how patriotic!

In the end, it was a great vacation and a great chance to celebrate our nation's liberties and freedoms!!! Halley even lit off some of his own fireworks just for the "principle of celebrating" the fourth of July (although his brother nearly killed him with bottle rockets a couple of times).