Life at Willis Creek Ranch: Branson November 2016

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Branson November 2016

After the wonderful trip to Oklahoma to meet Ann Voskamp, we headed to south Missouri to Branson for a weekend retreat with family. It was a wonderfully relaxing time spent with people that I love so much. A blessing. And while the weather was warm (especially that Friday) we all found ourselves getting into 'the Christmas spirit' during the weekend.

Our first stop of the weekend was at the Dixie Stampede. We have been here a few times for their regular show, but this was our first time visiting during the Christmas season. The boys always loved this place when they were younger - I think they primarily liked the fact that they got to eat dinner with no utensils! :D But, I have to admit that it is pretty hard to beat eating a yummy meal while watching a show with horses. The added nativity scene for the Christmas season was very nicely done. Plus, they offered gluten free meal options for Candace, Hannah, and Susanna. Great evening.

walking by the horse stalls on our way into
the Dixie Stampede

Jonathan, Marvin, Candace, Susanna, Mama, Daddy, Hannah

Marvin, Laura, Candace, Susanna, Mama, Daddy, Hannah

I have been blessed with this view my
whole life. Daddy and Mama

We all thought this was interesting. The pre-show is a juggling/magic act in the Carriage room of the Dixie Stampede. While we definitely enjoyed this fella, we were especially touched to hear a story that he led up to throughout his performance. Turns out that his Dad was the plate spinning guy on the Ed Sullivan Show all those years ago. His parents are now retired and live in Las Vegas, but he brought the plate spinning show out of retirement and does it here in Branson to honor his father. It is, apparently, the very same apparatus that his Dad used. Very neat.

ready for our meal and the show

The nativity scene was beautifully done, complete
with a dove being set loose to fly to the angel.

we came outside to see the Christmas lights all lit up

Dixie Stampede in Branson

The rest of the weekend was spent at Silver Dollar City for Christmas Fest. You know how much we love Silver Dollar City! Although we didn't make it down for Harvest Fest this year, we were happily there for opening weekend of Christmas Fest. Silver Dollar City is such a fun place and a great destination for families of all ages.

view from our condo rental of Table Rock Lake

Hannah took this stunning photo of the train before we climbed on board for a ride at SDC.

Frisco steam train at SDC

standing in the station as the train comes in

Laura, Jonathan, and Marvin on the train

Hannah, Candace, and Susanna (with Marvin behind) :D

During the other festivals, a train ride will find you out in the woods where the train is 'robbed' by some friendly (and dumb) hillbillies. :D During the Christmas Festival, the train stops to hear 'Grandpa' tell the Christmas story, complete with light adorned nativity figures to accent the story telling. Very nice.

We gathered in the Main Square around 6:00 to witness the lighting of the big Christmas tree followed by the parade. (Side note - Saturday evening this all happened an hour later than it did the following day... because of the time change that occurred that weekend.)

Carolers in the Main Square before the lighting ceremony

Love this!

Laura, Candace, Hannah, and Marvin

Mama and Daddy in Hannah's Ice Cream Parlor

Silver Dollar City is known for having over 5 million lights during their Christmas Festival. It is simply stunning.

Wilderness Church

This was a beautiful decoration and we
loved the perfect reflection in the lake below.

so many lights!! :D

Nativity

Candace noted the realism in the way the
shepherd boy of the nativity is
holding that sheep. Made us chuckle.

Jonathan refused to participate in this group photo,
but he did agree to take our picture. :D
Hannah, Marvin, Laura, Candace

Sunday morning in the condo

We had a neat occurrence here at Molly's Mill restaurant. A stranger paid for Marvin's meal our first day in the park. He asked that we not be notified until he had left the restaurant so he could remain anonymous. However, I believe I know who it was and looked for him the rest of the day, but didn't find him to thank him in person. What a very thoughtful thing to do. (He saw Marvin's Purple Heart cap.)

lunch at Molly's Mill

Listening to the Homestead Pickers inside the
Mahaffie Homestead

After their show, Hannah and Candace went up to visit with the pickers. They definitely remembered them from last spring when Candace stole the show playing the part of a rooster during a song. But we all laughed when a lady in the audience (this time around) recognized Candace and said 'I've seen you on YouTube'! :D ha!!

Hannah and Candace with the Homestead Pickers

We enjoy the talent of all the performers at Silver Dollar City. During the Christmas Fest they put on two top notch musicals. I was excited to see their version of It's a Wonderful Life (in Red Gold Heritage Hall), since that is one of my all time favorite movies. It was outstanding!

Clarence (with his wings) and the rest of the cast of
It's a Wonderful Life

However, I have to say that my favorite is still SDC's version of A Christmas Carol (at the Opera House). The set is incredible and the songs chosen to make it a musical are perfect; often hauntingly. The man who plays Ebeneezer Scrooge is among my favorite SDC performers and is showcased to perfection in this play. His wife, another favorite, is hilarious as the Ghost of Christmas Present and then just knocks us over with her rendition of Ave Maria in a scene as an angel. SUCH a great performance all around! We saw it twice and would have gone again had we stayed another day at the park.

ready for A Christmas Carol to begin...

Scrooge with the Ghost of Christmas Past

Scrooge with the Ghost of Christmas Present
(who is played by his wife) :D

Marvin, Jonathan, and I went on another train ride, this time after dark so we could better enjoy the lights from the train.

We then met up with Hannah and Candace to see The Living Nativity in the Riverfront Playhouse. It was also wonderful. A nice way to end our time at Silver Dollar City this time around.