Christmas Fest!

We just returned from a lovely, long weekend in Branson with Kerry, Candace and Susanna.  We spent two days enjoying Christmas Fest at Silver Dollar City.  The weather was just perfect, the fall colors were still showing and the lights at SDC were incredible!  We sure missed having Jackson go with us, but he decided to stay behind to attend the Black Belt testing of Megan and Master Graham (and others).  He made the right decision.  Master Graham's testing for 7th degree black belt (and thus going from 'Mister' to 'Master') was something not to be missed.  Powerful stuff.

Saturday was opening day for Christmas Fest and the crowds were absolutely crazy!  Perhaps as many people as I have ever seen there in one day.  But, we still managed to get in to see the play 'A Christmas Carol' and enjoy the McHaffie Homestead Pickers (our favorites!).  A lovely surprise came as we were walking down Hill Street and I looked over to see our cousin, Jane!  Lo and behold she, Paul and Donna were also spending the day at SDC.  What a fun coincidence!

Rain was threatening all day Sunday, but it never came to be.  The good news, though, was that it appeared to keep the crowds away and the park was much easier (and more pleasant) to navigate.  We were able to get front row seats for the Christmas Lights Parade that evening, took a ride on the Christmas train, enjoyed the lighting ceremony in the main square and a concert from Pure Heart.  Good stuff all around.

Here are several photos, but you can see the entire album by clicking here.

We stayed in a lovely condo near SDC

our view of Table Rock Lake from the deck of the condo

I just love all the lights at Christmas Fest!

Jonathan, Marvin, Susanna, Candace and Kerry

Jonathan, Marvin and Laura

Jane took this photo of all of us

Donna, Jane and Paul

Jonathan

Candace, Kerry, Susanna, Jonathan and Marvin

Candace, Susanna, Laura, Jonathan and Marvin

some of the many lights of Christmas Fest

Candace, Kerry, Jonathan and Susanna in the sleigh

:)