Voices, Violins, Cowboys, Paddlewheels, and Pontoons

The last three days have been non-stop for the Davis family. We've experienced lots of new things and had so much fun! 

Tuesday we went to see a vocal band called "The Cat's Pajamas."  There wasn't a musical instrument in sight.  Everything was done with voices!  Later that night we sailed on the Branson Belle Paddlewheel boat where we had dinner and watched another great show.  Meeting the captain of the boat was a highlight as he introduced himself as a Christian and shared many experiences similar to ours.

That night we enjoyed one of the nicest condos we've ever stayed in.  I guess Allyson decided she needed to fancy herself up, too!  She helped herself to mom's mascara.  Thankfully she didn't get to the waterproof!  This kind was pretty easy to wipe off, although we did have to go inside her nose and mouth. 

Wednesday Mommy and Nicole went to a show while Allyson (and Daddy) napped.  Or that was the plan but Allyson figured out how to get out of the lodge's crib and he found her jumping on the bed when she was supposed to be sleeping.  Meanwhile, Nicole and mom were enjoying The Duttons...finalists from "America's Got Talent".  They play violins, fiddles, banjos, bass, anything with strings.  And it's all family...lots and lots of family.  Very fun!

That evening we all went to The Circle B Chuck Wagon Supper Show.  It's pays homage to the cowboy through music. Nicole was "deputized" along with the other kids to help track down the "Cornbread Bandit".  She didn't end up sticking around, though.  She made friends with the owner's little girl and they went in the back and watched a movie together.

We ended the night with Bill Medley from the Righteous Brothers.  Wow, this was definitely a favorite show!  We heard "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and "Unchained Melody" and others from the man himself.  His daughter was also an amazing singer.  Our favorite part was the second half when they "unplugged" with the band and we got to hear the old war stories of Bill's time with Elvis, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and more.  It was great!  Of course, now we're close friends with Bill:

We stayed Wednesday night in a four-bedroom house on Indian Point right on Tablerock Lake.  The owners took us to lunch the next day on a floating restaurant and then let us take a pontoon boat for the rest of the day.  This is the part where Nicole went nuts.  She got to go tubing for the first time and kept saying it was the most fun she'd ever had.  Here's a little video clip of her in action. 

 

Allyson wasn't as impressed with the whole lake experience.  She wanted nothing to do with the inner tube although she did go for a swim.  And, like our Allyson, didn't hesitate a bit when told she could jump off the boat.  For the most part she stayed in Dad's lap while he drove.  And she dozed a little in between her favorite pasttime... taking ice out of the ice chest and throwing it, piece by piece, into the water. 

Nicole's love affair with tubing ended on the last run of the day.  Dad was driving and Nicole and I were riding together.  We hit a huge wake and both of us flipped off the tube.  I swam to her as fast as I could but there was no way around it.  We were both a little traumatized (her body hit my head as she flew off).  We talked her into getting back on and going on a slow ride back to the dock with mom.  But only time will tell if she'll ever have that same enthusiasm again.

Of course, our outdoor excursion wouldn't be complete without a little break for fishing.  The locals here use canned corn for bait (I'm not kidding).  And, eventually, they did go for it.  Everyone caught a fish.  Britt threw his back before getting a picture but here is Nicole's...and mine... who hadn't quite finished his corn.

We're all exhausted but, if we had to describe the last few days, we'd probably quote a Bill Medley song: "I've Had the Time of My Life."