Family Vacation 2011

We just got back this week from spending a week at Big Cedar Lodge with Patrick's family. They have been going there since 1990. I joined in the year we got married. I absolutely love going there, and hate to leave when it is time to go. It is such a relaxing and beautiful place. It is right outside of Branson, MO, and it right on Table Rock Lake.

The third day we were there we rented a pontoon boat, and went out on the lake. We do this every year, and it is one of my favorite things to do there. We usually ride around first, and then pick a spot to tie up to so we go swimming. This year my mother in law bought some floats so we just hung out in those. It was so relaxing, but they always say you can have too much of a good thing. My sunscreen wore off and my back got burned. It was worth it because the water felt so good!

The next day we tried out a new activity they have at their nature park Dogwood Canyon. We went on an atv ride through the park. It was so much fun! They just started it this year, and they created their own trail for it. We got a little dusty, but it was so worth it! We stopped at this really pretty place that had a huge hanging rock and a stream for pictures. Then on the way back the guide took our pictures when we splashed through a stream.





Throughout the week we also went on a garden tour, and my MIL and I even went to Zumba one morning! Saturday afternoon my MIL, her mom, and I went to the Sights and Sounds theater to see Noah. It is an awesome show! The ark is around you on three sides and you feel like you are on it. The use real and animatronic animals, and the acting was great! The show has been there for three years, and this is the last year. I am so glad we took the chance to go.

New Orleans

My Mother in Law was asked to judge Louisiana Farm Bureau's Miss Farm Bureau Contest. Since she did not know if she would still be taking care of her mother I went in her place. I have never judged a beauty contest, but I never pass up the opportunity to go to New Orleans!

So Patrick and I left on Wednesday to stay with our friends Brad & Amanda. They live in South Mississippi so we try to visit whenever we can. We always have a great visit, and no matter how long it has been we always pick up right where we left off!

Thursday we got up and made our way to New Orleans. We checked in and then went walking around.


Patrick loves it when I take his picture.. not. Oh well he should be use to it now.

Even though I lived in New Orleans when I was younger I never get tired of going back to visit. I absolutely love all the beautiful architecture in New Orleans! Shooting in manual is still a very long work in progress for me, but I am enjoying the learning process.






I probably could have taken so much more pictures, but the heat and hunger won. We wanted to eat at The Gumbo Shop. My friend Stacy had taken us there before, and we both loved it. But the line was long so we wandered around and finally picked Pierre Maspero's. It was pretty good.

The next morning my judging duties started early. We spent about 5 hours interviewing all the girls. A big part of the Miss Farm Bureau contest is the contestant's knowledge of the Farm Bureau organization. We had 28 contestant's to interview, and they were all very impressive young ladies.

We had the night free so Brad & Amanda came to visit us. We went to Drago's to have some yummy charbroiled oyster's. We spent the rest of the night walking around and talking about old times.



The next morning I attended the ladies brunch. The contestant's had a fashion show, and we got to hear from the current queen about her year. That night was the contest. The girls were all beautiful in their gowns. We picked the top ten, and then they had to answer a question. Then we had the hard job of picking who would represent Miss Louisiana Farm Bureau for 2011-2012. I think we picked a beautiful young lady who no doubt will not only do an excellent job of representing LA Farm Bureau but agriculture as a whole. It was a very hard thing to do. All the girls were so sweet, and so very smart. My faith has been restored in the youth of our country.


Sunday we got up and had a wonderful Jazz Brunch at the Palace Cafe. Then we set on a adventure to find Plum Street Snowballs. We had seen them on the Food Network, and knew we needed to try them out. They for sure did not disappoint us! Overall it was a great weekend that Patrick and I got to spend together!