day 4

I had a hard time getting to sleep Friday night. Hmmm… wonder why. Woke up at 5:30 this time, and couldn't get back to sleep. At 6:15, I decided to get up and shower. On Friday, I had waited to shower and ended up with a lukewarm shower. I was smarter than that today, boy-o.

Went down the hall to read my book so I didn't wake up the family, and within minutes my dad was out of his room, headed to breakfast. I ran back, got my shoes, picked up Chief Hollow Leg (also known as Brady) and we joined Gramps. Had a little breakfast, then went back to the room. It was 7:30 or so by the time we got back to the room and I had hopped on line to check email and write Friday's trip report. And maybe set my Haygoods picture as my desktop wallpaper.

My mom knocked on the door, asked what time Branson Landing opened. I told her 8 am and she said, "Well then I guess we'd better hurry." It's like 7:45 by this time and I guess we were supposed to make opening. Yikes. I did my hair, applied makeup and we were actually at the landing by 8:05. Parking was plentiful at that time of the morning.

On the way down, my mom had offered to let my kids pick out their own Christmas gifts, so that's what we did. At Belks department store, Dan, Mykiah and I all got some new clothes. We walked down the Landing, browsing a bit, buying another pretzel, and stopping at Build A Bear and the Discovery Store for Ches and Brady. By then it was almost 11 am, and my mom wanted to visit Grand Village, so down the strip we went. It actually wasn't too bad, traffic wise. We spent a half hour at Grand Village, and then went to Ruby Tuesday for lunch.

When we finished lunch, it was 12:30 pm and we had a 2 pm show. Hardly worth fighting traffic to get back to the hotel, was it? My mom suggested a little crafty flea market place and so we stopped.

We stopped here this summer just to browse and I had stumbled upon the best Crocs store. I think we found it on a Wednesday and by Saturday, I was back to buy another pair.  Not the regular Crocs, but the kind that look like flip flops. Most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. So that morning at Belks, Dan had bought a pair of New Balance athletic shoes, even though he didn't really need them. And now  I was thinking that maybe my Crocs store would have the Mary Janes in stock (I'd been drooling over them on the internet for a month or so). And if they did, I thought I deserved some.

Boy, did they have them. Every color, shape and size. They even had the kids' Disney crocs. So Ches got those, Mykiah got some Athens (flip flops), Brady some Scootes and I got my Mary Janes. The kids are for next year's Disney trip, but I'll be wearing my Mary Janes to school this winter. I have been missing wearing Crocs to work and I'm so happy to finally have some all-weather Crocs.

It's 1 pm now and we're a load of cash lighter. We decided to go on over to The Duttons theater and hang out. Actually, the original plan was to park at the theater and walk to a gift shop and browse. But no one was really motivated to walk and browse, so we sat on a bench in front of the theater.

I know a lot of my blog posts this week have been devoted to another Branson family, but you should know that the Duttons are my first love. I should say they're OUR first love... my whole family loves them. This was our 5th Duttons show in two years and they never disappoint me. I love to watch their joy in performing. The first half was excellent, as always. Even if we do have their show memorized, too. At intermission, Dan leaned over to me and said, "They forgot the Supercalifragilistic part of 'I've Been Everywhere.'" That, folks, is scary.

I'll tell you right now that I'm totally biased about the Duttons (and the Haygoods, in case you hadn't figured that one out). But I thought the Duttons Christmas show  was the best we saw all week. Not that the other shows didn't have highlights, even brilliant parts, but overall, the Duttons show really put the Christmas spirit in me. It had it all -- spiritual selections, Santa, and lots of family and fun. The Duttons involve the entire family in their shows. I love to see the Dutton grandchildren doing more and more in the show.  I had been worried that Amy Dutton, who had just had a baby less than 2 weeks before our reservation, wouldn't be performing. Ha. I guess she only missed one show (and her husband told my parents that she only missed that performance because he asked the doctor not to release her). She was amazing, and if I hadn't known it, I would never have imagined she has so recently given birth.

We loved Santa and his Mrs. Claus. Loved the grandkids as elves. Laughed. Were moved. The Dutton Family Christmas show had everything. Yes, it was a wonderful way to end our Branson trip.

[Author's note, again: We listened to the DVD on the way home. OK, the kids watched it, Dan and I listened. And we talked about why we love the Duttons. For us, it's their harmonies. They all sing well when featured alone. They shine on their harmonies. My two favorite songs of the show were "Carol of the Bells" and "Go Tell It On the Mountain"; both were sung a cappella. I'd love to have those on CD for the Christmas season.]

At 4:30 pm, we returned to our hotel. Finally. It had really been a long day. As I type this, it's coming up on 6 pm, and I'm just finishing getting caught up writing all our trip reports and editing photos. I still need to download and edit Duttons photos, but by the time you read this, that will be done. I have loved this trip. Given the chance, I'd make a Thanksgiving trip to Branson a family tradition. I loved taking my family to watch the families of the Duttons and the Haygoods. It has blessed my holiday season. I hope you've enjoyed traveling along with us, and maybe smiled while you read this report (because I know I laughed at myself more than once). I'll be back tomorrow with some final thoughts. And in six months, you can visit Disney World along with us. Until then, it will be back to my regular blog posts.

Comments

[Kate]

I came across your blog on one of the digital sites, back in August, and I've been checking in ever since. I live about 2 hours north of Branson and I have to say, I have totally enjoyed getting to hear about your experiences there. When we go, we never stay for long, so I would have no idea where to start when it comes to the shows. Thanks for sharing your experiences there. It has been a real treat, and definitely entertaining. :)

[Sharon]

Whew . . . I can finally take a breath, after traveling to Branson with you and cramming 4 days of vacation into 1/2 hour! What a treat, to read your blog - you have a real talent for making it feel like we're along for the ride! I can totally relate to your crush on the Haywoods - I've had similar experiences in my life. And you have made me SO want to travel to Branson to experience these shows for myself! But that's a little far, for a Michigander like me. Plus, my folks live an hour from Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tenn. where there's plenty of similar shows (including the Dixie Stampede) if only you have the money to be able to afford them! :-)
I'm so glad you went back to get your photo with the Haywood man- wouldn't want you resenting your kids for denying you that pleasure, now, would we!
Can't wait to hear about your Disney trip next year. We went for the first time last Oct. with our 6 kids, and had an absolute blast (although it was physically exhausting!).
Hey, if I do a google will I come up with a link to be able to buy CDs of the show folks you've told us about? I'll have to check - you really have got me wanting to hear them now!