When does rest become a part of the weekend?

Branson Scenic Railway Train

Shockingly enough, we were with the Humes family last weekend... It was a very busy weekend, so I was quite wiped out on Monday.  Actually it's Tuesday and I am still worn out.

But, that is what Summer is for.  And it was well worth it.

So here goes with our weekend wrap up...  Wade, the Crazies and I headed to Branson on Friday morning.  The weather was nice in STL, but by the time we arrived at the campground it was raining and cold.  Blah!  So we drove around and looked at all the tornado damage from February 29. 

On Saturday we started our day at the Titanic Museum.  It was a nice museum.  Not worth a full price ticket, but definitely worth seeing with a hefty coupon.  The kids loved it.  I am fascinated by the Titanic, but I had seen the exhibit when it came to the Science Center, and there wasn't much more to it.  Still fun.  But, if you are going to go, purchase the tickets through a discount retailer.

After lunch at the campers, we caught The Branson Scenic Railway.  It is an almost two hour ride into the Ozarks.  We had boarding numbers 14-30.  So we got fabulous seats.  Our seats were in one of the glass top double decker cars.  Do they call train cars double deckers?  Very neat.  And warm.  The kids had a great time, and now they can officially say they have been on a train.  Of course, I am not counting STL's Metrolink or Chicago's L...

Noah and Rylan on the train.

And here is the promised photo of Rylan and his mohawk...

Sofie trying to nap on The Branson Scenic Railway

On Sunday, we visited Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.   Our trip to Wilson's Creek started out as a side trip.  We purchased National Park books for the kids last year on vacation, and since then the quest to get their passport books stamped has been all consuming.  Well maybe not all consuming, but it has definitely fueled the fire to visit more National Parks, especially the smaller, less well known parks.

Here's what wikipedia has to say about the park:

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield at 6424 West Farm Road 182 near Republic, Missouri, preserves the site of the Battle of Wilson's Creek. Fought on August 10, 1861, it was the first major American Civil War engagement west of the Mississippi River. The Confederate's failure to exploit their victory here resulted in keeping Missouri in the Union. Major features include a 5-mile automobile tour loop, the restored 1852 Ray House, and "Bloody Hill," the scene of the major battle. The site is located just southwest of the city of Springfield, in southwestern Missouri.

Rylan especially loved the park.  He was really excited to see the battlefield, and even wanted me to print out a few photos so he could show his friends.

After Wilson's Creek we visited The Laura Ingall's Wilder Homes in Mansfield MO.  It became clear that my kids need to read the books and watch the TV shows, because they were clueless as to why we were there.  So I have four weeks to make them love LHOTP before we visit one of her childhood homes in July.

Posing for a quick photo on the porch of the Ray home at Wilson's Creek