A trip to TN, MO, and AR

A couple of months ago Isabel contacted us about a surprise birthday party for my dad over the 4th of July weekend. We started making plans and were able to fit in a visit to Grandma Jackie in Nashville and a day trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson as well. Then, we arrived in Searcy, Arkansas and it definitely surprised my dad!

Family visit with Grandma Jackie in Nashville!

We had to leave Krypto behind because he was working at Sonic for the summer.

Then, we drove over to Branson and visited Silver Dollar City for a day!

Sissi loves, loves roller coasters so she spent a good portion of the day on those. Sometimes she rode with Indy, sometimes with me, and sometimes with a stranger.

The new Mystic River Falls was excellent.

Krypto would have loved the Time Traveler. Sissi and Indy did it together once and then she rode it again with another "single rider".

Very cool theming throughout the ride.

Sissi has always wanted to get into LARP'ing - Live Action Role Playing.

She loves hats and costumes and dresses up pretty regularly.

Then, we made it to Arkansas. Here is Isabel, working at the grill and preparing food for my dad's birthday party.

Good, old- fashioned bbq birthday foods.

Dad and Isabel in their new home in Arkansas.

Indy and Gwangi in Arkansas.

My dad's birthday cake.

My brother, Ben, and Lynsey were able to come up and visit for the birthday party. 

It was so great to see them!

The birthday gift that we brought for my dad.

Some of the guests at the birthday party.

Family, all together.

Isabel set up for Indy and Sissi to go out with them on a horseback ride. 

They loved it and have missed being in the saddle in Kyrgyzstan.

That night, they did fireworks in the back yard.

And then, it was time to head out. Our van was having trouble and so Dad and Isabel graciously allowed us to borrow their truck to drive back to North Carolina for some events that we just couldn't move around and they got our van fixed and then drove it back out to North Carolina for us. Such a sweet gift and kindness that we were so thankful for...we appreciate and love you guys, so much!