Jaime and I both grew up in Branson, MO! We were both born at Skaggs Community Health Center (now Cox Branson). We both went to Kindergarten-12th grade at Branson. Jaime’s dad’s family has actually been in Branson more than 100 years. My family has only been in Branson for about 40 years.
As kid and always asking my mom “what are we going to do today?” I always wanted to be doing something! I remember as a kid going to White Water, Silver Dollar City, the Track, Fun Spot, Shoot-the-loop waterslide, feeding the ducks down at the lake, and playing at Mang field and North Beach Park. I also remember going to the shows and someone would automatically put a bumper sticker on your car while you were in the show! Though, much to the chagrin of some long-time locals, many things about Branson have changed, there is one thing that hasn’t… BRANSON IS FUN!
There are a number of people out there who may know more about Branson than we do, so here is why you might be interested in this BLOG.
- We moved away from Branson in 2002 to the Kansas City area. Weekly someone would ask us… “Oh, you’re from Branson? What is there for a family to do in Branson?” We have moved back in August of 2017 and now have 4 children of our own who are hammering us just as much as we hammered our parents about “what are we doing to do today?” WE WANT TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION!
- Another common question we would be asked was: “What can we do in Branson that doesn’t cost a fortune?” WE ARE DETERMINED TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. Having moved away and now back, we find that there are not many inexpensive things to do in Branson. We are on a quest to find deals, coupons, and give you feedback on whether or not the expense was worth it in our opinion.
- We value money! We want to be good stewards of the money that God has given us and use it wisely. We want to teach our children the value of money. We know that many of you are the same.
- We value family! As I said above, we have 4 children. We felt that this project would help with our transition from Kansas to Branson and also allow us to be intentional in our time with our kids. It keeps us out of any ruts of always going to the same place time and time again.
- We value education! We homeschool our children and part of this BLOG is to help them with their critical thinking skills, their writing skills, and their ability to think quickly while creating a picture with words.
About our Family!
Mark (the Dad)
Favorite Food? Pizza from Pizza Shoppe in Kansas City
Favorite Song?
Chore you absolutely despise? The final parts of cleaning up (where there are a bunch of little pieces still needing to be put away!)
What do you want to be when you get older? I want to stand before God and him say “Well done, my good and FAITHFUL servant!”
What things do you like to do? Binge watching TV shows, harassing people, playing guitar, building things, giving people a hard time, having meaningful conversations with people.
What is your favorite thing to do? Hearing about people’s stories and sharing mine.
What makes you happy? Cocoa Pebbles
What are you really good at? Figuring out problems and solutions.
What makes you proud of your family? When we serve together in missions.
How do you know you are loved? When people are loyal.
If you had a million extra dollars, what would you do with it? I would pay it down on my bills as far as it would go.
Most important thing you have learned so far? Good tires are important
Jaime (the Mom)
Favorite Food? Pizza
Favorite Song? The Revelation Song
Chore you absolutely despise? Meal Planning
What do you want to be when you get older? Grandmother
What things do you like to do? Read, Study (Bible/Books), Exercise, Hiking, Going to the lake, Hanging out with my family
What is your favorite thing to do? Reading with my family (read-alouds)
What makes you happy? A Content Family
What are you really good at? Birthing Beautiful Children
What makes you proud of your family? When our family is treating each other with love and respect.
How do you know you are loved? When people say encouraging words to me.
If you had a million extra dollars, what would you do with it? Buy an RV and do stateside missions.
Most important thing you have learned so far? I cannot live with Jesus
Andy (14)
Favorite Food? Chicken and Biscuits (or any comfort foods)
Favorite Song? Undignified by David Crowder Band
Chore you absolutely despise? Cleaning
What do you want to be when you get older? Engineer
What things do you like to do? Playing outside, building things, yard projects, Lego building, taking anything apart, inventing, making
What is your favorite thing to do? Playing engineering computer games
Favorite school subject? Reading
What makes you happy? Comfort Food
What are you really good at? Thinking
What makes you proud of your family? That they love me.
How do you know you are loved? They don’t ignore me.
If you had a million extra dollars, what would you do with it? Get a really big house and a lot of old parts (like an old car). I’m in need of a Honda alternator.
Most important thing you have learned so far? Time Budgeting
Sophie (12)
Favorite Food? Gambino’s Pizza from Tonganoxie, KS
Favorite Song? Trading My Sorrows
Chore you absolutely despise? Cleaning the toilets (I have 3 brothers!)
What do you want to be when you get older? Nail Polish Person
What things do you like to do? Scootering, playing with my brothers, playing with my friends, painting, arts & crafts, nails, dolls, baking, swimming, playing tennis, going to camp, having tea parties.
What is your favorite thing to do? Play dolls with my friends
Favorite school subject? Mental Math
What makes you happy? My Family
What are you really good at? Being a friend to others
What makes you proud of your family? They help me.
How do you know you are loved? When people are kind to me.
If you had a million extra dollars, what would you do with it? Donate it to Garments of Praise, buy an RV, get an indoor swimming pool, and buy a ginormous house.
Most important thing you have learned so far? 1) Nail polish can stain carpet. 2) Don’t run inside a glass maze!
Samuel (7)
Favorite Food? Gambino’s Pizza from Tonganoxie, KS
Favorite Song? Galactic Starveyors
Chore you absolutely despise? Cleaning my room.
What do you want to be when you get older? Chemical Reaction Scientist
What things do you like to do? Play outside, play with my sister, talk about amusement parks, play army guys, go to Disney World, read, do plays
What is your favorite thing to do? I like a lot of things
Favorite school subject? History
What makes you happy? Ice Cream
What are you really good at? Growing Hair and scaring people
What makes you proud of your family? My brothers and sisters aren’t “that” mean to me… I’m not saying they aren’t mean, they just aren’t “that” mean!
How do you know you are loved? When people tell me they love me.
If you had a million extra dollars, what would you do with it? Buy an RV
Most important thing you have learned so far? Never tar and feather anybody.
Toby (5)
Favorite Food? Pizza from Pie 5
Favorite Song? God’s Not Dead
Chore you absolutely despise? Picking up
What do you want to be when you get older? Musketeer
What things do you like to do? Play
What is your favorite thing to do? Boxing
Favorite school subject? Drawing
What makes you happy? Playing
What are you really good at? Puzzles
What makes you proud of your family? Samuel
How do you know you are loved? People tell me
If you had a million extra dollars, what would you do with it? Put it in my pocket
Most important thing you have learned so far? Don’t go barefoot in Nana’s craft room.
Winnie (3 mo.)
Favorite Food? Egg whites, Hot dogs, honey, Peanuts, and shellfish
Favorite Song? My Delight
Chore you absolutely despise? Getting dressed
What do you want to be when you get older? Owner of a unicorn ranch in Montana.
What things do you like to do? Eat. sleep. poop. repeat all.
What is your favorite thing to do? Eat
Favorite school subject? Naptime
What makes you happy? Siblings
What are you really good at? Throwing Fits
What makes you proud of your family? They wait on me hand and foot.
How do you know you are loved? I am held all the time.
If you had a million extra dollars, what would you do with it? Buy diapers
Most important thing you have learned so far? When I cry, I get my way.
