Arkansas

On June 1, my cousin Courtney got married in Eureka Springs, Arkansas...where you might ask, we weren't really sure.  None of the Lundstrom's had been to Arkansas before, so we thought we should take advantage of this trip and stay a little longer to explore Arkansas.  First up, we loaded up Papa and Grandma Pat's van with all of us Murphy's.  We left Thursday morning and it took over 7 hours because of the heavy, heavy rain we had to drive through.  Braydon was great in the car, he got to watch all the movies he wanted to!  Kellan did not enjoy the car ride as much, but he did pretty good.  We reserved a cabin in the woods and we were not really sure what we were in for.  It turned out to be great!

As soon as we got there, around 4pm, Braydon wanted to go swimming.  So Papa and I took him swimming, little did we know, the pool wasn't heated.  He loved it!  Joel, Kristen, Tyson and Charlie showed up around 6:30pm.  We had a good first night grilling out, playing dice and of course the kids watched a movie.  And of course a tornado warning...but lucky for us, no big problems - just an interrupted dice game.

The next morning, we woke up to a little mouse incident (for anyone that knows me, I don't handle this well).  Lucky for me, Tyson spotted the little thing downstairs and Joel, Ryan and the boys were skillful enough to get the mouse out the back door and on his way!

We got up and headed for a little hike. 

Braydon looking for bugs

Good spot for a family picture

The Lundstrom's

Kellan thought hiking was exhausting!

After hiking it was time to head back to the cabin for some more swimming.  Kellan has never been swimming before, so I was anxious to see if he liked it.  Flashback to Braydon who hated swimming at this age (we couldn't even get him to take bath).

Kellan loved it! 

Braydon liked it too!

Of course Charlie and Tyson loved it!

After swimming time for some cheeseballs!

That night we were all invited to the rehearsal dinner.  We finally met up with all the Noonan's.  It was our first time driving in Eureka Springs which was interesting and adventurous.  The town is built in the hills and the roads are challenging.  The town has a really neat downtown and small town feel. 

all dressed up!

Kellan and Dad looking good!

Home in time to watch a movie!

Saturday morning we woke up with the idea to go for a train ride.  We loaded up everyone in the car again and got to the train in plenty of time. 

waiting for the train and Braydon wasn't feel well

The train ride was interesting and informative.  We got to smash some pennies which was cool.  The entire time Braydon said he didn't feel good.  The roads are really windy and curvy.  He ended up getting sick on the way back to the cabin.  We hung out that afternoon, just grilling out and some of the Noonan's came out to visit.  Braydon still wasn't feeling well, so Mom, Dad, Joel and I headed in town for the wedding and everyone else was going to join us at the reception.

The wedding was great, Courtney looked beautiful and they wrote their own vows, which was really neat (not a dry eye in the house)!

At the reception, everyone joined us and we thought Braydon was feeling better.  He sat on my lap for 2.5 hours during the reception.  After the dancing started, Grandma Pat was going to hold Braydon, it most of been enough movement that it upset his stomach and it was time to head home early!

The next morning, Braydon still wasn't feeling well, but I thought we still needed a group picture. It was a long drive home, but as soon as we walked in the door Braydon felt great!

Group picture take one

Papa and Kellan hanging on the porch

close up of the group