Karis and Olivia David of Annapolis, Maryland, visited My Corner of the Ozarks, on August 8-17. It was a thrill for Mimi and Papa to host our two oldest grandchildren.
On Monday morning, all the bags were packed, and Karis and Olivia told Mother, Daddy, and Emily, "Goodbye".
Olivia said her Daddy told her, "Not to have any fun."
We called our adventure, Camp David. Each girl kept a photo album with notes during the time.
It was a two-day drive in Mimi's Mini-van. I'm sure those two long days were the hardest part of the trip.
Watching movies on the portable DVC player helped to pass the time in the van.
This is Olivia, age 6, (soon to be 7 on Sept. 4). She started the first grade today and experienced her first earthquake.
Snacks refreshed all of us.
Karis, age 9, is now in 4th grade. School started today, Tuesday, August 23. It was also her first earthquake.
Some stops were interesting. Some were necessary.
We spent the night half way to Mountain View. The motel pool was a hit, of course. Both girls are good swimmers and love the water.
On Wednesday, Aug. 10, Papa had to mow the grass and catch up on some things. So Mimi took the girls to the Mtn. View pool. (The Willow Springs "water park" was closed and thus named a "bummer".)
In the late afternoon we swam in the Jack's Fork at Buck Hollow.
This is the same spot where all of us played in June 2010. Karis and Olivia remembered it, but they thought it was more fun when the whole family was there.
They remembered floating in tubes in the current. It was fun, but everyone missed the rest of the family (Lance, Grace, Emily, Brad, Faty, Matt, Liz, and Jackson). Maybe next summer.
As you might guess, everyone was worn out at the end of each day. Mimi was Chief Story Reader and Bedtime Singer.
There were a few "homesickness tears" the first night, less the second night and none thereafter. (As far as I know.)
On Thursday Aug. 11, we picked up "New Grandpa", my Dad, and drove to Branson. Janet and Dwight hosted us in grand style, as they always do.
We headed out to Silver Dollar City where Karis and Olivia tried several of the rides, including all the ones that get you wet. In this photo they are involved in my favorite activity, eating ice cream.
I guess the girls made a new friend at Silver Dollar City.
In the evening Uncle Dwight put Karis and Olivia in Go-Karts at The Track. That was after he grilled our supper.
On Friday morning we visited the Butterfly Palace. It was a very interesting and educational place. It was fun for young and old.
At the Butterfly Palace, visitors can climb a palm tree. Karis and Olivia were experts at climbing. They were also much quicker than Janet and Linda (photo not included).
Saturday, Aug. 13, was a very busy day. It started with horseback riding at our friend, Cyndi Summers'. Our granddaughters were joined by their second cousins, Hattie Mae, Gage, and Brodie. They are Kent and Donna's grand children (Linda's great niece and nephews).
Karis on Bambi.
Olivia on Bambi.
All the kids got acquainted with Smokey.
Then we visited Twin Pines Nature Center at Winona where they took part in nature crafts and archery.
Next we swam in the pool below Rocky Falls in the Mark Twain National Forest, east of Winona.
Three girls in the far back seat of the van did much giggling and singing.
All dressed up for Sunday School the next day.
Monday was a mostly quiet day, but we did swim in Jack's Fork one more time.
Then on Tuesday, Aug. 16, we drove to the St. Louis Zoo.
We didn't get this close to a real gorilla.
Our short visit to the zoo was hot and tiring. But we made the best of it.
On Wednesday, Aug. 17, we had an early breakfast at the airport.
Then Papa escorted the girls back to Maryland on Flight #2267.
After two hours in the air, Camp David was over. Grace and Emily met us at BWI. What a busy, fun-filled 10 days. Karis and Olivia were very glad to see Mom and Emily. After our plane landed, Olivia told me that she missed Mimi already.
All the kids got acquainted with Smokey. 
