Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Spring Creek Venue

The Big Day!!

Our Wedding

It all started in the summer of 2016 when we met at Camp Barnabas. Matthew said that he didn't want a girlfriend so he avoided me because I was/ am so hot and he knew he would fall right in love with me. I knew I would fall in love with her when I pitched to her during a home run derby and she cranked my first pitch well over the wall. Seeing her get guy after guy out in knockout during staff week also cemented in my plans for raising a future D-1&nbsp;athlete with her.&nbsp;So he avoided me all summer long. Maddie,&nbsp;his sister,&nbsp;was coming&nbsp;the last week of camp, so he requested her to be in my cabin as a missionary. She knew he liked me, but he told her she wasn't supposed to tell me. So guess what she did?&nbsp;She told my CO, Caylee Stokes, and word travelled real quick. When I heard,&nbsp;I knew it was time to make my move. So I wrote him a note telling him how great he had&nbsp;done this summer and that he loved&nbsp;the campers so well.&nbsp;&nbsp;Really subtle.&nbsp;But that because&nbsp;everyone had been&nbsp;giving us heck,&nbsp;and&nbsp;saying that we should date, it&nbsp;made it difficult to be friends. So I asked him if we could take the same off and go talk at the picnic tables. When we met up at the picnic table he said, "Let me cut to the chase, I've liked you all summer and I&nbsp;wouldn't date you if I couldn't see myself marrying you." So I said, "same."&nbsp;To this day I still don't know&nbsp;why I said that. That's definitely not like me at all and if I were her I would've been super weirded out but I guess it's not every day someone tall, tan and handsome tells you they could see themselves marrying you.&nbsp;

And that's when it all began. The summer ended&nbsp;and he left for Alabama. But you bet your bottom he was right back in Missouri to visit me the next week. This was the start of our 2 year, long distance relationship. The majority of my money from these last 2 years has definitely gone to gas.&nbsp;The many 9 hours drives from Tuscaloosa to Springfield for the weekend. I got to experience my first Alabama football game and he got to experience a Missouri State Football game, which he loved. It felt like an Auburn basketball game before they suddenly became basketball fans after Bruce Pearl got hired.&nbsp;He got to go to the Farmers Market for the first time, and many (many)&nbsp;greenhouses. There were&nbsp;Young Life Formals, birthday weekends, thanksgiving,&nbsp;family Christmas, and New Years parties (like Morgan crying and telling me she loved me and hoping she didn't get fired from camp because she had 3 sips of a margarita on NYE&nbsp;followed by her falling asleep before midnight).&nbsp;





In January we found out that we would get to be on the same Leadership team the&nbsp;summer of 2017&nbsp;at Barnabas, which meant that we got to spend another summer together. Summer 2017 was a pivotal time in our relationship. We made incredible friendships that will last a life time and have helped shape us into who we are today. This is when Matthew decided it was the real deal and that he wanted to marry me.&nbsp;I knew I wanted to marry her but I wasn't sure when. That came to fruition a month or two later at 2 AM on my kitchen floor while I was hanging out with my roommates. We were up talking about a lot of different stupid topics and eventually it came to the point where I realized it was time. I looked at dates and decided on April 13th. I then made the infamous GroupMe 6 months before we got engaged and added 87 people and somehow Morgan didn't find out.&nbsp;



After this summer we had another year of long distance, and after 6 months of planning,&nbsp;he proposed that April.&nbsp;May 2018 we were both working at Camp and took on our last few months of being apart, when&nbsp;we worked at separate camps. Before we knew it, it was August and we were finally living in the same city!! WOO!!&nbsp;Matthew just started working full time for Barnabas, and I started my senior year at Missouri State. We've been figuring out how to live in the same city and be a part of each other's everyday lives as well as wedding planning, and getting to make the 9 hour drives together. Let me tell ya, we are ready for May 25th to be here.&nbsp;I am pretty terrible at being sentimental, but this relationship with Morgan has grown me more than any other worldly event in my life. I had nervously clenched butt cheeks for the whole 11 hour drive (Thanks Tyler) to&nbsp;go propose to her because I knew I was about to ask the most incredible woman I've ever met to spend the rest of her life with an idiot like me. After&nbsp;several wrong turns and a speeding ticket Tyler and I finally got to Morgan's apartment and the deed was done. I think the only thing she remembers me saying is "You piss me off more than anyone else I know but..." but sometimes the hardest truths are the most beautiful. If you're still reading at this point I commend you and I'd rather just tell y'all the story in person where I can embellish it to make it more romantic and dangerous.&nbsp;

"I wouldn't date you if I couldn't see myself marrying you." -Matthew

Our Story

Details

Photos

Tyler and I grew up together back in Huntsville. From video games, to getting trouble in school, to fishing and catching nothing, to whatever stupid stuff we decided to do, Tyler and I have always been best friends. He is one of the nicest, most considerate people I know and it drives me insane. For every time I have ever roasted him or been selfish he always responds with kindness and a compliment of how good my "burn" was. Tyler pays for my meals more than I pay for Morgan's which is concerning. We have worked at camp for 4 years and they have never put us at the same camp, which is probably good for the safety of everyone involved. Tyler might be the hairiest person I know but I think that's what gives him such a warm and welcoming personality. I know he would do anything for me and I can never repay him for the friend he's been to me. Everyone needs a Tyler in their life.&nbsp;

Tyler Wegrzyn

I have known Masie since my freshman year of college. We met in the Vine, which is a student ministry at Missouri State, and we have done most things together since then. She is my roommate this year, and when I say roommate, I mean we literally share a room. We have known each other for 4 years and I would say that we have learned more about each other&nbsp;the last few months than in the past 4 years of our friendship.So go ahead and add her to your prayer list until May 25th, when she is finally rid of me. Masie pushes me daily to be better.&nbsp;&nbsp;She is funny, loyal, heck'n smart,&nbsp; and has the best taste in music. She shows me Jesus everyday by the way she loves people unconditionally.She is bold, passionate and the best dang maid of honor I could have asked for.&nbsp;&nbsp;She is the one who has kept me sane during this whole&nbsp;wedding planning process.&nbsp;I am truly grateful for her and her constant love and encouragement in my life.&nbsp;

Masie Taylor 

Addi is a senior in high school and has become one of the best people I&nbsp;know. We have finally gotten past that part in our relationship where all we do is fight and are finally friends. Being able to say that your sister is one your best friends is one of the best things. We have seen each other at our very worst and very best moments. Some of our very worst moments were probably at each other.&nbsp;I really can't tell you how proud of her I am for the woman she has become. It has taken me by surprise as she has just turned 18 and about to start college that she actually might be the best out of the three of us daughters. She is one of the most loyal and unconditional people I know. The people she loves and cares for are some of the luckiest people to have her on their side fighting for them and encouraging them through life.&nbsp;

Addi Cantrell 

Will is (like&nbsp;a) brother to me. Will and I are so similar and also so different. If you took me, made me a little less obnoxious and stripped away most of my negative qualities you would have Will. On the surface he is just a giant, hulking goober. But on the inside there is a mysterious and deep side to him that rarely shows itself. It's honestly hard to describe Will, but he is truly the best brother I could ever ask for. Being six years his senior, I know I was his (imperfect) role model, but he will surpass me in every area. Maddie and I have been reluctant to laugh at his jokes or admit that he is funny until recently, but he truly is one of the funnier people I know. Anyone who knows him from Barnabas knows he truly cares for others and always puts them before himself. I think that thoughtful people like Will and Tyler enable my selfishness so I guess it's good I don't live near them anymore. Just a word of warning to all you would-be lady lovers of Will, he's an incredible single man and he won't be on the market long.

Will McDavid

He has 3 degrees. I think like Tyler, Taylor has taken care of me more than anybody besides my mother. Actually, Taylor is kind of like my mother. My first significant&nbsp;memory of Taylor is at camp right before I knew I was about to be up all night. He came into the building that I was in and gave me a Dr. Pepper and a Hershey bar and said "You might want these, I know you're gonna have a long night." The next weekend he invited me to his house which eventually led to the great Summer for the Boys of 2016. We were in a long-distance relationship until August of 2018 when we became roommates and started our domestic relationship. We now cook dinner together, work out together with our shared YMCA membership and watch "our shows" with our other roommate Cason. He plays the best and funniest DnD character I have ever seen and is close to regaining his Greek god-esque body from 2016. I love Taylor more than he knows and it will be tough when our relationship has to go to the friend zone.&nbsp;

Taylor Oglesby

Ryleigh and I met our freshman year of college through the Vine. From the moment we met we hit it off and have been deeply rooted in each others lives ever sense.&nbsp;Ryleigh is another one of my roommates this year and is my dance partner through life. She is bold, courageous, encouraging, and fun. Our friendship can go from talking about how good the Lord is to standing on that same couch dancing in a matter of two seconds. It is truly an iron sharpening iron friendship. She is the life of the party and&nbsp; brings so much joy to the room.

Ryleigh Watson 

Kelli is someone that loves people whole heartedly and unconditionally. &nbsp;She is forgiving and gracious and will make anyone feel like a friend. She is another one of my roommates and I am so thankful for her. We met our freshman year at Missouri State, in&nbsp;the Vine. She is fun, spontaneous, and lives in true freedom. You can see that she dwells completely secure in the Lord by the way she loves the people in her life.&nbsp;I am lucky to have her as one of my very best friends. She has made me a better person and I strive to see the best in everyone the way that she does. But also, she's freakin funny.&nbsp;

Kelli Heineck 

Jake is in the top 5 for most attractive men that I know. He's also one of the most intelligent men I know. He is a fellow SJW, which has led to our mutual understanding that we are smarter and have broader perspectives than most of the world. In the year of white guys getting together to make podcasts;&nbsp;Jake, myself, and a fellow SJW by the name of J. Kanderson started a podcast called&nbsp;That's That On That&nbsp;which&nbsp;has been a crucial influencer in today's political media outlets.&nbsp;I don't think there are many people, save Morgan, who understand me as a person as well as Jake does. There are so many things that Jake gets that I get in a way that no one else does, I don't know if that makes sense, but that's what I meant. Jake also always challenges me, as in I can never say something lazily or without knowing what I'm talking about because he will always call me out on it and in order to retain my facade of intellect I have to explain myself quickly. I wouldn't exactly say we have an iron sharpens iron friendship as we have also convinced each other its okay to skip class for a week, eat one meal a day, and play video games for 8+ hours a day. I don't know if its my toxic masculinity or something else, but it always hard for me to put into words how I feel about Jake, but I love him dearly and he will always be one of my best friends.

Jake Gillham

Lauren is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We have been friends since 7th grade when Morgan Davidson&nbsp;made us sleep on the same air mattress. Throughout high school we were inseparable. We have laughed together, cried together, and gone through our most awkward stages together. She will always have one of the deepest and most special places in my heart. She is passionate, brilliant, and one of the hardest working people I know. Just being with her makes me want to be better. We have been separated for nearly all of college but when we get the chance to see each other it always picks up right where it left off. I am so proud of who she is and how truly passionate she is.&nbsp;

Lauren Collier

Slide boy can't get slid on if he ain't wearing the right pants.&nbsp;Alex and I have always had shockingly similar senses of humor. My first memory of Alex is him drifting us and a couple of our friends in an old white minivan in high school.&nbsp;Since then we have spent countless hours fishing, playing basketball, roasting each other, arguing or betting on any and everything and&nbsp;playing on the same&nbsp;intramural sports teams.&nbsp;Alex is as close to a brother as I have ever had in a friend and he has spent several Thanksgivings or Easters with my family. I have had more late night conversations and long phone calls with Alex than probably anyone. Alex was there for my first beer, my first breakup, my first small group I ever led and will be there for my first day as a married man. No matter how much time goes by I know Alex and I will always be best friends.&nbsp;

Alex Guerrero

I have probably spent more time with Patrick than anyone outside of my family. We went to the same high school, church, and then the same college and the same church at college, and then we were roommates for two years. I hate losing to Patrick more than anything, I don't know why, maybe it's the brother thing again. Anyways, Patrick is one of those valedictorian, 35 on the ACT without studying, 4.0 in engineering type guys who is also athletic. At some point you think that there needs to be some sort of cut off but yeah thats the kind of guy I spent a lot of time around, really helps keep my pride in check. I had the honor of being in Patrick's wedding last May and he has always set an example for me with how good of a boyfriend, fiance, and husband he is to Jenny. Patrick and I have played countless hours of CoD, Rocket League, and Fortnite together while also taking our high school basketball team to the state championship and our intramural teams not quite&nbsp;so far.&nbsp;We are different in almost every way possible but the immense amount of time we have spent together has brought us as close as brothers and I know I can count on him for anything. For more on Patrick and how much I love him see my speech at his rehearsal dinner that my Mom recorded.

Patrick Jesup

Holy cow, how am I supposed to write about this amazing woman.&nbsp;Morgan and I have known each other since the sixth grade.&nbsp; We spent all of high school being the loudest ones in the stands, and making an appearance at any school function we could.&nbsp;She is someone who has played a huge role in who I am today and the relationship that I have with Jesus. We have seen each other at our best times in life&nbsp;and our worst, and I know that no matter where we live we will always be&nbsp;able to pick right&nbsp;back up from where we left off. Morgan, her husband, and the&nbsp;newest member of the family, Cedar have been living in&nbsp;Ukraine for about two years now. I am so proud of them and the way they have trusted in the process of creating a new life in Ukraine. I'm so excited that they will be home visiting in May and will be able to be part of our wedding!

Morgan Davidson 

Kailey and I's relationship goes all the way back to freshman year of high school. I have always known her to be one of the most&nbsp;warm hearted, passionate, joyful people I know. It makes me laugh to think about our friendship and how far we have both come. At the beginning it was her pulling me along and trying to get me to understand the Lord's love for me, but now we get to be in this season together, cheering&nbsp;each other on. She is one of my biggest supporters through&nbsp;life and inspires me to enjoy it to the fullest. To know Kailey, you are truly blessed and get to experience more love and kindness, as well as have&nbsp;your own personal hype man.&nbsp;

Kailey Coiner 

Trey and I were sophomores when we were thrown in together as co-Life Group leaders of a small group that had a lot of seniors in it. We had no idea what we were doing but it was an incredible year and we became super close through it. We then roomed together for two years and he learned to accept my unhealthy video game habits while I learned to accept that he would re-watch the same show 5 times in one month, even a show as terrible as&nbsp;Friends. Trey and I would go through similar cycles of healthy eating and lifestyle for about a week followed by a month of eating fast food for every meal, skipping the majority of our classes, and not moving for long periods of time. Trey and I also experienced similar changes of perspective in college as well as a growing appreciation for dark and savage humor. Trey has only ever encouraged me and been an example of consistency in his relationship with the Lord while I was wavering.&nbsp;Trey is now an English teacher for middle schoolers and somehow enjoys it so if that's&nbsp;not a&nbsp;testament to his mental fortitude I don't know what is. Trey is an incredible person and I can't wait to stand by his side for his wedding as well!

Trey Hicks

Laura Hunter is one of the best people in the whole world. I met Laura while I was&nbsp;working at Camp Barnabas. I got the privilege of being on the same leadership team with her and getting to form one of the sweetest friendships with her. After that summer I knew that she was going to be in my life forever and that she was going to be someone that would stand by me on my wedding&nbsp;day.&nbsp;She was one of the first people&nbsp;to be good friends with&nbsp;both Matthew and I, &nbsp;and be part of&nbsp;&nbsp;what it looked&nbsp;like for us to be a couple.When I think about her I think of&nbsp; laying on the side walk, looking at the stars, falling off of a three high bunk bed, and belly laughing till she peed her pants.&nbsp;I truly don't think I can put how wonderful she is into words. But I will say that she is one of the most loving, kind, powerful,&nbsp; incredible humans I know.&nbsp;She has no idea how much of a blessing she is to this world and the people's lives she is in.&nbsp;

Laura Hunter

I'm not sure if he enjoys Dos Equis, but&nbsp;David West might be the most interesting man in the world. I have vivid memories dating back to 1st grade of David catching any and every animal with his bare hands. Also known as Bearclaw, David West is a legend in whatever region he currently occupies. In our two years as roommates at Alabama he was a cunning and ruthless hunter of the mice that lived in our house. He would also get lost in the woods on midnight bike rides as well as whatever ridiculous things he decided he was going to do that day.&nbsp;David is also one of the kindest and most patient individuals I have ever met. He dealt with all of my crap for two years and we are still great friends, even though our minds work and think almost completely opposite. We have wasted a lot of time together but have also gone on adventures and had a lot of really funny times together. We have been YoungLife leaders and Barnabas summer staffers together, PCS and Alabama students together. I don't quite know anyone else like David West and trying to describe him or how I feel about him is as unique a challenge as any. Get to know David West be ready to see the world through an entirely different lens.&nbsp;

David West

I am so excited to get to call Maddie my sister!&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though we aren't legally sisters, I already love her&nbsp;like she has been my sister all along. Our relationship started when Matthew requested her to be in my cabin at Camp Barnabas, in 2016. She is probably taking credit for our relationship because she's the one who&nbsp;spilled the beans that he liked me. Since then, I've gotten so lucky to gain a friend and sister that is fun, uplifting, and witty. The past two years when we've gone on family trips,&nbsp;or gotten&nbsp;together for the holidays,&nbsp; I have shared a bed with her and spent&nbsp;about 90% of the&nbsp;time with her. Matthew is pretty lucky he has a sister that will keep me&nbsp;company while&nbsp;him and Will are playing hours and hours of video games. It has been so special getting to build my own relationship with Maddie. Last summer we got to spend the whole summer together.&nbsp;I remember when I pulled her away from the dance party and asked her to be a brides maid on the floating trampoline on the lake, during the sunset, it was a picture perfect moment. I'm so proud of her and the amazing woman that she is, and the love that she shares to this world.&nbsp;

Maddie McDavid

I originally planned on waiting to write this until Cole texted me back but it would probably be well past our wedding when that happens so I guess I'll just have to go ahead and write it now. While Cole is just such a superior human being to most of us due to his collegiate athlete status as well as dental student status he does do an incredible job of relating to us lowly mortals. The first time I met Cole was when he was assigned to guard me in the 2016 BOL/Teas Trail basketball game. After I consistently rained threes all game his team captain switched Cole out so he could guard me himself. And if a college athlete couldn't guard me then I can assure you that I hit the game winner over the other guy too. All that aside I look up to Cole more than most people. There aren't many people who are genuinely as kind and&nbsp;thoughtful as Cole is. He has encouraged and pushed me so much in the two summers that we served on leadership together and is one of my best friends. We have talked about raising our children together if that is any indication of what he means to me. Our love for each other is definitely shown through constant barrages of insults and competition. There is no one more loyal or thoughtful that I know and I am truly lucky to have Cole, President of Zeta Chi, in my life.

Cole Stallard

I have known Codie since the summer of 2015. We met at Camp Barnabas the first time I ever went. We were both there by ourselves and ended up being in the same cabin. From the moment we met we were friends. She is the type of friend who knows someone for a week and is already sending them care packages from states away, and making them mixed CD’s. We have gotten to live in the same town for 2 years now,&nbsp;and our friendship has been continuously growing. She loves thrifting, coffee, and plants just as much as I do, if not more. She’s always showing me new music, and making me cooler with the hip pics she takes. Codie is a friend who loves unconditionally. She has been there for me in some of my toughest times, and is a constant encourager in my life. She lives her life looking for the beauty in the world and constantly making more of it. I am forever thankful for her and the sweet friendship I have with her.&nbsp;

Codie Homer 

Speaking of college athletes... This summer Taylor and I probably played over a hundred rounds of mini golf and while this was often criticized Taylor and I as true professionals knew that usually the most important business was handled on the golf course. I've known Taylor for about 3 or 4 years now and that time has consisted of an essentially constant argument between us about a variety of sports-related topics. I can't claim to have ever really locked Taylor down in basketball but I am an SEC fan so most people say my overall KenPom and quality of wins are better. I usually describe Taylor as the big brother I never had. I have always looked up to him and sought his approval. Every week during the summer of 2017 Taylor would do or say something incredibly wise or insightful that would blow my mind. Taylor often gives off that vibe that I'm pretty sure I do as well that seems to not care about anything or be a "cool" guy but Taylor is truly one of the most encouraging, insightful people I know. For two summer he helped push me to be a better person every day as my boss while also being one of my best friends. Now that Taylor has moved back to his old stomping grounds of being a standout HS basketball player I miss him a lot, but he is still that older brother to me.

Taylor Wagener

Victor is almost directly responsible for helping reel in my arrogant, lost, and immature soul during my sophomore year of college. He was my assigned mentor when I was a Bible study leader and truly helped shape me and my understanding of discipleship. While we haven't been able to meet as consistently as that year Victor has always been there for me, counseling me, encouraging me, and pushing me. I truly think Victor and I have about 1 shared interest but that has never stopped us from having a deep meaningful friendship. Victor has always pushed me to be more open and honest with people, as he was only ever honest with me. I truly have learned so much from him. He has always said "I love you" to me, something I was never super comfortable saying or receiving for awhile. I love you Victor.&nbsp;

Victor Davidson

Katelyn has had a huge impact on the woman that I am today. I met her the very first night I was on&nbsp;Missouri State's Campus. She has taught me what a relationship with the Lord looks like and has encouraged me nonstop. Whether I'm in Springfield going to school, or working at Barnabas for the summer she is also doing all she can to build me up.&nbsp;She pushes everyone around her towards the Lord and is the most genuine person I know. She loves people so passionately and has poured into so many women around her. I look up to Kate and the way she does everything to glorify the Lord. She married her husband, Caleb in September and I had the privilege of being part of her wedding, and I'm so glad she will be part of mine!&nbsp;

Katelyn Rodabaugh 

Molly Kate is one of those friends that makes you see all of the beauty in&nbsp; the world, and cries when she is joyful. She is one of the sweetest friends in my life and it came completely out of nowhere. I got to lead Delight (a women's ministry) with her and experience the love of the Lord pouring out of her. She is passionate about good coffee, people, and music with out lyrics.&nbsp;We have had a long distance friendship this past year while she went to Florida for a Child Life Internship.&nbsp;I don't know a job more perfect for her, where her role is to go in and radiate love in dark situations. I am forever thankful for her friendship and the constant encouragement she is to me.&nbsp;

Molly Kate Adelman 

So long story short, Frazier is the reason I became a YoungLife leader, and YoungLife was one of the most impactful experiences in my life. Frazier spent a whole semester asking me to come to stuff and I basically ignored him until I finally went, became a YoungLife leader, and became best friends with Frazier. We have done a lot of stupid things together and laughed at a lot of even stupider things. I have had so many long conversations with Frazier about every topic imaginable.&nbsp;Frazier has helped me significantly develop my music tastes as well as knowledge of movies. And again, speaking of college athletes, Frazier at least gave me a glimpse of why people care about baseball. Frazier is that guy that is always down for whatever, and will always be there when I need him. I'm honored to be in his wedding in about 3 weeks and wouldn't have mine without him!

Frazier Taylor

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

The rate of the Cantrell/McDavid wedding is $80.90 per night for 2 people.&nbsp;This is for two queen-sized beds and includes breakfast. The entire hotel is non-smoking. The hotel will only block off 10 rooms at a time, but will open more when those are filled. The cut-off date to book the rooms at this rate is April 23,2019.&nbsp;

AmericInn by Wyndham, Republic

The Barnabas House Bed and Breakfast is located in Branson, MO, about an hour from the Republic/Springfield area. The bed and breakfast is operated by students who have completed the Barnabas Prep program which is a nine-month long residential college program for young adults with disabilities. The Victorian-style house has four rooms with private baths and offers guests a full gourmet breakfast. Visit <a href="http://www.houseofbarnabas.com">www.houseofbarnabas.com</a> to make reservations.

Barnabas House Bed & Breakfast

Travel

The very first Bass Pro Shop is located in Springfield, MO. It is a huge store filled with not only outdoor merchandise, but also wildlife – some stuffed and some real. Last year, Bass Pro opened The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. Tickets are $39.95 for adults and $23.95 for children. Average tour time for visitors is 3-4 hours.

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

Highly recommended by Camp Barnabas staffers. $2.50 for adults and $1.75 for children 5-11-years-old. Located between Republic and Springfiel

Fun Acre

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and the site of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focused national attention on the war in Missouri. Entrance Fee: $20 per car

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

(One of Morgan's favorites!!)&nbsp;The 112-acre Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park contains a number of garden attractions including the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and Dr. Roston Native Butterfly House; the historic Gray-Campbell Farmstead; and picnic pavilions. The park is open sunrise to sunset. The Botanical Center/ welcome center is open Monday-Saturday 8 am - 8 pm and Sunday 11 am - 6pm April - October. The building closes at 5 pm November - March. The majority of the park is free.

Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park

The author of the “Little House” series lived and wrote her famous autobiographies in Mansfield, MO on the homestead built by her and Almanzo called Rocky Ridge Farm. She lived there from 1896 until her death in 1957. The house is preserved just as it was when she lived there and wrote her books. Mansfield is about 1 hour east of Springfield, watch for Amish horse and buggies as you drive. Admission to the home is $14 for adults 18 and over and $7 for children 6-17. Under 6 are free

Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum - Closed in Winter

More than six million people have visited this little chapel made of glass and wood. It has won numerous architectural awards such as the American Institute of Architects Design of the Year Award for 1981 and AIA’s prestigious 25 Year Award. Recently, members of the American Institute of Architects placed Thorncrown Chapel fourth on its list of the top buildings of the twentieth century. It has been featured on television programs such as NBC Nightly News and the 700 Club. Almost every major magazine in the country has carried a story about the chapel including Time, Newsweek, and Parade. Eureka Springs is about an hour and a half from Republic. Admission is free.

Thorncrown Chapel

Crystal Bridges is an art museum combined with beautiful outdoor walking trails. Their permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. Included within the collection are iconic images such as Asher B. Durand’s Kindred Spirits, Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter, and Andy Warhol’s Coca-Cola [3]&mdash; each reflecting a distinct moment in American artistic evolution&mdash;as well as major works by modern and contemporary American artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe, John Baldessari, and James Turrell. The permanent collection is on view year-round and is enhanced by an array of temporary exhibitions. Admission to Crystal Bridges is free. Bentonville is about an hour and 45 minutes from Republic.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Known as “little Nashville,” but more like “little Seiverville/Pigeon Forge,” Branson is an easy hour drive from Springfield. It has the Silver Dollar City amusement park as well as numerous musical venues and other family attractions.

Branson, MO, USA

St. Louis is three hours from Springfield and has many famous attractions such as the streetcars and the St. Louis Arch.

Morgan & Matthew

Morgan & Matthew

Photos