Cameron Park Zoo



Dad pulling Natalie and our water/snacks

While in Texas, we visited Cameron Park Zoo.  With temps reaching into the 90's, we had a wagon load of water with a little room for Natalie to hop in and out of when she got tired of walking.  It worked well giving her the independence that she needed while allowing for needed breaks.

My mom and my 99 y.o. Grandma

Great Grandma came along too.  Though she walks, she also got to "ride" around the zoo and watch all the animals.


Natalie found a horse to ride.



How can ugly critters be so cute?



Jess, Nat and Heidi checking out the spots on this Cheetah

The exhibits allowed for up-front and personal interaction with the animals.

Even though there were several indoor exhibit areas, the younger kids really felt the heat. 

Natalie got a ride from Uncle Jack in the shade of his safari hat.



Craig taking a water break with Daddy.

We saw some very unique animals, birds and reptiles.

These two "love birds" just couldn't leave each other alone.

One of my favorites-the adolescent tiger that saw.  He was very quiet, but attentive.

Natalie and Grandma heading to the exit.  We had loads of fun, but it was time to go get cooled off and take a nap.

Texas

It was a whole new world for the kids when we walked out of the airport in Dallas.  Jessie said, "IT IS HOOOOOOTTTT!"  Wish you could have heard her inflection on that comment because it made me crack up!  It was 49F when we left home and well into the 90's when we landed in Dallas 24 hours later.  Natalie spotted the "palm trees" as soon as we pulled into our hotel.  All the kids have had fun looking for bugs and "wizards" (ie-lizards).  Heidi has had her first dehydration headache and all of the kids are learning the importance of keeping liquids in them when it is this hot.  Every chance the kids get they are in the pool at the hotel.  Ironically there is a "heated indoor pool."  I know that those of you who live in warmer climates could appreciate getting out of the heat to go swimming, but we've been enjoying the heat so much that we can't imagine spending money to heat a pool when it could be naturally heated by the sun.

Natalie managed to get quite a shiner from a little trip into a table.

Heidi and Jess are little fish.  I regret that they haven't been able to learn to swim yet.  Water in AK is just too cold to swim in even during the summer so the only exposure to swimming they have had is when we get to treat of staying at a hotel.  We are hoping that they catch on quickly this summer.

We also had so much fun getting reaquainted with aunts, uncles, cousins and our 99 year old grandma.  She was such a trooper keeping up with all the activity that was going on around her.  Grandma still walks on her own with some help and is able to stay with my Aunt and Uncle.  We are so proud of her.  The girls have asked about her a lot, constantly wanting to know how old she is.  Ninety-nine years is a lot for a 7 and 9 year old to wrap their mind around.

Uncle Jack and Aunt Anita's yard is like a little paradise to the kids.  Craig and Natalie were immediately drawn to the water feature.  It took about 5 minutes before I caught Craig with his pants off trying to climb into the water.  What's a kid to do, right?  You're hot and their's water right in front of you...get in!

It wasn't until we bought him a swimming suit that he learned that you can get wet while still wearing clothes!  So we heard very frequently when we started discussing swimming, "I want to get my doot (suit) on!"

All in all, the we all had a wonderful time visiting family in Waco.  It was our first time to meet some, and good to get caught up with others.