• Travel & Vacation: Visiting the Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta, GA)

    P1140327cc

     Our family at the Atlanta Zoo!

    We surprised the girls with a long weekend trip to Atlanta, Georgia over Easter weekend.  They were very excited to go explore the Atlanta area.  We are members of our local zoo so we were able to get into the Atlanta Zoo at a discount which was really nice.  The kids love animals, learning more about various ones, interacting, and so much more.

    Since it was Easter weekend at the Atlanta Zoo the animals were getting special treats to enjoy for the Holiday.  The new Amphibian & Reptile Exhibit also opened the weekend we were there as well.  There were a lot of people at the zoo, but it was so big we had plenty of time do see and do almost everything (some things the kids enjoyed it so much we did it again).

    Travel & Vacation - Atlanta Zoo - Georgia - GAP1400623c

    Pink Flamingos were hanging out peacefully near the entrance to the zoo

    P1400633c

    So excited….Karlie and Brina!  They have their maps out and are ready to GO!

    P1130713c

     The birds were sleeping peacefully all together on one branch.

    P1130709c

     It was a little chilly when we first got there in the shade at opening, but no one was complaining!

    P1130714c

     Birds of all colors

    P1130716c

    Brina soaking it all in.  She loves animals.

    P1130727c

     Playing around in the water puddles.

    P1130721c

     Karlie smiling as she quietly watches the birds and little kids.

    P1130736c

     Meerkat’s roaming around in their pen.

    P1130751c

     There is always one Meerkat on watch (or guard) for predators

    P1130752c

     They gave the Meerkats a pillow case stuffed full of hay, little bugs, and special treats.  They were a little timid about it at first, but before long they were all taking turns going into the pillow case and digging out their special treats.

    P1130772c

     Are you done yet!  Hurry up and get your bug so I can get my turn inside the Easter treat sack!!!

    P1400645c

     They look cute, but serious.  Look at those claws on this meerkat!  Yikes!

    P1400677c

    Rhino heading out into the sun after getting some sticky mud on itself to protect it from a sunburn.

    P1140376c

     This rhino was moving the stick around and chewing on it.  Must of had something tasty on it.

    P1400679c

     They drew flowers, easter eggs, and bunny rabbits with chalk on the rocks in the Zebra’s pen.

    P1400689c

     The warthogs got hard boiled and colored Easter eggs for their special treat.  They both found the first one about the same time.

    P1400697c

     Someone found the purple Easter egg!

    P1400703c

    The elephants had Easter eggs that had a jello consistency that they place in baskets made of leaves.   This elephant just discovered the basket of leaves and is moving it out of the way so she can eat her jello Easter egg.

    P1140379c

     Whole lot of elephants!  They had a huge pen and sometimes if you couldn’t see them on one side you had to go around to see them in a different section.

    P1400768c

     Jake and his girls exploring the Atlanta Zoo

    P1130976c

     Beautiful bird

    P1400775c

     Brina found Big Bird’s Nest!!! HA!

    P1400778c

     My two little chickies in the huge nest!

    P1400781c

    Karlie thought the nest was hilarious!

  • Travel & Vacation: Amazing Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom (Orlando, FL)

    P1370777c

    Brina ready to head out on the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom

    The fast passes were gone for the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom before we decided which day we would be going to the park which is a sign that this is a popular activity.  We waited in line for about an hour to go on the safari, but it was very worth it.  This is the longest we had to wait for any activity while at Animal Kingdom.  During this safari we were able to see real animals in their natural habitats during the expedition through the Safari.

    We got to ride out to the safari where many animals were living in the wild.   We went through mud, standing water, on “shaky” bridges, and more while seeing animals at every turn.  Many of these animals I would not want to meet out in the jungle, however, the animals in this jungle looked well fed, peaceful, and relaxed.  It was a wonderful experience.  The kids LOVED this and rated the Safari as one of their favorite activities while at Animal Kingdom.  If you are ever at Animal Kingdom don’t miss this activity if you like seeing a lot of wild animals fairly close!

    P1370779c

    Karlie on the lookout for animals!

    P1370781c

    An okapi which is half zebra and half giraffe!

    P1370795cc

    Hippo sunning itself on the bank by the water.

    P1370796c

    A group of hippo hanging out in the water.

    P1370800c

    Beautiful scenery!

    P1370803c

    That’s a lot of alligators in one spot!

    P1370806c

    Thankfully that big guy is heading that  direction and not our way!

    P1370814c

    Life is rough!

    P1370823c

    Very tall termite mound!  Surprised at how many of these were around in a variety of different sizes and shapes.

    P1370829c

    Giraffes nibbling on the tree!

    P1370836c

    Grazing!

    P1370854c

    Friendly elephant!

    P1370858c

    The elephants were covering themselves with mud to keep from getting sunburned.

    P1370867c

    A cluster of elephants rooming around.

    P1370876c

    The upside down tree (looks like the roots are growing out of the top).

    P1370881c

    Pink flamingos hanging out around the water.

    P1370885c

    Rhinos munching on hay!

    P1370889cc

    Had to stop our drive through the grasslands when a rhino decided to cross the road in front of us.

    P1370891c

    Meandering along!

    P1370896c

    A gathering of rhinos helping themselves to some delicious rhino snacks.

    P1370900c

    Cheetah napping in the shade.

    P1370907c

    Lion sleeping in the cool rocks.

    P1370909c

    Zebras munching on the grass.

    P1370917c

    Warthogs resting

    P1370919c

    Ostrich eggs?

    P1370920c

    Zebras were pretty!

    P1370925c

    The animals were so peaceful!

    P1370931c

    Relaxing!