We had planned to all arrive about 11:00, just in time for lunch together. I say we "planned" for that but what actually occurred was a tad bit different because of the significant amount of traffic getting into the zoo. Our Little Rock crew didn't have as much trouble as the Nashville crew who literally sat so dead still in the line to the parking lot that my cousin Lindsey was able to get out, make sandwiches for her entire family, serve those sandwiches, clean up their lunch and get back in the car before the traffic even moved...yikes! So our plan became fluid and general since we clearly weren't on "schedule".
We finally all met up about 12:15, after a much needed potty break and the regathering of people---when you try to move through a fairly crowded zoo with a crowd of 19 people---it can be somewhat challenging, but we did it! We even made it to the Grizzly Bear's feeding time, which was pretty cute to watch as sweet potatoes and frozen apples in ice blocks were thrown down to the bears...they really seemed to like their version of popsicles!
This lazy bear cracked me up, he just sat on his haunches taking in the scene and not wanting to get wet in order to get the food the zoo keepers were throwing at them--he wasn't tempted in the least! It's as if he's thinking "those fools".
But these two bears went for the food and seeing those claws up close made me glad the glass was so thick!
The Memphis Zoo is pretty big and it always seems like their animals are out and about. If you haven't been, you should go, the seal show, the grizzly bears and the giraffes are all pretty impressive!
Here are all the first cousins (Lindsey, Kim, Whitney and myself). It was good to all be together with our families.
The boys were most excited about the feeding and touching the sting rays.
Brison thought the fish food was pretty disgusting.
Here was most of our group minus my Aunt Debbi and Mike. (I was so glad that Andrew was able to come along with us on our "crazy train".)
Even though the day was a little chaotic at the start and there was the challenge of moving 19 people through the zoo at an appropriate pace so that everyone could see all that they wanted to see but not rushing anyone either while also taking breaks along the way so people could rest or eat a snack was a little bit of a dance we had to learn. When there are eight children in tow, there has to be give and take and a lot of flexibility on the part of everyone. (Eleven years into this parenting gig has given me some perspective and a good dose of what can realistically be expected from trips like this.)
I was truly glad to have had the chance to get away and be together with family and to have had the opportunity to spend time with one another. The weather, which was predicted to be rainy and overcast turned out to be warm and perfect!
Here is Ava Jane, Bailey and Emerson watching the animals from inside the cave, pretty cute huh?
Bailey is in love with Red Panda Bears right now, she'd bought this Red Panda backpack when we went through the China panda exhibit, then as we were getting close to the zoo's exit, her day was made because we saw real Red Panda Bears... so of course she had to get her picture with it in the background! Isn't she such a cutie?
(Here's a close up.)
This Bengal Tiger was massive!
It was a race to get back to the car, can you tell who won? I think it was a tie.
Don't miss Emerson's Sheriff badge, we couldn't leave home without it!
Adam and I took the kids and headed to the hotel after dinner to let them swim while some of the adults stayed back to visit in the quiet of the restaurant. These kiddos had a blast splashing and swimming their little hearts out. Because of the echo in the pool area, once the other adults arrived they took their beverages and retired on the patio near the fire pit, while Lindsey and I tried to have broken conversation amidst the splashing, screaming and slipping on the oh so slippery tile floor...its amazing what we Momma's can tune out in order to chat.
These two girlies hung out together most of the weekend, I'm so glad that they have each other amid all the testosterone of their brothers and boy cousins.
Even G-Dad got in on some of the action.
Since we had eaten dinner at 5:00, by 9pm we were ready for a late night snack so wings, shrimp cocktail, potato wedges and drinks were on the menu. We sat around laughing and telling funny stories while all the little people slept soundly locked inside mine and Adam's room. We did leave Peyton with a phone so he could call if he needed us, but after their full day at the zoo and then the pool, we never heard a peep out of any of them!
The next morning we spent some time at IKEA looking for things we couldn't live without. The kids did a great job of entertaining themselves!
Oh Lachie-Poo your Aunt Coco loves you so!
We concluded our time at Jim n Nick's and the side of mac n cheese was as delicious as promised!
My Aunt Debbi and Mike, what a nice looking couple!
This was not the greatest place for a group picture, but it was pretty cold outside and this was the best we could get so I took it! I was grateful for time spent with these people, you all are some of my favorites, thanks for making the effort to come, lets do it again sooner rather then later.
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