Virginia Safari Park

On the way home from NC, we stopped at this amazing Safari. If you are ever in the area of Natural Bridge, VA on I-81 you must make the time to go! We spent 4 hours there and could have stayed much, much longer!

One of the reasons were we attracted to this place was that you can feed the giraffes. Steven LOVES giraffes. It took awhile, but his patience paid off. We waited and called the giraffes for a good 10 minutes and 2 finally came over and the baby did eat out of his hand. He was in heaven. We were the only ones up with the giraffes by that time....it was amazing.

After the walk through portion, we took a wagon ride through the safari where you could feed the animals from the bucket of food each of us was given. The animals were amazing. Watsui, wilda beasts, llamas, zebra, elk, buffalo, camels, and many, many more.

It was hard to get pictures because we were all squished into the wagon and the animals came up and ate so quickly. We have a few pictures, but really it's the experience that will stick with us for a life-time.

The camels were crazy! Everyone ended up on one side of the wagon to get away from the crazy camels who were soooooooooo hungry and greedy. We made friends with Murray in the 2 hump camel area, but only have him on video.

After the wagon ride, we hopped in the car and did it again! We all agree it was a much better experience in the car since we could go at our own pace and decide who to feed. It's funny that some animals will come up to the car, but not the wagon.

This is my favorite picture of Steven feeding an elk.

You are not supposed to feed the zebra, but others were and as long as they were alone (as they nip in herds) we were ok. They were my favorite!

Here is a male elk eating from the car in front of us. We tried to stay away from horned animals in the car for fear of scratches.

This safari is amazing. We will be visiting again on our next trip. Maybe even take extra time to see Natural Bridge too.

Darn it's been a long time!

Well it's been a long time since I've blogged. Things have been crazy, busy as always, but a guess a little more so with the holiday prep. I'm going back a bit to capture a few events I'd like to share.

For Thanksgiving we travel to Winston-Salem, NC to see Tim's family. We haven't been there since Steven really little, so it's been awhile. And Kendyl finally got to meet everyone! Turns out Kendyl is not a great traveler...in the car anyway. 2 hours seems to be her limit. But we got there and back in one piece, though I don't think our hearing will ever be the same.

We had a nice time visiting with everyone (Tim's parents, brother and his family) and spending a holiday with them for a change.

Wednesday evening we visited Tim's parents at their apartment and had dinner with them. Kendyl warmed right up to Grammy and Poppy and make herself at home with all of the trinkets she found. After our visit with them we went back to the hotel for a swim before bed. Fun!

Thanksgiving day it was so nice to just lounge about in the hotel room and enjoy the parade. Then we headed to Chuck and Katrina's house for the day. The kids all got along great (helps they each have a cousin about the same age). They enjoyed playing video games both in the house and up in the garage. Dinner was delicious and one of the best parts was the boys ended up staying the night!!!! The hotel room sure was quiet without them, but it was great they had the extra time with their cousins (and Aunt and Uncle).

Friday we all went to a nature center/museum place in Greensboro. Great day to see the animals both inside and out. Then we met up again for swimming, dinner and more swimming!

Unfortunately we had to leave Saturday morning, but I am so glad we did as we had an amazing experience on the way home!

We hope the cousins come up this summer as they have promised......

Another Fall Tradition (11/16)

Every fall we have at least one pomegranate. It brings back memories of my childhood when Mom, Seth and I would sit around to peel one and fight over the seeds....now my kids do! It's a messy snack, but oh so yummy - and healthy too! Shame it's so much work!

Halloween 2009

Oops! I just logged on to share something and realized I never shared the Halloween photos! Here are a few in a very random order.....

Andrew in his thrown.together.what's.in.the.basement.I.can.wear costume.
My little ladybug running away from me during Steven's school parade.

Secret Service Agent Steven

Kendyl's school parade

10/30 was busy with Kendyl's parade, Steven's parade, then a party at Tim's work for the cub scouts and residents (retirement home). Halloween we carved our pumpkins and went trick-or-treating in the rain (Steven had a friend over). Fun for all!

Spider Crackers

Kendyl is having a Halloween party today, so her and I made spider crackers for a fun treat!

Pumpkin Picking 10/25

We FINALLY made it to the pumpkin patch! It's been hard with schedules and this rainy October weather. We decided to stay local and go to the family farm on Pughtown Road. Beautiful hayride (and we had the entire wagon to ourselves!) out to the pumpkin patch, through the woods, the fields, and the local countryside. It was a fun time. Next time we'll try their cornmaze too!

Halloween Parade (10/21)

Andrew marched in the Elverson Halloween parade last night with the OJR band. The middle school and high school marched together playing Love Potion #9. You can see Andrew there in the middle with the white blume. MS has the white blumes and HS the black. Andrew was in the last row as he is now part of the low brass section (not saxophones) since he plays the baritone saxophone.

It was a perfect night for a parade. We brought chairs, drinks, etc. but didn't end up using any of it as we had to sit on the curb with Kendyl to help her get the candy that everyone threw out. Boy did she ever love that! She was scared at first with all of the big trucks so close, the flashing firetruck lights, etc., but quickly got over it and was content to sit on our lap and get candy (or better yet, have Daddy and Steven get it for her). Towards the end she started to get it herself, dance to the music and even say thank you.


Kendyl towards the end of the night with her chocolatey face. She just wanted to eat and eat and eat the candy. We had a little melt down when we cut her off, but luckily a float came by with some good music she could dance to that took her mind off the candy.

Kendyl was so in love with her candy filled pink pumpkin she wouldn't let it go....literally. She carried it all the way to the car and had to hold it on the way home even though she was not allowed to touch the candy inside. Then she tried to sleep with it, but luckily Tim convinced her to let it sit on her changing table. She also made it clear "Daddy - no DewDew" that she did not want Andrew to take her candy. We told her that she could give the things she can not eat to Andrew (gum, taffy, etc.) She also had to bring it down to breakfast this morning, but luckily just to protect...not to eat!

Watching the OJR band go by!

Here are some pictures I took before we left for the parade. He only has 2 more performances left before the season is over for the middle school. He is REALLY enjoying marching band. Now it's onto concert band and jazz band for him (he's lucky he doesn't need to try out as he is the only MS bari sax player). He has band rehersal or lessons 2-3 times a day most days and loves it. Now, if only he liked math this much!