Preschool Zoo Day

Today, March 26th, our preschool took a field trip to the zoo. Our topic in the beginning of the month was about animals so we thought we would wait till the end of the month so things would warm up a bit since this winter has been colder than normal to take a trip to the zoo. Instead of just our little preschool group going we decided to invite any kids in our church who aren't in school yet or who are in preschool but don't go on Friday's to come with us. We had 2 other mom's and their kids come with us. It worked out perfect because 2 of the ladies had annual passes so they could have 2 adults and 5 kids on their passes (didn't have to be from the same family like most passes we double checked) and so that took care of 4 adults and all the kids. One of the moms who couldn't go had 2 free tickets from when they purchased their annual pass and she said we could have them so the other 2 adults got those so we all got in for free. That was a nice unexpected bonus. We thought we might have to cancel because in the beginning of the week it was forecast to rain, but as the week went on the chance of rain disappeared. It would have been a perfect day weather wise not to hot and not to cold if it wasn't windy. Luckily, we all brought jackets because when the wind blew it was a little chilly. The kids of course all had a great time.

Hayden brushing a sheep

Hayden

Hayden with the elephants

Zoo in December

This December has been quit mild for us down south. I wish my friends and family in Michigan could say the same thing, but I think they have had the coldest and lots of snow compared to normal. December 20 was very wet and rainy where we live, but a few miles south of us was sunny and warm. The city we live in was right on the edge of the rain storm. So we decided to use our annual pass and head to the zoo. I can't remember exactly how warm it was but as you can tell from the pictures the kids are not wearing jackets some are even wearing short sleeves. I think Jon even wore shorts. It was in the mid to upper 60s. We basically had the place to our self. Not many people at all probably because up north was raining like crazy. The animals were out and about having a great time since the weather was perfect not too hot and not too cold. I loved watching the baby gorillas and the baby orangutans the best. It did rain twice for a couple minutes. The first time it started to rain we were headed into the indoor reptile place. The second time it rained we were taking a snack break under a covered table. It was a perfect day to be at the zoo.

Hayden and Talmage

Talmage and Hayden in a bird's nest

baby gorillas playing together

baby orangutan

another of our favorites to watch sea otters (but very stinky)

Talmage

Hayden

Panda Bear

MDA WALK

Saturday October 4th was a stake service project day. They had 3 different services projects going on that the stake put together. All to be done by 11:00 am so we could watch General Conference. Our ward could choose any of those services projects to participate in or participate in the MDA walk at Zoo Atlanta. One of the primary children in our ward just got diagnosed with the worst kind of Muscular Distrophy (you know the one Jerry Lewis raises money for every Labor Day) in January right around his 7th birthday. I guess with this kind of MD he will be wheel chair bound probably between 10-12 years old and wont live past his teenage years because your muscles just stop working one by one and you need your muscles for all your organs to work. How very sad. I guess they have a MDA zoo walk every year. We decided to participate in the MDA walk (they couldn't call this a service project because they were asking for donations which all the money goes to finding a cure for MD). When we got to the zoo they escorted us to the back of the zoo to this big tent. They started off with breakfast provided by Burger King. Then we walked around the zoo (well probably just 1/3 of the zoo) then came back to the tent and the kids could get their face painted, eat cotton candy, eat popcorn, or lunch provided by Blimpies (I was still full from breakfast only 1 hour before). All which was free of coarse. They also had an area where you could make posters for your team (ours was team Trey).

Brenton, Spencer, Kennedy, and Payton

Payton and Kennedy

Brenton

Hayden

They also gave out some awards. Our team won the award for having the most participants there (there was over 80 people from our team). We headed home after they were done with the awards since we have been to the zoo 2 times in the past 3 months. We got home right when conference was starting. I enjoyed conference very much although I was hoping they would expand more on the economy. I guess I wanted them to tell me to get working on my year supply. Which I have been doing a lot lately. I just don't know how much I need to be focusing on it. So I guess I am going half way not spending all of our saving on it but not just buying one can to store. My favorite part of Conference is I can watch it in the comfort of my home.

ZOO

Every year the zoo stays open a few hours later for annual pass holders. Since we bought a pass a few months back we decided to go. We thought that in the early evening would be much cooler than during the day. Boy were we wrong. The weather was still very hot and humid (Sat. Sept 6). I think the weather was still in the mid 80s the whole time we were there. Oh well we still had fun even though we were sweaty. Here are a few pictures of the evening.

Brenton

Hayden, Payton, and Kennedy

Hayden

Talmage