Rough night, but rather typical for a first night away from home. Tonight will be better – I’ll be so tired I’ll sleep in spite of the strange bed, room, sounds, etc. Joshua did pretty good – only cried out a few times, and when I covered him up he settled right back down. Jewel was up once too, but other than that it was a quiet night. Joshua woke up fine – still has a runny nose, but no fever so that’s good; I was VERY thankful. Dad and some of the men had an early meeting about some farm ground; the rest of us got up, had breakfast, and got ready to go to the zoo. We got there a little after nine, and it was already crowded but not too hot. We saw many strange and unique animals before we headed home around noon. Kate took the camera for most of the morning, only letting me have it occasionally. That’s ok; she did a great job on the pictures! She took very many – it was hard for me to decide which ones to keep. When we got back to the hotel, our keys didn’t work on our doors, so while Dad got new keys, we just started our lunch in the hallway – all were VERY hungry; plus I wanted to get Joshua fed so I could get him to bed. Then I put a VERY tired Joshua to bed while Dad and the rest went swimming. Joshua woke up around 3:00, and we went down to the pool then too. He loved it! and wasn’t ready to leave at 4:30 when we had to get ready to go to a park for supper. But he did anyway, and then, because Ben had a headache (why don’t we ever learn? If he doesn’t get to bed on time, he gets a headache…), I stayed back at the hotel with him, hoping Tylenol and a nap in a dark room will cure him (as it frequently does at home). So Dad and the other kids took off and left me again…but that’s ok…I’ve got my laptop complete with pictures, Live Writer, and the Kingsmen. I might even do some school prep if I get these pictures all put in…
After about a half hour, Ben was feeling better so Dad came and got us; we had a great time at a nearby park, coming back to the hotel around nightfall. Baths and beds for the littles, and the older kids went down to play basketball (Levi and Jesse) or watch (Tori and Jacob). When they got back, we found a couple of interesting tv programs – a storm chaser show on the weather channel and an ocean documentary on the history channel. Then beds for all.
Now, pictures.
I wish I could remember the name of these cute little things. They’re carnivores, and they eat capybaras, but that’s all I remember about them.
Capybara…biggest of all the rodents.
Some sort of monkey.
Dwarf mongooses.
This is a statue!
This too was fake.
I think the insect house was the kids’ favorite.
Giant millipedes (I think).
These leaf-cutter ants were fascinating to watch.
They were bustling along this maze of bamboo sticks, taking pieces of leaves to their nests. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise…”
Of course Jacob was the one to have a butterfly land on him! This was a blue morpho which, while plain when at rest (camouflage against enemies), is a beautiful bright blue when its wings are open…but then it is flying so it’s almost impossible to get a picture.
This penguin exhibit was very COLD! but very neat to see.
Alligator snapping turtles.
We saw some folks we knew at the zoo! Uncle Jerry & Aunt Marcia were there with Kate and Lincoln; Aunt Joyce was with them as were Kevin & Jolynn and Drew, Duane & Alissa and their girls, and Timothy & Emily. (Later we found out Uncle Mark was there with Lucas and Lance, but we never saw them. Also, Aunt Renee, Morgan, and Grace went shopping, Grandpa & Grandma went to the Botanical Gardens with Uncle Randy & Aunt Marj, and Uncle Mike’s went to the City Museum which looked VERY neat and they said they really enjoyed. I’m not sure what the rest did in the morning.)
Big smiles!
On to the bird house.
It was feeding day for the snakes – everyone was fascinated with this python eating a rabbit. (!!!!!)(This was NOT my favorite part of the zoo, far from it).
Back to hotel for lunch in the hallway…(four of our four keys didn’t work, remember?)…
…naps, and swim; then supper at nearby Faust Park. Joshua enjoyed his dessert!
Littles had a lot of fun on the playground – it was really nice, with a soft cushiony carpet.
Kate was pushing Sarah [smile].
On to the customary Saturday evening program. Uncle Jerry’s family did a skit about the 2 men spying out the land of Israel and being hidden by Rahab the harlot. Aunt Joyce the Narrator told us about God’s faithfulness to Rahab, who eventually became an ancestor of Jesus. They were quite good!
Aunt Marcia spies out the land.
This is one CUTE soldier.
Drew, Lilly, and Amy.
Audience smiles.
Timothy and Emily represented Uncle Randy’s family in the program; they did a beautiful song in memory/tribute of their friend Jordan Schroeder (Katelyn Thames’ husband) who died a few weeks ago.
Panoramic photos of the audience. See if you can spot where I stitched them together incorrectly…there’s an extra leg somewhere!
Uncle Don’s contribution was a HILARIOUS portrayal of the story of the Three Pittle Ligs. With Aunt Sandy narrating, Uncle Don did a great job being the Wig Bad Bolf. “I’m going to huff, and puff, and hoe your blouse down!”
(coming down the chimney)
The little crowd liked this story the best, as did most of our family.
Some of our family liked Uncle Mark’s skit the best, where they re-enacted a very interesting Farmer’s Market customer for us.
“No, no, I don’t want those state quarters. They’re too confusing. Now give me two quarters; I want two quarters with eagles on them….so where are you from, anyway?”
“Oh, we’re from Tremont. Where are you from?”
“I’m from heaven.”
And on and on they went, one bizarre comment after another – and it all really happened! Too funny.
Uncle Mike, Aunt Janet, Samuel,and Kinsey did a charade which we had to guess and tell where in the Bible it was found. Kinsey was a good David, and killed the giant Goliath with one stone.
Then Samuel and Kinsey helped Aunt Janet sing The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock. They did a good job!
Dad being the youngest, we were last; we sang one of our favorite, and very apt, songs: Thank You Lord.
I can’t remember if I’ve posted the words before or not, but even if I have, they’re worth repeating:
As the world looks upon me as I struggle along,
And they say I have nothing, but they are so wrong.
In my heart I’m rejoicing, how I wish they could see,
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me.
For there’s a roof up above me; I’ve a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table and shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family,
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me.
I know I’m not wealthy and these clothes are not new,
And I don’t have much money, but Lord I have You,
And to me that’s all that matters, though the world may not see.
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me.
For there’s a roof up above me; I’ve a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table and shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family,
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me.
As I look out among you, I see family and friends,
And I thank my dear Lord for the blessing you’ve been.
May we all live forever throughout eternity,
For this is the faith that’s so special to me.
For there’s a roof up above me; I’ve a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table and shoes on my feet.
You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family,
Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me.
And I have no idea where credit goes – we have this song on a tape and I don’t even know who sings it. I just know it’s one of our favorites and we love to sing it.
So.
After the program, everyone spent the evening playing softball, t-ball, or kickball, playing on the playground, visiting, eating, playing with babies, and just enjoying the evening. Thankfully it wasn’t terribly hot, although after awhile the air got more still and it did seem hotter. Anyway, we all had a great time. There was something for everyone, and thankfully Ben’s headache never came back and he had fun too. Kate had a headache starting at one point too; after Tylenol she perked back up again… no one complained about going to bed right away. They all played hard and were tired!
Kate’s on second base; Joshua safely wandered the whole field. Aunt Joyce’s soft balls and bats were a great idea; it was almost impossible for little ones to get hurt.
At first base; Grandma was a good coach.
That’s it.
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