What do you do when a zebra sticks his head in your car window?

Answer: Jump back, scream, then giggle . . . at our trip to the Wild Animal Ranch this scenario was tested several times, and in all instances, the reaction was the same.

Sure, there are signs like these all over the park.
And the large majority of the animals in the park have VERY LARGE horns. And many of these VERY LARGE HORNS are coming DANGEROUSLY CLOSE to the car doors.

But it is all worth it when you come away with a photo like this, and kids who can't stop talking about the time the zebra stuck his head in the window and dad made him smile. And about how mom and G-Ma would shriek and roll up the window whenever one of these FREAKISHLY LARGE BIRDS would approach.
For the record, ostrichs are quite possibly the creepiest animal ever (don't believe me - I promise you will change your mind when one is right outside your car window looking at you with those beady eyes).

And, the best part of the trip, G-Ma and G-Pa were with us! We had a blast.

Sure, we spent WAAAY too many hours in the car, but we also got to do this . . .

and see this

Oh yeah, and this too

(For those of you unfamiliar with Texas landmarks, it's the Alamo - you might recognize it from PeeWee's Big adventure. His bike was hidden in the basement)

Don't file a missing person's report, I have been found

I got online today to do some work, check my facebook account, and catch up on all my blog reading when I saw it and was horrified . . . . THE DATE OF MY LAST POST -- GASP! March 19, 2009. I can't really believe it has been that long since I put something on the blog. The worst part is I don't have any good excuses. I am utterly embarrassed and if there is anyone left who is checking back, I promise I will do better. . . . here are some highlights on what we have had going on (in no specific order).

1. Coy is finally crawling. And though I was really anxious for him to start (solely because the doctor gave him a crawling deadline), I am now wishing he would stop. So much for trying to get anything done when he is awake . . . .


2. Tate has been learning one of life's hard lessons: Although little brothers are really fun when they laugh at all your tricks, they also do things like to touch your things and wreck your toys.

From Living, Laughing & Learning

3. G-Ma Mellie and Grandpa Scott came out for a visit. We didn't do much, but we had fun just hanging out.
4. We had a new patio cover put on the house and we now have a new "outdoor living space". It's AWESOME. Those of you familiar with the Texas sun can attest to how valuable this is . . . Some more photos to come once we get everything cleaned up, some flowers planted, and all the junk hauled away (see number 5)
5. It has been raining and/or overcast for what seems like 2 weeks straight. The ground is over saturated and can hold no more water. The result is a swampy yard and a mud covered patio. The good news is the sun came out today. Now, only if the landscaping would magically appear and the mud spontaneously disappear.
6. I spent a weekend in early April in Utah to celebrate my grandpa's 80th birthday. It was so nice to have some time alone time with my sisters and to visit with my family.
7. The Easter bunny was good to Tate and Coy this year . The best part for Tate was the Easter Egg hunts and discovering what was hidden in the eggs.