Wild Animal Safari

This was perhaps our favorite activity we did down in Georgia. The Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain. It was so much fun!! None of us had ever done anything like this before, so it was a new adventure for us all. We all piled into a zebra van and went on the hour long tour with our animal food ready to go. The minute we drove through the gates, hungry animals started bombarding us on all sides. It was crazy! We had so much fun laughing, pointing, feeding, throwing, and screaming as these (mostly) disgusting animals shoved their huge noses and tongues through the bars of our van. The kids had a blast . . . . and so did the adults!

Ok, let me just say, I am SOOOOO happy we decided to rent the zebra van instead of taking our own cars in there. It was definitely fun to all be together, and our back windows don't roll down all the way so the kids wouldn't have been able to feed the animals very well. But just take a good look at the picture below to know what the MAIN reason is why I am so happy we spared our cars. Look at that DROOL pouring down into the van!! So disgusting. I would have been so grossed out if that had been our car. Plus, in our minivan, there would have been no room to back away when they stuck their huge heads in through the windows . . . . Let's just say, if you ever do something like this, pay the extra money to rent the park's vehicles! It's worth it. You don't want nasty bison drool dripping in your car, or long giraffe tongues licking your seat belts.

A little while later Scott forgot that drool was there and accidentally stuck his elbow in it! Of course, we all groaned and screamed along with him. Fun memories.

After the Safari tour, we walked around their little outdoor zoo. I saw my first liger . . . . yes, it's a real animal. I had no idea. What a fun day!

Callaway Gardens

Monday afternoon was spent at Callaway Gardens. We took a picnic lunch, played on the playground, walked around, and went to the Butterfly Conservatory. This is such a cool place. The Johnsons are lucky to have it so close!
Butterfly Brothers:Family Picture - the 18 of us. David & Mary, we missed you guys so much!!
Now, everyone run at the camera! (We always do this.)

Sledding . . . . Georgia Style

For most of the country, sledding in December involves snow pants, gloves, hats, boots, scarves, hills, sleds, and, oh yeah, snow. Sledding in Georgia is a little different. There is one similarity: a hill. Definitely a hill. But in Georgia, sledding is associated with grass stains, cardboard, and bruised hips. This hill we were "sledding" down is on the Chattahoochie River Walk. The Chattahoochie River is the border between Georgia and Alabama, so we could see Alabama on the other side. So, I guess we can now say that we've seen Alabama . . . . but still haven't ever been there.
Leah taking a stroll.