Surprise Day Trip

Yesterday the kids and I needed something to do for a while out of the house, so I thought I would take them to do something fun.  Originally, I had thought I would take them to a place called Kid's Depot and let them play indoors.. it wasn't until I was in town, that I changed my mind and we headed for the zoo!

Before our trip, the kids and I stopped at Wal-Mart to get a few things for a great day... they just didnt' know what I had planned yet. :)  We bought bread, lunch meat, a little Styrofoam cooler, ice, tons of Kool-Aid (Red & Blue) :), potato chips and of course some fruit snacks.

Payton just got too hot between the wal-mart exit and the car so he had to rest on the bag of ice. lol :)                                           

After I loaded the kids into the car... I packed the cooler, poured in the ice and we were on the road... that is until I thought the cooler fell over and the ice was falling out... so about 10 miles down the road we stopped again.  The cooler hadn't fallen over after all.. so we continued on for about a 1/2 mile and we stopped for one more bag of ice just in case... and some drinks.  Finally we were on the way again...

After about an hour of driving with those two munchkins we had finally made it to Lufkin, and the Ellen Trout Zoo.  Lol this was after yet another stop at the K-Mart for Off, since this is mosquito season and I had forgotten to get any at Wal-Mart earlier.  The kids were so happy to finally know what they're surprise was. 

                                                                          We sat and munched on our sandwiches and chips and drank Kool-Aid by the lake...  it always makes you feel good to eat lunch by a sign that says "Alligators Inhabit this 

 

  

After lunch, the Kids and I headed to the Zoo's train station. 

This is our view from the caboose of the train... (the most popular spot according to the conductor)

This is the train we rode

When the train ride was over.. we finally got to see some animals.  These are two Beautiful owls we saw.

After the owls we saw Payton's new favorite fascination ... SNAKES!  This was the Black Mamba.

Payton was so excited to see so many of the snakes he sees on Swamp Wars.

In the middle of the Zoo, they have an Angelina County Train.. of course the kids had to go tour it. :)

After the train, the kids and I headed off to see more animals... next up was a Porcupine, Raccoon, and the Jaguar.

The Jaguar was so sweet snoozin' in the sunshine... I think we were waking him up and he'd just roll over with an eye half open and go back to sleep.  :)

The kids were loving this little turtle

We thought this little squirrel eating up a bird's food in the feed bowl was pretty funny!

Adleigh wanted to ride this tortoise. lol . . . she said it was her pet.

After about an hour of wandering around the zoo.. it was time to again head north, because Adleigh had to attend Ballet lessons.   We didn't leave before visiting the gift shop.  

Adleigh had to have this stuffed lion.

And, what else would my little lover of snakes have but a four foot long snake... and 3-4 frogs and a pencil with a shark on it.  :D

 

              On the way home, Payton and I stopped by to visit Jake at the cemetery and take him all the new things we'd gotten him earlier in the week.

Jake's little grave after we added the bugs and heart to it with his Pinwheel.

All in all we had a really good day.    :)  I love those babies!!

  Mommy Love you Payton, Jake and keekee loves you Adleigh-Bear!!