Thanks for all your lovely feedback on Katie’s shop, I can assure you it’s even better in person. I’ll be back with my second local tour soon… but first, we’ve been away for a few days and I better catch up on that because we made some fantastic memories. I actually managed to pull off posting the last post in my absence without a hitch… and 4 days away from all technology was so refreshing.
So we ran away with Justin’s family to Callaway Gardens for a few days and what a treat it was. The kids were decent in the car, especially little Rover, who severely suffers from car-seat-itis.
Some days I wish I had a bigger car, in all honesty, I actually wish I had the biggest car ever made for mankind, which I certainly don’t “need” but I dream of all the junk I could haul in it with my little rovers. But then I’m reminded, my little rovers would all be spread out and there’s something so fun to me about turning around {3,419 times} and seeing them all lined up… and confined, I think that’s lovely too.
When we first arrived we made a beeline to the butterflies, it felt like it was 128 degrees in their “greenhouse” but regardless, they were beautiful and worth the steam, sweat, and humidity.
And Paige was terrified of them. One came within a few inches of her face and I could hear her blood curdling screams from across the building. She walked up and I asked, “did one come near you?” when I already knew the answer.
We got settled in our cabin that night and Justin’s parents afforded us the opportunity to sneak away for a fabulous, romantic, kid-free, delicious sunset dinner at The Gardens Restaurant.
We came back to the cabin and Paige had declared the nightstand her “desk” and proceeded to {accidentally} call 911 as we shared dinner details with his parents and sister. Thankfully the 911 operator called back before sending out the rescue squad to save us.
The next morning we headed out early to a local “wild animal safari”, now I know nothing about this place other than what I saw and what I saw was fairly entertaining and I can’t imagine what their liability insurance plan costs but basically it’s a GIANT glorified petting zoo {with wild animals} that you drive through. Some folks are even brave enough to try it in their personal vehicles. The really wild ones {Tigers, Lions, and Ligers– yes, Napoleon fans, they have a Liger} were not within petting range but the “grazers” were free-range. We rented a 15 passenger zebra-painted van, loaded up on tasty animal morsels and headed out on a 3 mile trek around the 500 acre wild animal safari. They did warn that the zebras and ostriches were the most frisky and to be careful with them.
Looking back it looks insane to see giant animals in the van with us and while it was happening it was quite surreal… and you can only imagine how entertained the kids {and adults} were.
I’ve pretty much been a lifetime fan of any furry lipped creature {except Justin and if he starts to grow hair on his face I scream “needles” and act a little dramatic}. But, my goodness, this is the closest I’ve ever been to many LARGE furry lipped, long-tongued creatures.
I couldn’t believe I didn’t have my floss handy for this one. Most of them had the most atrocious breath I’ve ever smelled, I imagine years of animal treat plaque doesn’t help.
Some unidentifiable creatures looked like the cross between a Scottie dog and a cow. {This is a 1,000 pound Chevas with horns— and only 2 people will think that’s funny, maybe 3, at the most 4.}
For the most part they were all very kind but a little hog-dog’ish.
The giraffe got a little sassy with my father-in-law.
But found it’s manners when the children presented little giraffe treats.
The little man had a wonderful time and every time I’d ask, “What does a lion say?” he’d answer with the most frightful ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR you’ve ever heard!
After the safari we went back to Callaway and toured the gardens.
And then made our way to our favorite exhibit at the park… the Birds of Prey! I now interrupt this post to tell you that if I hadn’t married Justin and had three children, I’d like to use my marketing degree to be bird trainer or raptor rehabilitator. I love birds, a lot. I always have. As a child, the top drawer of my dresser was always filled with bird’s nests. When we first got married our AOL instant message name was “Birdnerds”… so, take me serious when I say, I really love birds. And of all the birds, my FAVORITE is the Barred Owl.
So you can imagine my excitement when this lovely little Barred Owl graced us with it’s presence at the Birds of Prey exhibit. The whole show is fantastic and the only complaint I have is that it doesn’t last nearly long enough!!
Morgan and Paige enjoyed spending time with their cousin, Ava and all the children did so well.
We missed our 4 other cousins and are thinking of making them sign a contract that they too will join us next spring break!!
My hunky husband got us home safe. Can you read his lips? Something like, Darby, for the love, would you please put that damn camera down.
We enjoyed what remained of our weekend at a beautiful wedding and I loved meeting some of y’all this weekend and others over the past couple weeks. In fact, you Auburn girls have made me dig deep in the archives of my brain to think about my time on campus… and one day soon I’m going to come back {with Justin} to reminisce about our early days… although I fear I won’t be able to find what I’m looking for… so much has changed!! Justin and I both are so shocked by not only how fast time flies but how quickly we forget… somebody pass the Centrum Silver.
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