The week long adventure (blog 3 of 4) second week in July 2013

 The next big "ADVENTURE"  was Reptile Gardens.  It had been several years since I had been there and the grandkids had never been there.  It takes a long time to see everything and to go to all the special shows.

 First we made the "SNAKE" show where they show and tell about numerous snakes.  Very interesting.  The place was packed but we were glad we got in on the show shortly after getting there.  That way we were in line for the other shows without having to wait or kill several hours.

 The next show was the "ALLIGATOR"  show.  The children liked it so much they almost wanted to watch it a second time.

After wrestling the alligator and telling us much info about both alligators and crocodiles, he fed them raw chicken.  

Then he brought out "FLUFFY"  a baby alligator and let everyone who wanted too, pet or touch it. 

 Our grandchildren loved it. 

 I think he almost got kissed by our youngest granddaughter and of course, talked to as well.

Then there was the bird show.  It was interesting but the best part was when two parots tried to out talk, smart and make sounds better then the other.
  Below the grandkids pose in front of a small version of MT RUSHMORE.

We enjoyed a quick lunch of corn dogs and french fries,
 and rode on a couple old fashioned  (quarter) ride.
 

Who has seen this  "WANTED" person?

It looks like they caught him and put him in stocks!

Now they are both locked up!

The big old turtles. I think this one was 60 years old.  They are huge.  I remember the oldest one at Reptile Gardens was over 100 yr's old and just died last year.  It was the same one our girls saw when they were little girls.  Even this one might have been there when they were little.  

Our 11 yr old granddaughter loves turtles and sea animals.
 It is very interesting to feel their skin and shell.
Below is a much younger turtle that one day will be old and as big as the one above.  

Here I am with the grandchildren and another big turtle 
who is only about 47 years old.

Beautiful flowers inside the big Reptile Garden Dome.  Many cute creeping things as well.  The more you look the more you see!

They also have many snakes in glass cages,  many different species of snakes and most of them very poisonous or dangerous.

The grandchildren had a blast with the 3  "weird mirrors".  It was a fun day but we were all tired and ready to spend some down time at the house.  

The week long adventure (blog 2 of 4) second week in July 2013

We enjoyed some fun in the yard with our 3 youngest grandchildren.  Bad mitten was fun and very active.

We played some croquet. All five of us had lots of fun and fierce competition as we hit the ball through those metal  brackets.   The guys won but us three galls came in right behind.  Below you can see just a bit of the excitement. One of the hardest parts was waiting our turn and also keeping track of whose turn it was.

 Thursday was the hottest day of our year with a high of 103 degrees.  We didn't notice as we spent that day cooling off at a big beautiful lake.  We packed a picnic lunch and I am sure we were in the lake 5 hours or more.  Fun Fun Fun.  Lots of sand and warm water with a very long gentle slope into the water.  This is Lake Angusdora, the lake we spent many of weekend camping, swimming and fishing when our girls were young.  

Nana,  I will get you wet!

 Papa having some fun with the grandchildren.

Watch me Nana!

 The sand castle and lake.  

What can we find in this sand?

YEP!  That is me.

 Believe me,  I really did spend a lot of time in the lake with the grandchildren.  I just didn't get many pictures to prove it.  It was so much fun and keep us cool.  Only trick was keeping enough sun screen on as not to get "SUN BURNT".    We did a good job.

 This was our special area in the sand and shade under a tree where we ate our lunch and kept our stuff.

This is the big picture.  It is a beautiful big lake with sand all around.  This brings back many memories of years gone by when we had very much fun in calm and wind,  beautiful sale boat races, and breathtaking sun sets.  Memories of great friends the Snyders who we have enjoyed many good times.
  God's creation is GREAT!