On Saturday, February 26th, we visited a local exotic animal zoo. TGR Exotics breeds animals for San Diego Zoo, Houston Zoo, and many others. They are open to the public only a few days a year, along with some summer camps, and birthday celebrations. The Holladay family joined us for this excursion and we had a blast. We were looking at booking Eli's 3rd birthday there, as well as Gretchen wanting to book Hudson's-- it was that cool!
(We decided to book elsewhere because we have too many family and friends to invite and the parties were for 35 people -- total, kids and adults).
Here we are heading into the zoo... Eli was almost running!
There were critters everywhere! Eli loved the big pot bellied pig!
Hudson and Eli ran over to the baby kangaroo. She was so sweet.
We got to snuggle and pet her!
Hudson was beside himself... he had a grin from ear to ear!
Eli was pumped... but a bit scared too!
Her fur was so soft... like a down blanket.
This was a super highlight of the day... and it was just the beginning!
After a meet and greet, we were
escorted in towards the caged critters and learned all about them. Look closely at this pic... again, Hudson has a super huge grin!
Eli took a pit stop and sat on the cool trash can.
This was a big nutria rat.... wow! I have seen some along the
Guadalupe River, but not this big!
Aiden loved the animals, too.
However, he soon took a nap on my shoulder and slept through most of the show!
Eli and Hudson pet this little fella along the way from one animal to another. I think his name was Fred. Fred was very friendly and the boys loved him.
This picture reminds me of a super cute moment of Eli. Look closely at his hands... they are balled up into fists. He is roaring at the tiger and antagonizing it. It was super cute. Of course, Eli would just be a snack to this big guy.
These super cute/almost pretty little critters are ring-tailed lemurs.
We had to stay back because they are feisty little guys with super razor sharp claws.... but fun to watch!
We met a couple of porcupines. This was the first time I have ever been so close to one. They were gentle little friends, but carried around some pointy/dangerous quills on their backs. Eli touched one of the quills that had fallen off, and we showed him how sharp it was.
Eli said "ouch... that's not nice"
This little guy was so sweet. He was a
Muntjak Deer (Barking Deer). He has tusks and a sweet face and
temperament. London was really into this little guy.
Hudson was letting him suck and lick on his fingers.
I think this was one of the groups favorites!
They even had a Bearcat at the zoo!
I took several pictures of it, but it's fur is so black, none of them turned out.
All I can say is that it looked cuddly cute like a bear, but whiskers like a cat, and long claws.
Eli and Hudson squawked at the chickens.
We must have bored this camel... she yawned at us! What a big yawn!
Beautiful Gretchen and London loved the camels too!
They were very amusing!
This camel was in love with baby
Aiden. She licked all over his head and clothes. Either she thought that he needed a bath, or she thought he needed camel kisses.... either way, she
didn't bother him. He slept right through it!
The
Moffitt Boys, Momma, and a llama!
Llama's were roaming free as we went back to our cars.
This sweet baby llama was super soft.
We plan to visit
TGR Exotics again next Fall.
They have a pumpkin patch that I heard was pretty neat.
This was one outing that we made many memories.
Eli and Hudson were the best explorers and so fun to watch.
Aiden Kyle.... walking March 13th, 2011. 
I love this face... please come get me, Momma.
still awake...
FINALLY! He caught some zzzz's!
We brought along Eli's soccer goal and Drew and Tatum played a short game.
Eli decided that he was a better goalie and Kate thought it was a good idea to play with the dump truck in the middle of their "field".
There was a cool playground around the corner from the campsite. I remember last summer how panicked I was with him on a playground. I worried and stayed by his side. This Spring I decided it was okay to sit back and watch. He can handle it!
Drew played with Eli so well.
Keeping the kids entertained while you try to figure out some way to relax is quite a challenge!
When we camp, we try to relax as much as possible. With 4 tots running around, it gets a little crazy, but there are moments we can sit and try to read a book!
Aiden had an AWESOME camping trip!
Eli loves to walk around and explore the land. 
Grams and Eli took a couple walks together. 
Aiden is such a happy camper... literally! He is so content and hardly fusses. Eli is demanding of our attention and Aiden is opposite. Aiden loves to hang out and observe the world. Here he is sitting in the ArcticCat and making faces. He knows that we are watching and he is okay with the fact that we are not holding his hand.
Eli and Kate check their "seatbelts" before going on their riding adventure.
Aiden spent a lot of time with his Uncle Jamie.
a Grams moment....
and another Grams moment... Eli and Grams napping on the couch.
When we camp, we let the boys run around like crazy all day until they are pooped out!
Camping with tots, we always have to be prepared with several activities for them to do. Otherwise, they get bored and trouble follows! Michael brought the bouncer for the kids.... wonderful choice!
Grams packed play-doh for the kids. Eli and Kate spent some quality time in the motorhome creating cool play-doh shapes with Grams.
Jeramy was entertained by playing with the functions on the camera. He made it where it distorted the person in the picture... no, Michael doesn't have a huge head and little shoulders!
This one cracked me up of Uncle Jamie!
Michael hung a swing from a tree for the kids. This started a "war" of who was going to swing.
Papa James brought his rubber boat/kayak and the guys enjoyed the water.
We brought Eli and Aiden's ArcticCat and Kate drove Eli around.
Eli and Maddie are best of buds.... he is her "My Eli Moffitt" and she is his "My Maddie"
Baby Addison came to the party as well with her Mommy and Daddy.
Aiden hit it off with her Daddy. They hung out together on the couch most of the party.
Addy loved Aiden the moment she laid her eyes on him! She kept grabbing for him!
We started the Springtime off with evenings in the cul-de-sac with the neighbors. Several evenings, we would pull out our chairs, juice boxes, and powerwheels, and the kids had a blast. Eli loves Dylan's new 4 wheeler.
Raveena introduced Aiden to his very fist Twinkie. He went to town on it!
I don't think a crumb hit the ground!
Most of the time we stayed out past dark!
There were critters everywhere! Eli loved the big pot bellied pig!
Hudson and Eli ran over to the baby kangaroo. She was so sweet. 
Hudson was beside himself... he had a grin from ear to ear! 
Her fur was so soft... like a down blanket.
This was a super highlight of the day... and it was just the beginning!
After a meet and greet, we were escorted in towards the caged critters and learned all about them. Look closely at this pic... again, Hudson has a super huge grin!
Eli took a pit stop and sat on the cool trash can.
This was a big nutria rat.... wow! I have seen some along the Guadalupe River, but not this big!
Aiden loved the animals, too. 
Eli and Hudson pet this little fella along the way from one animal to another. I think his name was Fred. Fred was very friendly and the boys loved him.
This picture reminds me of a super cute moment of Eli. Look closely at his hands... they are balled up into fists. He is roaring at the tiger and antagonizing it. It was super cute. Of course, Eli would just be a snack to this big guy.
These super cute/almost pretty little critters are ring-tailed lemurs. 
We met a couple of porcupines. This was the first time I have ever been so close to one. They were gentle little friends, but carried around some pointy/dangerous quills on their backs. Eli touched one of the quills that had fallen off, and we showed him how sharp it was. 
This little guy was so sweet. He was a Muntjak Deer (Barking Deer). He has tusks and a sweet face and temperament. London was really into this little guy. 
Hudson was letting him suck and lick on his fingers. 
They even had a Bearcat at the zoo! 
We must have bored this camel... she yawned at us! What a big yawn!
Beautiful Gretchen and London loved the camels too! 
This camel was in love with baby Aiden. She licked all over his head and clothes. Either she thought that he needed a bath, or she thought he needed camel kisses.... either way, she didn't bother him. He slept right through it!
The Moffitt Boys, Momma, and a llama!
Llama's were roaming free as we went back to our cars.
This sweet baby llama was super soft.
We plan to visit TGR Exotics again next Fall. 
