Bear World!

I remember when my dad took us 4 younger kids to African Lion Safari when we were young. I thought it was the most amazing thing. I will never forget when my dad offered the giraffe some peanuts and it stuck his whole head in our car! I had a thing for giraffes after that. So, when I heard about a coupon offer on the radio for Bear World, I jumped at the chance to take the kids.

And since an adventure like the one we were about to take is always more fun with good friends, we called up our very good friends, Nate and Bethany, and had them and their kids come with us.

The fun started on the drive up when Jane puked twice, pooped and lost a shoe on the side of the highway. She was fine between puking sessions, so we continued on our merry (and now stinky) way. The drive through was fun, the kids loved seeing the deer, mountain goats, and elk. To be honest though, the bears were kinda boring. Maybe we should have gone right before feeding time, because all the did was sleep. Well, I guess the first one was entertaining, but the rest just laid around with an occasional roll.

first bear

this is what the rest of the bears looked like... I'll give you a buck if you can even find it.

Scotter got pretty excited about roaring at the bears, he even scared a couple birds!

After the bear drive through, we headed over to the kiddie amusement park for a quick train ride, we had some lunch, found an extra pair of Scotty's shoes in the van so we had a little shoe swapping so all babies had two shoes on their feet. After lunch, and Jane puking again, we went check out the smaller, less dangerous animals at the petting zoo. I say "less" dangerous because of the duck that did not like Scotty roaring at him and trying to pet him. One peck in Scotty's direction, accompanied by a loud honk and Scotty got the message.

Nate and I both playing with our new cameras

Notice the one shoe baby... what a trooper!

Trying to get all four kids to look at one time... didn't work.

Jane was so brave! Maybe it was wearing her big brother's shoes.

The kids loved the baby bears... and really, who wouldn't?

Our little bear families.

Scotty and Libby seem to be climbing through more than anything, but I guess it works.

Scotty went back to the amusement park and rode his first roller coaster, which I have to admit I was a little nervous for. Ever since he went on that 4 wheeler train ride thing last summer and came back in screaming tears, I have been a little apprehensive about him going to fast rides. But with Dad by his side, his confidence soared, and he did awesome.

Jane puked one more time before we headed home, and three times on the car ride home. I pretty much felt like the worst Mom in the world for dragging her around while she felt like crap... especially when Scott got the same sickness the next day and he could explain to me how he felt and then I got it the day after Scott. What a tough little cookie Jane is! I couldn't get off the sofa between puking, and she was running around playing having a blast!

On the way home; sleeping babies...

Poor baby... doesn't she just look sick?

Anyway, the kids (even Jane - when she wasn't puking) had a great time. So glad we have such great friends to share our adventures with! We had a roaring good time (I couldn't resist)!