The boys each got their own flashlights. Why you ask? Well the new "Wild Nights" exhibit that they have on display until spring (we highly recommend you go there, it's free!!), you get to see and visit all the animals and creatures of the night. They, as Joey knows, are called nocturnal. They also have a great little area where you can learn what is, and isn't Eco-friendly, or "green". They do provide flashlights for you to borrow if you don't get one as a gift. The kids wouldn't go into the display at first because they thought it was a haunted house! But after Ms. Janet got down and crawled her way though the Ant tunnel, the boys soon followed.
This display you could smell a spot on the top of a box, and try to guess which animal makes that smell! Then you lift the box and SURPRISE! You see the tail of the animal who makes that smell! (YUCK) I guess I was the only one who ended up trying to match the smell to the animal of the night. The skunk was the only for sure one! The boys enjoyed the computer game where you have a squirrel chase around to catch the nuts and hurry and put them in his nest before a badger or something gets it away from you. :)
By far the favorite part of the exhibit was where you pressed a button next to the animal you want to see (in the dark), and a special spotlight shown on the animal and where you would typically see it in the wild! The kids loved it. Next picture we have Joey the raccoon, Dax the red fox and Lola the owl.
After we went around the Wild Nights exhibit inside a few times, we went outside in some pretty mild weather for a nice little hike on one of the trails they have. Look at cute little Lola peaking out the side of Daddy's back pack! She did this most of the hike. Mainly to see if mom was still around.
Daxie getting a lift over a tree trunk.
Dax kept us all, especially Ms. Janet in stitches most of the time. And we also attempted to get a few family pictures along the way.
It took her a while to get her rock garden the way she wanted, but it's done! You can't tell from my professional grade photos during the winter and bare bushes and plants. But it has paths that go around different plants and sculptures and a birdbath, etc. Over the years of tilling up the land she found so many huge rocks in the fields that she had a huge pile and one day decided to do some landscaping with it, and me and Joey both think it is so cute. Makes me miss my rock gardens back home in Utah.
Here's Lola and Mom snacking and trying to keep occupied during dinner. Ms. Janet made some yummy tomato soup. Boy is this woman smart, she supplied goldfish crackers, pretzels, and some ham and cheese sandwiches to dip into what we called "Pizza Sauce soup"! Oh yea, the wording of the new food worked. Joey ate about half of his, along with half a bag of goldfish. But still, HE ATE IT! Joey just does not try new foods! I was so proud. :) Dax tried it too, but enjoyed Lola's applesauce and pretzels more.
Look how proper the boys are while we adults chatted and snacked on appetizers. Man it's hard to keep them from breaking the china!
After pumpkin pie for dessert we headed out to the barn and Lola briefly rode the horse, and Joey lead it around with the reins. That's the closest Joey got. Dax was hugging the door.
After the goats licked Daddy's ear a few times, they decided to fight over him! It was funny.
