Spring Break - part 2 - Lions & Tigers & Bears...

OH MY!

On Tuesday afternoon, we headed up a few miles north to a zoo like place called Cat Tales.  It's part zoo, part rescue sanctuary, part learning facility for EWU students and it was unlike anything that I had ever seen before.  The animals (GIANT tigers, leopards, jaguars and such) were so close...separated by little chain link fences and a few feet of gravel.  I didn't feel totally safe, but I figured that they had been around for a long time and obviously no one had been mauled by a big cat yet, so our odds were good.

I'm so glad that we went.  I really think it was a once in a lifetime type adventure.  Besides going on an African safari, I can't imagine having the opportunity to see these beautiful creatures so close up. 

It really was amazing. 

Our little group ready to see the cats!

See what I mean, not feeling totally safe at this point?

Yikes!

Carter and Johnny holding their "bear adventure" passes.

For a small $10 fee, the boys were allowed to feed real live giant animals.  Carter and Johnny got to feed bears and Brock fed raw meet to a tiger.  Super.  All kidding aside, it really was so cool.  Carter took his job very seriously and listened intently as the employee went over the rules.  I think he was a bit scared but he was very brave.

Since Kennedy wasn't old enough, she settled for a stuffed variety.  Loved her little lion!

Johnny was first up, feeding a big brown bear named Oscar.  The workers placed chunks of apple on the end of a long stick and then the kids pushed it through a hole of a Plexiglas cage.  The animals do this many times a day, so they were surprisingly gentle about the whole thing.

Before Carter's turn, they rotated the bears.  Oscar went out back and they brought in a big black bear named Oso.  Carter did great feeding him his apples and then as the last piece was given, he had to loudly say "last one Oso."  He was so proud of himself!

Check out the tongue on that bear!

Brock's adventure was feeding a female tiger.  She had been born in captivity and was so gentle.  She took the meat ever so softly and patiently waited for more.  Brock was so excited!

How cute is this little scene?

Two tigers and a lioness just lounging together...we were less than 10 feet away.

white tiger

Extinct in the wild since 1950, the only remaining white tigers are in captivity.  There are very few in the world, so I thought it was especially neat that we got to see one.  They have two at this facility, both male and stunningly beautiful.

a fun little adventure

Spring Break - part 1

Since Kyle needed to be in Spokane for work during the kids' spring break, we decided to go with him and visit our dear friends and former neighbors, the Molendas.

The kids were so excited to be back with Brock and Johnny!  They played really well together and it was a great visit.  Anne and I were able to relax and talk a lot, starting each morning with cups of coffee and ending each night with a little wine.  It was so nice to have a change of pace (and scenery) and enjoy time with friends.  We so appreciate their hospitality!

How cute are they?

Do you see the sweetness between Brock and Kennedy?  I can not begin to explain how wonderful Brock is with our little one.  He's nearly nine years old, but he catered to Kennedy's whims, treating her so gently and kindly.  And Kennedy ate it up.  She made the comment, towards the end of our trip, that she loved her family but that she really loved Brock.  She was by his side the entire trip!

The weather was decent for part of our stay, so we took advantage and spent some time at the park.  They boys played some football, used Brock's metal detector to hunt for treasure and had water balloon tosses with some neighbors.

Kennedy enjoyed the swings

Pajama time

I will admit that we were a little lazy at times, letting the kids play video games or watch tv or just lounge around in their pajamas.  It was spring break and it was ok to break some of our normal rules.  Carter stayed up late, played like crazy and loved every minute it!

Brock, Kennedy, Johnny and Carter

We went out to dinner one night at a great pub/pizza place.  The boys had been at various sporting practices before hand, so everyone ate well and then we headed home to bed!

One afternoon, we headed to downtown Spokane and went to their local children's museum.  It just so happened to be in the basement of their mall, so we snuck in a little shopping too.  Good thing Lent was nearly over!

Kennedy found the craft area, naturally.  And managed to keep herself busy making paperbag princess puppets.

There was a dirt and water area (eek!) that Carter bravely tried out.  Anne had to laugh at how he was fully covered and really didn't like it...Can you tell from this picture that he's bothered by the dirt on his hands?   I would be too, Carter.

The afternoon ended with a trip to Ben & Jerry's for a yummy ice cream cone.

A great trip!