Gator Time

Today we had so much fun going down to Brazos Bend State Park with some friends and checking out the main attraction- the alligators! Chris and Nathan had come before to go camping but it was mine and Abby's first time and it was great.

Our first stop was the nature center- the kids loved it.  Nathan was a bit apprehensive about touching the baby crocodile but Abby had no fear.

They both liked the snakes, but Abby was absolutely fascinated by them.

We checked out some bones and other things

and some birds

and the raccoon.

We then took the party outside and found our picnic spot right near a lake full of alligators- too cool. We cooked up some hot dogs, ate, talked, and then finally went down to the lake and looked at all the alligators!

This was the first one we saw on the banks of the lake leading to the pier.

Then we got so see one swim right underneath us- it was just a few feet away.  Nathan thought it was so cool and kept leaning out too far for my comfort.

Abby wanted in on the action too but her innate craziness and her insatiable desire to climb everything prompted a very short alligator watching excursion for her.

We got a picture with some of the kids there, we're missing 3 boys (potty break!) and two girls (Abby and a little baby), so it was a big fun group of kids!

By then Abby was ready to die of sheer exhaustion but Nathan was ready for more, so we had to pack up our stuff and head home.  Abby feel asleep before we even made it out of the tiny parking lot and Nathan made it almost the entire way home before he crashed...so in order to get them a bit more sleep we went and picked up our new lawn mower!

Can you tell Chris loves it? :)

Let's just say after many hours of research and debating over quality and features Chris finally picked out the one he wanted. He used it for the first time tonight and he's literally in love.

Also in today- playing in the sprinkler with Dad, having Nathan's friend Caitlin come over and bring him some feel better balloons and brownies, and I got to watch the Young Women's General Broadcast for Church which was amazing.

What a great day!