Busch Gardens!

We had Christmas with Craig's family a week prior to the 25th as they were going out of town. Since we (I) couldn't fly with everyone else, Craig and I stayed behind and had our own fun. We went to Busch Gardens, which is like an amusement park plus a zoo, and since I couldn't go on any rollercoasters (so many restrictions being pregnant!) we mostly did the zoo part. It was so fun, and I got to keep practicing on my new camera!

We went Christmas Eve from about 2-6 pm, and after 4 hours of walking, I almost couldn't make it out to the car I was so sore! That night I could barely sleep because of the pain it had caused me. Thanks to lots of rest and double doses of Calcium/Magnesium, I felt much better Christmas morning, so after presents we decided to go again (it's only about 40 minutes away). I only lasted about 2 hours until the pain became unbearable!!

I won't put in all our presents pictures, but this little squirrel in Craig's stocking made his day. Just a little reminder of our little Romeo. You press his tummy and he makes little squirrel noises. (The dogs went crazy for it.) Craig still talks about how much he misses Romeo!

Craig got me some awesome professional camera equipment, like an ergonomical strap, a backpack case, and an awesome tripod and some other accessories! I can't wait to use it all!

He got a book, clothes, a marble cheese cutter, his own yoga mat and a few other things.

Here are some fun pictures of our time at Busch Gardens!

First stop was the Alligators:

They are huge! And lazy.

"Aim the camera right there"

This was at the entrance to the butterfly garden. I didn't take any picture of the actual garden, but it was so beautiful. If we ever get a house with land, I'm building a butterfly garden!

Then came the Chimpanzees!

They had a giant, awesome sanctuary where they lived. We got to see them from behind glass.

Go Craig!

I tried getting on it's back like Craig, but I just couldn't! I had to settle for this pose!

Craig hasn't quite learned the logistics of the camera. He caught me mid-pose! This shows how big my baby bump is though!

Can you tell which one is Craig? LOL!

This is the train we took through the Serengeti Safari. There was NO protection from the wild animals. If they wanted to, they could have come right up to us! Craig got really nervous around the rhinos! Luckily I was sitting between him and the animals, so I could protect him if I had to! Don't know if you can see, but there is an ostrich on the tracks. We had to stop to let him pass.

Here are some of the animals we saw on our 'safari':

Zebras! Did you know they are actually brown and white?

Giraffes! There were so many, and so close! Beautiful.

Antelope. Check out those horns! This one was a little close for comfort!

And of course the 4,000 lb. rhinos! Remember, we had no protection! They must keep them well fed. Craig was plotting ways to save me if one decided to charge at me. Thanks Craig, you're my hero! :)

Here is a momma rhino with her one month old baby rhino. Precious!

On the second day instead of riding through the safari again we decided to see the park from the air. We rode the Sky Rail, almost like an enclosed ski lift that went all around the park. We got to see everything without having to walk anywhere!

Check out that view!

Craig and I on the Sky Rail. Behind Craig you can see the others riding in the little carts.

We saw elephants only from the air.

And these guys too. Impressive horns!

We finished off the first evening looking at the various bird life:

McCaws...

Flamingos....stinky!

Then this guy, who looked like he was on the loose, just walking through the crowds of people. Ooh! Free popcorn!

The second day, Christmas, we ended with the Clydesdales:

Enormous! This picture doesn't do him justice at all!

Afterward we went to the Packards for some fun and some yummy dinner. Craig grew up with the Packards (they have lots of boys around Craig's age) so Sister Packard is like Craig's second mom-and they are too good to us. Sister Packard is going to be our doula for Max's birth!

Hope everyone else had a great Christmas!