On our way back west we stopped in Rogers Arkansas to visit Grandma Nelson. While we were visiting Uncle Arnold, Aunt Kathy, and Vicki all came up from Louisiana too so we also got to see them.
Our stop in Rogers was a quick stop, but we still got to see some really neat things unique to Arkansas.
The highlight for the Wings, aside from the delicious garden fresh tomatoes that Aunt Marj gave us full reign of, was the petting zoo/ safari in Gentry Arkansas.
It was a petting zoo with basic barnyard animals but also had very unique ones as well such as a kangaroo, peacocks, and quail. Kelsey was in heaven. She wasn't afraid of anything. She even started kissing every animal which totally grossed me out. We tried to stop her from kissing them, but some how she always snuck in a kiss.
She loved the birds the most which we admired because Ethan and I didn't even want to go in the bird cage. She is the only one in the family who would even touch them.
She also loved the goats because they were small, but they kept trying to head butt her. Naturally she just thought this was a sign of affection and tried harder to show the love.
We didn't get too many pictures of the actually petting zoo part where the ponies, pigs, goats, and kangaroos were running around because we were too busy keeping Kelsey from kissing everything. Well and from getting bucked, kicked, bit, or anything else animals can do to a two year old. We were way more paranoid than Kelsey.
After the petting zoo part and the walk around parts, we all hopped in our cars and did the drive through Safari. It was so awesome! If you ever make it to Gentry I highly recommend it. You have to keep your windows up and for good reason. The animals come RIGHT up to your window. It was a little freaky every time especially when an Emu its giving you a stare down, but it was really awesome.All the hunting animals were caged, but the gazers just roamed free. It was great.
The trickiest part about the Safari was making sure you didn't hit any of the animals! For real though. This herd of pigs is a great example. They came out of no where, circled the cars, and just hung out by the tires.
Because we were driving so slow, Kelsey sat in the middle of the front seats so that she could see better.
A few other highlights from our trip included a quick stop to the Little Debbie store by the bakery where all your Little Debbie needs could be filled at a cheap price and a big family meal with everyone in the house as well as the Zebley's. We don't get to see the Arkansas/ Louisiana cousins very much but every time we do it is such a great time.
After Arkansas, the road got very long. Kansas is not very exciting to drive through as is much of the mid-west, but we did it. Eventually we made the 12 hour drive from Rogers to Parker Colorado where we stayed the night with cousin Emily, and then we drove the final 9 hours to home.
It was a safe and great journey. Kelsey was amazing in the car considering the miles we pounded out. We are happy to be home and are excited to get settled into a more permanent living situation even if it means only for 9 months.
Eventually the moving will stop for the Wings and until then, we consider ourselves a pretty lucky family for all the places we have been and the things we have seen.
As for now, bring on our final year of school! We are ready and excited!!!
