Looking Back: October {Western NC Nature Center}

Got a little ahead of myself with the apple orchard post.  That weekend was kicked off in Asheville.  Robert was volunteering at a camp work weekend and so Clara, Eloise, Sweet Mama and I spent Saturday morning at the Western North Carolina Nature Center.  We've been members for a couple of years (they've got some great reciprocal privileges), but had never had a chance to visit it.  Clara had a great time, even though it was FREEZING for October.  These cell phone photos aren't the best, but we had a good morning.  The baby goat was her favorite. 

And here's a closeup selfie of our family of four at Camp Ridgecrest.  This is where the magic all began.  We could never have imagined in 2003 that we'd be here with these two beautiful girls a decade later.

Thanks be to God.

Lazy 5 Ranch

In the weeks before Clara becomes a big sister, I had high hopes of making sure we made a few extra special memories of fun outings with just her.  We got a few in and I'm glad we did because now that I'm six weeks out, I've been on and off some partial bed rest and probably don't have the energy or stamina to handle any more big day trips like this one.  Hopefully little sister will be a trooper and we can resume some fun like this later this summer while she rides along in a stroller or baby carrier.

On one of the first nice spring days in March we decided to finally go visit Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville.  We had made plans a few other times to go and had to cancel for weather.  It was great to finally see all these cool animals so up close.  We did the wagon ride through the ranch and got to feed lots of different animals straight from our hands and then walked through the small petting zoo area where we got to see even more. One of the highlights were the camels -- Clara has been wanting to see a camel since we started talking about the Christmas story. The NC Zoo doesn't have one and she got RSV and missed out on the live nativities.  At last, we saw real live camels (and I can truthfully report that they are rather disgusting) - even a baby one!  It was also really fun to be eye-to-eye with the giraffes.  Aren't they just amazing creatures?!

Here are some photos to remind us of such a fun day together!  And if you're local and haven't been to Mooresville yet to visit Lazy 5 Ranch, it's well worth your time!