Our favorite zoo in the area is in Omaha, approximately three hours from here. It has been a desire on Mom’s heart to go to the zoo with the little girls. With all of our schedules and other items, it just wasn’t working out. A week ago Friday, Mary had the idea to go to the zoo as a special Mother’s Day outing. She talked to family members, planned, worked on schedules, and planned some more. In the meantime, she was able to keep it a complete secret.
Nathan wasn’t able to come due to his work, and Melanie, with being careful of her activity level, couldn’t join us, but they said Abby and Bethany could.
Thursday was a beautiful day. The drive was uneventful, and we had a picnic in the van as we approached Omaha. After we unloaded and tickets were purchased, we were ready.
First stop: orangutans!
Looking at the orangutans.
These cute little guys were a definite mischievous duo. They took turns threading part of their rope out of the cage, as if they were fishing for the zoo spectators.
We moved on. We were glad the gorilla was on the other side of the glass. He was huge!
Walking…
Abby had hoped to be able to pet a goat, and she did! Children definitely love the petting zoo.
One special treat was the train. It was an old-fashioned, train engine, with several open passenger “cars.” We had a nice ride around the zoo and observed prairie dogs, rhinos, giraffes, and other animals.
We visited the desert which was an interesting, dome-covered building.
The main reason we took the zoo trip!
Sweet Abby.
Aunt and Niece.
The giraffes were a special part of our visit.
Anna took the camera to grab this picture.
Anna was taking a cell phone picture, so I took this shot.
This concludes Part 1, about half of the pictures we chose. Part 2 will follow in the next day or two!
Love,
Sarah
“I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.”
–Psalms 50:11-12
I was just at the Omaha zoo a couple weeks ago with my cousins! I am from MN but was on a two week trip. The Omaha zoo certainly is a great place, that I must say!
Every once in a while I’ll stop by your blog and see how things are going for you. Even though I have never met your family personally you have encouraged me in my life. Bless you all!
I read your blog via a reader (to stop me spending hours browsing other blogs!) and with Anna Marie’s baby due so soon every time I see “Maxwell family” in bold I think “Oooooo , is there news?!!”. Guess I will have to wait a bit longer!
Lovely pictures of the zoo. My favourite are the giraffes. They are such crazy looking animals. God is amazing!
Sounds like you had such a fun day out and was worth all the planning.
I have a Zoo near to us and my three year old daughter loves going, feeding the small animals like the squirrels and chipmunks and naming them.
love Kelly x
Oh, Yeah! I was hoping your post was going to say the “Omaha” zoo. We are new to Nebraska (the panhandle), and were told the zoo in Omaha is the best! For us, it will be six hours, but we heard it will be worth it.
What a sweet treat for your Mom. The pictures were a blessing. Now this Mom can’t wait. :O)
What great pictures from what looks like a brilliant outing.
The great thing about Zoos is the mixture of education and watching what the animals are doing.
I’ve seen so many funny zoo moments, but just highlight what a diverse set of creatures live in this world:
The cute monkey’s looking after the baby’s right up to the elderly ones. A Orangutan who looked like he was trying to escape the compound! The polar bears who seemed to be smiling. The cute Meercats which seemed to be cleaning all day… The list goes on.
Glad you had a super day and am glad Teri enjoyed her outing.
Lot’s of love and Blessings.
Sue Ellen
Omaha Zoo looks like a great place. Glad to see you and your family had fun there. What a nice mothers’ day treat!
I am so encouraged by your sweet family. I just read the mom’s corner entitled “I Just Want to be a Mommy.” What love your mom has for you children and now grandchildren. The article encouraged me to love my children with thankfulness in the Lord.
Mary, you look joyful in Christ 🙂
I so enjoy seeing the family out on outtings together. What a grand time you had at the zoo, and how special that Teri was able to celebrate her Mother’s Day gift by taking the little girls to the zoo. I love going to the zoo. My favorite is the elephants and the oranatangs. God created some amazing creatures.
Blessings, Mrs. Mari