The Wittenbergs

Friday, August 5, 2011

First Zoo/Aquarium Trip

Last month Charley and I headed home for my brother and his fiance's pre-wedding reception in Alabama. I took advantage of being home and got together with a friend to take our kiddos to Atlanta. This was to be Charley's first trip to either a zoo or aquarium.

My cousin Elizabeth had visited us in NV for 10 days and we flew out of SLC on the same day. Here we are waiting for our flights.

Sarah, Carter, Charley and I headed out from Athens, where Sarah picked us up, to Atlanta early Monday morning. We spent the afternoon at the aquarium.

I had mixed feelings about visiting - they're known for the whale sharks, of which several have died in the capture and transport/housing at the aquarium. I do not condone the capture of wild animals for captive entertainment at all. The aquarium was VERY expensive to enter, furthering my disgust at the profit off of the deaths/captivity of these animals. Anyway, guess I can't be too hypocritical, since I did in fact pay my way in and visit the place. Here we are at the aquarium.

Charley was a little overwhelmed. Apparently she is quite a little scaredy-cat - how did I get a kid like this??? She LOVES our 50 pound dogs, they lick all over her and she squeals with delight. However, her first experience with a horse was quite terrifying, even though it was standing nearly comatose 8 feet away looking in the other direction. Go figure. And Smokey the Bear? Horrific! Once in AL, add a beach ball and watermelon to the list - who'da thunk? So I'm not sure why I thought she'd enjoy standing beside tens of thousands of gallons of water alive with all sorts of colorful creatures just inches from her face. Yeah - she wasn't into being up close and personal, and preferred to watch from a distance.

The main point, anyway, was for Sarah and I to get to spend some time together (she'd never even met C) and Carter and Charley to interact and get to go fun places! They were fast friends.

Tuesday we went to the Atlanta Zoo. This was way more her speed.

Of course, she spent a large portion of both days sleeping! We're not used to this southern heat and humidity!

Carter at the zoo

Riding the train

Sarah and Carter

She really liked the warthogs and kangaroos. Honestly? She was most happy people watching and chewing on a plastic bottle!

Another month come and gone

Charley is nine months old - incredible!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Summer Company

We love having company!!! We actually had overlapping company - it was awesome!

Our friend Glenn from grad school came and spent a few days.

My cousin Elizabeth came and spent 10!

They so happened to overlap for about 4 days.