Fossil Rim

Mom played hooky from work today so we decided to go to Glen Rose and visit Fossil Rim. This is a 15,000 acre wildlife habitat that allows you to see animals in their near natural environment. All in the comfort of your car! You are able to purchase food for the animals, which they love, so they will come right up to you and eat. Having a minivan for a trip like this was a huge plus because the kids were able to run from side to side.

We started off our morning with the 'breakfast of champions' at the local Cracker Barrel.

There was even a petting zoo. Gavin loved the goats and gave this one a hug.

The goats loved to be brushed and Harrison kindly obliged.

The deer were very friendly.

I can't remember the name of this fellow.

Gavin has quite the throwing arm. When he throws he even adds a grunt for extra umph.

God's creatures are truly beautiful. But not really all of them. The next picture is an example of such an atrocity.

This one could go back to R&D (research and development) for some improvements. Ostrichs also seem to have a big chip on their shoulder about being so ugly and they take it out on those around them. They are M-E-A-N! It's embarrassing to admit, but I was really scared of this beast.

Afterward, we went to the other big attraction in Glen Rose, Dinosaur Valley, home to some of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils. Very hard to explain to a 3 year old the concept of extinct. Especially when there are these huge dinosaurs that look very alive and real to him. Except, of course, that they are being held back by only a two-foot-tall fence.....and they're not moving.

Harrison standing where a dinosaur stood just a few (million) years ago.

But really, he enjoyed climbing most of all.

......and so did his never-to-be-outdone little brother.

Gavin giving a leaf to G-Jo. Leaves get him pretty excited.

All of us are standing in just one foot of this dinosaur.

I wasn't prepared for the hiking involved, but we had to see the fossils so I pushed forward. Flip-flops with a baby on my back in the middle of nowhere-not the safest parenting choice I've ever made.

A little video to show how close we were!