Laughter and giggles

We had an opportunity to go camping this weekend! but unfortunatly we are freezing our little hineys off in the artic tundra weather of 40 degrees.  Yes - I can hear our families laughing across the miles- we have become "Texans".  We even gave in (after the police told us to) and each got our Tx Drivers License.  
Now, we are not totally wimps :) ... we donned our  layers of shirts, jackets and coats and took our kiddos to the Houston Aquarium.  A good friend has a pre-school and offered a group discount to the ward to go together with her class for a BIG discount, which was fun because we knew almost everyone there.  I remembered our camera...but didn't remember to charge the battery - sorry- you will have to use your vivid imaginations. 

Ty and I were very impressed by the extravagant ambiance (We have been reading fancy nancy)  every room had it's very own theme. from the buffalo bayou, old mayan riuns, to a sunken ship.    Our kids ran rom display to display giggling in delight.  "Look at the alligator!" "Look at the baby turtle! he's so cute I want one!" "Mom, see how they sparkle? " We did indeed see two small baby alligators and turtles and lots and lots of fish.   WE saw groupers the size of tanner- then brooklyn--then Mommy!  Then later in the day we saw Groupers bigger than daddy! They are huge and love the gulf of mexico- where they did NOT want to be caught to spend time indoors. They are very territorial and kept staring at us.  They thought my kids looked yummy, because they are.  My brave kids put their hand in the water to pet some stingrays and small sharks.  Brooklyn would put her hand in and touch one as it would swim by then squeal and quickly pull her hand back.  Tanner kept trying to grab them for keeps, but Cristine perfected the technique by holding her hand out and letting them stick their noses out and come to her. 
Ty took us to a "Fancy" lunch where it looks like you are under water and a giant aquarium is the whole wall behind you.  Brooklyn learned in Fancy Nancy that "Alfresco" means to eat outdoors, so she said we were eating "Aldesco" because we were eating under water :) The aquarium is very small so they make up for it with fun rides outside.  We went on the ferris wheel, merry-go round and a train ride.  The train ride surprised us by stopping in a tunnel filled with big sharks! We heard that a big great white shark had gotten loose during a flood and was still in the bayou somewhere, you will have to ask Cristine if it is true- I think she saw one. 
The girls were big enough (Brooklyn stretched her neck just a bit I think) to ride the big lighthouse drop.  They went all by themselves (SO BRAVE!!!!) It is like the rocket ride just a little smaller. you could hear them squeal so loud!  again and again- but they loved it! What a fun day :)