Grandpa’s 67th Birthday

April 12, 2014 – We celebrated my Grandpa’s 67th birthday with family at a park.  This birthday was extra special because my Grandpa had a double by pass surgery on his heart just a few weeks before.

Our cousin Charlie

Uncle Jeremy and our cousin, Isaiah

Roller Skating Macaws and Bud

August 2, 2013 – We’re headed to Grant’s Farm with our cousins, Brianne and Eli.

After entering the park, we hopped on a tram and took a tour of the deer park.

We drove by “White Haven” a log cabin once lived in by General Grant.

The “farm” used to be owned by Ulysses S. Grant, but eventually came into the hands of the Busch family (of Anheuser-Busch.)

The fence is partially made up of the barrels of rifles from the civil war.

These civil war cannonballs line the path of the trams.

The tram enters the Grant’s Farm deer park…

It’s an albino deer

If you think about it, bison are some really odd-looking creatures.  Seeing herds of buffalo must’ve been quite a shock to the early explorers of North America.

Check out those horns.

The bison certainly weren’t shy!

They almost got within touching distance

Can you help but think about an oreo?

Covered bridges would extend the life of the bridge and were designed to look like a barn, so the horses would be more comfortable going through it.  There are only 4 original covered bridges still in existence in Missouri.

It’s time to get off of the tram

Our first stop was the “Animal Encounters” show

This macaw can roller skate around the cones.

He’s also a bit of a television star…you can see him in this commercial at 0:23.

Macaws can also talk (and maybe do some dancing too!)

“Video: Talking Macaw”

Barn Owl

Owls are so silent when they fly

Grant’s Farm rescues bald eagles that are injured or sick and rehabilitates them.

I think he’s look at me…THOSE are some piercing eyes!

The Anheuser logo – Grant’s Farm style!

After the “Animal Encounters” show, we visited our good friend…

…”Bud” – the African Elephant bull.

Bud showed us some of his tricks:

Getting a treat

Spraying water over everyone in the front row with his trunk!

This girl volunteers to give Bud a cantaloupe

Posing for a picture - on command.

Time to check out the camels

Heading to the Grant’s Farm Bauernhof

Wouldn’t this be an amazing place to hold a dance?

Hmm…maybe someday Stately Steps will have to host a ball here.

Time to head home!

It was great to spend some time with our cousins and to see enjoy the beauty, creativity, and maybe even a little humor found in God’s creation!