The Oki Zoo

We picked up Melanie at 10:45 p.m. on the 11th of January. We were SO excited to see her. She made the flight without any major hitches and we got her all settled in her room. It was pretty late so after a couple hugs and a little laughter we got her right to bed.

The next day was pretty cold and rainy so we gave her the day off from adventures to rest up and just get to enjoy the grandkids. The big boys knew her right away, but the babies were a little more cautious. Not to worry... within minutes she had both of them sitting up on her lap reading them a story. That was the moment that she replaced me and Rhett in their hearts. Every time they got hurt or wanted a hug they would run right to Grandma. Traitors!!! We had fun watching the fun movies that Stephanie had sent and it was a great inside day due to rain and cold wind. :)

Anyway, the second day she was here we started our "LIST" of adventures that we wanted Melanie to see here in Japan. We thought it was appropriate that the first place we took her was the Zoo. We have spent countless hours in that place running and enjoying the animals.

She seemed to really enjoy it. Our favorite part that day was that the female and male lion kept roaring to each other. The girl would run over to the cage and rub up against the bar. The male would run over and try to reach her. It was actually kind of sad to watch, but the roar he kept making was SO neat. It was like thunder that shook the ground. We could here it really far away and rushed back up to see what was going on. Anyway, they really wanted to be together and it was heart wrenching to see them interact in that way. It's hard to be able to see the one you love and yet be so far away. Cool experience though to hear them roaring to one another.

After the animals we headed up to the petting zoo and held a couple animals. It was too bad that most of them were in cages. I think the lady the runs it must have been at lunch, but we still got to pet a few animals. I guess I was just bummed the baby turtles weren't in there. They really are my favorite little animals. :)

We then went over to the fishing pond and had fun feeding the ducks, fish, and pigeons. It was a fun filled outing and we made it back just in time for nap time. :) It was good we all needed a nap and poor Melanie was still feeling a little bit from the jet lag. It tends to really hit you the second day.

Here's a picture of Melanie and the boys in front of the hippo cage. Those stinken things stayed in the water the whole time we were there. It was a bit weird because we have hardly ever even seem them in the water. I'm not sure what is up with the light from my camera, but I'm just impressed that I got them all looking at me.

I forgot to ask Melanie what her favorite part was, but I'm sure she would have answered either the bull, chickens, horses, pigs or goats. She seems to be a farm girl at heart. ;) Just kidding Melanie. I just had to throw in there that this is like a zoo/farm. It's weird!