Simba Sightings

Long time no blog. I could probably come up with a variety of excuses but will only use one this time. *Company*. Something I enjoy, but it does seem to have this effect on my posts. Guests from Zimbabwe, Botswana, the States, and random place in South Africa. Anyone else wanna join the zoo here? Speaking of zoos, Game Reserves are waaayy better than any zoo. Today, we took a couple guests out to the Ranch Hotel and Lion Park. Took a game drive through their reserve and saw zebra, giraffe, kudu, blesbok, etc. Traipsed on over to the hyena enclosure and lion territory. The main enclosure was closed due to maintenance, but perks being...there were cubs! We spent a good bit playing, petting, holding and bottle feeding the 2 month old lions. Pardon the picture quality....main camera's in the shop (sigh). Counting my blessings that we still had a backup :)

 

 

Schizo, the hyena. Named so because of his schizophrenic behavior. A comforting thought, eh?

 

 

 

Our great guide, Frank. A well-spring of information. 

(thanks to Kristen for the pix!)

Just before they took us in the enclosure :)

 

 

Can we say sweetness!! The only type of cat I actually like ;)

A bit creepy looking, but will one day be a beautiful white lion (or so we hope!).

We were given the chance to bottle feed the cubs. Highlight to Bri's day!

The cubs were super cute...if only they stayed this size. 

 

The Ranch has this beautiful little chapel with a rose garden. Simply gorgeous in/out.

Oh, and hey, take this sign literally, only replace it with The Wilhite Hotel~

Portraits

Just a few random family pictures taken last Sunday. We would choose the only Sunday we didn't have company there to snap the photo. Out came the tripod & self-timer :)

 

Married 32 years

 

Drew, 11th grade

Joel, 9th

Debrianna, 6th

Joshua, 3rd

Even the poor mutt sat for his photo, but obviously wasn't thrilled about it  :)