Oklahoma!

Brian started off our trip to OKC with this joke...

Brian (sparkle in his eyes): Why hasn't Texas fallen into the Gulf of Mexico?

Me (playing along like a good wife): I dunno, honey. Why?

Brian (way too excited to deliver the following punchline): Because Oklahoma *sucks!

Way to go, hubby. Maybe let's keep that one under wraps until we cross the border back into Texas. Seeing as how I would like to live to see that moment.

I've only been to Oklahoma a handle of times, all when I've just been driving through. Who knew it is such a beautiful piece of country? Here are some things I saw on the drive...

These gorgeous yellow wildflowers

These cool rock formations

And this handsome fella winking at me.

Once we finally found the OKC Zoo (Dear OKC - could y'all please raise some taxes and post signs along the highway for us visiting Texans? Thanks very much.), we hopped out to some perfect weather and made our way inside. The OKC Zoo is ranked in the top ten in the nation and we were excited to explore it.

We boarded the tram for a little tour of the zoo and heard about the 750 species that reside there. I think one of Brian's favorite animals was the Somali Wild Ass, because, you guessed it, even grown men still seem to get a kick out of any opportunity to use the word "Somali."

There were several stops along our tour and we jumped off at the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit. Here is how Tyler initially felt about it...

Notice the bugged out eyes and the red mark on Brian's neck from Tyler's death grip. I love that about kids - how they are so real in their emotions - not their death grips.

But, when you know your Daddy has your back and those ol' dinos seem to be limited to the roped off areas anyway, you get a little cocky...

And, although T managed to get a pretty convincing "rawr!" out, the fingers digging into Brian's neck still give away the little guy fears raging inside.

Noah claims this was his favorite part of the zoo...That's a mister with a button. And, if you know Noah, you know he loves water...and pressing buttons. Incidentally, I love the rainbow the picture caught!

I think we'd all agree, though, our favorite exhibit was the ape house. We felt right at home in there. This guy made it especially fun...

He was an orangutan with such expressive eyes and enormous personality. He hung onto a rope just against the glass and did all sorts of tricks. My favorite was when he flipped upside down and then started spinning. He'd fall down and look solemnly up at the rope, as if trying to figure out how to get back up there. Still, there was something forlorn as he looked into our eyes and watched us. I felt kind of sorry for him. He eventually covered up with some hay and a blanket. The boys liked that. Playing peek-a-boo with a monkey. And, really, who wouldn't?

The gorilla exhibit was also amazing. It might look like T and this gorilla were just hanging out, picking lice off each other and discussing why the refs didn't call that last second foul before 'Melo hit that three pointer (dadgum it!) and the Mavs lost, but there was actually glass separating the two. Also, Tyler doesn't have lice. And, NO ONE can explain why that foul wasn't called.

Here were my favorite monkeys at the zoo...

All in all, I'd say the OKC zoo earns its ranking in the top ten. I had a great time with my pride...

(sorry, that was totally cheesy) and we expect to return next year, when the new Children's Zoo opens up within the OKC Zoo!

* I do have this observation to offer...when driving into Oklahoma, the first things you see are an adult store and a casino. When driving into Texas, the first things you see are signs for a WWII memorial and a Purple Hearts Trail and a huge outlet mall. You tell me where a Jesus-lovin' military brat with a special place in her heart for bargains is better suited.