As you already know, my family has a lot of kids -- five of our own and always at least one additional kid who is staying with us for one reason or another.
Having at least five kids in our home often makes it hard to go to many "cool" vacation spots.
I mean, more kids = more $$ spent, and I am way too frugal to be able to enjoy myself if I know it's breaking the bank! (I know I need to work on this!)
Anyway, last year three of the six kids living with us graduated high school and flew the coop! This meant that (for now) we only have THREE kids at home!
I know! I KNOW! You are asking yourself "What does she do with all that free time?" Right? Well I'll be sure to let ya know as soon as I find some of that "Free Time!"
We decided to take advantage of our temporary smaller family size and do something cool! We went to Moody Gardens in Galveston.
It has been years since we visited this fun family spot.
I had almost forgotten how much fun it was!
I mean, there is something for everyone!
Look at all there is to enjoy!
I loved the "Bodies Reviled" Exhibition!
Hubby and the 8-year-old Little-Foreman-in-Pink were not as impressed seeing bodies uncovered. But I think it's super-cool! Look!
Yep! those are REAL HUMAN Bodies! Way cool!
The Little-Foreman-in-Pink loved the Rain Forest Pyramid!
It is SO great knowing that you can visit a real rainforest less than an hour away from Houston! The Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid holds over 1,000 species of exotic plants and animals from the rainforests of Africa, Asia and the Americas that populate the multi-level 10-story glass pyramid.
Look at just a few of the many many things that were on display!
The kids all LOVED the animals!
They were all so healthy and lively! I was VERY impressed!
And get this!
Now they have PENGUINS!
YAY!
There is SO much to do and see at Moody Gardens! I am so glad we took the time to go somewhere so wonderful right in our own back yard! You should come explore our backyard too!
Texas ROCKS!
$100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway
Travel Texas and BlogHer are sponsoring a great giveaway to one lucky reader. Please leave a comment telling me where you'd like to visit in Texas. You can request a free Texas Travel Guide from the TravelTex.com website where you can get lots of great ideas!
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/1/2012-6/1/2012.
Be sure to visit the Discover Texas page on BlogHer.com where you can read about other bloggers' adventures and find more chances to win!
UPDATE!!!
The randomly selected winner is......
Tiffany W!!!
Watch your e-mail in box for details!!
UPDATE!!!
The randomly selected winner is......
Tiffany W!!!
Watch your e-mail in box for details!!
I would love to take a fun family trip to either San Antonio or Galveston.
ReplyDeleteSounds like y'all had a great time! My parents visited San Antonio for vacation when I was younger (I stayed with family) and after seeing their pictures I've always wanted to visit.
ReplyDeleteI want to visit this place! Moody Gardens in Galveston or Dallas to visit friends!
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit San Antonio and the River Walk!
ReplyDeletejessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
I tweeted too
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/jrwarfield/status/199179773128355840
jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
I'd love to visit Austin. I've heard good things.
ReplyDeletemami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/199492595620118528
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I really wish that some day a visit Austin.
ReplyDeleteI twitted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/JoyfulAbode/status/199492266522456065
I would like to visit San Antonio
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/199522390034755584
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
i would like to visit austin to see the parks :)
ReplyDeletevanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/199557875763396609
vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
I would love to visit Dallas and/or Houston and Galveston. 17 years ago, my husband was able to take me on a business trip with him to Dallas and we fell in love with the beauty and the friendliness of Texas. I've always wanted to return for a family vacation, but we also have 5 children and face the same vacation $$ issues and never got the opportunity to take that vacation before my husband passed away unexpectedly 3 yrs ago. Since then, I've reconnected with friends in Dallas and have new ones in the Houston area. They all have invited us to visit. I'd love to be able to take them up on their offers! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go to Dallas- I have family there!
ReplyDeletefamily74014 at gmail dot com
I'd like to visit Houston.
ReplyDeletetcarolinep at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/200012984922279938
ReplyDeleteMy kids would love the animals too! We just moved to DFW and we have been wanting to check out San Antonio and the Ft. Worth zoo
ReplyDeletetweeted https://twitter.com/#!/SweepsMama/status/200022105553768450
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit the Big Bend country ...and the hill country and little historical towns. I would like to see the country rather than the cities.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/rusthawk/status/200091896389959680
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit Dallas.
ReplyDeleterhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
i want to visit San Antonio
ReplyDeletethepryfamily@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/200271573951840256
ReplyDeletethepryfamily@gmail.com
I really want to visit Austin!
ReplyDeletedmarie824 at aol dot com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTweeted!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/dmarie824/status/200339292508266498
id like to travel to san antonio! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/200417283049390080 scg00387 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeletei want to visit san antonio! i so many good things about texas! Thanks for a super giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Tweeted:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/anashct3/status/200544093607165953
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Moody Gardens is a neat place. Great post. I've only lived in Texas for 12 years. There's so much of this state I've never ventured to.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Austin for amazing food, great music and a great time!
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/201012436940242944
ReplyDeletepokergrl8 at gmail.com
I seriously have to visit Austin. So much great food and culture!
ReplyDelete[mckinneymommas at yahoo dot com]
THE Centennial Museum & Chihuahuan Desert Gardens IN EL PASO! THANKS FOR THE CHANCE!
ReplyDeletekytah00@yahoo.com
2ND ENTRY TWEET! https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/201500225368629248
ReplyDeleteI'd like to visit San Antonio.
ReplyDeletemerleandtina@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/202045709413916672
ReplyDeletemerleandtina@yahoo.com
Houston
ReplyDeletekarinaroselee at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/#!/karinaroselee/status/202094104597905408
ReplyDeletekarinaroselee at gmail dot com
i have family in Texas i wanna come and visit
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
https://twitter.com/#!/akronugurl/status/202105679878696960
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
I would go to Houston
ReplyDeletei tweeted - https://twitter.com/#!/onitnaram/status/202915310985162752
ReplyDeleteSan Antonio River Walk -- I've heatd so many great things about it.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit Big Bend.
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit San Antonio!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
Every part of Texas I've been to has been beautiful, but I'd love to visit Houston next.
ReplyDeletechainmail (at)iwon (dot) com
I tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/The_Sunshyn/status/203694750732259328
chainmail (at)iwon (dot) com
Would love to go back to Austin and San Antonio.
ReplyDeletewolverina401 at gmail dot com
I'd like to tour the Hill Country. Loved your fun review
ReplyDeleteTweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/BBirdie2/status/203985197211992064
Austin, of course. I've heard great things about it, and it supposedly has the most bloggers per capita of any other US city.
ReplyDeleteSouth Padre Island, i didn't even realize texas had any islands until i saw it online
ReplyDeletethismomwins@gmail.com
Austin! I've heard it's fabulous. So I want to visit.
ReplyDeleteHere's where you can find my tweet.
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/fugeecat
i'd love to visit San Antonio again - its been quite some time since I've been there
ReplyDeletedebbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
i tweeted here:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/bellows22/status/204755054652166145
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
Corpus Christi
ReplyDeletetbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/204787858567987200
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/204959289033494528
ReplyDeletegina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
I'd like to visit fort worth, i want to visit the gardens and the zoo, and go shopping. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesongyueyu at gmail
tweet: https://twitter.com/syytta/status/205567115955146752
ReplyDeletesongyueyu at gmail
I would love to visit the NASA in Clear Lake.
ReplyDeletetweet https://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/205833367479009280
ReplyDeleteWe would like to visit the Dallas Aquarium. So much fun!! We would also like to take the kids to the river walk in San Antonio and the kids museum there.
ReplyDeletetweet https://twitter.com/thismomwins2/status/206476515981017088
ReplyDeletethismomwins@gmail.com
I'd love to visit Austin!
ReplyDeletedeeg131 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/206836405442314242
ReplyDeletedeeg131 at gmail dot com
I'd like to visit Fredericksberg. I need some relaxation in my life and after a number of drive through visits I still haven't spent any time there.
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit Houston the biggest city in Texas and visit the 1940 Air Terminal Museum as well as the Bayou Bend Collection of the Fine Arts: 28-room Latin Colonial Structure.
ReplyDeletectong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/ctong2/status/206989234245091328
ReplyDeletectong2[at]gmail[dot]com
I grew up in Austin and remember going to Galveston as a kid. So much fun. Actually living in Rochester, New York now, but heading to Austin tomorrow for a quick visit. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteEVERYTHING {San Anton ...io} ...
ReplyDeletejig away my dear, jig away!!!
Anywhere in Texas hill country would make me happy. Of course I'd love to head south and hit the beaches.
ReplyDeletewillitara [at] gmail [dot] com
I'd love to visit Austin. My husband raves about the city, and I've always heard such great things!
ReplyDeleteniftyfoodie at gmail dot com
The Alamo for sure. My husband is a history-buff and has said for years we have to visit. I'd love to see all the artifacts people have found.
ReplyDeleteshel704 at aol dot com
https://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/207363529349660674
ReplyDeleteshel704 at aol dot com
Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area sounds like heaven to me! Check out this info:
ReplyDeleteThere is no electricity, concession, or drinking water on the island. All visitors are required to bring all necessary supplies with them.
All interior access is via hiking, biking, or TPWD vehicles during scheduled hunts or tours. No private motorized vehicles!
Special Note: Persons can continue to utilize the Sunday Beach area, accessed via boat from either the Gulf or Pass Cavallo, for camping, beach combing, fishing, and bird watching. There are no fees, permits, or restrictions on the use of this area.
LOVE IT!!!!!
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/207492024247648257
ReplyDeleteAngie
14earth at gmail dot com
I would like to visit Houston. My niece lives there so it would be a great place to start.
ReplyDeleteMCantu1019 at aol dot com
I've always wanted to visit Austin, TX
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I tweeted
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/208129081286475776
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I want to goto San Antonio, we have friends there and they say there is a lot to do! I want to check out some of their local restaurant. sweepmorey at gmail dot com
ReplyDeletetweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/208317587203952640
ReplyDeleteI would love to visit the Dallas Fort Worth area and check out a Cowboys game!
ReplyDeletejfong1130 at yahoo dot com
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/jfong1130/status/208406608642973696
ReplyDeletejfong1130 at yahoo dot com
I love the beach so would love to visit Galveston.
ReplyDeletemybeachylife at gmail dot com
The "Bodies Reviled" exhibition looks neat! My kids would love that! :) I’d really like to take a trip to Galveston someday.
ReplyDeletewestiemks5@yahoo.com
Tweeted:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/Pixel_Berry_Pie/status/208661623190208513
westiemks5@yahoo.com
I’d like to visit Austin, Texas to attend the SXSW festival.
ReplyDeleterunningmatey at hotmail dot com
https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/208682541765500928
ReplyDeleterunningmatey at hotmail dot com
I remember seeing "Body Worlds," a similar exhibit, at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry a few years ago. I was never the same! Are there museums in your area?
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