Christmas 2014 found our family of 4 spending the week on the beach at Galveston Beach, Texas. We had a lovely home to rent for the week and while the weather was less than perfect that week for beach walking we were able to find some great things to do together as a family. 
One place that we found to spend some time was Moody Gardens Theme Park . It was very easy to spot this attraction due to the pyramid shaped buildings it boasts to hold many of the attractions. It is a bit pricey to get admission to all of the areas that are available but I could imagine that for a family summer vacation this spot would fit the bill for many tourists.
Once inside you have to determine what all you want to do and see. Tickets are available for each different attraction or you can purchase the packages that they offer with admission into several at the same time. We decided that we wanted to see the Rainforest and the Aquarium exhibits and those tickets were purchased and we were on our way. Several of the attractions had add on’s that you could purchase to have additional “animal experiences”. Micah was all over those but then changed his mind as they were not “encounters”. The quote of the week became “I prefer encounters because that suggests touching”. I guess you had to have been there but it was funny at the time.
Anyway, there was plenty to see. The penguins were a favorite with our boys.
Even behind the glass they showed their personalities with their antics. There were many animals to watch – all different – all beautiful in their own way.
The rainforest boasts some of the most wonderful flowers and plants and it brought back memories of going to rainforests when we lived in Australia. I will never tire of seeing rainforests even those that are “under roof” because they are just havens for wonderful creatures and plants.
But perhaps my favorite creatures were the ones that I made pose for the obligatory Mom picture. Come on, you know you would have done the same thing if you had been there with your adult children. I am not alone, am I? 
23 Comments
Leave a commentBeautiful photos! I can imagine how much fun you had.
And that obligatory photo is great: a sight all moms can relate to!
I love going places like this and then when I have the boys with me it makes it a million times better.
I love the encounter comment, haha! You have the boys as frogs and Jeni and I as soy beans. The pics are beautiful!
Thanks, Donna. Yes, Micah is into encounters of all kinds.
You really have had it with winter, haven’t you?
Thanks for the Armchair tour this morning. It’s the closest I’ll ever get to the Rain Forest or Galveston.
Sounds like you had a great time and it’s the being with family part that makes any place you are the best place to be.
Oh I am just trying to catch up with putting some posts up that I have had in the queue for awhile! Have you ever been to a place like this that has all the makings of a rainforest? I do love the flora that they have.
I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful flowers and the interesting animals. It must be such a wonderful place to visit.
Really beautiful pictures Beth Ann. I found myself putting captions on a couple, you captured some their expressions perfectly..
Looks like it would have been so much fun. Great pictures.
The creatures in the very last picture seem so different somehow to me. Almost as if they’re part human. 😉
The photos you took are lovely. Thanks for sharing.
It looks like you all definitely had fun there at Moody Gardens. It really is a neat place to visit and love the rain forest. Your pictures were beautiful and loved the Bromeliad/Orchid tree. Glad you were able to visit.
I live vicariously through you. You were one of my friends that inspire me, but I didn’t think you accept awards. (Do you?) You do wonderful things. Hug.
Al that fun and photographs too.
The picture at the end is great!
My kids. They adore me. 🙂
The snake looks rather comfy, doesn’t it? Great shot at the end. I like animal encounters, too. I’m all over the petting zoo!
You and Micah would get along famously with the encounter business. He cracked me up with that comment.
what awesome pictures!
Thanks, Hilary!
LOL – I love it – what good sports those boys are!!! and yes, you just had to do that, it’s too perfect.
Penguins would definitely have been my favourite too. they always have been. even though I feel more sloth like today – ha. And those plants are gorgeous! I’ve never seen plants like that… because of course, I’m still under snow.
I had to take that picture and yes–they are pretty good sports when it comes to me asking for silly pictures. I am hoping you guys dig out from the snow soon. I am over it.
It seems like there were a lot of fees to be paid before you got to the “good stuff!” Some of those flowers were absolutely gorgeous!
It is pricey to visit here and if you have a family it might break the bank.