Downtown Aquarium

After our short stay in San Antonio we headed to Houston where our hosts, Manuel & Judy Gonzalez (family friends), took us to the Downtown Aquarium in central Houston. It was another fun adventure for the kids. Like at the Tea Garden in San Antonio, the kids encountered many animals such a Macaw bird, Poison Dart Frog, various fish, sting rays, a 20 ft. long snake, and even an incredibly beautiful White Tiger!
Awesome picture with "Reef" the white tiger! It was as if he had posed for us.


After the Aquarium, it was time for the Diving Bell (like a ferris wheel) without the men because they are afraid of heights. Finally, we went to the Galleria. Even though the girls' and Charlie's hearts were set on ice skating, we didn't do that. I felt they were still too young and would have gotten hurt just trying to stay on their two feet! We enjoyed the rink just as spectators this time around. Petting the sting rays who were very friendly
Under the sting rays!
Our shark voyage
We were told by Judy that Charlie got scared of the popping shark, but he was such a good sport

Above the Diving Bell
After having breakfast at IHOP, we were back on the road to Laredo. We'd like to thank the Gonzalez's for a great weekend at their home and for being great hosts. We had so fun much in such little time. It's amazing how much you actually get done when you have limited days to do it in. I guess it's true when they say that things come out better when they are not planned. All this took place on a three day- and much needed weekend!