Easter Weekend At The Lazy 5 Ranch

Where does "Lazy 5" come from?

The Lazy 5 Ranch is privately owned and operated by Henry Hampton with no federal or statefunding. Henry Hampton has been raising exotic animals for over 35 years and is known nationwide for his handling of exotic animals. For many years Mr. Hampton allowed school groups to visit his home to gaze from the opposite side of the fence and through cracks of barn doors at the animals. Others made loops through the driveway trying to get a glimpse of Mr. Hampton's many unique species. Seeing the educational and entertaining possibilities, Mr. Hampton began putting together his plan for a park that would allow children and adults alike to fully experience his exotic animal collection.

On May 22, 1993 after several years of hard work and planning, his dream became a reality. With a mere staff of five, two buildings and only two operating wagons, the Lazy 5 Ranch was officially open. The name of the park was debated for only a short amount of time when Mr. Hampton's son came up with the obvious name, Lazy 5 Ranch. Mr. Hampton's family at the time consisted of 5 "lazy" people. The Lazy 5 Ranch is now the home to over 750 animals from 6 continents. These animals can be viewed by horse drawn wagon or from the comfort of your own vehicle while traveling along a 3-1/2 mile safari ride.

The Lazy 5 Ranch strives to have a constantly changing environment by adding new exhibits as well as increasing the variety of animals seen in the drive through safari areas. The purpose of the Lazy 5 Ranch is to educate while entertaining as well as provide an excellent environment for reproducing some of God's most unique creatures and helping the recovery of several endangered species including the Grevy Zebra, Scimitar Horned Oryx and Ring-tailed Lemur. Hopefully, with your visit to the Lazy 5 Ranch, you have learned new things and had lots of fun. Come see us again soon. The animals will be waiting!

Easter EGGSTRAVAGANZA!!!

Our sweet Emmy.

Gracie and her friend Jordan.

Enjoying lunch before the Easter egg hunt.

Everyone is gathering around waiting for the helicopter to fly over and drop the eggs.
 

Easter Bunny giving instructions...

Here it comes!

It's raining Easter Eggs!

The object was to collect 6 eggs, one of each color (pink, yellow, purple, green, blue and orange) and then turn them in for prizes.  So much fun!

Easter Bunny in Training sack races.

Kisses from Daddy!

The Girls.

These beautiful horses pulled our wagon through the forest.

The Rhino sunning himself.

This is what you saw when you looked up.  Beautiful!

Emmy met up with the Easter Bunny back at the gift shop.

Cozy!

Bunny Love.

Emmy swimming with Daddy at the hotel.

A trip is always more fun with a friend!

Snuggles before bed!

Game time on their DSI's.

Pretty Eggs All In A Row

Dirty Hands, Happy Hearts

Gracie and Emily helped our neighbors get the soil ready for their herb garden.  There must be some farmer in them because they sure did enjoy it!  

Having fun in Jordan's backyard after all their hard work.  

Hold on Gracie!

Pile On!

Gracie was waiting for her friend Jordan, at the front door.  Emmy is never far behind!

Our American Girls

Gracie and Emmy were having a sleepover and they invited their friends, Ruthie, Kit and Kelly.

Kelly, Ruthie and Kit ready for a sleepover.

First Grade Easter Egg Hunt

Early Friday Morning I helped hide over 250 Easter eggs on the school playground.  Each of the eggs had a letter on the outside and the kids had to find the right eggs to spell out POWHATAN PRIDE.

Gracie and her friend Alexa after they found all of their easter eggs.  They made the cutest Easter Baskets out of gallon milk jugs!

Checking out the candy in each of their eggs.

Gracie's first grade class with one of her teacher's Mrs. Morgan.

Baby Chicks and Bunnies!

Picture by Paula of Creative Creations.

Our next door neighbor and friend Paula has a photography studio in her home.  When she has mini sessions scheduled throughout the day I get to be her assistant and help the customers with ordering and checking out.  I really enjoy it and she also takes my girls pictures for me in return! Gracie put on her new Easter dress from Nana and Papa and we went over to see the baby animals.   The little chicks are so soft and sweet.  There are a dozen of them all snuggled together, under a heat lamp.  Their tiny little beaks tap at your hands as you hold them and they make the softest little chirping noises.   

Picture by Paula of Creative Creations. 

Emmy didn't like the idea of holding the chicks and opted to have them placed in a basket beside her on the bench.  She sure does look pretty in the Easter dress from Nana and Papa!

Picture by Paula of Creative Creations.

Milkshake the bunny was a little camera shy.  Maybe he was wondering why his brother, Butterscotch and his sister, Oliva didn't get to be in the picture.