Marcella Gilliland Takes Her Family to the Big Cat Habitat

Marcella Gilliland had the pleasure of taking her Mother, Esther and her friend, Duane to the Big Cat Habitat that is located just east of I75 off of Fruitville Road in Sarasota, FL. Marcella Gilliland also took her two grand children, Saphren and Garrett. The Big Cat Habitat was a huge surprise to all of us. Even though we all knew it had been in Sarasota for many years none of the family had ever been there before. They had all expected to see a couple of tigers and maybe a lion or two but what they found was much more than that. There was a large tent set up for training sessions open to the public. It was actually a mini circus. It was totally awesome because as the big cat trainer was with the animal the entire show was being narrated by the owner or the trainer. It was very informative and Marcella Gilliland and her family were impressed with the amount of knowledge they came away with. The big cats were so beautiful. There was a lion there that it to be believed to be the only one of its kind left in the world. Many different organizations are coming to the Big Cat Habitat for DNA samples to see if this can be proven. Theere were elephant rides and camel rides. We experienced an entire family of six riding the elephant at one time so you can imagine how large this animal was. We also saw peacocks, parrots, small animals, huge brown bears that were totally amazing, ostriches, goats to be petted and fed, pony and dog shows and on and on. Marcella Gilliland and her family had a great time and the weather was just perfect for the family visiting here from Iowa.

Marcella Gillilands Family Moves to Sarasota

Marcella Gilliland and Larry Gillilands daughter and her family have packed up their belongings and left the cold winter tundra in Des Moines, Iowa and moved to paradise in sunny Sarasota, Florida. It was not an easy move to make, however. The entire family consisting of daughter, Stacy and her husband, Rod and their two children, Brynn and Alec have all spent their entire lives in Iowa surrounded by family and friends. They have been blessed with good jobs and employers and great co-workers. It was hard for Marcella Gillilands family to move their children away from the grand parents in Manchester, Iowa. Stacy is fortunate to have both her mother and father living in Florida. Stacy's mom lives in the panhandle and Larry and Marcella Gilliland have been living in Sarasota since 1989. Marcella Gillilands family arrived in Sarasota on New Year's Eve about 8:00 PM. Marcella Gillilands husband, Larry had flown to Iowa and drove down with them to Sarasota. It was a long haul as they rove a moving van towing a vehicle and then drove another car towing a trailer with a motorcycle on it. They took their time driving and spent two nights in hotels along the way. Marcella Gilliland is very happy to have her family in Sarasota and feels extremely blessed. Ever since Marcella Gillilands family has been here they have spent lots of time hanging out and just being together. There was an awesome super bowl party at Stacy and Rod's house last Sunday. Kevin and Gwenn, Larry and Marcella Gilliland, Jack and Lucy, Sherri and Donny, Brynn, Alec, Saphren and Garrett were all there. Stacy fixed the best Super Bowl snacks and Donny cooked ribs, brisket and a turkey on the smoker. Yummy!!! The food was all amazing! No one really cared who won the Super Bowl so there were no fights going on. It is so great to have the family together. It makes Marcella Gilliland very happy.