The Zoo in January

It had been over a year since we had seen Mimi and Papa, so way back in January, they came to visit. It was such a beautiful day outside that we decided to take them to the zoo. Would you believe it if I told you just a few days earlier we had snow on the ground?

It looks like the brown bears just finished lunch and were taking an afternoon nap.

The gorillas were pretty entertaining that day, walking around near the windows.

We always enjoy the Gibbons when we visit. They do amazing acrobatic stunts, at least in my view, when they're swinging from the ropes or branches.

The rhinos were a big hit with the spectators.

They now share their home with the elephants for our easier viewing pleasure. Since moving to this space it seems like they are more active when we visit.

Check out these crazy animals that climb logs. They don't even cage these guys up. They seem to roam free all over the zoo!

The tricks that these elephants perform are always fun to watch and the facts we learn about them are pretty amazing.

Who needs a penny when you can stamp it with a zoo logo.

Anna wanted to take off and find the giraffes, so she and I snuck away while the others were were perusing the hyenas and foxes.

Then we came across the zebras.

The zebras were putting on a show for us without any coaxing.

Smile for the camera!

Once I tried to get the lion to smile with Mimi and Rachel he turned away. He wasn't having any of it. 

Double Digits

As May was quickly coming to an end we celebrated Rachel's 10th birthday! 

Since the zoo has some fun free goodies on your birthday, Rachel was pretty excited to make a visit. When we arrived we noticed that this massive hippo, which normally never leaves his little pond, was on a mission. 

He was chasing little ducklings which then jumped into his pond. They were swimming away so happily.

I believe the hippo felt like they were invading his territory, so he made a mad dash back into his pond. While I've never seen a hippo move so quickly, those ducklings made a faster getaway. It was a pretty incredible sight to behold. The duckilngs got away and the crowd cheered.

After quite the show from the hippo we headed over to feed the Lorikeets. These birds seem to be on a daily sugar high from the continual feeding of the sugar water mixture.

They do tend to fly away when they've had too much though, so maybe not a sugar high? I think when they're full they like to climb to higher ground and hide, but tall parents always find them.

There's something about flamingoes isn't there? It takes talent to stand on such a skinny little leg. When you've got two why only use one?

The gorillas were also on the move climbing and checking out the crowd. How would you like to run into that guy in a forest?

Birthdays also include a free ride on the carousel and when the children are under a certain height they get to ride free too! The children have so much fun on this thing that just makes me dizzy and throws off my equilibrium.

This little mama's girl would rather hang out with me than ride the carousel. How sweet is she?

This elegphant was on a mission to move a massive tree trunk. It must be similar to children throwing a ball around.

After a small storm blew in we decided we should head home and keep the party going. I finished Rachel's cupcakes while she licked the frosting. I found a fun little cupcake book at the library called Trophy Cupcakes. Rachel thumbed through it and decided she wanted Bananas Foster cupcakes. 

The cupcakes were fantastic and we had a blast celebrating our new 10 year old's birthday!

Birthday at the Zoo

We spent the afternoon of David's birthday wandering around the Denver Zoo. It's always an adventure when we go. You never know what you'll get to see. Can you see the African wild dog blending in with his surroundings?

These two reminded me of the Lion King, yes?

Giraffes are always fascinating to my children. Why? Is it their height or the way that they chew their food? For me, my fascination lies with that guy in the navy sweater. 

We stopped by to check out the polar bear just as he was taking off on a mission.

Perhaps, that is his afternoon snack, or maybe he's on a diet. Personally, if I were him, I'd be thinking that I was getting jipped on my lunch.

His meal disappeared in two bites. Can you tell that's he's searching the crowd for more food?

The Tropical Discovery area is one of kids' favorite areas. I think it helps that there are massive tanks right at their eye level.

If you're not careful these lizards will just jump out from nowhere, or so you think they came from nowhere.

It's pretty difficult to lay around soaking up the heat all day, don't you think?

Elizabeth had a thing for the Komodo dragon and it liked her too. His head followed every move she made.

The birthday boy received a free ice cream cone. He said it was the best ice cream he's ever had because it was in cone.

I'm not sure we've ever witnessed the hippos outside of the water standing up, so this was a treat, I think. David said, "Look at the hippo's _______." I'll let you fill in the blank there.

He was getting his teeth cleaned, but once they finished him up he was all about getting back into the water.

Then it was on to the hippo next door.

I guess they can perform tricks if you ask nicely.

Along with the free ice cream came a free ride on the carousel. Little did we know that children under 46 inches get a free ride. All of the little ones got to join David on the carousel. Somehow I ended up on this thing, but wish I hadn't. Riding around in circles can make one dizzy and throw off a person's equilibrium for the rest of the afternoon. Whoops!My Lutheran Stud volunteered to be in charge of the camera and thought y'all would like to see my most recent favorie boots. They're the most comfortable boots I own and have shearling on the bottom as well as fur up the side of the boot.

As we were leaving the zoo we got quite a show from this gorgeous peacock. One of my foster boys commented, "That bird has a lot of eyes!" The zoo is always full of interesting sights whenever we visit. Perhaps, that's why we go there often.

Beautiful Zoo Day!

Like the rest of the country, this winter is beginning to wear on us. Thankfully, with all of that cold and snow that we've been getting, we've also gotten a few spurts of sunshine and warm weather. That's one of the reasons I love Colorado. While you expect to have the cold temperatures in the winter, Colorado likes to give you a little respite from the cold with a sprinkle of sunshine and maybe a day or two with temperatures in the 60s. When this happens we try and take advantage by getting outside. This particular day we headed to, guess where? 

Along with what seemed like the whole city of Denver, we made the trek to the Denver Zoo! Having 9 children and winning a family pass to the zoo has proved to be quite the win for our family! My oldest, age 12, is now 5'5" and pretty much towers over me. See why I can often be seen wearing 5 inch heels? ;)

The sea lion demonstration always draws quite a crowd.

Our foster children have never been to the zoo and were in awe of all of the animals that they saw. It was pretty adorable.

The sea lions at this zoo are able to perform many tricks such as jumping out of the water.

Given the correct reward the sea lion can leap 6 feet out of the water and touch a ball!

My children love to visit the Komodo dragon. I'm not sure what the draw is for them, but I think it has to do with the way he slithers along the ground and makes eye contact with them.

The elephants have a new home as of last year. It's a beautiful wide open area for them to roam, and as visitors we can see them a little better.

The elephants also share their home with this Gibbon and his brother. I've been lectured that Gibbons are not monkeys because they do not have tails. They are however, cousins, in case you were wondering.

These Parakeets have to be my most favorite birds in the Tropical Discovery exhibit. I just love how their gorgeous colors pop!

Have you ever seen a Sloth? Well, now you have. This is the closest I have come to seeing this guy's face and body. Normally, he's hiding so high in the tree that he goes completely unnoticed.

This guy figured it was a beautiful day to come down the mountain.

Most of the time the mountain goats lay around soaking in the sun.

The Black Bears decided to stare at the visitors the way we stare at them. How does it feel to have someone staring at you?

The children love checking out the reptiles, snakes, and creepy crawling creatures. I would just stay out of this area if it was up to me.

I'm pretty sure this water tortoise is bigger than most of my children.

Silverbacks are fun to watch. You never know what kind of show they'll put on for you.

It was a lounging around kind of day for the zoo animals. I think they were enjoying the warm weather like we were.