The Zoo in July

The day after we got home from Chicago, I took a vacation day from babysitting and we headed out to the zoo with our good friends, the Trohas.

River's Edge is such a great feature of the park. It's really shady, the exhibits are au naturel, and the one-way traffic combine to make it a great place to hang out. Here's our rhino - it's pretty rare that you ever see much of him besides his backside.

Of course the hippo exhibit is my personal favorite. It's so fun to see such huge animals THIS CLOSE to you.

Logan, Cooper and Reagan hanging out on the cobra. I have soooo many pictures of this cobra with kids climbing all over it!

Now Claire wants a piece of the action.

One of the little elephants was out that day with mama. We actually had a brand new baby elephant born this year. They announced the name the day we were there: Kenzi.

We always finish up our time in River's Edge with a stop in the "cave." From behind you could almost believe that Reagan and Logan were teenagers. *sniff* They are getting so big!!

It was a little warm that day, so we took a break to cool off at the misting station!

Little Louis got a push-up to help cool off!

Of course we have to finish our time at the zoo with a train ride! What a crew this is, eh?

I love to see my kiddos sitting side by side so nicely!

Always a fun time at the zoo!

Love you so much guys!

Mama

July 4th Weekend Chicago Trip

Kids,

For the holiday weekend this year we got to go see your Aunt Terry and Uncle Allen, who live outside of Chicago now. We just happened to get there on the day after Grace's 8th birthday party, so we got to eat her birthday cookie with her.

On Sunday we all took the train into downtown for the Taste of Chicago! I've been wanting to go to this event since I first heard about it when I was in college, so I was really excited!

Here are cousin Grace and Claire at the train station.

And here are cousin Andrew and Logan waiting for the train.

Here it comes!

After about an hour's train ride, we were in downtown!

Oh my goodness, here we are!!!

We did a lot of, well, tasting. Logan sniffed out a sausage.

And Claire......she fell asleep.

Here's some of that famous stuffed Chicago pizza!

Aunt Heather and cousin Grace

Andrew and Logan sharing an ice cream.

Claire.....still sleepin'

Here's a view of the crowd. It was busy!!

Figuring out how to tackle a caramel apple is tough with so many teeth missing!

We took a break from chowing down to get a group shot in front of this fountain. Claire was......still sleeping!

Looking out over Lake Michigan

Chicago skyline

Sweet little stairstep cousins!

Finally! Claire's awake! And we had just enough tickets to land a cookie for her!

Later we got some Italian Ice from a street vendor. She looooooved it.

But oh, my, look at that Italian Ice face!!! Anyone who knows me knows that this is about to send me into a heart attack!

Heading back to the train we passed this restaurant advertising "sympathetic bartenders." I've never seen that advertising angle before, and it made me laugh.

Back on board the train to go see some fireworks!

Uncle Allen took us to the naval base where he works. They had a carnival and a fireworks show.

Nothing like the too-close self portrait!!

The next day we hit up the Jelly Belly factory before heading back home.

Claire-Bear made a new little friend while we waited for the tour to start. She is getting really good at making friends now!

We got to ride a little train and wear some super fancy hats on the tour!

Good times!

Love,

Mama