They were all with us for about three days, and we packed quite a lot of activity into those days! I have over 100 pictures from their visit, so I'm going to break it down into a few posts. You're welcome!
Took Poppy for a walk pronto!
He's a real favorite with our gang. (So is Nana, but she was always in demand, as well, and I can't be in all the places to take all the pictures at once.)
I think this was the first time the girls ever met Domeneque, and let's just say that she was an enormous hit, too! She has boundless energy and endless patience for little children, which means that our crew was HERE FOR IT. She's also an actress, so she played lots of parts and sang lots of songs.
I think these pictures help make my point nicely.
The girls have all known Laura Kay since birth, as she's been a friend of our family for...how old is Amiee? Almost that long. She lived and taught school in Ethiopia for four years, and we have followed her journey the whole time/had her prayer cards and sweet gifts that she's given the girls over the years as daily reminders of her. The girls naturally attached to her as a family fixture.
First up for the visit: the zoo! Please tell me that you knew that was coming.
Following the elephant trail
It was a gorgeous day! Could not have ordered a better one.
I tried really hard to get a picture of them here, but Lily was just too taken with the sea lion...
This was the best we got.
This is such a fun exhibit (maybe one of my top 3?). There are places to watch the sea lions above/near the top of the water, and then you can go around and kind of under to watch them in deeper water. They are so interactive and friendly.
At this point, Brynn still wasn't walking, so she was fairly relegated to the stroller or the Ergo carrier. Sorry, but that's what happens when you refuse to walk at 18 months... (spoiler: she still didn't officially walk until 21 months. *face palm* They're all walking later and later...)
Grabbed this of my parents and me, as we rarely get pictures together these days. And yes, I do, in fact, know that I look just like my dad.
The under side of the sea lion tank is really neat. They have beautiful music playing, so when the sea lions are swimming and twirling and flipping, it feels like you're watching a movie.
Claire had this little twig that she used to get the sea lion to follow her around. It was so fun to watch!
Lily tried, too...didn't work out quite the same.
After elephants and sea lions (plus otters, wolves, and bears that I don't have pictures of), we headed to Amazonia, which we hadn't spent too much time in before this visit. It's indoors and VERY HUMID, so we were all quickly de-layering!
The Amazonia exhibit is really unique in that so many of the animals roam/fly around freely (obviously not fish and amphibians), like these pink spoonbills. They just kind of flutter in and out of the different rooms, and it is SO FUN to watch! I was actually this close to the bird with no barriers in between.
Very much looks and feels like a rain forest. I definitely started sweating.
Pretending to be a scientist in the amphibian section (no pictures of critters...I was chasing Lily)
Headed back home, as the youngest two of our crew were just about done.
You know Lily's done when she asks to ride in the stroller. Also, please notice that Brynnie is holding Mom's hand.
Had to grab a picture of LK matching the foliage.
And these beautiful parking lot trees!
To make things even MORE fun, some more HSV friends were in town on a work + fun trip! The Zurmuehlens came over to hang out and eat Greek with us! It was a blast, and we discovered that Brynna had a big time crush on Kevin Z. It was hilarious!
Group shot! Brad was even able to hang this time!
Such a fun start to our long weekend visit. More to come!
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