Brookfield Zoo

With all the time that I have had off before school starts again we have been able to do lots of fun things as a family. Last week the weather wasn't too bad so we went to the Brookfield Zoo and saw a whole bunch of animals including several baby Giraffes.

Perhaps the coolest exhibit they have is the primates building. It is a massive indoor building with huge rooms where all of the monkeys can all just climb around. There are no cages or glass windows, just a bunch of different kinds of monkeys (see the video below). Here is a photo of the gorillas (they were separated from the rest of the monkeys).

Just so you know, the orange thing in the tree is not actually a monkey but is a sloth.

Well, it sure isn't an African Safari but it is the best we can do with our budget (by the way the zoo was free the day we went).

Of all the animals we saw, David's favorite was this fat squirrel that wasn't shy at all. It just about jumped onto the stroller, and probably would have if I didn't chase it away.

Anyways, that is our trip to the zoo. It was a lot of fun and we hope you will come and visit us so that we can take you to see the squirrel as well next time!

More on Christmas

We haven't been very good at keeping up on our blog so here are a few more pictures from our holidays away from home.
David had fun playing with his cousins on both sides of the family.
On the other hand, getting sick sure wasn't fun at all, but you have to take the bad with the good sometimes.
After all was said and done we had a great time but were happy to be back home in our own place.

Christmas Is All About Presents!

Present Ceremony #1:

Afternoon of December 23rd

Since we were leaving early on the 24th to visit the Cook side of the family for Christmas we decided to have our own Christmas before we left to avoid the need of packing all of our gifts. After the first gift (the ball at the right of the picture) David was always too distracted by whatever present he had previously opened and so never got the hang of actually unwrapping one of his presents.

Present Ceremony #2:

Evening of Christmas Eve

After barely catching our flight we headed to Sue Ann's family for Christmas celebrations. Because everyone has their own family with their own chimney for Santa to climb down most gifts were exchanged and opened on Christmas Eve. As you can see it began with many of the children gathered around the tree.

And then after a flash, a blur, and a faint rustle; after a few short moments of pandemonium; and after the dust had settled and the children parted, all that remained were empty boxes, crumpled wrapping paper, and a carpet that may never be the same.

Present ceremony #3:

Morning of Christmas Day

Sure enough, the man in red came to the Cook residence giving all of us yet another opportunity to open more presents.

Present Ceremony #4:

Evening of Christmas Day

December 25th just so happens to be David's cousin's birthday and he was kind enough to let David celebrate his birthday as well. Below is David's first birthday cake with one candle on it; following is Isaac with four candles.


As with any birthday celebration, none is complete without getting a few more presents.

Present Ceremony #5:

Afternoon of December 28th

On the 27th we flew up to Canada to visit the Salmon side of the family. It just so happens that there are also many Christmas time birthdays on the Salmon side as well so that meant another party, and more importantly, more presents!

David probably would have felt ripped off that he had to share his first birthday and birthday cake with others but since he did so twice, two halves make a whole, so no real harm was done. Here is David and Anya's cake with a candle for each of them.

Present Ceremony #6:

Evening of December 28th

After presents and cakes all the kids were eventually put to bed so that they could be well rested for family pictures the next day. Even though they were asleep the show had to go on so the adults celebrated Christmas and we all opened more presents. (Sorry since the kids weren't around I didn't feel the need to take any pictures)

Present Ceremony #7:

Afternoon of December 29th

After family photos all of the children's Christmas gifts were still under the tree so we had one final binge. By this time David was tuckered out from opening so many presents so we were glad that his cousin Enoch was able to help in opening the last of them as shown below.

And there you have it, a weeks worth of presents, presents, and more presents.

Isn't Christmas great!?!