And so we went to the zoo...

Do you ever notice how a vacation makes you re-charge?  How it makes you re-think your life plan?  Yeah, me either.  I just slept and ate.  And read a book.

We took a couple of extra days off around the fourth.  My sister came to visit, and we really just needed some time to recharge.  We went nowhere, but that was good.  REALLY good, actually.

We took walks together through our Forest Preserves

This crazy deer was so close to us, and just kinda watched us stare and gawk at her as she ate.  I know it's rude and all, but I don't normally see deer this close except when they take suicidal leaps in front of my car.  It was really cool.  I got about 15 pictures, but this was my favorite.

One night, the girls asked to go camping in the backyard.  Since it was about 10:00, we were trying to watch a movie (this was probably the 7th of 9 interruptions), and we had never pitched that tent, we decided to put it up in Olivia's room.  They had a blast with their first slumber party-ish.  *Please note, I did tease my husband about pitching tents in the dark, how could I resist?*

This was the day we took my sistah back to the city to catch her bus to MS.  This was also the day we decided to go to the zoo.  We were hoping the zoo would be empty.  We were not disappointed.

Olivia just outside the tiger enclosure.  Can we pay for the telescope?  No.  Daddy had the brilliant idea to use the zoom on my camera to see the tiger.  Which was mostly his butt, since he was sleeping, butt to the crowd.

I just adored the water fountains!  This one had a baby deer and other woodland creatures.  LOVE the detail!

The girls trying to help the hippo escape, or es-cop-ay.

I was amazed at how this gorilla was able to give me the same look Olivia likes to give me.

Enthralled by the wild bird enclosure.  I too would like to live here.

Daisies outside the reptile house. 

Did I mention that there is a gorgeous garden just outside the zoo?  No?  Well, there is.

What mom? I'm just trying to get some money from you to make a wish in the fountain.  Yes, my wish is to stop walking and get some ice cream.

Almost to the end, and this was the pose.

Now, she's too tired to walk.  And then she slept until 9:30 this morning.  If I could, I'd take her to the zoo every day!

*DISCLAIMER*

I really did only post about 20% of the pictures I have.  I'm sorry for the inordinate amount of photos, but I enjoy taking pictures and sharing them. :)

Linking up with Greta and Sarah for #iPPP

Great Expectations...

Hey guys!  I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to guest post at Greta's place, G*funk*ified.  Come on over, and read about my Great Expectations!

Check out why Greta's my inspiration for running, and for taking lots of pictures!  She's got an adorable family, and is also from small town Kansas.

Thank you, Greta, for the opportunity to share!

Fun for the 4th...

July 4th.  A time to reflect on the past.  A time to party with family.  A time to thank our troops.  A time to remember the Independence and celebrate.  A time for fireworks.  And, if you're like me, a time to have off of work.

Thank goodness for time off work.

My little sister is visiting us.  So, my brother, my sister and I went to exercise in the morning.  A little 4 mile walk/run to start the day.  Once we got to the run part, my 19 year old sister took about 4 steps and was already half a mile ahead of my slow brother and I.  She's quite the fast little runner!

Later, Miss Olivia and I took a bike ride.  We went for a few miles.  We saw a woman that was running while we were biking.  She was wearing a sports bra and shorts.  My daughter was appalled.  She looked at me and asked why she was only wearing a bra and shorts.  Because she's running and she's hot.  Shaking my head at the wonders of the world as viewed through a 9 year old's eyes.

 

Later we met up again with the brother/sister combo and added the girlfriend in, to watch fireworks together.  We waited and waited, Tony got some coffee.  We waited some more while Mia adopted herself into about 3 other families that were near us and also waiting.  

Olivia has been feeling a bit left out lately.  She really wants to spend alone time with Cari, but she doesn't like when the rest of us steal Cari's time.  

 

After hanging with Cari by herself for awhile, Mia showed up.  Olivia, just left and came and sat by me.  I know she may have been upset to not be with Cari, but I was glad to have her with me.  She held my hand and we watched the show.