Zoo time!

 At the start of summer, we bought an annual pass to the zoo with great hopes that we'd get to go a few times a year.  Well, we're starting off on the right foot with two trips this summer - this was a quick jaunt around in just an hour since we were in town for our nephew's 2nd birthday party that day.  Now the real question is this:  Will we make any freezing cold winter trips around the zoo?  Time will tell!  But I've heard from friends that the animals are more active in the snowy season - can't wait to see. 

 I am fascinated by grizzly bears.  When they're at the zoo.  The fact that we live with them all around us in the wild gives me the willies when we make a trek into the woods or on a hike.  And even more so considering the day after these bear pictures were taken last Saturday, Jeremy and the boys were stuck out on the river with my Dad standing on a tiny strip of sandbar where a bear had just visited.  He left fresh tracks, a half eaten fish, and a large opening where he had barreled back into the brush.  Gulp.  God prompted me to pray for their safety several times that morning and afternoon.  So thankful Mr. Big Bear didn't decide to revisit that spot right away. 

 Look at the size of those claws!!!  Maybe they'd be worn down a bit if he was a bear in the wild and not a zoo bear, but still... 

 Here's the whole crew, minus yours truly!  I just noticed how each of the older kids gravitated toward one of their younger siblings for the picture.  And if I had too, this is exactly how I would have paired them up.  I've been thinking a lot about pairing the kids up into buddy sets this fall so the big kids can officially be helpers with certain things for their little buddies.   They already are such a huge help with them. 

Jeremy and Levi were rather taken by the bald eagle with the intense stare. 
 I think bald eagles would win any staring contest around - it's as if they can look right through you!


Ta ta for now, we're going to continue enjoying our summer - two and a half more weeks until we start school...  stay tuned in the next couple days for the lineup of what we'll be studying this year!