family party and zoo

nose to nose with the puma, more on this later.

Sunday, we had Bug's family birthday party.  Pap took video.  DVD will be heading  to Guatemala by end of September.  Bug wanted blueberry pie for his birthday celebration.

Bug had some interesting faces while we sang to him.

 

Ready to blow out the candle.

His most anticipated present, the Lego Chima watch.  He is so excited.

 We headed to the zoo on Monday, for our annual mini vacation before school starts.  We got to see some new to us animals- the Sumatran rhino is behind the green plants by Bug.  We also cleared out of this area quickly as one of the US congressmen was coming to the zoo and was supposed to stop by this section. I did not want to deal with the crowds.

While we were walking around, we saw many zoo staff putting up Christmas lights for the Festival of lights that starts in November.  Yes, it takes months to decorate the zoo.

An American cougar sleeping in the in the warm summer sun.

The white tigers decided to stay in the cave to beat the heat.

Bug by the tiger.  He is getting taller and taller.  It will not be long before he is my height.

riding gorilla back!!!

"Autumn Joy" sedum- this flower/plant is green all summer and then as autumn approaches it turns red.  I think I would like to have this in my yard.

 of course we had to ride the carousel, Bug rode the puma and the white tiger.  Bug is such a handsome young man.

Man rode one time and then sat on the sideline watching.  After 2 rides, we had lunch. 

Oh, and Bug had to make some more silly faces!!!

Tortugas!

Right after I took this picture, my sunglasses fell into the water.  The zoo keeper in this area retrieved them for me and then it was on to find a washroom to scrub them with very hot, soapy water. 

We went down the jungle trail and saw orangutans.

We saw the female lions

Bug saw the gibbons- hanging from the tree in the distance, just above Bug's head.

swinging like a gibbon (almost)

Bug and the orangutans

the happy little group.

walking like a lemur, balancing on a rope - too cute.

see, I totally have this mom!!!

misting himself on the train ride.  it was a hot, humid day. 

I like this!!

The Mexican grey wolves- they were looking for shade and cool spot to spend the heat of the day.

See, hanging out under the trees, but watching us all the time.

Armadillo

hehe, one little pig taking a walk.

My favorite, the red panda.  The panda was looking for a cool spot too- up in the tree, in the shade.

A new section of the zoo opened this summer. 

We got to see the male lions too.

and the giraffes.  Little Lulu in the front, just for auntie Lulu.

a new statue to pose next to at each trip back to the zoo.

Momma and Bug

Flamingos- all sleeping

back to the lion statue.

Or "Simba" as Bug called it.

And one final look at the giraffe.

 

it was a great day. 

 3.5 hours walking around, seeing the animals and enjoying our time as a family.

Love and hugs,
Deb