decorating the tree and the Festival of Lights

Bug and I started decorating the tree on Friday evening.  We found out we were one strand of lights short- it burned out last year and I forgot to mark the box so I would remember. 

We got a new strand of lights this afternoon, before we headed down to the zoo for the festival of lights.  We went a few hours early so we could see the animals before the lights came on and the animals went to sleep.  Bug's favorite part was the giant Christmas tree.

We stopped to see the eagles.  I am going to have find the picture of bug from the first year he was home,  I think I have this same picture from when he was 2 or 3.

 

UPDATE: I found the picture of Bug from our first trip to the zoo- 2 weeks after he came home.  This is Bug at 22 months old (around 12Jun2007).  His arm length would be around 2  (a red tail hawk wing span)

 

The newest statue at the zoo- a turtle. 

Bug wanted nothing to do with Fairyland, but I forced him into the area and he ended up finding all the fairies.

The giraffes were inside today due to the cool weather.  It was a lesson for Bug as the male here was trying to get to the female.  He kept leaning over the fence trying to make some giraffe babies.

But the window provided some extreme close ups of him too.

The lioness statue, bug was rubbing noses with the little lion.

The real lion.  He was looking for the dog he could smell. 

Baby ocelot- behind the stuffed animal, up in the left corner.

Mam and Bug

Momma and Bug

Mam and Momma

We took a ride on the train- the first run of the night. 

Our little family.

 The train stopped running while we were on the ride.  I though perhaps there was a peacock on the tracks, but it turned out the train was no doing well. We made it back to the station  The 3rd time the train ran, it broke down and everyone had to get off.  Mam was very happy our train did not break down.

My tiger boy is growing up so fast.

Snow Leopard!!!!

gorilla boy.  He decided to carry the backpack

Finally- the darkness came and the lights shone bright.  Bug is taking a rest here.

My Little Boy Blue.

Really blue- no flash in this picture to show how the lights are to us as we walk thru the zoo.

climbing on the rocks while we waited for Mam.

This is the river in the Lion area.  Love it!!

 

We spent 3 hours at the zoo and then headed out to get some dinner.  Pizza at Dewey's  - yummy.

 

It was a long day, but a good day.  One more day before we head back to school and work on Monday, but we begin the count down to Christmas vacation.  We have 15 working/school days until we are off for 2 full weeks.  I think we are looking forward to the time off.

 

Love and hugs,

Deb

 

 

 

Thanksgiving 2013

Today is my favorite holiday, a time with friends and family, just hanging out.  We had an earlier start to the day then expected when Mam called at 7:30 am to ask if we were up and ready for them to come over.  She was our wake up call.  Mam and Pap arrived, we had some sweet rolls and fruit salad for breakfast.  We settled in to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade.  Half way thru the parade, I started the turkey.

 

I had a little puppy dog shadow all morning while getting the turkey into the oven.

Me telling Pablo, No.

 Turkey into the oven.  I was expecting it to be done at 2 pm, but it decided to get done at 1 pm.  We started dinner at 1:45 pm

Bug with his huge turkey leg/wing. 

The boys and Mam.  Jason refused to smile.

My delicious pumpkin  pie.

It was a good day.  We missed Auntie Laura being at the house, she was home sick.  Bug and I are taking Mam and Pap to the movies tomorrow and then in the evening we are going to the festival of lights for a few hours.  Saturday I hope to get some quilting done and get the Christmas trees put up.

From our house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving,
Deb

catching up

Wow- look what happens when I download pictures from a camera that has been sitting around for a few months.  There are pictures from helping for the 5K run on the 4th of July. We made gift bags for the runners and walkers.

My monster boy when we went to see the movie one Saturday.

Shopping with Mam and Pap at Toys R Us before Bug's birthday in August.

Bug and Pablo sleeping this fall.  They cuddle up each night on the couch.

Our first snow- on 12Nov.  I am so not ready for winter but Bug was excited.

Finally, basketball practice - this is the first practice about a week ago.  The pictures are bad, the lighting was horrible in the gym and I could not get close enough.  I may have to consider a new camera- a more professional camera, as Bug continues in sports.

 

We have a few days left before Thanksgiving. I am ready for some time off with friends and family.

 

Love and hugs,

Deb