Zoo pics

Yesterday I took the kids to the zoo. We had a good time and they were good listeners for the most part, which is crucial when I am on an outing with them by myself. ;)

This elephant was right next to us!




They have peacocks that wander all over the zoo. We saw this mommy with her three babies which were a bit hit.


Another baby. :)


The snakes are always a fun spot too.




My attempt to get a good shot of both kids. I've about decided it is impossible to get a picture of both of them with a good look on their face.


One of many 'rests' we took on random benches throughout the zoo.




For the first time, we saw two tigers. We always thought there was only one. They were on opposite sides of the fence and not happy about it.


G & B found a good high spot to watch the tigers.


Any trip to the zoo would be incomplete without a train ride.


Walking across the suspension bridge to the 'prehistoric park'.


This is Bow River that the bridge takes us across.

'Petting' the bear.

Gracie was watching a video all about bears...

while Bradley was just hanging out.

Another 'rest'.


It was a good time. We saw baby elephant, giraffe and peacocks. Unfortunately, the baby gorilla wasn't out this time. We were there for about 3 hours which was perfect since we've been there so many times, the kids know there way around. :)

Farewell...

My grandfather, seen here with Bradley in June 2006, died this morning. He was the last of my biological grandparents who was living. I now have none. And I can't go to the service because it's so far away and too expensive and the timing isn't good with Gracie starting school on Tuesday or I could have looked into driving. It was all very unexpected and I'm still in shock.

This is a wake-up call for me. There has been a part of me (and Doug too) that loves it here and doesn't want to leave. But when something like this happens, it makes you realize how nice it is to be close to family. Hopefully we'll be back in Texas in 2009.

WHAT?

Yesterday it got so cold in the house we had to run the heater for a bit to get the house a little warmer. Today's high is only going to be 60! The 7 day forecast has it only getting above 70 twice. Yuck! I guess summer is officially over and it's time to pull the jackets out. :(

I am so not ready for cold temps and snow again. Why can't summer last forever???

Edmonton pics

Killing time at the McDonald's PlayPlace on Wed:









Admiring the fountain in the hotel. We had to do this every time we went past it.


Eating lunch in the hotel on Thurs.


Swimming in the pool Thurs evening:






Eating pizza after swimming before taking a bath:




After baths, Gracie watched a movie on the laptop in her pjs...


While Bradley did puzzles.


Friday: West Edmonton Mall





We played a round of Putt Putt. Bradley got bored with it by the 11th whole or so.






Eating ice cream for a snack...




They have a sea lion show with 3 sea lions. We didn't watch the show, but we did get to see them in the water before it started.




We did go in the Sea Life Taverns and the kids enjoyed it.














Doug wanted this underwater shot of his teeth.


Petting sting rays.


And star fish.

They had two green sea turtles that were awesome!

And penguins.

Sitting on a statue of a whale tail that comes up out of a fountain.


So, that's our trip. We spent Sat hanging around the house being lazy to recover.