News from the Zoo

It's been 80-plus degrees all weekend, maybe the last days like that we'll see until next spring. So we wanted to get the kids outdoors and ended up at the zoo. We've been to the local zoo many times, but there always seems to be something new to see.

Like this quite ugly fellow ... I can't remember seeing his warty belly before. He's an alligator snapping turtle.

The Siberian tiger, Cyber, reliably puts on a show. It gives me the shivers when I see him get this close to my children.

There's this rock wall kids can climb up at the zoo's playground. We estimate it's about 12 feet high. Casey has gotten to the top before, but Darby really wanted to try this time. I did not touch him AT ALL. All I did was point out to him a couple times where he could move sideways to find an easier route. And he did it!

I would have liked to have gotten a photo of the whole wall with him at the top, but I had to stay right behind him spotting him. I mean, he is still 1! (For a few more weeks.) Chris was on the platform at the top and hoisted Darby over the rope.

This turtle is one of Casey's favorite things at the zoo. He will spend so much time inside poking his head out. We often have to yank him out to let other kids have a turn. But at least he made room for his brother.

Darby looks pretty cool in his Dad's sunglasses.

Casey doesn't look too shabby either.