Do we live in a zoo, or are we going to the zoo?

I suppose the answer is both on a day like this. :)

In mid-November (I am attempting to get my life updated on my blog from the past few months before baby #3 makes his way into our home), my mom was so sweet and came to the Phoenix Zoo with the kids and I. We arrived in the morning just after it opened and walked all around the zoo in search of our favorite animals. It truly was a perfect morning: perfect weather, perfect company, perfect sack lunch food, etc...

--- although the Phoenix zoo is known for it's environmentally friendly habitats for the animals, it also makes it hard for two tiny little kids to be interested in animals that are nowhere to be found---

Some of our favorite animals were: rhinos, elephants, giraffes, large fish in the pond, birds snacking on food on the walkways, etc.

As I have said before in the past, getting both kids to sit with me AND take a picture is an impossibility. This is the closest thing I get :)Miss M sitting in her stroller at the beginning of the day.

Grandma Sheffield, Maddie and Robby looking in on the elephants.

Maddie loved being able to put her face right next to the chimpanzees and informed me that they had "owies" on their bums.

Robby's favorite animal of the day. When Grandma lifted him up to have a clear look at the Rhinos he loudly said "Whoaa" and then kept making roaring noises as he looked at it

Thanks mOm for all the help you are constantly giving me with my kids. They recognize your doting and love you so much. They are always talking about their Grandma and asking when they are going to see her!

Every once in a great while I can coax one of these beautiful smiles out of her AND capture it on film.

Right before we left, we found the big fish pond near the front entrance. Maddie was ready to hop right in and swim with them.

I always get this grumpy face when he doesn't want to look at me for a picture.

-the only downer to the whole day was when a lady came up and asked sympathetically when I was due. After I announced to her I had 7 weeks to go and felt pretty good she replied "your kidding, you poor thing. You just look so big" I wish people felt less comfortable offering remarks like that.