The zoo is more fun the older the boys get

While in Chicago this past weekend, our large extended family all ventured out together to the Brookfield Zoo.

It is a wonderful, very large zoo, and we had a great time with Lynette, Roger, Aimee, and the kiddos!

I love this guy. :-)

The boys peering at the ducks

Joined by Daddy...I love all their matching brown jackets!

Ethan was fascinated!

Cameron, however: "Yeah, yeah. Big deal. I've seen ducks before."

Cameron did like the sloth bear though!

Ethan watching the leopard or "Tai Lung" sleep (as Cameron called him)

They all loved the sea lions.

When I told them the name of these animals, Cameron was quick

to point out that "Those aren't lions, Mommy!"

We went underground to watch for a while...they loved that!

Left to right: Col, E, Cam

Then I was thrilled to take them into the dirty, germ-infested lovely little petting zoo.

The boys rolled up their sleeves and got to work brushing the goats.
"Hey there....what's goin' on? Come here often?"

Ethan showing some early signs of being a close-talker

The boys, under Daddy's instruction, decided to brush the goats

against the grain to give them all mohawks.

Boys.

*sigh*

E loves animals, and was getting pretty friendly with one particular goat

Why, no, no...,that is not my son tormenting a poor, defenseless goat

by pulling on his ears. He certainly is not laughing while doing it, either.

Why do you ask?

The last shot of the day. We have taken a picture every year with this lion,

but, by this point in the day, the boys had pretty much had it.

Daddy went first, and got this shot:

Mommy went next, and got this one:

Nice, boys. Real nice. Well, my mind's eye got a good picture, even if my camera didn't.

At least I can always count on Colin to give me a great smile!

Great day, great memories. I am looking forward to more zoo trips!