Reflections of a Wonderful Weekend

As I sit down to reflect on a wonderful weekend, I can hear the good ole' Nebraska winds kicking up outside.  They are blowing in a cold front, making me that much more grateful we were able to enjoy the warm temperatures while they lasted.  Yesterday we made our first trip of the year to the Henry Doorly Zoo.  It felt like the whole state of Nebraska was taking advantage of the gorgeous weather also because the zoo was packed.  We stuck around until the bitter end when the girls could barely walk anymore and were complaining of hunger. 

Can you spot (no pun intended) the cheetah?

Madeleine gazing at the above cheetah.

This swan showed off by doing an arabesque for us.

Audrey is chillaxing in the gorilla house.

The mighty king of the jungle is my favorite animal.  I could stare at him for hours.  I did stare at him long enough that Steven and Madeleine got tired of standing with me and left.  I'm always afraid that the moment I walk away he will let out a thunderous roar.

Madeleine loves the big cats also.

She was gazing at . . .

 . . . this mother tiger bathing her cub.

Another one of Madeleine's favorites are the penguins.

Da dum. Da dum. Da dum da dum da dum (that is me trying to do the jaws theme song).

Under the sea (at least it kind of looks that way).

The girls were terrified to travel down to the Kingdom of the Night to see the alligators, but they did because it is Steven's favorite exhibit at the zoo.

They kept saying things like, "we can do this" and "we are brave".  Steven even got them to smile while down there.

I find it very amusing that Audrey's favorite animal was this beaver located in the Kingdom of the Night exhibit. 

Just a few more random pictures from the zoo.

The following pictures were taken in the Lied Jungle.

To see the rest of the pictures Steven took at the zoo, click here. 

The beautiful weather continued for most of today as well, so we spent the afternoon at the park where Steven took some amazing pictures of the girls.  Breathtaking actually.  They are now some of my favorite pictures.

Madeleine did a lot of running and leaping today.

We enjoyed a picnic under a tree. . .

and a leisurely walk.

Now for the breathtaking pictures I mentioned earlier.

and a few of Steven and I too.

Today Audrey wore her sandals for the first time this year and got a large blister as a result.  Steven was a hero and gave her a piggy back ride.

It was a really good weekend.  To see more of the pictures from Pioneers Park, click here.