Thursday Thoughts

True to the forecast, it didn't get much above 50 degrees today, and will be cooler tomorrow. What a crazy place!

It's rather difficult to type at my usual speed with this rig on my wrist. But I am very happy to say that I have not had any need for pain meds from the procedure. I will have stitches removed in another week. Let's hope that's the last of the nasty cyst. The surgeon said it was unusually large. Apparently there was an artery that had become entwined in the cyst, which required quite a bit more work, and ended up with it being severed and tied off. I of course was unable to hear this explanation to DC by the surgeon, so am anxious to talk to him about it when I go back for the follow-up.




I was a bit concerned about carrying the girlies and changing diapers, but I was able to manage it today. I have to say that Miss Katie Bug is becoming quite the goofball. Their personalities are just blossoming lately.

I could hear Emma saying "STUCK!"

They even do things exactly alike when they're sleeping.

Last Saturday we celebrated Feisty's 5th birthday at the zoo. It turned out to be a beautiful day and the littles were so good. As were the big girls. I found this picture taken a year ago when we went - the babes were only a bit over 3 months old.

What a difference a year makes!

The girls' other grandpa got to come with us - he pulled the big girls in a wagon, and he took lots of pictures.



He and Kristen took the train ride.

The fun part of going to the zoo in the early spring is that there are cute little babies besides ours!

Come on down, you can do it!




The beautifully colored tucan --

and the gorgeous peacock ---

and the purely pink flamingos --




and the very unattractive vulture!

We didn't make it to the lions, orangatans, tigers this year - we ran out of energy and time. But my favorite thing this year was taking note of the oddities that God created - what a great sense of humor and variety He has!

And this guy, who looks like he got in on the tail end of the zebra line and only got partly done.

I am so thankful that Kristen was able to go and enjoy herself. She is doing so much better. Thanks again for your prayers.

Remember when I told you about DC's quartet making a CD? Tomorrow they will spend most of the day finishing up the recording. It has been quite a long process, but we're really excited to have the completed product.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Monday Musings

Monday again - already! How does it come around so fast? The week-ends just race by.

Our Saturday was spent at the zoo, with two babies, the two big girls, and Kristen. The minivan was jammed! So was the zoo - the first nice Saturday in months and half the state was there! (I have to say that watching the people was as much fun as watching the animals - sometimes more! Oh, my, what some people wear - or don't wear - when the air warms up!)

Miss Feisty was all prepared for a very sunny day.

The big girls picked up souvenirs before we even entered the gate!

The little girls slept most of the day away.

It's always good to have a lift from your grandpa.

One of the buildings does not allow strollers inside - thus, Grandma stays out with the babies - I guess you're on the honor system to take your own stroller when you come back out!

I know some people object to zoos. I do feel sorry for some of the big animals, but it sure is great to see them and show them to the kids. Some of the animals get to strut around in freedom. I need to add that this zoo does a great job of giving the others a lot of room to roam.

One of the most beautiful creatures God created - fighting with a hot dog!

The mountain goats have a great time on their rocks.

The giraffes seemed to be a bit confused - thinking the protective fence was the tree it was trying to protect.

One time when I was at the same zoo, years ago, I was taking a rest - noticing the crowd around the giraffe fence. I was privileged to observe the birth of a new baby giraffe - falling 8 feet to the ground, getting right up on its spindly little legs, able to get up and walk immediately.

Mom and Dad are being very attentive to their new baby.

God has such a great sense of humor!

This little guy is doing his best to get rid of that log.

The King of Beasts looks regal, no matter where he is.

It was a fairly exhausting day, but well worth the exhaustion. The big girls, Kristen, and DC went to an IMAX show after a couple of hours at the zoo. I stayed with the babies, since taking two babies into an IMAX show is not such a great idea. (The big girls slept through most of the huge movie). We ended the day at Chili's, thinking everyone would fall asleep on the way home. Fortunately, the babies slept, but the bigger girls were a bit too wound up. Memories are made of days like this.

For more about the kiddoes, check out Kristen's place.