Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

I think I titled last year's zoo trip by this same name.  My creative juices just aren't flowing this morning.  I think I need another cup of coffee or three! 

Hayley's class field trip to the zoo was yesterday.  This trip always indicates that we are close to the end of the school year.  Hooray for no school! Boo for the fact that Hayley is almost a Kindergarten grad.

Here are highlights from our trip.  

The zoo recently opened their Asia exhibit, featuring two tigers, some crazy apes, and bears.  Not the panda kind, just the black bear kind.  From Asia, obviously.

Lions!

Tigers!

and Bears, Oh My!  (See I wasn't kidding.)

Some of Hayley's sweet friends.

Love this look

This was Hannah Beth's second visit to the zoo, but the first one where she really was able to experience the zoo.  She LOVED the giraffes.  She really loved everything.  She would just point and giggle and shout out to each animal she saw.  Her little eyes just about popped out watching the monkeys that were playing at the new exhibit.  She squealed every time they would swing from rope to branch.  Those monkeys sure do know how to put on a good show.

The Human Exhibit

I'm pretty sure the sign says don't climb in the cage.  Oh well.  They are wild animals.

The prairie dogs.  I think they are the cutest little things.

Next year I'll give you a tour of the National Zoo!

Oh, I had to include our future grad's picture.

Sigh

Easter Weekend

No clever titles.  Just a wonderful Easter for the Steele family.

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lighting stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here, he has risen!""

Luke 24:1-6



A Tour of the Cabin by Hayley

So I let our 5 and a half year old loose with the camera for some Spring Break fun and so she could sharpen her photography skills.  I give you:
A Cabin
by Hayley A. Steele

                       Here is Chris with his "I'm in deep thought" look. 

Hannah is trying to escape the photo shoot.  Notice the madness that is her hair!  Thus, why she may be trying to run from the camera.  A girl can't be caught without her hair done!

Luke was enjoying some "self time" as we call it around here.  Then Hayley busted in on his precious DS time, and WWIII almost began.  Thankfully, they signed a treaty and all was saved.

The lovely Patriotic room in the house that was Hannah Beth's room.  Again, quite lovely.  I do use the term lovely loosely.

The majestic border in the bathroom.

Hannah Beth still trying to run from the camera and photographer.

Self portrait

I tried a self portrait of both of us.  Not sure why I have a lazy eye.  Cute of Hayley, though.

The shag carpet that the kids loved!  I like the artistic approach in this shot.  Rug...foot....toes

What is she trying to say?

Hayley's "pet" birds, Chombella and Alex.  She really wants a pet and has resorted to pretending that metal birds are her pets.  It is a sad, sad life when Mommy and Daddy won't get a pet for you.

I believe Hannah Beth to be saying, " For the love, woman, my hair is a wreck.  NO PICTURES PLEASE!"

An shot of HB from the steps.  The hair really is MADNESS.

A lighthouse

And some beautiful fish and a lamp.  I have got to find where they got these fish. Oh, and the comfortor.  Amazing, I tell ya.

Picture of the great room from the loft

And there you have........The Cabin.



"Sorry, Folks! We're Closed. The Moose Out Front Should've Told Ya!"

We had a great time on our Spring Break adventure to Deep Creek, MD.  Besides the fact that the area, which is known for their ski resort and state parks by the dozen, was in between seasons and 95% of what we wanted to explore was closed.  Mountain coaster...closed.  Family fun center #1....closed.  Family fun center #2...closed.  Dog sledding (even with no snow)...closed.  OK.

     We did get the chance to stay in this great cabin right on Deep Creek lake.  The views were amazing.

Crossing the bridge over to the little town.

One of the only open signs we saw that day.  It was at the visitor center.  They told us about some hiking to a waterfall at Swallow Falls State Park.  Hooray!  Something is OPEN!

We stopped for lunch and found this cool pirate ship playground to play on.  Things were starting to look up.

Beginning the hike to the falls....

After the hike, we let Luke and Hayley take a swim in the hot tub on the deck at the cabin.  If you ask them, they will tell you this was their favorite part of the entire trip.  Chris stayed home with baby girl while I took Luke and Hayley to see the movie Hop! 

I adore little trips like this with our family.  Making such fun memories and just spending such great quality time together!  Can't wait for the next adventure.  Though I could do without the 4.5 hours of DC traffic we sat in on the way home.  Ugh!  I have never been more thankful for a DVD player in the van.