Monday, February 13, 2012

Zoo Visit

On the 3rd, the weather was so nice. Daddy took the day off and accompanied us to the zoo in Tacoma, Point Defiance. It was a nice chilly day with a little fog.

A little peak of Mount Rainier in the distance.

Mommy had called the zoo to find out when ET's feeding time is. That's Lauren's favorite animal there, the 3,000 pound male walrus. The first feeding was right when the zoo opened so we made our way to that exhibit first! So much for saving the best for last!

ET was loving Lauren. After his feeding he stayed at the glass for quite a few minutes staring at Lauren and even "kissing" the glass. This photo was too precious....Lauren's expression says it all!

He is HUGE! He turns 30 in June and they are having a big celebration for him. Walrus life expectancy is only 40 years, so they are hoping that the breeding program takes effect soon!


The sea otters were extra active as well that morning. They have a new one, Libby who is less than a year old.


Lauren even got to pet Herald on his morning walk, the star of the summer amphitheater Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater. He's a local celebrity!


Lauren and daddy with the monkey just lounging. He'd keep his eyes closed the majority of the time until he saw a photo op.


The Malayan Tapir in the Asian exhibit


By the end of our loop, Lauren wasn't having much fun because her cheeks and hands were cold. So we sought refuge in the South Pacific Aquarium. Here Lauren is showing us where the fish splashed us when we were with the cousins las time.


The shark tank.



The seahorse....I think she was a little confused at how small they were.


Checking on Nemo and Dori.


Lauren riding the ET on the carousel. However, she still doesn't like the up and down....so needless to say......


....we swaped to the bench seat. Thankfully the lady was super nice and there wasn't another soul on the thing. Lauren enjoyed sitting still and wanted to go faster. It's the up and down that gets her!


Daddy and Lauren checking out the boats before we left.



It was great. We had a yummy lunch at a BBQ joint and headed home. It was a wonderful family outing!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Birthday Party for Brianna

Last week we went to one of Lauren's playgroup friend's birthday parties. Brianna turned 4! It was a Princess dress up party. However, Lauren took "princess" another direction. First she wanted to be a Pirate Princess. Then I tried to talk her into at least Tinkerbelle. But with only a few minutes left to get ready she decided to go with Jessie from Toy Story. So we took what we had and threw together a costume.

Here she is before we left with Bullseye.

On arrival, Lisa had some crafts for the girls. Grandma Pieroni helped the girls make bead necklaces. We finally had to talk Lauren into taking the hat off!


Playing "pin the crown on the princess". Lisa couldn't have hung it any higher, right??? Of course the Birthday Girl won. Not sure if she had practiced the night before OR that she could see out the the bottom of the blindfold!


The gourmet cupcakes Lisa scored from a lady whose opening a cupcake shop in town. They were ridiculously good!


Brianna the birthday girl making a wish.


Katelynn and Lauren enjoying the frosting!


Some of the party goers: Lauren, Katelynn, Brianna, Gabrielle and Olivia. They chose to hold hands which we thought was pretty adorable!


It was definitely a busy day!