Nuts About Squirrels

This morning we went to a neat little program at a nature center. We learned all about squirrels. We got to watch a puppet show, hear a story and then take a little hike. We didn't actually see any squirrels (surely a group of 2 and 3 year olds and younger brothers and sisters weren't so noisy as to scare away the little critters). We did see some nests and got to rummage around and pretend to be squirrels looking for acorns. It was a cool, cloudy fall morning and just perfect for spending a little time outside in the fresh air.

Budgie Buddies

Nana came to visit this weekend and we had a really good time. We spent Saturday afternoon at the zoo and got to see the new baby gorilla; he is absolutely precious. The grizzly bears were also quite impressive. One of the highlights (for most of us ;) was seeing and feeding the budgie buddies. What's not to love about walking into a room full of little colorful birds hoping for a snack on a stick?

We spent Saturday downtown at a really fun festival that celebrated imagination and innovation. 

Eva G got to leave her mark on a vegetable painting (she and daddy added a carrot) and also to the block-long sidewalk chalk display.

We got to make snow--in the middle of a beautiful, sunny day!!!--and see how paper is made from elephant poo. 

There was also the chance to build and play with a lot of different things; here's a fun marble tower.

Where Have We Been?

Well, since you've been wondering...

Wyoming

Montana

North Dakota

South Dakota

Nebraska

Eva G got to visit Grandma and Grandpa and see where daddy grew up, meet an aunt, uncle and cousin for the first time (the oldest and the youngest grandchild, but we never got a picture), visited another aunt, uncle and cousin (and their cows), visited new places, saw amazing sights, and had a lot of fun.

 Bear Country USA

 Oh, so tired at the end of the day; resting on a bench at Mt. Rushmore

Checking out some bones at the amazing Mammoth Site

Trying on a woolly mammoth molar for size--way too big. 

And one of the most memorable lines of the trip--Eva G asks as we drive and drive and drive through eastern Wyoming, "how are we ever gonna get out of here?" 

1500 miles and tons of memories -- what a fun trip!!