Trek to the Abilene Zoo

We made a trip to the Abilene zoo.  What would a zoo be without the King of Beasts?

I finally got a picture of the Wood Duck which we have up north but is very camera shy.  It isn't as good as the one cousin Pat got in California, but the colors are amazing!

E's favorite... hard to argue with that color.

The giraffe cage had two recent additions.  I can't imagine what they feel like if they get a sore throat. 

One of the kids favorites, of course, are the Spider monkeys.

Our two monkeys out of their cages.

A close up of the plumage of the Flamingo.

Cousin Pat took a trip to Africa a while ago and got a kiss from a  "long necker" like this one.

Marilyn's least favorite visit... the reptile house... she wouldn't look at most of the displays.

The winner for outstanding colors and finest display of an original outfit is the Wood Duck!

The winner of "a face only a mother could love,"and most in need of a bath!

The winner for the most loud mouth. 

The winner of the longest eye lashes and ears most like Dr. Spock from Star Trek is "Oink Oink" and his brother "Grunt."

Christmas Time in Abilene

We came a few days early to have Christmas in Abilene.  The neighborhood ruffians are off from school and the weather, unlike ND, makes for good outside play time.

Tutu made sure that the tree ornaments would not just be nostalgic.  Hawaii was exchanged for...

Texas!

Dad took M to check out the Boy Scout Camp nearby.  Rob was an Eagle Scout and bravely held the punch while M hammered a stamp into a leather necklace.

Then it was off to the archery range.  The compound bow was a  bit too hard to pull and a "norther" was blowing over the targets. 

The last bit of fun was the zip line.  Harnessed up and buckled up, the smile tells what activity was his favorite. 

The smile was plastered on his face the whole way. 

Then it was out of the helmet and into the car to warm up those red ears.

Mack and Ellie display their transformers.

A "light" drive is a tradition in this family.  Personally, I like the laser projected  lights.