Today we went to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch with Grandma to enjoy a lovely, sunny day. Perfect for going on safari! After watching Madagascar 1 and 2 so many times, it was fun for the boys to see some of the animals in real life. The first thing we saw when we got there was the giraffe enclosure. The boys were excited and Alan even cried out "Melman!". Since we got there mid-morning, it wasn't too busy yet and we finished the circuit without too much waiting. Lunch, and then we saw a peacock outside the gift shop! The lemurs were laying out in the sun, probably trying to get warm after yesterday's snow. Then it was one more go around the park, much slower this time as everyone else also decided this was a perfect day to feed the critters. What a fun day and one we will be sure to repeat!
This rather cheeky zebra was quite curious
A baby zebra!
Traffic jam!
I'm coming! I know you have food!
Big bird!
Kevin gets his squished pennies
Giraffes! including baby Marigold
Kevin and Alan are enjoying the animals
Checking out Lemur Island
Where is King Julien?
More lemurs!
Hi there!
Ostrich and burro eating well as we finished off our third bag of food
Although friends up north may laugh, today was a snow day here in South Texas. I was up with Alan at 2:30 in the morning and saw that the road was covered. Come morning it was still all over the roads, dusting the trees and bushes, but not much on the grass.
Kevin's school was closed for the day, so Grandma took him out into the back yard to check out the snow. Then we bundled up Alan and we all went on a walk around the Circle. It was fun seeing all our neighbours out enjoying the day. Lots of the kids were "tobogganing" and "sledding" on boogie boards and laundry baskets - whatever works! One of them was walking with their big, friendly, shaggy dog and Alan got all excited! Doggie says "woof"!
While Auntie Joys was in town to help out, we went to the Witte Museum. The boys had fun making music, looking at the butterfly displays and dinosaur bones, and checking out the Texas ecosystem. We had some Mexican food across the street before heading home.
Merry Christmas from the Sanders Family! We are grateful that we can spend this day together, and send our best wishes out to all our friends and family!
We will not be able to make it to AirLifeSanta this year because of Alan's surgery. Mommy is a little sad because she has been taking Kevin and then Alan every year since 2005. However, Kevin's playgroup's mommies made sure that our own playgrouptradition of pictures with Santa Starr could take place during our break at home in San Antonio between the pre-op appointments and Alan's surgery.
The party is smaller as families have moved, but we know they were with us in spirit. With the kids starting kindergarten and rumors that Santa Starr will be retiring, this may be our last big Christmas party. It was so nice to have fun with friends before we head into the tough month ahead.
Santa Starr arrives at Miss Cookie's house
Kevin and Alan wait for their turn with Santa Starr
Kevin and Santa
The boys are wiggly!
Kevin gives Santa a hug
Alan and Santa
Alan loves the candy cane that Santa Starr handed out
Alan was recovered enough from chemo to have his birthday party with his little playgroup friends. We all met at the McDonald's party room where Alan and his little buddy Dylan "played basketball". There was lots of fun, cake and ice cream, and when we got home, Alan went crazy with all the tissue paper from the gifts. We're so happy he had the opportunity to have such fun and so greatful to our friends, big and little.
Alan and Dylan shoot the hoops
Alan works on a lollipop under his "3" balloon
Yum! Alan nibbling on a hamburger bun
Dylan, Alan and Sawyer Belle are having loads of fun!
Alan celebrated his 3rd birthday with Auntie Chelle staying for a sleepover! Auntie Chelle and Auntie Maria got our little monkey Curious George books - how appropriate! Typically, Alan had as much fun with the tissue paper as he did with the monkey and books.
Then it was time to webcam with Daddy! The boys brought their toys to show Daddy over the internet, including the aforementioned tissue paper.
Then it was time for Alan to chase his big brother Kevin - what a workout! (Yes, the picture is blurry - these boys move way too fast!)
Even though he was tuckered out by all the running, Alan refused to nap. After a beautiful afternoon walk in the neighbourhood, it was time for dinner and a yummy cookies'n'cream pie to celebrate the birthday boy!
