The Cincinnati Zoo!!
It had rained/ rather poured, down raining, just as it was about time for us to leave for the zoo and we had some SAD kids. But we prayed then I called the zoo and the man said it was open, rain or shine and that the rain was supposed to stop soon. So we dawned rain jackets and ran! We had a grand time and didn't even have to get wet! This pic was taken as we were ready to leave the zoo, so that's why it was so dark, for the zoo had special hours that night til 9 pm.We had asked the kids over a year ago to make a list of things they would like to do for Family Night. Which is something we try VERY hard to keep up. One of the things that made the list was going to the zoo. Due to lots of things on our "to-do list" that were FREE... this one hadn't happened yet. Plus it's NO fun unless Daddy can go along too! Well, thanks to Jesus, He made that possible for us last weekend. (This was the 1st time we were able to go to the zoo as a family since we had gone in Romania with Sally years ago!)We had a dear friend ask us if we would be interested in going to the zoo and we could hardly contain our excitement while saying Yes! In fact, SOME of us DIDN'T hold our excitement but squealed right out loud!!! Here are a few of the fun shots that we got and thanks a million Ginger, for making that happen for us! You're a dear!
Fun do-it-ourselves shots while riding the train.
With Natasha's recent surgery and my doing a dumb thing and twisting my left ankle REALLY good, (or should that be "bad") we were VERY glad that our tickets INCLUDED the zoo train for no extra charge! :)

This is what Natasha and I did often, with my bummed ankle and her weariness walking all through the zoo was a chore at times, so we found any available bench and promptly occupied it!
These two enjoyed the zoo beyond words... as you might be able to tell from their expressions! This Carousel pic is blurry... but this was something that delighted them too!
The night before we were to go to the zoo, Bryan told me, "Mommy, if I can't get up quick in the morning, just remind me that we are going to the zoo, and I'll hop right up!" So being the "mean Moma" that I am, I called him early the next morning by saying, "Bryan the Orangutan said he can't wait to see you tonight!" He rolled over and groggily asked, "WHO?" To which I howled laughing and said, "The monkey" and with that he was up!!! Kids, you gotta love them!
This was the "animal" that their Daddy spotted 1st! See if you can find it?
Bryan and Darla were "crazy" enough to want to hold this creature! These pics are out-of-order however, for Bryan wouldn't hold it 1st, but after Darla did, he wasn't about to be out-done by a girl!!! Even if she is his sister and closest play mate!!! :)
What you can't see in this pic... is the HUGE shudder that couldn't help but come after she had safely given this guy "Mickey" back to the zoo keeper!!!
These animals Daryl and Natasha saw while in Colombia, S. America, only this guy had just had a scalping haircut. Darla enjoyed getting to pet it!