A zoo trip

We went to our local zoo for the first time this summer at the end of last week.  (checking off items from our summer bucket list, remember?)  It was so much fun, and this momma heart bubbles over with joy seeing her kids delight in great experiences like this.  Rose was especially adorable and has asked at least three-hundred-twenty-seven more times to go back.  She canNOT wait!  And, to be honest, I can't either.  The work to get there and keeping track of 8 little bodies is so worth it!!  And, I am so proud of them too, to see how sweet and helpful and well-behaved they are when out and about.

++Thank you, God!!!++

Here are some pictures of our wonderful day with the ducks, turtles, snakes, lizards, giraffes, wolves, zebras. leopards, camels, and more....

**The GANG**

**SPLISH SPLASH**

(Rose is so stinkin' cute when she jumps in puddles, I just love it!)

**The Lorakeets**

(Mario and Melody are SO brave!!)

**Yoda's first trip to the zoo**

(I think he liked it!!)

**"Hanitizer"**

(for after the petting zoo, of course!)

Is is strange that I take more pictures of my kids than the animals??  Hmmmm.....  

I just realized that!  ;)

A trip to celebrate...

...Ariel's First Holy Communion!!!  

Ariel received Jesus in her First Holy Communion back in December.  And, like we did for the oldest three, we took her out on a little trip away for a couple nights to celebrate the new life of Jesus in her and to also give her that special one-on-one time (although little Rose was a tag-a-long since she is not quite ready to leave Mom and Dad at night).  We were able to split the rest of the kids up and they stayed the night at both sets of grandparents (thanks, Mom/Dad and Jean/Ken!!!).  And, Neil and I, and Ariel and Rose headed down for St. Louis....


The first night, we only had a couple hours, so we took Ariel out to an arcade for a little fun with playing games and winning prizes....

 Goodness - that girl can jump, huh??  

The next day, we spent almost the whole day at the St. Louis Science Center , back to the hotel for some swimming, and then a little shopping at the Galleria mall...

 Ariel was a tad nervous (see above) about the Dinosaur Exhibit, but after she found out that it was not scary, real-looking dinosaurs but playing with the robots instead, she was happy as a clam (see the last last dinosaur pictures and her goofey pose below....)

And for the last day, we spent the first part visiting Our Lady of Snows Shrine and then driving home.  The shrine is such a special place and we went to Mass, spent time at the playground, visiting the devotional areas and eating lunch there as well.  I have to add - their lunch buffet of salad/soup is *the* best buffet of that type!!!  Eight homemade soups and a huge salad bar!!!  If you ever visit the Shrine, do not forget to eat there too!!!

 Isn't there just something so precious with a baby in a bonnet, not to mention her adorable smile!!

 Gotta love that smile!!!

++Thank you, God, for the gift of the Eucharist and for sending your Son to live in Ariel so beautifully and brightly, and for the one-on-one time you gave us with her in this special trip++