We are the Friesen's: Winter Zoo Visit. What else is new?

Welcome....Here's a glimpse of our happenings!

The verses that have REALLY spoken to me (Sarah) lately....

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5:8-9

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:26-28

May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33

God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It's up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation. Deuteronomy 29:29 (The Message)

Friday, December 19, 2014

Winter Zoo Visit. What else is new?

Yesterday was Luke's last day of school for the Christmas break. Marc was working today -- his last day at work for the Christmas break (will have a wee bit of work here at home to do) until January 5.

This morning, the kiddos & I took it easy. After lunch, I suddenly had a *wild* idea to go to the zoo this afternoon. Sure...it was a bit on the cold side, BUT there was no wind -- which makes things bearable! When I asked the kids about whether or not they wanted to go to the zoo (about 10 minutes before leaving), I received an emphatic "Yes" from both kiddos!

Because it was cold AND there's snow on the ground (albeit a small amount), both Luke & Kate wore snow boots. Awesome. I LOVE it when kids wear snow boots when they don't *necessarily* need them! That's truly an awesome part of parenting young children!

We actually went into the "American Farm" barn today -- something we definitely do not do each visit...We visited the barn knowing that the animals would most likely be inside and that we, in turn, would be inside where it was slightly warmer!

We then headed toward the Penguins and then into the "Amphibian & Reptile" building (again, a warm place)....

One of the tortoises, Missy, was born around 1950 -- making her roughly as old as my mom (aka Grandma Andover). Luke asked the zookeeper who was cleaning the tortoise area which tortoise was Missy. The zookeeper explained to us that Missy was the tortoise with the slanted shell (can be seen in this next pic). Luke then had me text this pic to my mom so she would indeed know which tortoise was her age. I did oblige Luke with his request. I'm sure my mom's life was drastically changed -- Ha!

This next pic I took simply because I find Kate to be pretty cute in her boots -- with her short legs & all!

Somewhere in the "North American" section of the zoo, Kate tripped & fell. After the tears subsided, Kate insisted on only wearing one mitten so she could keep her two "comfort fingers" in her mouth (as demonstrated in this sibling pic).

Luke really likes it when the Tigers are up close....

I was just telling a friend this evening that I LOVE how close Luke & Kate currently are as siblings! I pray that is always the case well into adulthood!

All of the main African animals (elephant, rhinos, hippos, and giraffes) were inside -- which, if you're at the zoo on a cold day, the African building is the warmest). SO, we spent some time inside with those stinky animals since we were all 3 getting a bit chilled!

Lastly, we quickly walked through the Australian & South American sections of the zoo -- which are a bit on the skimpy side this time of year since many of those birds & animals have to be moved inside for the winter. BUT, we always enjoy the thrill of hunting for the wallaby. And today, we saw two of them up close. SCORE (at least in Luke's world)!