Como Zoo time

Everyone wanted to go to the Como Zoo in St. Paul. We got there in mid morning and it was packed and no place to park. So we backtracked about three miles past the fair grounds to catch the shuttle bus, a new Jefferson Bus Line bus, in which we traveled back to the zoo in Air Condition comfort.

Kyle had already returned home to Edmond so the rest of us went to the zoo. We were meeting the Smentek kids there to spend time with some other cousins.

Erik, Charlie and Ellie found a statue of a tortoise and climbed on for some pictures.

And then we saw Mairin. We found them.

Kellan wanted to be in the picture too and besides,he loves his sister.

So happy to have lunch. It was a hot and steamy day but we were under a giant umbrella that was over our lunch table.

Logan

Kellan

All eight kids climbed onto the giraffe statue for a picture. And them we saw the sign that says No Climbing.

The crew lined up for a rest in the heat.

Kellan and Logan climbing rocks. And then I hear, " Hey, get off of there!"

Behind that fence is an Arctic Fox. Millie, look the other way.

Liam is too tired. It's a hot one.

Waiting for the fox to return.

For a year and a half I have been teasing Charlie about sucking his thumb. When I see it in his mouth I tell him that I am going to eat it. And then really fast grab his hand and attempt to eat his thumb. I would tuck his thumb under his fingers and pretend to eat it. Then mysteriously make it reappear and put it back on. It didn't take long for him to do all that on his own when I threaten to eat it. He would say, "They are gone. I sold them at a garage sale".

Nope, I don't have any thumbs.

Oh, they're back. See?

Phesssst!

Oh, here is the fox.

Gramma with the girls.

One, Two, Three Swing.

Tried it with Erik but it didn't turn out so well.

She is just so adorable!!!!

Then they met the TIGER, just inches away on the other side of the glass.