Welcome Back Colorado Boys - Days 1 & 2

The sun is going down as we arrive at Love Field to meet the plane bringing me my grandsons from Colorado.  I'm antsy as it is since they are flying alone for the first time, so the sunset keeps me occupied while I wait.

It's always hard to get a good picture through a window and even harder when you are stuck between two jet bridges, but it is pretty nevertheless.  My heart does love watching the sun rise and set.

Finally!  The plane has landed and is at the gate.  I watch down the jetbridge (YES, I can see all the way down through the window) and see them as they come off the plane.  Woohoo -- let the fun begin!

A suitcase must be retrieved and that means waiting at baggage for an ETERNITY.  At least it feels that way.

Even though the flight is fairly late in the evening, they are hungry and request a stop at Sonic.  Okay -- let's fill them up.

Once their bellies are happy, we head home and it's into bed for all of us.  Lots of adventures await t his week, but for now -- sleep is required.  Night.

Day 2 (is it fair saying this since they arrived so late yesterday?) dawns with cool temperatures and we are calling it a blessing since it is Sunday and they have Grandpa home.

The zoo has been requested as a "Grandpa" adventure, so we are having an early breakfast and getting out of here - it opens at nine.  With only five minutes to spare, we arrive and are soon through the gates and ready to start our adventures.  Each time there is something new to see or do and I'm hoping today will be the same.

First stop is at the lemurs, as always.  They seem to just be waiting for us.

Okay, we are starting on the savanna side first.  That means through the tunnel we go and the boys are able to check out all the great photos hidden inside.  But first --- group shot at the elephants.  Wait -- group shot?  How did Grandpa get out of this?

 On the other side of the tunnel, the penguins are ready to greet us.

Ryan runs off quick, but I manage to snare Raef and Caleb into measurements.  Slow down ya'll -- everyone is growing up way too fast.

We locate Grandpa and Ryan at the mandrills.

Okay -- beeline for the hippos.  I so want them to be able to see our cute couple.

Luck is not really on our side today though.  They are hiding right over the edge and almost impossible to see.  Drat.   Okay, maybe later.  Grandpa takes the boys to check out the flamingos instead.

As we enter the savanna, the obligatory elephant picture takes place but I'll give these guys kudos for creativity.  All on one elephant and yet, not.

Our unlucky streak continues as we stop at the lion exhibit.  Mom has the baby cub way up under the gazebo and they are almost impossible to see.  Grandpa helps out with some extra height and they boys can see her so it's all good.  Right as we are ready to leave, the cub stands and everyone gets a quick glimpse as well.

No baby giraffe either.  Dang.  We are on a roll today, but not one that I love.  However, feeding giraffes is always awesome and so we happily take turns doing just that.

 The savanna is quiet this morning.  The elephants are not even out yet.

I take a perch where I can see the elephants lined up to enter and just wait.  Maybe, just maybe, the baby elephant will come out and the boys can see at least one little one.

It takes awhile, but our patience pays off and we are awarded with the grand entrance.  Woohoo.  They boys are thrilled and we all watch for quite awhile as Milo, the mom, leads baby Ajabu all around the habitat.

Boys on the wall --- perhaps a new name for a singing group?

The Gorilla Trail is next and as we get to the gorillas, one is right up by the window.  I take a few minutes with the boys to look at their hands and feet and compare to ours.  They are shocked at how similar the hands are.

As we continue around the path, we emerge at the hippos and this time they are across the pond and a we bit more visible.  Yay. Still not wonderful, but better than not seeing them at all.

We come to the monorail entrance and right across from it a flamingo encounter is taking place.  Grandpa takes the boys to the encounter and I go to save spots in line for the ride.

Just as the encounter ends, here come my boys and into the car we go.  I appreciate the chance to sit down for awhile.

The ride returns and another encounter is underway.  This time with a snake and all the boys run over to it.

I'm getting hungry so we head for the other side of the zoo and some nutrition.

After we are a bit rejuvenated, it's a walk along the upper area and stops in the reptile building as well as other exhibits.  Nearing the tortoises, the day seems to be winding down.

 I have enough tickets left for a carousel ride and they are off like rabbits -- well as soon as my arms are full of all the stuffies they just bought.  I know -- crazy Gammy.  (Bad picture)

 And one last shot as we leave.  It's been a great day and I can't wait for next year to do it all over again.

Now, one would think that our day is over, but no.  Once we got back home, I left to do some grocery shopping on my own and then made spaghetti for dinner.  After that -- a walk to the school for some fun at the playground seems like a good idea.

I'll just let you enjoy the pictures here.  The one above is the boys running through the swings and getting them all going, then drying to dodge them from one end to the other before heading to the monkey bars.

Since Caleb couldn't quiet do what the "brothers" were, I took him to the climbing wall for a bit.

And now he wants to swing in the baby swing.  Well alrighty then.

We walk around the school to the second playground and discover a new item.  By the time the boys figure out how to make it work, Grandpa doesn't like it at all.  He even gets a bit grumpy and wants off.  Silly man.

Onto more fun.

 

And for their last trick, everyone tries to climb the upside down slide.  Successfully, I might add.

That's it for today -- see ya'll tomorrow.