(Kids from L to R: Parker, Drew, Ramsey, Ellie and Mac)
While we were in MS, we decided to take advantage of a sunny day and go to the zoo. Now, we know, its not the best zoo ever, in fact, its really not all that great. But, they have animals and a carousel, and the kids think it's great! Once we were there, we realized we were as much of a zoo as the animals were :) It really was perfect weather, and we all had a blast. The kids played musical strollers, we were scolded for bringing in "outside food," and we all perfected our monkey sounds. What a productive day! haha
Looking at the tiger from a distance while Parker prepares for a stare down...
And, the stare down. I don't know if the tiger really liked or really disliked Parker, but he stayed pretty close to him. Parker roared and made faces while we were nervously checking that the tiger was securely fenced in his area!
Ramsey was so good sitting contently in the stroller all day. Little diva, Ellie, on the other hand thought she needed to be held all day. And my mom must have agreed...she toted that little thing all afternoon :)
Mac and Parker looking through the little bubble things. Sad day, no animals at that exhibit anymore :( Oh well, it was fun just looking for some!
"Lil Mama" getting carried around, and Mac following close by. Once he overcame his fear of the animals and realized they could not escape their cages, he wanted to walk too.
Looking at the monkeys
Everyone was having stroller issues. Even Drew decided he didn't want to stay in his spot, so I toted him for as long as my back could stand it. He is heavy!
Ramsey and Jess on the carousel.
We all had to ride just so every child had a set of hands on them.
Parker on the tiger...he's still making his scary tiger faces like he did at the tiger exhibit. Haha
It took some convincing, ok maybe some forcing, but Mac quickly learned that he loved the carousel. And Drew was happy to just be along for the ride.
My, my, CeCe had to actually ride the frog because Ellie did not want to be put down on it. That little girl is something else!
Just for fun, here is a picture of the kids (Mac, Parker, Ramsey, and Ellie) at the zoo when Jess and I took them in October 2010. What a difference!!! (And, yes, those are the exact same strollers that we took to the zoo on this trip, minus one carrier of course!)
Winter showed up again last week with a snow day! This time there was actually several inches of snow and plenty to play in. Mac loves snow and was so thrilled to wake up and see the ground covered in white. He immediately wanted to go outside. Since there was quite a bit of accumulation, most everything was closed, including the church office :) I was so glad Sam was able to stay home and play with Mac. I was also glad that I could go outside for just a bit and then watch happily from the window with Drew, warm and cozy inside! The snow melted pretty quickly the next day, but it was a blast while it lasted. 
Trying to scoop up very powdery snow to make a snowman...the early morning snow wasn't cooperating too well for snowmen or snowballs
Mac LOVES Frosty the Snowman and immediately wanted to get to work making him. Due to the snow, Frosty was unable to visit...we did, however, get to see his baby brother :) But that didn't dampen Mac's excitement one bit. He was so glad to be out in his "Thomas" boots, affectionately named because they are blue and red just like Thomas the Tank Engine (and Sam got him ready to go outside and pulled out the hat you see here, which happens to be a hat that goes with a set of pajamas he has! haha Oh well, whatcha gonna do?!)
Staying warm and happy inside.
A late afternoon outing into the snow, which was now perfect for snowballs and snowmen. And "ice cream", which is what Mac is eating.
There's Frosty!!! He came after all...complete with tootsie pop nose, pretzel mouth and cheez it eyes! Although the snow was gone the next day, Frosty was not! He lasted several days, gradually shrinking until all that was left was a heap of twigs and soggy snacks. 
Snow steady coming down, as it did all day long.
Well, pretty much everytime it snowed in MS, I took a pic of what the neighborhood looked like. I figured I may as well continue the tradition, trailers and all :) There is just not much as beautiful as a pure white landscape! I don't love being cold, but I sure do love seeing snow.
