Como Zoo Field Trip

Last week Anabelle's class went on a field trip to Como Zoo and I got to go along as a chaperone!


"So many animals, so little time to liberate them all."


"Or maybe I should go in to keep the poor animals company? Don't worry, zebra! I'll come and play with you!!"


"What do you mean, 'zoos are for people to see the animals'? This is all just for your entertainment? Is this what passes for political enlightenment in preschool nowadays?"


"OK, then, so if we all simply walk away, the zoo will be forced to shut down, right? Let's all march back to the bus, then! Anyone? Anyone??"


"Time for a sit-down protest! Come on, who's with me?"


"Sigh. I tried, poor animals. I tried."


"Whew! All that activism made me hungry! Time to refuel!"

Last Summer Swing?

Or first autumn swing?







Special thanks to Nonnie and Papa for having both kids over last night! Anabelle couldn't stop talking about all the fun she had, and Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their night out too!

Petting Zoo Princess

"Poor cow! Just be patient and we'll liberate you just as we liberated your oppressed comrade!!"


"Ouch! Those horns are sharp!!"


"How's this for cute??"

Anabelle at the Animal Farm

These are pictures from one of Anabelle's field trips a couple weeks ago. Buni went as a chaperone, so we actually have pictures!


"Yep, it's been a good crop this year."


"Look, they're giving the berries away to everyone, so, no, you can't have mine!"


"You're lucky my dad's not here to see you putting your arm around me."


"Oops! But my mom is here -- TAKING PICTURES! So you're busted, Noah!!"


"It's just like feeding Will!"


"Poor cow! Somebody needs to liberate you!"


"Ahhh, finally, lunch! Let's see what everyone else has in their lunchboxes!!"

Out Too Far, Up Too High

Some pictures of Anabelle's time up at the Bergs' cabins over Labor Day weekend:


"Get your own tube, Uncle Aaron!"


"Does this scenario seem familiar to you at all, Trace?"


"Higher, Uncle Aaron! Higher!"


"Holy cow! Can you believe we went that high?!?"

Thrill Seeker

I think Anabelle likes going on rides:


"WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!"

The Anabelle Alert System

"Dad! Look out behind you!!"


"SHARK!!!"


"Omigosh, Dad! Look at that!!"


"STINGRAY!!!"


"OK, Dad, everything is all clear. It's safe to turn around now."


"AH!!!! GIANT ANABELLE HEAD!!!!!"

Welcome, Juliet!

Anabelle welcomes her latest cousin, Juliet Scallon, born Friday September 5th!


"She's so cute!!!"


"Really? I was this small once??"


"Wow, she's adorable!"

Anabelle's Amazing Boat Ride

"Wow, I didn't know boats could do mach 5!"


"I feel like an astronaut in one of those test accelerators!"


"WHAT??? I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE ROAR OF THE ENGINE!!!!"

Gone Fishin' Too

"How long have I been out here?  It feels like hours."

"Hmm... I wonder if I could just take one of the gazillion fish that Trace caught and put it on my line?"

"Hey, how did that little fish eat that big fish I worked so hard to reel in?"

"OK, here's the plan.  We'll tell everyone that I caught a fish THIS big.  Come on, everyone, put your hands out like this so we all get our measurements in sync!"