Zoo

Our Sunday school class took a trip to the St. Louis Zoo this past weekend.

The state of Illinois has recently enacted some money saving cutbacks related to highway cleanup. Besides no longer mowing, they will also no longer pickup shredded tires and animal carcasses from the side of the road. This made for a very entertaining counting game this weekend. Final count - five deer and eight tires. Sorry, no pictures.

Due to the clandestine nature of part of this trip, we had need to split up vehicles on the way down. It happened to work out well that we also invited two too many people. Cristian and Jenna rode down with me in a car, while the other 13 took the van. About 3/4 of the way there, I finally figured out how to work Jed's air conditioning. Stupid Ford controls.

We saw hippos, elephants, amphibians, reptiles, monkeys, giraffes, lions, other African things, bears, insects...





and...Joannes and Sarahs.




Julie has no clue what's going to happen.


Sarah and Jenna LOVED the insects and snakes.




I told you we saw a gorilla.


This bear looks weird. Just thought I'd mention that.


Here's a monkey who can endlessly enjoy licking a bolt. Kinda reminds me of Maya :-(


DUCK!


We met up with Peter (left) and his brother along the way. It's a good thing Merideth was sticking by her man. Made for easy identification.


Julie...still clueless... :-)


After the zoo, we hit up an Italian restaurant on "The Hill". All the while, just blocks away, Jed's secret plan was unfolding...

I'm sorry I don't have a better picture. It was awkward enough sticking my butt in the faces of the folks eating behind me. There are actually 13 people in this picture.