Labor Day Fun

Do you know in some European countries they get weeks, even months, of paid vacation? Now, I don't even know if that is true or not (a disgruntled co-worker told me about this one day as he was leaving the office in a huff), but if it even has the possibility of being true, sign me up and move me to Portugal.

But here in America we know how to honor our back-breaking, hard-working receptionists such as myself--we give them a Monday off and pay them for it! Whoo hoo! This calls for a celebration! This calls for an Indian buffet and a trip to the zoo!

At least that is what we did this Labor Day, and let me tell you--it was fantastic! I don't have any pictures from the Indian buffet because, let's face it, I was too busy stuffing my face. I fasted all morning so that I would have a nice empty stomach, and man did I get my money's worth! I ate more than Jeff and Katie--combined. I just have such a weakness for that chicken tikka masala.

Mmmm. Tasty.

Anyway, after that I decided that we needed to go do some sort of calorie burning activity, and since I do not exercise (I know, I know, I need to get over my hatred of doing any sort of physically demanding activity) I figured walking around a huge park and staring at animals all day was the next best thing. Off to Hogle Zoo!

I. Love. The. Zoo. Love love love.

Can't you tell? Actually, that was my face as I realized that I was desperately thirsty after eating 10 pounds of chicken tikka masala and nan, and the only available means of satiation was:

A nasty kid/germ infested lion head fountain (P.S. I have no idea who this kid is). I may have had to push a few nasty snot nosed buggers out of the way first, but I eventually got my drink.

Jeff and Katie were a little taken aback when I kicked a little 10 year old girl in the shins because she cut in front of me in line for the drinking fountain. But she learned her lesson.

Just kidding, just kidding...

We did see some bears fighting, though. Over a log. It was a really cool log.

This cute little one won. And then he used the log like a floaty toy in a swimming pool. Like I said, it was a really cool log.

Then we saw a big horn sheep, whose horns really weren't that big. But I had to take a picture because it is the state animal of Nevada! Thank you 4th grade project about Nevada, I will never forget our state animal, state bird (blue bird) and state plant (sadly--the sagebrush).

These little guys were really fun to watch, especially when they jump. My favorite was one little guy who walked just like an old grandpa--all hunched over with his wings sticking out from his sides. Once he jumped in the water all of the other ones followed him in. They really are amazing in the water; just like little torpedoes!

I made Jeff take a picture by the peccary. Mainly because he took this picture at the San Diego Zoo when we went there on our honeymoon:

A pig of beauty really is a joy forever. Jeff whispers that to me each night as we lay down to sleep.

Wow, wouldn't that be creepy? Moving on...

Whenever we go to the zoo, this is always Jeff's favorite animal--the red panda. This one was just laying on a branch, taking a nap. So cute.

And the meerkats are always my favorite animals. At this zoo they had about six baby meerkats and I completely fell head over heels in love with them. They kept attacking and chasing each other all over their enclosure. They were the tiniest, cutest little things and I could have just sat down and watched them for hours. I want one. Or five.

Katie and I found our long lost brothers at the zoo. Surprised? So were we.

Then we all took turns standing 4 inches away from an adult male snow leopard that could have taken our heads off if there weren't a pane of glass in between us.

We kept trying to get him to look at the camera.

Apparently he was too cool or something.

But I have to say that the highlight of the day was the time that we spent with the giraffes. These pictures were taken without any zoom on the camera--they were that close!

Here is the mama giraffe trying to get some leaves. What a tongue! The sign said that scientists think their tongues are that color to keep them from getting sunburned.

And here is the baby giraffe. I really wish I could sleep like that and use myself as pillow. I could sleep anywhere! And believe me, I would.

And here is daddy giraffe. Isn't he gorgeous? Just look at those whiskers on his chin! Such a strapping young dad.

So all in all, we enjoyed our time at the zoo. Well, at least I did. I was so excited that I jumped up and down each time I got to a new animal enclosure. Jeff and Katie probably shared exasperated and embarrassed looks as they walked behind me. Oh well, as long as I don't know about it, then I am happy.