PITTSBURGH ARRIVAL AND THE ZOO

I arrived in Pittsburgh on August 26th for a week's visit after a calm and smooth flight which always makes me happy.  Jocelyn had already been visiting for a week and so Brady got the full throttle Wolthuis women.  John asked him how he was handling all the estrogen with us visiting and he said, "I could use a cave."  Thanks Brady for being so good to us while we were with you and your family.

While waiting for my luggage, I saw this person also waiting and thought "Wonder where he flew in from?"  But I did admire his patriotism.  

Notice the other man's eyes checking out Uncle Sam

Brady and Laurel found a Texas Road House restaurant outside of Pittsburgh and so we drove there from the airport.  It brings a little taste of home to living in Pittsburgh.  

I was glad that Brady would break down and eat at least one roll.  He has lost 35 pounds and now is holding steady.  He looks so young, like he just returned from his mission.  I wish I had Brady's discipline.

Grandma V was so happy to see her granddaughter.   

Jocelyn, thanks for sharing Paisley with me!

Paisley wanted to take pictures just like grandma was doing

We were up bright and early the next morning to get to the zoo by 9:30.  Brady and Laurel have a season pass to the zoo since they are within walking distance.  They have definitely gotten their money's worth.  Paisley knows the zoo very well.  Laurel was absolutely right that we needed to be there at opening because when we left three hours later there wasn't anywhere to park and the lines to enter were extremely long.  We had a great time with few crowds.

Laurel and Jocelyn posed with the Preying Mantis sculpture in the background

Can you see the Ostrich behind us?

Paisley loves to sing the elephant song from Barney

Graceful, long necks and I don't mean the giraffes

Ducks and goldfish together

Sea lion sculpture

The zoo also has an aquarium with quite a few exhibits.  Loved these starfish clinging to the glass.

Everyone loves the penguins

Paisley has a love of tunnels because of the tunnel she has to drive through to get to the airport.  The aquarium has a glass tunnel for the children to go in and have the water above them with fish they can see.

We couldn't get Paisley to look at the camera.  She was mesmerized by the Polar Bear sculpture.

The real live polar bears

Love this picture of Paisley holding hands with the bronze boy

Up close and personal with the kangaroos.  

Love this owl

Time out

Mommy loves her Paisley

I would rather look at Paisley's curly hair than the animals

Playing with the sea lions

We four crammed into a small train seat so the lady in front of us had a seat for her stroller....

Paisley had to ride the Alligator before we left the zoo

Grandma and Paisley had fun driving and holding hands

Say goodbye to the zoo!