Snow!

The DC area got hit with a heavy snowstorm on Wednesday. I was fortunate enough to get home before it started, unlike other people who got stranded on the roads for hours on end. Once the snow started falling, it looked so pretty I was tempted to go outside and take some pictures. However, I was just too warm and cozy inside my house. So I took this picture from my window.

I think we got about 8 inches in total. Much of it has melted already. I took this picture as I went on a walk this afternoon.

P.S. Some jerk stole our snow shovel! Seriously, who does that?!

Day at the zoo

Last Monday I spent my federal holiday going to the zoo with a few coworkers. My mission was to see the new lion cubs that were born last summer; they've recently been allowed outside for public viewing. Since the great cats are located at the far end of the zoo, it was our last stop. However, we probably should have gone there first. Apparently the lion cubs are let outside at 12:30. We got there at 1:15 and there was nary a cub to be seen.

I was sad.

The good thing about going to the zoo in the winter is that there aren't many people there. We were the only people at the panda exhibit! It was incredible.

Look how cute and fuzzy he is!

Since I couldn't cuddle with him - because, you know, he's a ferocious bear - I had to settle with this panda statue.

This red panda is just as cute and fuzzy as his cousin!



My other favorite animal is the elephant. They're always fun to watch.

I learned that meerkats are actually kind of interesting. They take turns on sentry duty.

And here's a hodgepodge of more animals...

This concludes our tour of the zoo. I guess I'll have to make another trip out there to see the lion cubs.



Home for the Holidays

It's time for my annual Christmas round-up! This year was a little less active due to my ill-timed rib injury, but there's no place like home for when you're recuperating.

Our first stop was my brother's house, where we met their two new foster kids. And boy, was that place busy! I think this picture sums things up pretty well.

This is a really cute picture. Who knew my brother was such a softie!

Next we went to my sister's to celebrate Christmas. I always love watching how the kids get so excited on Christmas morning. Tricia and I were especially impressed with Alex's organizational skills as he unloaded his stocking.

Little Elise kind of reminds me of Cindy Lou Who.



And she got a bike!

Grandpa helped Alex put together his new Lego set.

Later that day we went for a walk around Corriganville Movie Ranch, which is right behind their house. I can't believe I had lived there for so long and never visited Corriganville! It's a relic of the old Western film genre. A lot of movies and tv shows were filmed there back in the 1930s and 40s, and then it became a tourist attraction in the 1950s. I can't say I'm a connoisseur of Western films, but it was pretty neat to walk around these old movie "sets."

This is where they would film water scenes. Apparently The African Queen was filmed here. Looks real jungley, huh?

I believe this is called Gorilla Rock. In person it really does look like an ape was frozen in the rock.

We also came upon an actual movie set! Unfortunately there was a fence around it so I couldn't get any good pictures.

The next day we went to The Grove shopping center in Hollywood so Corinne could spend her American Girl gift cards. This isn't the best picture of me (I'll blame it on not feeling well), but Tricia looks so stylish! :)

On our way back to the house, we drove through Beverly Hills just to gawk a little. No, I didn't see any of the Real Housewives walking around.

As I excitedly pointed out the famous designers on Rodeo Drive (Badgley Mischka! Dolce and Gabbana!), my mom and sister wondered how I "knew so much" about fashion. Apparently they don't watch enough E!

And then the following day I flew back to DC (and subfreezing temperatures). It always seems to go by so quickly.

Happy New Year, y'all!