Festival of Lights

Monday night we packed up the car and headed to the zoo for the Festival of Lights.  We LOVE the zoo anyway (I lost count how many times we went just to the Cincinnati Zoo this year, somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-8 times, plus trips to the Phoenix Zoo and Milwaukee Zoo), but we especially love wondering around at night the the whole place covered in Christmas Lights.  Plus, did you know that Santa comes to the zoo?

For weeks Natalie talked about visiting Santa.  As predicted, she clammed up when the time came.  It was really pretty sweet the way it all went down.  We had a bit of a wait in line to see the big guy.  At first she was excited, pointing and rehearsing what she planned to ask for.  As we worked our way to the front of the line, she got more and more quiet and then needed to be held.  When it was our turn, Ben sat solo on Santa's lap while Nat watched from the safety of my arms.  I think she did really want to go, but just couldn't muster the courage.  Maybe next year.

poor quality cell phone photo of all 4 of us

this is why I'm tired...one baby in the carrier and another on my hip!

Nat and dada on the train