That Gorilla did what?

A beautiful sunny day in Boston at The Franklin Park Zoo. Auntie Kelley came with us and Auntie Laura and the kids met us there. I've never been and I love to venture out to check out new and exciting zoo features. Granted, it's a bit early in the season and some of the exhibits were under a bit of construction, but it was an adventure to say the least. 1st stop, Zebras. They actually have a good size piece of land to live on here. I tend to love and hate the zoo at the same time. These beautiful living animals are plucked from their homes and plopped in the middle of Boston for crying out loud. The piece of the wilderness they once roamed freely is replaced with rushing cars and fire sirens. And at the same time, I love to see them up close. So that is a cause I'm not ready to go head on with. I convince myself that these specific animals would not have lasted in the wild for whatever individual reason and that they may be better off here. Then we met Little Joe the Gorilla and I felt differently....more to come on that piece.

A group photo of the family! Laura's kids are so awesome. They are growing up so darn fast it's incredible. And they are growing up to be really cool people. Kyle loves spending time with them. It is really too bad we don't get to see each other as often as we like. Each family is trying to convince the other to move closer....we haven't come to an agreement yet :) But, when we do get together its as if we've lived next door to each other every day of our entire lives which is a nice feeling. Jake is something else...11 yrs old and can hold a conversation far above my head already. He knows facts that some of the highest educators would have to stop and think about I'm sure, and at the same time so lovable! He melts you and makes you laugh at the same time. His 1 liners put Seinfeld to shame. Can you say King of the Jungle? This is it (although really he's king of the cement jungle now). What an incredible creature. His size and beauty are stunning. Yet, he also seems like just a much larger version of a house cat. He's chillin', lapping his mane, rolling on his back, letting out a big yawn. And then he does the amazing, he stands up for what seems to be a stretch and a stroll around and he lets out a roar that stopped us all in our tracks. I have never heard a lion roar up close and personal and this thing was either say "what's up" or saying "I am giant, I am not happy about this situation and I'd step away if I was you" When he strolled around and ended up looking straight into my camera I got the feeling his message was the latter. His roar was like nothing I could mimic or explain. Later in the day on the other side of the zoo we could hear him roaring again and it was very clear that his voice in meant to be heard from far distance. Another great family shot. I don't waste a moment trying to get a nice group photo. This is actually 1 of about 10 quick shots where everyone was looking at me. Good thing this camera can shoot continuous!

Now on to the most important story of the day, one that none of us will forget and one that will frighten Kyle for years to come. The Gorilla! When checking out the rainforrest, we come to a glass window to view the cute little gorilla's. "Oh how cute, the baby is playing with his blankie" "Oh look, there is the Mommy gorilla.." "Here comes the King of the Apes to say Hi to us, how nice" I wonder what he'll do? Do you think he notices us standing on the other side of this 6 inch piece of glass staring at him? Do you think he likes us? Well, he strolls over closer and now we are really excited to see how do Gorilla's live, what do they do. 1st they enjoy a nice meal of their own poop. Yup, you read correctly, the thing squatted in front of us and dropped a deuce into its hands only to then make it a snack. Well, it didn't take kindly to us mocking its lifestyle..... As soon as this picture was taken, Laura says "I wonder if it would come over and respond to my hand at the window?" And it responded for sure. Little Joe leapt from a sitting and eating poop position to slamming all 4's onto the window like a, well like an Ape might do!! It was a total Castanza moment for all of us. I was crouched taken the pics and by the time I moved everyone was leaping over Kyle and running for the door! I scooped Ky on my way up and he immediately started crying and saying "Bye bye Gorilla's" It was incredible. Let me remind you, this is the same animal who escaped from this exact zoo a couple of years ago and ran through the streets of Boston terrorizing people! We couldn't leave well enough alone, after calming down a bit an realizing we weren't harmed, we taunted this thing and hoped for another "episode" at every window. Kell and Maddy stayed a bit behind and it did it again, this time throwing a bucket at the window at them! This makes me feel a little bit afraid and lot sad for these animals. I mean, who can blame this poor thing for acting like a Gorilla!? Needless to say, this was the most exciting trip to the zoo zoo zoo we've ever had.

Joe is growing up so fast and yet still our Jojo who loves to laugh, be wise, be funny and goof around. I love spending time with this kid and listen to his stories of becoming a teenager. He is also full of knowledge that would blow you away and I find myself asking him "what is that?" I think he's moved to the adult table officially now!

And the fun didn't end there. We went on to see peacocks with its feathers in full effect, played at the playground, saw vulture's, anaconda snakes and many more amazing animals.

And the last cameo and certainly not least is Maddy P.! Maddy is the baby of the family and she is a sweetheart. She is girl through and through and we love her for everything she is. She loves Kyle and treats him like gold, they have a special bond. She too is growing into an amazing person, but I think we'll keep her the baby as long as we can get away with it. She is beautiful that is no question. We had a great visit all in all. Did a couple of fun things and did a lot of lounging around enjoying each others company which is often what is missed the most. They left this Am and we miss them already. Funny how the house seems very quiet all of the sudden when it never felt like a quiet house. Love you guys. Let's free the Gorilla's!