Familytime...Bronx Zoo Edition

I have spent almost 40 years in NY and I have not been to the Bronx Zoo since I was a child myself, so when the weather turned right to take the family and some friends to the zoo...how could I pass that up!

Well, we had an awesome day, and at the end, Sunny was eating her tiny ice cream cone, and not happy that the park was closing.
But in the beginning of the day...it was full of discovery.


Prairie Dogs.
She is fearless.
Peacocks wandered all over the park, passing within inches.

Hotwiring a color coordinated vehicle, Ms. Lilly?
Ms. Lilly
Baby Giraffe!

Monorail ride over the Bronx River
Look! An Elephant!

Gustav and Toni had a great time...Lilly, maybe not as much.

Family. Like it or not, it influences who you are.

My wife and I drove up to Boston this weekend to see my Grandparents. In their mid '90's and living life like a couple of 50 year olds. My Grandfather could easily kick Jack Lalanne's butt in a dark alley at 2AM.
I know how lucky I am, at 39, to still have my Grandparents with me, cognizant and able to enjoy life. I think about the parts myself that I like the most, gentle, compassionate, strong and occasionally intelligent and even funny...and they all come from my Grandfather. Even my love of sailing, gardening and my value of family comes from him. My Grandmother is an accomplished chef who taught me to cook and largely influenced my system of values. This weekend they got to spend time with their Great Granddaughter, which was a treat for all.