Hanging with Auntie Hana and Uncle Niko

We made a stealth trip to NYC an NJ late last month to visit with family and enjoy a few days off during the school vacation week. Unfortunately, all of us ended up with a nasty cold which somewhat limited our sense of adventure. Nonetheless, we made the best of it and in the end felt it was a trip well worth taking (midnight vomit sessions aside). Below are some photos with beloved Hana and Niko.

Lions, Tigers and Bears

While my mom was here we ventured to the Franklin Park Zoo which is right around the corner from our house. Assuming that the colder weather would bring out more action in the animals, we were hopeful to see some frisky critters. Maceo and I have been making fairly regular trips to the zoo since he was born. Only in the past two visits did he show much interest in the animals. Up until then, a waterfall in the humid and rather stinky tropical rain forest exhibit was the main attraction. Perhaps he was inspired my my mom's enthusiasm, but this time Maceo seemed to really enjoy looking for the animals. It also seems that our theory about the colder weather held true - the highlight of the trip was the wild cats. There is only one lion - a rather old and solitary one - but he spent about two minutes standing on the highest boulder in his habitat and roaring like the Metro Golwyn Mayer lion. In addition to the lion, the siberian tigers were also in a frisky mood and spent lots of time prancing around offering many good photo opportunities. Photo credits go to Craig.