Day 3: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & Garden of the gods

*alternately titled, "WARNING! Lots of boring family vacation pictures ahead"
or "This one's for you, Grandma..."

Today was hot, Hot, HOT!!! We got to the zoo right when it opened (at 9 a.m.) and it was already nearing 90 degrees. It only got hotter VERY quickly and I was one fairly miserable camper by about 10 a.m. I put on a brave face for the kids, who seemed to take the heat in stride, but I was like a nervous mother bear the whole time forcing water down my kids throats every 10 minutes for fear they might dehydrate!

One very cool thing about the zoo was the giraffe exhibit. You can get up close and personal with the giraffes- and by close, I mean...

Here is Alex feeding the giraffes a cracker ("that'll be $3 for your cracker, ma'am- thank you kindly!")

The kiddos took a little ride on the choo choo train...

By about 11:30, I had had enough zoo and enough sweat so we headed back to the hotel for a little bit of this...

By about 4 PM, it was still in the upper 90's so we needed to do something indoors. We went over to Poor Richards, because Fodor's 2008 Colorado told us to. And, I have to admit, it was the best pizza I think I've ever had...

Why so many pizza parlor shots, you ask? Well, I'm not sure- other than maybe subconsciously I was trying to occupy my hands as any excuse not to have to hold the baby on my lap and eat (thanks, Mike!)

After dinner, when it had finally cooled off to the mid-80's, we headed over to Garden of the gods. I had so badly wanted to spend the whole day there, but the heat simply would not permit. By the time we got there in the evening, it was cool enough to walk around for a while.

Gracie girl checking out the view

I thought this picture was so cool- I couldn't resist....

God's creation is so amazing - only He could think of this...

Apparently, Ariana had enough of the scenery and was more interested in checking out her knees, which are- after all- far more interesting.

Daddy and his kiddos (he always gets the good shots with everyone smiling - I'm never that lucky!)

So, did you happen to notice that I was wearing 2 different outfits at the Garden of the gods? Of course you didn't because there is no way you are still reading this after way too many boring family pics. So, I guess I am talking to you, Mom (grandma) - did you notice? Actually, the pic of Grace and I at Garden of the gods was from the day before. We actually went the day before, as well, but I left a sleeping Mike, Alex & Ariana in the car and walked around for a bit with the other two.

That's all for now! And, so sorry. I promise- when we get home, I'll have far less boring pics to post, and I'll try to think of something witty and interesting to write. But, for now, it's all about the vacation.