I think some monkeys followed us home.

I think it's going to become an annual tradition to make a summer trip up to P-town to visit the Oregon Zoo.  This year's trip was actually timed nicely with weather and crowds.  We arrived around 1pm and after eating a picnic lunch in the car, we got into the park as the school groups were leaving.

You should check out last year's visit to see how much the boys have grown and changed (and how things have stayed the same!)

Josh continues to be fascinated by moving water.  In some of the animal exhibits he could have cared less about the critters and instead exclaimed about the 'waterfalls' non-stop.  At least this time I was able to get him away without a big tantrum.

 Luckily for us, Josh wasn't freaked out by the water areas this time.  We're still not sure what exactly scared him on our last visit, but Josh had no problem literally pressing his nose up to the glass to see all the "gooeyfish" and "sharks."

Ben was a rather crabby little guy on the trip.  We arrived right at nap time and he didn't pass out until after we were all subjected to his whining.  The closest we got to smile (above) was when he was looking at the chickens.  He can say "bock bock" in response to asking what chickens say and it made him happy to see actual clucking hens.  Josh enjoyed a spirited rendition of Ol' MacDonald's when trying to call the chickens closer to the fence.

 The closest thing Ben got to expressing interest in the water exhibits was occasionally pointing at something.

 The keepers were throwing fish for the polar bears right against the glass and Josh LOVED being able to see "holla bears" up close.

 We let the boys run around this animal statue play area for a while, hoping to make Ben a happier camper.  It didn't work.

 Luckily a little snuggle from Daddy was acceptable and along with a bag of fruit snacks, made getting back into the stroller tolerable.

 In the African area, there were drums and bells to make music.  Well, until the big kids came and shoved the little ones aside.  Remind me to try and teach Josh not to do that when he gets older because it is slightly annoying.  By this time we could tell that Josh was getting tired because he had a big tantrum when we told him it was time to move on.

 Josh loved the binoculars and had to play with them every chance he could get.  Luckily he doesn't realize yet that they would work a whole lot better if Mommy actually put money into it.

Right as we were finishing up, Ben finally passed out.

 Getting a diaper change in the trunk of the car before the ride home.

 

And just for fun, this year's and last year's picture of how Josh looked before we even made it to the freeway.  And yes, he still loves his blankey that Aunt Becky made him as a baby.  We don't dare travel without it.  Unluckily, Ben was wide awake and loud enough that he woke up Josh and they were both screaming cranks for most of the ride home.  And this is why you travel with headphones.