July 13-20

Gretchen's status as a one-nap baby didn't last very long.  She's back to two naps most days, but they're at inconvenient times and of awkward lengths.

You've heard of a herd of cows and perhaps even a gaggle of geese, but have you heard of a storm of girls?  That's what Bryan calls Olivia and Gretchen when they both come running at the same time.  I wonder what he'll use when we have boys?

We went to the zoo on Saturday.  Being a conscientious mother, I brought the camera with us to document Gretchen's first trip to the zoo.  Being a little too related to my own mother, I left said camera in the car.  I also left my phone in the car.  Oh well.  I can still give you a recap.  :)

Unlike our last visit to the zoo, this one was cool and rainy.  We started in the Asian section and both girls were impressed with the elephants and monkeys.  In the reptile house, the water monitor was very active and kept coming up to the glass to lick it, presumably to determine if any of the children on the other side would be particularly tasty.  Olivia did not like the bats, but was especially excited to see some tigers later in the exhibit.  Gretchen's favorite part of Asia was the Pheasant Aviary, where she managed to spot a large, brightly colored bird all by herself.

After Asia we ate lunch and then decided to check out North America and Africa.  For the geographically challenged, Columbus Zoo reminds us that these two continents are right next to each other.  :-P  We sped through the moose and bears, although we did take some time to view Gretchen's new favorite exhibit: the fish in the polar bears' lake.  Of all the animals we saw this trip, the moose and brown bears were the most active.  We hypothesized that it is because they feel the most at home in a central Ohio zoo.  :)

On our last zoo trip, we noticed that Africa was entirely encompassed by the Congo.  The zoo has since expanded, and now has an Africa section (in addition to retaining the original Congo).  There was a large savanna where we saw giraffes, zebras, one ostrich, and a variety of other birds.  It was feeding time for the giraffes, so we got a close up view of a giraffe (and its exceptionally long tongue), although we did not get in line to feed it.  Fun fact: Giraffe tongues are 18-20 inches long and a dark bluish-purple color.  After Africa, Bryan introduced the girls to Dippin' Dots before we set off in search of the exit.  Two tired little girls (and one tired Bryan) napped all the way home.  :)

Pictures and Videos:
Vimeo Videos (click on the links below and enter the password BarhorstBrewed):
Convincing Gretchen to Walk
Noisemaker

Olivia and Gretchen:

Olivia:

Frenchy Gretchy:

Gretchen:

My Casey beads for my bracelet came in the mail:

Florida pictures that I stole from Dad:

Four Generations

Olivia fell asleep at dinner.  Picture taking ensued.

This is Bryan and Johannah...

...Just in case you forgot what we looked like.  :)

Opa and Gretchen

And, saving the best for last, a fantastic collage from Jillian.  She got pictures of Gretchen eating the same meal in the same high chair while wearing the same shirt as some Olivia pictures from two years ago.  Which is which?