Fun with Friends and Blood at the Zoo

We were all excited for Brenda and her 3 youngest girls to come see us this weekend. Brenda was one of my best friends from college. The last time we saw each other after college was when Marissa and her son Adam were babies. I was so excited when I found out a couple of years ago that she had moved to Oklahoma and we only lived a little more then 2 hours away from each other. The kids and I went down to see them about a year and a half ago and then we got to see them 2 times this spring when we were in Oklahoma for the NCAA tourney and for Rob to play baseball. I've really enjoyed seeing Brenda and catching up. This weekend I was really reminded why I've always enjoyed being around her. She is just so much fun!! Some of my funnest memories from college are crazy things that we did.

When we arrived at the zoo, there were tables set up out front trying to get visitors to donate blood. I initially had no intention of donating blood, but the kids thought it was a great idea to see blood coming out of their Mom's. We decided it was actually a smart idea, because it would definitely make a great story.
While they took Brenda and I back to get histories and donate blood, the girls got their nails painted. After their nails were painted they got to go and watch a movie until we were done.
From left to right: going in a circle - Anna, Amber, Amy Brenda, Maddie, Reagan, & Morgan

After we got done donating blood, we got to go eat snacks and the kids got to come, too. It worked out great because it was almost noon so the blood drive ended up providing us with a free lunch. We all got a piece of pizza, juice and snacks. We also got water bottles with awesome water bottle holders and Brenda and I also each got a free 4th of July blood t-shirt. We wore our t-shirts the next day (Rob & Marissa were NOT impressed that we were wearing matching t-shirts!!) We didn't get pictures of us, though, because we had gotten up at 4:30 to go pick up Marissa and her friends from EFY so neither of us were really too excited to get our picture taken!!
Reagan & Morgan eating the blood drive snacks.
The giraffes - got to take at least a few pictures of animals since this is indeed a trip to the zoo!!
Morgan & Anna
We went to the catch a keeper time with the elephants and saw the elephants get food and get a bath.
Maddie gets creative with her awesome bottle holder!
Reagan's baby, Morgan, Maddie & Amber. We spent quite a bit of time at the chimpanzee exhibit. Maddie remembered from her last trip to the zoo that one of the chimp's was pregnant. We asked a keeper which one it was and when the baby was due. The keeper's were actually on baby watch and thought it could be born that day. The girls were hoping to see it born and we checked before leaving, but still no baby chimp.
It just wouldn't be a trip to the zoo with posing with a statue.
Reagan didn't want her baby to be left out on the statue posing. I think this is the first time I've taken a picture of a baby doll with a statue. I guess there is a first time for everything!!
Reagan, Maddie, Morgan, Amber & Anna with a toad they found hopping around in the petting zoo area.
Maddie and the toad.

We all had a great day at the zoo!!