The New African Forest

The zoo opened their big new section for a members' preview this week.  Rachel and I went on Friday and we really liked it.  They have moved the giraffe exhibit and have new rhino and chimp exhibits.  There is also fun stuff to do.

This was our view from the new restaurant where we stopped for lunch - it is between the giraffe and rhino exhibits

The new rhinos

Rachel greeting the rhinos

Rachel loved getting up close and personal with the chimps

This chimp came up to say hello to Rachel while she was looking in the window

Rachel enjoyed playing the drums

And exploring the huts

She has not forgotten her old favorites, though - she still enjoyed saying hello to the fish.

Before we left, Rachel was able to stop a rhino that was trying to escape.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful time visiting Wes' family in Utopia and Dripping Springs for Thanksgiving.

We had fun seeing all of the cousins, aunts and grandparents

Rachel played with Uncle Travis

And showed off how good she is at putting on a necklace

Rachel can even drive a truck!

Rachel had fun with cousin Whitney

and with cousin Conner

She probably had the most fun with cousin Jonathan.  She thinks he is great.

We all enjoyed the barn party, even though it was very cold

The food was delicious

Rachel and Grammy were bundled up

Rachel liked spending time on the ranch.  She got to feed the fish.

Rachel did not get to play football with everyone at GranDave's house - maybe next year.

She did get to play some with her newest cousin Emily

We visited with Aunt Dawn and her family

And we got to see Aunt Mandy.  We haven't seen her in a long time!

Rachel did not get to do the zip line either, but she did get to watch Wes

It was good to see everyone (and enjoy some yummy food)

Pepper Picking

We have all been enjoying spending time in our little garden this fall.  We have had a great crop of peppers - mostly habanero and the naga chile (Wes ordered the seeds from India).  Rachel likes to help in the garden.

Rachel bringing in the harvest

Finding the red peppers

Wes' impressive naga chile plant

A close-up of the naga or ghost chile

Rachel is also pretty good at saying pepper.  Here is a short video of our time in the garden.

November Zoo Fun

We had some nice weather in November so Rachel and I went to the zoo several times.  She loves the animals and loves to run around the children's zoo area.

A hug for the bison statue

Saying hello to the goats

Enjoying the petting zoo

Rachel sees a bird

Look - these bison are still in the same place!

New jellyfish exhibit

Seeing the giraffe in their new enclosure for the first time

Watching the elephants eat - the two babies are so cute!

Making her best monkey sounds

Halloween

We had a great time for Halloween.  On the Saturday before Halloween, we went to the ArBOOretum in the morning and the Fall Festival at church in the afternoon.  Rachel enjoyed being a cowgirl for a day.

Rachel enjoyed playing the nature games - here she is fishing

And exploring a pond

Rachel carried her pumpkin and collected some candy

The path lead us through some nice parts of the arboretum.  It was perfect weather.

She enjoyed climbing on the "spider web"

She chose her own pumpkin to decorate

Decorating is very serious business

Before heading home, we all enjoyed a little train ride

Rachel enjoyed the petting zoo at the church Fall Festival

She also played in the bounce house with her friend Penelope

And her friend Holden 

She topped all the fun off with a refreshing snoball