Zoo day

 We live very close to the Nashville zoo, and I have a membership. Since we go there a lot I don't always take my camera (how many meerkat pictures can one person take really? haha) but we went the day before Halloween and I knew there would be some cute decorations out!

 Like this pumpkin pile! I love that kitty face in the top right!

This was one of Travis' vacation weeks and I was a little bummed we didn't get to go on a big trip. But it ended up being great to be in town for most of the week with no work obligations!

 Lots of the exhibits had pumpkins in them. A pumpkin in his natural habitat.

 How cute is that little ghost on the cockatoo perch!

 This was our first visit since they opened their new kangaroo walk about thing. I have never seen one at any other zoo where the kangaroos aren't all as far from the paths as possible. This guy was just lounging there waiting for us to pet him! He was so soft! Almost like a rabbit!

They do a "Ghouls at Grassmere" thing before Halloween so all the candy booths were lining the trails. Most of them have "keep out" signs on them, but this one didn't so I made Travis pose for me.

 It was a gorgeous day. Tennessee is really beautiful in the fall!

 Snow leopards!

 I always love staring at the flamingos. It was some kind of flamingo nap time when we walked by.

 Except for this creep.

 They have baby camels right now too! These two don't give you kisses (a few falls ago they had a pair that was so sweet and let you kiss them!) but they sure were cute!

 They also had some new Galapagos tortoises! They are so giant!

It was very fun! We went home and chilled on the couch for the rest of the night, which is the best. Especially when Travis doesn't have to go to bed at 8 o'clock because he works so early! I can't wait for our next vacation week!

I am 28!

Yesterday was my 28th birthday. I couldn't decide what I wanted to do, and almost stayed home but my best friend called me up and we went out to breakfast! It was fun. Here is a silly picture she took of me, and that cute golden retriever puppy!

 We went to Fido in Hillsboro village. I had pancakes, and a soy chai latte! It was awesome.

Crystal and I have been best friends for a long time. I'm so happy she was off on my birthday so we could hang out all day.

 After breakfast we went to my appointment at Flash City! My artist, Jason St. Clair was super sweet and came in to the shop early so I could get tattooed on my birthday.

We finished up my half sleeve with some clouds and lightening. He had hoped to start on my Audrey 2 piece, but we ran out of time! Oh well, I'll be back soon to work on it. It is nice to be done with that arm! I've been working on it for two years!

 By the time my appointment was done Travis was off work and we met up and went to the Nashville Zoo! His parents gift me a membership every year, I love it! It's really close to my house (like within 2 miles) and I really should go more!

 Sometimes I can hear these monkeys calling from my backyard!

 Zoo juice!

We have lots of pictures of us with these meerkats over the years. I need to put them all in one place sometime and see how much we've changed. Travis and I actually went on our first date to the Nashville zoo! And Crystal came! Ha!

 Can you believe there are so many pictures of me in this post? That never happens! And can you believe how bad I need a haircut!

 Cute green lizard.

 Sea horses are so weird. They seem like they are a mistake, the way the flop around!

 The tapirs were so cute! Look at that silly nose!

 My two bffs.

 The flamingos were so pretty.

Even when they were fighting.

After the zoo we drove south and grilled out at my parent's house. It was low key, but a really great birthday. 

Naples Zoo

 When I was in Florida I got a chance to leave the resort and the program for the morning and go to the zoo. I had noticed it when we were shuttled in, but didn't know how I'd be able to go. Luckily there were a few other people interested in taking a little field trip. The Naples zoo is also a botanical garden, and it was beautiful! The weather was so perfect too.

 Do you see all the gators in the water? 

 Does anyone know what kind of bird this is? They are so cute, and we saw tons of them on the beach. 

 They had a station where you could feed the giraffes. I didn't have any cash to do it, but it was fun to stand and watch a few other people do it. They had maybe 7 giraffes, and this one was the most friendly for sure.

 Look at how much fun this kid is having! Dang I wish I would have done it now. Oh well. 

 The best part of the zoo was the primate cruise! You rode on a pontoon boat around a bunch of islands with different monkeys and apes. It was so fun! Our guide was great, too.

 Sweet ape face. This lady was SO loud! And cute. 

 Such a pretty ape!

 Boyfriend and girlfriend.

 Here I am with Linda and Latoya. Linda was someone I met this week. She was super inspiring and nice. And Latoya works with me, but I didn't know her very well before this week, but I know a lot about her now! It was wonderful having someone I knew to hang with. I'm a pretty anxious person so it helped a lot.

 Sweet tigers having a swim.

 I got a smashed penny to add to my collection. My favorite souvenir to get anywhere. 

 Nerd Alert

The Naples Zoo was so great. Probably the most beautiful zoo I've been too. And it was a great little break in the week.