Annalise is Three!

Annalise wanted a "zoo birfday" this year, so we were more than willing to oblige. We started the day with a trip to Hogle Zoo.  

We loved the new "Rocky Shores" exhibit with the polar bear and grizzlies. This polar bear put on quite a show for us in the water. I am quite certain he was a member of a synchronized swimming team at his last zoo, probably the captain.

These grizzlies must be brothers because they were wrestling for a good half-hour. We just sat and watched while we ate our lunch. It was fun to see them so active.

I am always amazed by the size of the tigers. These are Siberian, also known as Amur, tigers which are the biggest "cats" living today.

All the kids by the gorilla exhibit. It appears that Annalise is the size of a juvenile. That explains a lot of the drama at my house. :)

Then we had a little family party that evening. Annalise was very excited to open her presents! 

She has wanted this "Princess Yoshi" backpack for a long time. She carried it around every time we went to Hobby Lobby and would say "please, for my birfday?" before she could part with it.

 Annalise loves ponies. 

 And drawing.

Here's the darling zoo cake Ryan made for her, complete with her three favorite animals: penguins, zebras and monkeys. She was pretty excited about it.

Happy Birthday, Annalise! You are the sweetest little 3-year old ever!