the perfect day

it's not very often that we get a weekend at home with little to do. we are trying to pack in the traveling, so our weekends are pretty booked. but, for tate's birthday auntie cathryn sent him money to go to the stuttgart zoo. we have wanted to go since so many of our friends rave about it...

we just happened to go on the BEST spring day possibly ever! we went with our friends, the bon durants (angela, chad and beau) who are actually season pass holders because they love this zoo so much. and now we know why...

we walked in and saw amazing flowers- everywhere! so not only is this a zoo with every animal you can imagine- from polar bears to flamingos- but also breath taking botanicial gardens as well.

 there were two baby gorillas born recently- we could have stayed all day just to watch them playing!

 here are 3 of the cutest little monkey's ever!

 just one of the picture perfect spots at the zoo

after we left the zoo, we decided to walk through stuttgart's version of NYC's central park (it is fabulous!) to meet up with the leadbetter's and the weisman's for lunch at a beirgarten and playtime for the kids. it was so warm and sunny that we just didnt want to leave...

so, we decided to head over to the leadbetter's for some more sunshine, drinks and dinner! chris and sara made a surf and turf feast for us while brian and i had the tough job of watching the 4 kids play in the backyard (they are all at the ages now where you have to do very little, since they entertain eachother) and sipped on some prosecco. tough life.

here are the little ones eating together. love the look on shane's face!

wait- this one is even better....

after dinner macy's dream came true. she got a romantic swing with shane... oh wait, it's nick she is in love with! oh well, i guess any leadbetter will do...

what a fabulous day. all it takes is a few friends and some sunshine to make this girl happy! (having brian around and a little prosecco didnt hurt a bit either!)