River of Lights with the OK Parkes clan

We didn't go out much while Charlotte, Richard, Laura, and their family were visiting with us over Christmas, but we did have one big outing, to the River of Lights at the Botanic Gardens. The outing started with one vehicle being stuck in the driveway on the way out (we had to dig out the snow around the wheels and push the car out, but luckily didn't have to tow it -- this time) and ended with both vehicles being stuck in the driveway on the way in (we left the cars just off the road and walked in to the house, and towed the cars out the next morning). But between getting the car stuck and getting the cars stuck, we had a great time!

Our first stop was El Pinto, a great Mexican restaurant that is just far enough away that we don't get to eat there very often, then went to the Botanic Gardens for a beautiful walk through the River of Lights. It is hard to photograph light displays in the dark, but we did our best and here are some of the better pictures.

Mamaw and Adelaida sit on a bench and enjoy the view. (The red blanket behind them is a sheet that I draped over the double stroller, keeping the wind out of the babies' faces and letting them get some sleep while we walked through the gardens.)


Almost the whole crew: Benjamin in the stroller, Richard, Sarah standing on the bench, Charlotte, Dale, Adelaida standing on the bench, and Elizabeth standing on the bench. Estella and Cordelia are in the stroller covered by the red sheet behind Adelaida and Elizabeth.


giraffes


zebras


an owl, a lizard, and some cacti


Richard carried Adelaida a large part of the way


Elizabeth and Sarah in front of some penguins on ice


This was our first time at River of Lights, but we definitely plan to go back!