The art of De-Decoring and FFF.

Okay, so after a rather hectic post Christmas weekend (flu, family, travel and guests) we arrived home and got straight to work dismantling Christmas.  Okay, that sounds horrible. I did leave the Creche up with the Three Kings, although I am still debating on whether or not we will do that bit of tradition this year. But the tree was done, not to mention rather fully encased in spider webs thanks to the unseen Christmas Spider we acquired at some point. Sweet little thing, I don't think I have ever been quite so creeped out de-ornamenting the tree...unless you count the time with the cockroaches in Hawaii (full-body shudder).  I was also feeling quite cramped with all the extra in the house so decided to clean up. It wasn't so horrible in the end and I am finding that I may not put back all the nik nacky stuff I had out originally as I am kinda liking the bare spots. Hmm, where is this going, I wonder?

Jeff and his dad spent the day doing the same sort of thing to the shop. Of course, there was a bit of moaning and groaning when I went in and dug out all of the Christmas boxes that they had so deftly stashed and shoe-horned into hard-to-reach, out-of-the-way spaces, but....Oh Well! At least they didn't have to do the Christmas tree lights!  (Ugh, upon typing that last line I realize that we still have the outdoor lights and tree to take care of....poop.)

After all of that hard work I decided it was time for some FFF, otherwise known as Forced Family Fun.  Grandma Kathy gave the family a membership to the Point Defiance Zoo last year and I have to admit that the thing I most looked forward to getting to do (other than visit the meerkats EVERY DARN DAY if I felt like it) was going to see Zoo Lights.  I have wanted to go every year, but the cost as a non-member seemed rather prohibitive for six people. Well this year, I decided, was the year! So, we bundled up in our winter warmest and trundled out to the car and on our way to Tacoma.  Though we have not had any snow, it was kinda fun to cross the Narrows and find a light dusting on the ground. Nothing to play in, but still fun to see.

Upon arriving at the zoo, I have to say I was a bit taken aback.  I have NEVER seen so many people there! The lot was entirely full with at least half a dozen cars per aisle waiting for empty spots. God felt my disappointment, or else noticed the rise in my blood pressure, however, and directed us to the very edge of the lot where a lone parking elf waved us into the employee parking lot, RIGHT NEXT TO THE ENTRANCE! Gotta love Him!

All I can say about the lights is......WOW. I didn't get a lot of pictures due to my inexperience with taking pictures in the dark and also due to the fact that it did in fact start to snow while we were there....well, okay, it kinda hailed, or SN-AILED, as Jeff so deftly described it.


Can you imagine complaining about hanging a few measly lights on your house after this?





The eagle actually swooped down and picked up a fish and flew off. This was a really neat display!




One of my favorite.

 

Not quite sure about the red eyes on the polar bears....





LEMURS!! (nope, no meerkat lights...:-( )



(Big Happy Sigh) 
My new desktop pic, by the way....



Yes, I know, it's blurry. But bet you can tell who is who...

Due to the delayed flash because of the darkness, no one new when to smile or move, thus the seriousness. But we really did have fun!! And it really was cold!!!

Thank you Grandma Kathy!