It was overcast and cold today in Anchorage. Obviously the perfect day for a birthday party at the zoo. The birthday boy is our friend Ryder. Reese and Jackson love him.

He’s like the little brother they’ll never have. Never. Ever.

I’ve mentioned the Anchorage Zoo before, I call it a zo. It leaves a little to be desired in the animal department. They did have some baby quail on exhibit this time. They were cute, which is what makes the sign next to their cage a bit disturbing.

Seriously.

There was also a new snow leopard. I think it was new anyway, I’ve only ever seen one, but this time there were two. The second one was very active. Active in that he was pacing the cage looking at our children like they were lunch.

It’s not like we had the kids run back and forth in front of the cage to get a rise out of him. For half an hour.

The big surprise for the birthday event was an up-close interaction with a fox. He seemed really enthusiastic about it.

I think we’re related.

Our last stop was the infamous alpacas. Jackson tried to feed them some grass…

Reese attempted a more traditional alpaca meal…

Plastic crabs. We’re naturalists.