This year, for the second time since I've been a mom, the Steelers went to the Super Bowl! As anyone who knows me knows, I'm a Pittsburgh gal. I was born outside of Pittsburgh in a little town called Monongahela. Most of my family still resides in and around the area. One of the things I love best about Western PA is the unique culture represented there. If you live in Pittsburgh for any length of time, you get bit by the sports' bug. You can't avoid it. You bleed black and gold. You canonize quarterbacks--even those accused of sexual assault. You wear your colors to church on game Sundays. It's a way of life. Being a nice, boring blend of Irish and English, I don't have the most exciting roots. But I have football. So now my boys do, too.
My grandparents keep my boys in Steelers garb, gracing them with cool outfits for birthdays and Christmas. Since Gibson has Paxton's hand-me-downs, he's set for life. They had no choice but to humor me on Super Bowl day as I dressed them in their black and gold best. Paxton even got lessons on how to wave the Terrible Towel. But I think he was most excited about the Steelers' snacks.
Tired boy checking out the pink flamingos. 
A brief pose with the lions on our way out. 
Cool aquarium in the toddler section. 
Giant tortoise and giant boy. 
Getting ready to take a dip in the wading water in the toddler section. 
Two friends hangin' at the zoo. 
Resting on the wall. 
Rock climbing. 
Taking in the sights. 
