A Day at the Zoo

Where is the summer going so fast?!? I can't believe June is almost gone and July here. Since my sisters moved here was have tried to make a point of planning things so we can all get together. Kimber has been especially good at helping to plan things. The zoo was one of the 1st things that came to mind. We met at the zoo around 10 so we could get to the elephant encounter by 1030. I had never been to the actual encounter so it was really cool. They demonstarted all the tricks the elephants can do, feed, and give them a "bath." Hallie has been talking about going to the zoo for weeks  so she was in heaven running from one animal to the next or to just watch an animal in general. She loved that the elephants could kick a ball and wash themselves with their trunks.

 Hallie loves Kimber and frequently says she is her favorite. Kimber is also so patient and loving with her..she carried her a lot because Hallie kept asking to be carried for 5 seconds..haha She also read most of the signs  and explained to her about all the animals.

 Im not sure what Gracie thought but she seemed to enjoy watching the animals move around and make noise.

Next was the bird show that was a little bit of a downer from the last time we went the wind was blowing(which was awesome because it helped keep us cool) and the birds had a hard time flying.

 

After the bird show it was time for some food. They had plenty of shaded places to sit and eat, it was nice.

 Kim made chocolate cake over the weekend and had been telling Hallie about it, so she brought her a piece. It was yummo!

 Gracie fell asleep while we ate lunch and ended up sleeping 2 1/2 hrs. Then back to the animals....

Then we got to the new exhibits and we were not at all disappointed. This is a model of a bald eagles nest next to their exhibit.

 Then there were the river otters.

 Then Hallie asked if she could take some pictures...this is one of them that worked out?

 They had interactive toys and stuff the kids could play in and with

 Then my favorite part of the day the sea lions, seals, and polar bear. The sea lion is huge(they said 200 lbs bigger than the polar bear). We loved the glass down lower so we could watch them play.

The polar bear was so funny and interactive with us. He would jump in the water, float on his back, come up 

against the glass and seemed like he was sniffing. Then get out and start all over again.

No this bear is not dead but very asleep

 The always favorite giraffe. The one was licking the cinder blocks with its black tongue it looked like a slug on the wall..yuck

 Hallie took this...pretty impressive

 The baby orangutan was so cute and playful, but I did notice the hotter the day got the less iterative the animals were.

 Our "group" picture Gracie was still asleep

 Rigs and Hallie loved climbing all over this gorilla

 Then there was the play ground. Rigs ate wood chips while Hallie played. Silly boy

 Then Hallie decided to take a break

 While we were at the playground Gracie woke up just in time to play in the water a little bit before we headed for home.

 This picture is so what our house is like. Gracie loves to watch Hallie. Hallie often will read, sing, or just talk to her.

 Me and my girls after a great day at the zoo

I was very surprised at how long we lasted we didn't leave the zoo until after 3. Then we headed to Jamba Juice for smoothies and enjoy the air conditioning. You may have noticed the necklace Hallie is wearing in most of the pictures...Kimber made that for her and brought it to the zoo she has worn it all day today too.