Zoo Trippin'

Our zoo is not super close to our house....it is a good hour and 15 minute drive so we don't bop in for a 2 hour visit like we did when we lived close to Des Moines.....however the zoo is pretty awesome and the kids are getting older so we have started to enjoy a zoo road trip about monthly (yes we bought a zoo pass).  The kids are at a great "zoo age" in which they get excited to see the animals and our zoo has some great places to stop all the animal viewing and just play (splash pad, play ground, indoor exhibits, indoor climbing zone) which helps my kids to keep going.  We usually make it a 4 to 5 hour affair and at the end of it Andie, Isaac, and I are tired of walking and Caleb is just plain tired......we drive home tired, quiet, watching a movie and napping (well.....I am not doing either of those but the kids are).

Our zoo trip today was just plain fun.  Just my kids and me.  My first time making the trip solo.

We took our time, went our own pace, stopped and rested when we needed and just had a fun day.  Andie brought her camera so she could take pictures and make her own zoo book when she got home so you may see her with a camera in her hand in lots of the pictures.

First stop.....starfish, sharks and stingray....we always start here.

Sea otters are always a favorite

Time to see some Grizzlies....they are ALWAYS sleeping when we come.....

 NOT TODAY!! We have three swimmers.  One was even chasing a fish while we were there.

So the grizzlies were by far my favorite of the day as you can tell I took tons of pictures.  Dad....thought you would love these.

Next stop.....Farm time!  Goats, cows, horses, chickens, bunnies.

The seasonal display...Big, moving bugs.  Don't let that Tarantula get you Caleb!!

Time to play on some bugs

And in the water.  Love that they have a splash pad that we can stop and cool down in between animal visits.

So first big day trip of the summer is done.  Fun was had by all.  Boys are a little wild right now but I think early bed times will be on the agenda tonight!