A trip to the Zoo

*Warning* *This is another Picture heavy post*


One of my friends invited the girls and I to go with her and her kiddos on an outing to the Zoo. She has a pass and can get us all in. So we decided to go with her last Friday. I was a little worried about going as I have been over-booking myself a lot lately. But we decided that if we went early enough and got out at around 12:30 we could do it.

Our local Zoo has just opened a newly finished exhibit with a polar bear, black bears, river otters, bald eagles, seals, sea lions and a walrus... This exhibit is very neat. Everything is updated and much nicer for the animals.

The kids are in love with the place. And to tell you the truth so am I. I have always liked the Polar Bear as a favorite at the zoo. And now I really like the Polar Bear!

Anywho, There is a lot to get through before you see the Polar Bear. And I didn't start taking pictures really until we got to the exhibit with all the previously mentioned animals. :)

Here we are watching the Seals, Sea Lions, and the Walrus... and playing in the "Bald Eagles' Nest"

Then we saw the Polar Bear

He was so playful that I took some video too :)

Next we saw the Black Bear Exhibit... and first you couldn't see the bears but then you walk around the corner and find the Mommy Bear laying down and one of the "cubs" coming down to visit and rest with her. And I decided to take some more video.

Some Pics at the Bear Exhibit, then the kids wanted to pose on the Polar Bear Statue...

After that the Reptile and Small Animal house...

We found the "baby" Siamese Crocodile, and as I was reading the sign to the kids to tell them about this crocodile, I was informed by a Zoo Keeper that she wasn't a baby she had turned 3 about 2 weeks ago. Which would make her the exact same age as Ellie. So I had to take pictures of her with Ellie. 

Ellie is telling Audrey how old the Crocodile is. 

Taking their picture together :)

Audrey's favorite bird the Flamingo, and the only reason I came into this stinky building today. Though we were  pleasantly surprised by the other animals. 

Our Friend the Parrot.

The Parrot decided to be playful today too, he chattered at us and did some tricks for us. So I decided to take some video of him as well.

When we walked out of the building we saw this lovely bird strutting around. And the girls had to have a picture because he is the same bird as the bad guy in Kung Fu Panda 2. "Except he is white and wears a skirt. So does that make him a girl???", Audrey said to me...

Then of course we went to see the tigers and ride on the carousel.

Ellie didn't want to ride the carousel on the animals...
She did relax a little and enjoy the ride as we started going...  

Then we had to head to the Discovery land to play, but first we saw these guys.

 And Audrey was soooo excited she said, "Mommy! Are these the Nine-Banded Armadillos?!" I looked at the sign and said why yes they are honey! Thank you Diego, for teaching my child about odd creatures like this one. 

Then we played...

And yes we did actually get out of the Zoo at 12:30. We had fun and I think it was a nicely successful adventure out and about with friends!