One Last Adventure

Cute boys!

We had to squeeze one last outing in before Randy went back to work. The boys have been begging to go to the zoo, so we decided to grant their wish, and early Wednesday morning we went to Hogle Zoo. I love getting to the zoo right when it opens because it is not very crowded and it isn't very hot yet.

We found a fun new section at the Rocky Shores exhibit. They added a little splash pad. I wasn't prepared with towel and swimsuits, so I didn't let my boys splash too much. They were more interested in the big slide inside of a lighthouse anyway. But if you go to the zoo, make sure you plan for a little wet play. It looked fun!

A tube slide comes out of the lighthouse (it's dry).

The splash pad

We watched the polar bear for a long time. She kept swimming up to the glass and then diving on his back. It was the most active we have ever seen the polar bear, so Mark and Dax were thrilled. We also had fun watching the tiger. He was playing with this huge ball, in and out of the water. At one point he took both paws and hit the ball so hard it made a huge BAM right against the glass! Everyone jumped. The animals are so active in the morning....another reason I try to get there early.

He looked just like a house cat playing with this ball, but slightly larger and scarier.

We watched the orangutan climb up and perch on this pole.
We wondered what he was thinking.

The polar bear was in constant motion--so fun to watch!

Obviously we went to the bird show. It's the best part of the zoo. Mark has most of the jokes memorized, but he always says it's his favorite part.

I think Dax and Seth still enjoy riding the carousel the most. I had to take about 10 pictures of Seth to get him to look and smile at the same time. I should have videoed him because he kept bouncing along to the music.

We had lots of fun at the zoo. We are so excited for the new exhibit they are working on right now. Mark says it will be the first time he ever gets to see a lion. Too bad we have to wait until next summer.

Dax LOVES the carousel.

Mark has to ride the mandril or the gorilla.

Seth had a lot of fun, too!