You’re not going to believe this, but this was our first trip to the zoo since we’ve had kids.  I’m not kidding.  Look back in the archives… we’ve never been!  Noelle went with Poppa and Rara once when we went to Cancun, and we went to Sea World last year but never the zoo… we will definitely go back when I forget how tired I am… probably in another 5 years – lol!  We had a great day for real though, and made lots of awesome memories!!!

This is a mean salt water croc!

  

Noelle was pointing out where the snake was to Anna Kate, and she flipped out!

 

We each had something we wanted to see (well all except for me)… Mike wanted to see the monkeys, Noelle wanted to see the snakes, and Anna Kate wanted to see the birdies!!! (can you tell her wish was coming true!?!)

This is a huge komodo dragon! (I couldn’t even fit all of him in my lens)

I asked Anna Kate who was in this picture.  She proudly said, “Daddy, Anna Katey, and my blankey!”  (of course)

Wow, this penguin gave us a show!  Every time he swam up to the glass, the kids in unison, gasped “Ahh!”  He was so fast and kept coming back… it’s like he knew he was the center of attention and was basking in it.  But the leader of the pack (dude on the upper right-hand side of the pic) was not impressed, let me just say that.  I love his little fur sweater!  He was frustrated that there was some goofing around going on… makes “Happy Feet” that much more real.  Great movie, by the way!

Anna Kate digging the penguin parade!

  

Wow!  Anna Kate so proudly said “MY MINGOS!!!” right before I took this picture!

This is the way we roll!

This elephant was cooling off by flicking sand on his back and then his underside with his trunk.  It was a cool thing to witness!

“When I was a young warthog!!!”

 

This little creature of God is a stand out for sure!

Cool stance… never seen a giraffe bend over quite like this before, and I love that the little ducks are just chillin’ right beside their long necked friend!

I have to be me… I’m sick of censoring myself on here… it’s not real life.  I just try not to offend anyone, but I need to be me for me, so if you find this stuff offensive, just skip this post or stop reading.  It won’t hurt my feelings, I promise!

Okay, so here it goes… this elephant “dropped a deuce!” as one might say…

And this is the face that Bella made when she saw it happen.  Seeing the whole thing unfold just cracked me up…

The girls loved seeing this bird catch a real live (well not any more) mouse.  If you’re grossed out, I’m sorry.  For being wiggy about animals, the graphic stuff about the animal kingdom just doesn’t bother me like it probably does some of you… just skip this part! (or is that option too late!?!)

We were all excited to get so close to the white tiger!

This is the lazy animal series… Mike should’ve videoed me above him trying to make him wake up.  I bet I made a fool of myself, and it was all for nothing because the stinker did not budge.

The kangaroos had nothing for us either.  Lazy little things!

 

This is a baboon and a dangling orangutan!

I know this little lady needs some clothes (sorry ‘bout that), but the girls thought their kisses were so sweet, so I had to include a picture for them to have.

This is Noelle with the outdoor warm weather penguins… I always wanted a penguin for a pet as a child.  I wonder if there would be a way to get one of these guys for a pet (there are probably regulations against that, but it would be cool)… most of you guys know we don’t have pets, and I am definitely not an animal person, so this would never be an option for my kids… but it would be fun… just saying…

Happy Zoo Day!