Our First Trip to the Indy Zoo!

Okay, so I'm way behind in blogging and with things as crazy as they've been, I've decided that if time allows, I'll post what we've been up to the last few months, but until then, I'm vowing to keep going forward.
And what better way to start than with our latest adventure...

Aunt Julie, Uncle Ed and baby Charles came to visit us one last time before they move to Cuba for the next 2 years!  So, we decided to take the kids for their first trip to the zoo!  What an experience!  I think everyone had an awesome time!!

We decided to go early in the morning before it got *too* hot.  It turned out that Saturday's high ended up in the mid to upper 90's depending on which thermostat you read.

So, we got to the zoo about an hour after they opened - not too bad.  We made our way into the park and were greeted by the park photographers who snapped a few shots of us as we started out on our adventure (a good idea, considering we all looked like overheated pigs by the time we left)!





A group photo upon entering the park! 
I LOVE that Addisyn wanted to wear her sunglasses!!  They stayed on more than halfway through the park!!

 Our first stop was at the outdoor exhibit of the Seal.  He was barking up a storm!!  Addisyn wasn't too sure what to think about all of the commotion until she actually saw him swimming in the water.  Then she was hooked and we were off to see more animals!

We made our way past the Lemurs, which Addisyn just admired!  Eric kept asking her if they looked like Grandpa and she would reply, "Yeah"!  LoL.



Taking a little break by the flamingos!  Addisyn and daddy were pointing to the Lemurs playing in the middle of the exhibit and the turtles on the wall.  I think there were ducks around there too!  So much to take in!!

 While Julie and Ed took a little break to feed a hungry Charles, we walked through the Desert exhibit.  Addisyn had a great time picking out all of the lizzards and birds and such, but her absolute favorite had to be the Meerkats!  They would run up to the glass and then run away from the kids.  It was too funny!!

Daddy holding Addisyn up to watch the Meerkats digging!

After a short break for a bottle, a sippy and a snack, we made our way over to the Plains where we saw all sorts of animals!  We even stood in line for a special encounter ... feeding the giraffes!!

Snapshot from a distance ... amazing!!

 While waiting in line for the giraffes, we ran into one of Addisyn's classmates from day-care!  Nicholas and his mom and dad and his aunt were all at the park too!  Once Nick realized who we were, I think he was more interested in playing with Addisyn than feeding the giraffe!  The poor guy got right up to the giraffe with his mommy and then totally flipped out!!  He was shaking he was so scared!  But he didn't seem any worse for wear after it was all said and done.  Maybe the kids will compare notes tommorow at school.  Haha!!

Uncle Ed and Charles feeding the giraffe!!

Mommy and Addisyn feeding the giraffe! 
I really thought she was gonna feed him ... right up until we got to him, and she said, "No, Momma do".
And sure enough, as soon as we stepped out of line, she signed and kept saying "More.  More."
Thanks Auntie Julie for another dollar so we could feed him again!  :)

And of course, we can't forget Hunter!  He was a pretty good trooper too!  Chilled out in the stroller, took a few naps.  Had some bottle and we all shared a frozen lemonade treat.  He wasn't too sure about it at first, but I think he liked it.  He kept opening his mouth for more!

Here's my smiling baby boy!

 While eating our frozen lemonade, Addisyn was glued to the baboons that were in the exhibit by the treat stand.  That was until they started squwaking at each other.  But after they settled down, she kept asking to go back.  A little bit of distraction and we were off to see the lions and tigers and well, the bears were inside asleep, but we did see an ostrich and elephants!!

Daddy and Addisyn checking out the Elephants! 
Notice the red cheeks - she decided she didn't want to wear the sunglasses anymore and it was definitely getting warm!

As we were heading back to the front of the park, Addisyn spotted the splash pool.  Mommy wasn't prepared for this little detour today, so we made do with what we had.  We stripped her of her shoes and socks and shorts and let her run through the water in her t-shirt and diaper!  This child would have stayed in the splash pool ALL DAY if we'd let her.  Mommy drug her kicking and screaming when it was time to go.  But luckily right around the corner was a playground ... and a BIG slide.  We compromised ... got her dressed and daddy took her to visit the playground, but the slide was too hot, so we moved on to the tiger exhibit, where Addisyn actually touched the tiger fur at the demonstration stand!

Babydoll playing in the splash pool.  The longer she was there, the more comfortable she became and she started running between two fountains that would spray water up into the air.  When mommy left the pool, she came over, un-velcro'd my sandals and tried to get me to come back and play with her!  Smart cookie!!

 It was getting rather warm outside, and we were all getting tired and hungry, so it was decided that we'd cut our trip short and go get something to eat instead of stopping by the oceans exhibit.  But not to worry, I'm sure we'll be going back soon!

After a stop in the gift shop, where Addisyn visited most of the stuffed animals, she fell in love with this little monkey guy that we had to bring home.  She was feeding him breakfast this morning, but that pic is on the other camera, so we'll have to share it next time.

A few shots from lunch at Hard Rock Cafe:

Drawing on the leftover box.  Addisyn did a good job eating her mac -n- cheese, a few of mommy's fries and both of the pickles from mommy's sandwich.  I think her favorite part though was the orange for dessert.  She finished it in no time and asked for "more more".

Ed watching TV and working on his adult beverage.

I think she said, "you better not" as I snapped this shot.  Charles looks like he was intrigued by the camera again!

Hunter was SO good here too!  He woke up from his nap, talked up a storm, ate a bottle and chilled out!

After all was said and done, we're considering our first trip to the zoo a success! 

Have fun in Cuba, Latrell family!! 

Thanks so much for coming to visit us in Indy!!  We hope you enjoyed your stay!!

Cousins at the zoo!  Next time, we'll be chasing all 3 of them! :)