San Diego Zoo

 Saturday was another big day.  Fortunately, both kids slept well and woke up happy.  We had breakfast and then hit the road for the zoo.  Shad was especially excited to see the tigers and the gorillas.

Getting ready to go in.

      We got there and started walking.  It only took about five minutes to realize the place was massive and we had no idea where to start.  We decided to do the bus tour first to orient ourselves and help choose what we would want to spend more time at after.  It was nearly an hour wait and Shad ended up having to go potty while we were in line and then Bailey lost it starving.  Trying to nurse covered up standing in a line with a bunch of strangers is so much harder than it sounds.  Fortunately we got her fed and Shad to the bathroom just in time for our tour.  It turned out pretty ideal because we actually ended up at the very front on the top.  We were amazed that pretty much ALL the animals were out and active.  The tiger was up pacing, the polar bear was playing in his pool, the bears were out.  Everything.   This turned out to be an enormous blessing, because not long after our tour it started to rain.  It ended up raining quite a bit and all the animals headed for cover.  We weren't going to let a little rain stop us though.  Luckily, the gorillas were out and right by the windows.  They were all congregated like they were having a meeting.  He loved watching them, especially since there was a smaller one.  We walked all over that zoo. . . . a little more than we meant to in some instances.  It is an absolutely beautiful place.  Fortunately, Shad wasn't too bothered by the rain or the fact it got pretty cold.  Bailey was a trooper, but it was getting clear she was done with this little trip.  It was another really long day and we hit the road headed back to my sisters three hours away to spend a few more days with them.  Thank heavens for DVD players, breast pumps and a car big enough I fit between the car seats in the back!!  It was a great trip and we are so grateful we got to go spend some time with our little family.

The Hippos were fun to watch from the under water viewing later.  Turns out they can't swim.  They "moon bounce" along the bottom.

In the next life I want to play with the big cats.

What arctic animal doesn't like a plastic ball to play with?

Happy baby, tired mommy.

Having some lunch.

 

Couple of the big boys.

Not sure if he was actually paying attention to his elders or just teasing the people behind him.

That silly monkey is wearing a red jacket!

Really?  More time in the stroller?

Who needs exotic animals when you have tractor parts?  Typical boy Shad loves machines.  (as long as they aren't noisy.)