Columbus Zoo

Today we broke a record at the zoo, we arrived at 9:30, it opened at 9 and we left at 7 when it closed.  We had a great time.  Mrs. Pessia, Addisons KG teacher told him that her family didn't want to go to the zoo anymore so Addison told her we would invite her and he didn't forget!! Also our friend Karen retired in May and we told her we would take her to the zoo so we combined the trips and had so much fun.  Karen, Dan, Tammy, Laura, Anne (Mrs. Pessia) joined Addison, Ayla and me for a fun day at the zoo.

The polar bears were pretty active and neat to watch, this was the firs time we ever saw them in the water from the viewing area underwater, it ws playing with a ball.

Tammy and Anne watching the polar bear!

I pretty much just took pictures of what Addison told me to take or he took the pictures.  They just got 2 new bald eagles!

alligator

This is an alligator snapping turtle, he didn't move at all except for his tongue which we thought was bug and he was dead.  Finally a zookeeper came out and told us he was real and he was fishing, they can do that for up to 45 minutes before coming up for air, luckily we were at the end of the 45 minutes and got to see it come up for air.

Anne, Addison, Tammy, Karen and Laura watching the gorillas.

Addison and Ayla resting with some Bonobos

a mandrill

Addison's favorite an Okapi!

Addison, Anne, Laura, Dan and Ayla resting in the heat!

Addison and a kukaburro (Sp?)

The entire gang resting watching the flying foxes in the air continued building.

Laura, Tammy, Anne, Addison, Karen, Dan and Ayla.

Baby Elephant

I started trying to talk the kids out of going to the new Stingray exhibit, it cost extra money, it was hot and late but we all decided to go and glad we did, it was really neat.  They were so slimy and weird feeling. 

We were lucky enough to be around during feeding time, Addison and the rest of the adults fed them fish. Anne was being a great teacher to Addison helping him feed even though she didn't love it... see her face below.. haha. Addison really enjoy feeding them.  It took Ayla a long time to get the courage to touch them, once she did she touched them 15 times ( she counted) She was so happy once she did.

We stopped at Bob Evans on the way home and ate and the kids and a few adults fell asleep on the way home!  Thanks Vincent Family and Mrs. Pessia for a perfect day at the zoo.  Addison and Ayla had a wonderful day!!