Boxing Day at the Zoo

Mark and Betsy took the day after Christmas off so we could enjoy some fun family time together.  We had hoped to go skiing or sledding but didn't get the chance (the weather was way to warm).  Marissa came up with the idea of going to the zoo!  What a great idea!  

We brought 5 cans to donate to Dare to Care.  Today was a cloudy day and a bit cloudy but still very nice for a day in December.

pounding on Santa's workshop's door

Up first on the list of exhibits was the TIGERS!  This tiger seemed to really like us.  He was very active and kept coming very close to the window to be near the girls.  It was amazing.  They didn't want to leave the exhibit.

Jessica and the tiger

Mark and I went on to the enclosed exhibit with bats, snakes, etc.  We saw the most amazing fruit bats.  They were huge - later on they opened up and we had an amazing show of their slender.

We had a wonderful time there - there were so many active animals

Another animal that the kids just adored was the charismatic orangetange - we fell in love with him instantly.

it was super fun to find this map - Jessica pointed out how far away the Philippines is from KY!  It's a long way away!

When we walked back through the exhibit - the bats were waking up - this bat was actually eating a piece of mango - amazing! 

look at their amazing wing spand

From there we went for a walk around the lake over to the Polar area - I love this photo of me with my girls.  Marissa is 17 - ready to start her adventure in the big world, and Jessica is 21 - back from an amazing adventure but ready to start the next chapter in her life.  They are amazing girls - and I love watching them grow up.

twinsies without trying

Robert went off ahead of us and we couldn't find him for a bit, luckily Marissa found him and guided him back to our group.  He has grown up so much and was a little adventurous - ready to grow up even more.

Robert and Marissa 

Marissa with an EMU

This was one of the most entertaining exhibits of the day - the Polar bear really put on a show.  He was awake and alert.  He was walking around everywhere ... and then all of the sudden ...

he decided to get right on the water's edge ... and ... 

jump in.  He swam over to this rock in the middle of his pond and looked right at us.  AWE!!!

Then he jumped in again to enjoy another swim. 

We also saw seals and otters!

Next on the show were the mighty elephants.  The king of land!

This one seemed to be waving at me. 

While we were admiring the elephants we all of the sudden heard the mighty roar of the LION!  Wow, I've been to the zoo a hundred times and never hear the lion roar.  Well, he kept roaring so we ran over (luckily it was very close) to see what was going on.  The lion's exhibit is very close to the giraffe's exhibit and it seemed that the lion wanted those giraffes to know they would be lunch if it weren't for the fact that he couldn't get out.  He was searching for a way to get over to them.  Awesome to witness.

We were all in awe of this majestic animal.  He had such power with his roar.

New family photo!

What a great day - thank you Marissa for suggesting such a great activity!!!