the zoo.

Millie and Maddie love animals so we decided to take them to the zoo.  It was the perfect day.  Overcast but not cold.  I still managed to get a sunburn but it was worth it.  

Gracie and Maddie are three days apart and could be twins.  They were pretty inseparable the entire weekend.

We got there just in time to see the elephant crossing!  They were up close and personal with us.  It was fantastic.

Watching the elephants cross from one side of their land to the other...

This is the first time Peter has really been aware of the animals at the zoo.  He was fascinated when they would move around.

Looking at the meerkats.... in a cave.

Gracie took this picture for Daddy.  It's an elephant molar!  She thought it was disgusting!

A little after we arrived our buddies joined us.  Jayne was so happy that Evie was there to keep her company!

Lincoln and Graham held hands whenever they could.  It was so cute.

Graham made up this awesome lullaby and sang it to the lion...

All the silly boys.  Waiting for the girls to get done using the restroom.

There is this tree house that you can climb and play in.  I decided to let Peter cross the wobbly bridge all by himself.  He wasn't so sure about it!

All the kids!  Some were more pleased to take pictures than others...

Kangaroo ears!

Somebody is ready for a nap!  I love it when people try and be helpful or think they are funny by saying things like, "Doesn't he know he's not allowed to cry at the zoo?!  The zoo is a happy place!"

There was this mini parade for kids that have been adopted from outside of the country while we were there.  We loved the Chinese dragon.  Sometime during or after the parade Graham got separated from us and we didn't notice until several minutes had gone by.  I ran around like a crazy person trying to find him... finally found a zookeeper and she sent out a lost child signal to all the other workers.  After lots of tears and minutes that felt more like hours... we found him!  We both cried and hugged each other tight.  Scariest moment of my life.

Right after we found our Graham we went to the zoo show.  So boring... yet we go every time.  I don't know why we keep doing that to ourselves.

We made Maddie go on stage even though they didn't pick her so she could hold an animal...  She's the darling girl in the pink shirt and tan hat.

Waving good-bye to her family in case it's the last time she sees them...

And holding the SNAKE!

She was a pretty happy little Miss.  She said it was "so heavy!"

Somebody finally gave up and fell asleep!

After the bird show we decided we had had our fill and headed home.  It was a pretty fun day at the zoo!