Kansas City Zoo - July 6th

On July 5th we were between Lawrence and Kansas City for a going away party for one of Josh's army buddies. Actually our families are friends and Reggie is a company commander in the same battalion as Josh AND they are riding buddies (as in off road biking - the kind with pedals). We used this opportunity to make a mini-vacation. After the party we drove to a nice hotel that was on the way to the zoo, played in the pool for quite awhile, watched a movie and had a great night's sleep. The next day we were off to the zoo, after a stop for breakfast at a cool little neighborhood coffee house!

We were able to get half price admission since we are members of our local zoo and decided to splurge a bit and get the ride bracelets for the carousel, train and tram.

The children wanted to feed the fawns but after two quarters and only getting 4 tiny pellets of food we pulled an "Oma"! Which means picking some of the grass and feeding it to the animals. I think the fawns appreciated the fresh food and the children enjoyed feeding the "baby deers".

We all enjoyed a break from the heat and walking with a ride on the train. It was a little train (as you can see in the picture) but it was just right for us. The girls liked going into the tunnel the best.

There were pictures to be taken (the girls were using Emma's camera) and rocks to be climbed. In fact, I think our children had more fun climbing EVERY rock at the zoo. Maybe they should make a rock park just for climbing on....

I love these pictures of Eric. The first one to me looks like Josh at two and the other one I just love his sweet smile.

My girls!

My mini-me and Emma looks so much like Josh but in a very cute girly way.

Josh and I took turns being the parent who walked with Eric and this was our view.

Emma really enjoyed using the map and deciding where we were going next.

Erin is looking out of a "window"

We really liked this gorilla and how he was just relaxing with his feet propped up on the rock.

There was a lady from the Kansas City Star taking pictures of people at the zoo. Once she got her shots of our family, I asked if she wouldn't mind taking a few with my camera. Yea!

A family picture!!