We're going to the zoo...

I have been feeling rather run down these days.  Between Natalie's lack of sleeping through the night and working full time, I am exhausted!  So far this year, I hadn't used a vacation day for a 'vacation'.  The days have been used when Claire was sick and for some of my maternity leave.  So I decided that the Friday before Labor Day would be the perfect day to use a little of the precious 'vacation' time that I have left.  My sister had the wonderful idea to do a family excursion so we could spend some quality time together.  (She moved back to town right before I went back to work, such a bummer!)  We decided to go to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park, which conveniently enough, is located about 10 minutes from home.  We made a girls day out of it when our mom joined the fun with us.

Admission is $8 for everyone, 2 and under get in free (thankfully both girls are free!) and well worth every penny.  The park is very clean, you can get so close to the animals, even feeding baby animals and birds (if you're brave enough - which none of us were).  Claire LOVED seeing lots of new species of animals we hadn't encountered before.  The tractor ride around the complex to see the large grazing animals was the perfect length to hold her attention and very educational.  While we were there all the animals were very active - a huge bonus to any zoo-like trip.

Claire, Aunt Andi and baby cousin 'Boots' checking out the ducks swimming in a pond

 Making a new friend :)

 This is one cute little fox!

 The baby zebra loved my mom (not that I blame her)

 I was so proud of her, she actually fed the goats! Partly because Grandma did it first :-)

Natalie's view for the first 15 minutes.  She spent the rest of the trip in the 

baby bjorn so she could see what was going on.

This is not the last time that we will be visiting, we may even go again this fall.  It was such a nice day to have a vacation day!  Too bad, I don't get more during the year ;-)