NC Zoo

This past Friday, my parents were going to take Cal and Jackson to the North Carolina Zoo. We thought Andy and I might like it too, so we all went! Cal and Jackson rode to the zoo with my parents, and Andy and I rode in my car.  Andy dozed off on the way there, so it was a very pleasant drive for me! I think Cal and Jackson argued the entire way there, so I can't say my parents' trip was as relaxing!

We got to the zoo bright and early and headed into the Africa section.  This zoo is HUGE-- I was stunned how large it is-- and it would take a full day to cover the place.  We knew the section for these boys to see was Africa. 

As much as Cal loves to run around, we still thought we should bring the stroller in case they needed a break, or if they wanted to have a snack while we pushed...

Just checking out the maps for us:

I had to go back and pull a few pics from the last trip to the zoo with gramma and grandpa.  The stroller pic above reminded me of this one below, from a year ago:

 We paused for a quick picture with all of the boys. 

 Next we were off to see all of the monkeys, gorillas, chimps, etc...

 But we had to pose with the statues before.  Just like we did last time!

this picture makes me want to cry-- cal looks so little!!!

 Jackson played on a soccer team this year (Cal was too young), and when we went to a game and they were short a player, Cal got to go in (he was in HEAVEN).  Since then, Cal refers to himself as "Soccer Star" (he's so modest).  My mom found this outfit at Costco-- super cool soccer shirt and shorts.  She got a few outfits (uniforms??) for Cal and then had to go back and get them for Jackson too.  The boys HAD to match at the zoo! This was their choice, I promise!

 I think the gorilla liked their bright shirts; he was staring at them constantly!

 After the gorillas, etc, we saw the sign for the dinosaurs.  We have seen the dinosaurs at the museum, and Cal really liked those, so I thought this might be fun to try.  When we first walked in, there was a dinosaur we could climb on for pictures...

Then you follow a gravel trail, where there are dinosaurs on each side... only these dinosaurs MOVE, and make noise...

 I tried to take pictures the whole way through, but Cal was NONE too excited about them moving! haha!

you can see the worker guy in the back watering something-- gives you perspective on how HUGE the things are

 Cal would hug the right side of the trail when looking at a dinosaur on the left, and then all of a sudden, there would be another one on the right, so he would go to the left.  He bounced back and forth the entire way through.  I know they scared him to death, but he kept saying how much he liked them!

 Little Nugget had fun too.  He LOVED the dinosaurs-- went crazy laughing watching them move all around. 

After the dinosaurs, we headed over to the elephants, and we let Andy out of the stroller then.  He was thrilled to get out and run away around. 

 Andy really liked pointing out the animals.  He would get really excited and squeal.

 My failed attempt to get a picture with the boys.  Oh well. Here is proof I was there!

 We let Andy play around a bit more before moving on...

We headed over to the rhinos next and they had some eggs you could climb in and on.  I love these of the boys...

After the rhinos, we had to take a picture in front of the jeep-- just like last time!

 

And then....
We went to see the giraffes.
And I can honestly say, I have never seen Andy act like this before...

 There was a big group of people gathered around to watch the giraffes come out, but when Andy went CRAZY wild screaming for the giraffes, all of the people turned their attention to him.  Seriously, it was the funniest thing ever.  He started pointing, then clapping, and screaming, and laughing and screaming some more.  UN. believable! I took a video of it...

This picture was taken after the giraffes were walking away.  The boys are waving bye to them, and Andy is spent after all of the excitement!

 It was such a fun day at the zoo.  I hope to go back again..maybe next year for more pictures!