San Deigo Zoo

Gramps and Grammie had the idea for us all to go to the zoo while everyone was together on the 4th of July. Nathan's step-brother Brian and his wife Rhonda were able to get us in. Rhonda works there as a zoo keeper in charge of one of their many aviaries. She was able to get us all in for free including Nathan's Dad, step-Mom and step-sister Silence. It was the day after the 4th of July and a Saturday so it was pretty busy. I have never been to the zoo before only the wild animal park, everything is so well taken care of and really beautiful with its big trees and tons of exotic plants and flowers. Brian and Rhonda were so thoughtful, they brought Braydan and Tes and San Diego zoo bucket full of goodies and snacks and pennies for the penny smashers. We got to watch Rhonda at work for a while as she fed all of her birds. As soon as she got off she was our own personal guide around the zoo. We got all the inside information and the one of the coolest parts of the whole day was she took us behind the scenes in the Tiger enclosure. We were literally Feet away from the huge male Tiger and about 6in. to 1 foot away from the mama tiger with her 3 babies. Incredible experience to be that close to something that wild and dangerous. The Gorillas were funny with their bums pressed against the glass, the lions roared at us, the elephants stuck their heads over the fence and we were able to see them really close, and the polar bear did his business right in front of us in the water. yuck. We stopped and ate and rested, with some much needed diet for me. :) We were their all day, and we all had a blast. The kids came home with binoculars, mini zoo animals, and a smashed penny wallet from Aunt Silence, along with all their goodies from the day. We got home with three very tired spoiled kids. Thanks Gramps and Grammie. Thanks Brian and Rhonda.

{click on the image for a better and closer look at our trip}