Zoo Days

A month or so ago, our family got a membership to the Hogle Zoo, and it has been an awesome. My sister Allison was begging me for weeks to split the cost of a membership with her, and at first Dustin and I were hesitant. We didn't think the zoo was worth more than one trip during the summer, and there were other things we wanted to spend sixty bucks on. But finally we caved, and ended up getting a Booster Deluxe membership and splitting it between me, Allison, and our cousin Kim. Each of us gets in free, plus we can bring two adults along for free, plus all our kids get in free. Every time. Also, we get unlimited free rides on the carousel each visit, and discounts on any zoo purchase in the stores or restaurants. We will get to go to Zoo Lights for free too when it opens.

We have already gone three or four times since we got the pass, so it has definitely paid for itself. We sometimes we meet up with Kim's family or Allison's, and sometimes we just go with the four of us. The girls love the seals and the crocodile. The polar bear finally came out last time we were there and we got right up close, it was awesome! Lia and Eleanor also like to ride the carousel. They do pretty well for the most part. Usually they get tire and cranky as we are leaving, but the good thing about having a membership is we don't feel like we have to see every exhibit in one day. We can spend a couple hours visiting the bears and monkeys, and then go back the next weekend to see the elephants and giraffes. The other cool thing is the membership lasts for an entire year, and next summer the zoo's brand new African Safari exhibit is opening. We will get to go see the new exhibit for free when it opens! Also, did you know there is a new splash pad at the zoo now? Yep, I'm pretty satisfied with the zoo membership.

Man, I should have gotten Hogle Zoo to pay me for this awesome recommendation! Now here are some pics of our family having fun at the zoo. (Click the link to find out more about Hogle Zoo memberships: here)

That display is made of Legos.

Elephants!

Lia is banging on her chest like a Gorilla. Love her.

Riding the carousel. That tiny buffalo is my favorite. 

More carousel.

And more carousel. 

And more.

Croc!

Seal statue. Don't know what Lia is doing.

Croc again.

Lia's favorite exhibit is definitely the seals and sea lions. They are so playful. One of them likes to swim upside down right up to the glass!

And one more of all the kids (minus baby Will) by the croc.