Hogle Zoo- The MARATHON post!

All right, walk up o the start line.  Make sure your eyes and fingers are stretched out, warmed up, and ready to do some SERIOUS scrollin'.  This, ladies, is my MARATHON POST!  If you make it to the end, there might be something fun headed your way . . . 

On your mark . . . get seeeeeeeetttttt . . . . GOOOOOOO!!!

I FINALLY MADE IT TO HOGLE ZOO!!!  After 8 years of living in Utah, you'd think that I would have been to the zoo in Salt Lake, but this was the first time I was able to make it up!  Jess and I had wanted to go to the zoo with the kids, and it was such a blast!  We were able to see quite a few interesting creatures, and I LOVED the bird show.  But lets just look at some of my fave moments, shall we?
The Elephants

We went to the Elephant show first, and got to see an adult elephant and a baby elephant do some tricks.  The show was really informative and fun, and the kids kept wanting to stand up to get a better look.  I couldn't believe how BIG those guys are!  They just towered over the ten foot fence.  I just started rethinking my goal of riding one in the future.

The Carousel
I took pictures the first time the kids got on the ride.  They had so much fun!  Just look at the smiles!

Addie didn't want to get off at the end, she was having so much fun.  Even Jessie got to ride one!

The Bird Show:

I have never been to a bird show before, so this was my absolute FAVORITE part!  The birds were just sitting in the trees at first, and then one of the staff came out to spray them with water.  I don't think this guy wanted her to stop:

Oh, and then they had the birds swooping over our heads to get pieces of meat on stumps and things.  It was SO neat!  Addie loved the amazon parrot that was near us.

**Phew!  You've made it to the quarter mark.  GREAT job!  You're starting to work up a sweat, aren't you?**

Then came the biggest eagle I have seen!  They had him go around, picking up meat from stumps and there was one directly in front of us.  I can't remember exactly what type of eagle he was, but he was HUGE!!!

 After this, they brought out a Bald Eagle.  They even had a bird pull a string to unravel the American flag in the background.  So fun!

Then they brought out a donation box and had birds flying around to drop money into the boxes.  I had no idea that birds were so smart!  Braden was brave and handed the bird some money for the box.  He didn't startle or anything!

**Bravo!  You're halfway there!  Check your watch to see how your pace is, grab a cup of water, guzzle it down, and toss the cup over your shoulder.  Keep up the pace, though!  You can DO this!**

The Monkeys:
When we entered the park we kept hearing this loud whooping noise.  Turns out, it was the monkeys and they were having a good old time!  I kind of, maybe, just a little bit, encouraged them by whooping back.  Hey, don't judge me, it was for the kids!

And this one kept coming to the glass to make faces at Addie and Braden.  I only got my camera out in time to snap one picture.  :(

Fun Photo Ops:
We were walking around, and they had a large scale that you could step on.  It listed things at different weights like, "You are as big as a baby elephant", "A flock of geese weighs about this much", "you weigh as much as an adult donkey!", etc.  We wanted to do the scale, but none of us wanted to be the last one off or on.  That way people could tell how much we weighed!  :)  This is us jumping on really quickly:
**Three-quarters of the way done.  This is the home stretch.  Keep those eye and finger muscles moving!**

And then there was the Isenbarger Gorilla family picture.  Too cute!

We capped the day off with another carousel ride (I got him on his favorite- the blue frog.  How great of an aunt am I?!),

 

**ALMOST THERE!**

and an exhibit of scary creatures.  This bird stood like this so long that I thought he was stuffed- then he decided to swoop down to the bottom of his cage and scare everyone.

Last but not least, fruit bats.  They were all snuggled up together in the crook of a tree.  Now if they would just stay up there, I don't have a problem with them.  When they fly around, that is when I put my foot down! 

 It was a great way to spend the day, and I will admit, I fell asleep EARLY that night.  That stuff WORE me out!

WOO HOO!!!  You made it across the finish line!  You can fall off your chair, to the floor, and get your breathing even again.  Make sure to cool down your fingers and eyes, and walk off the fatigue.  I know, it's hard work going through marathon posts like this!  Now, leave a comment on the post saying you finished, and you will get a surprise.  No, really!  I have something for you!