Zoo

Confession: Grandma Vicki sent us 4 free passes to the zoo . . . LAST YEAR. Those 4 free passes expired and I mailed to the zoo foundation explaining they expired before we got to use them . . . and to my suprise the zoo sent us for "new" free passes. Delay this time? No way! We got to the zoo right away. Thank you Grandma Vicki!

ATTENTION: TOMORROW IS "DISCOUNT DAY" AT THE ZOO . . . . . reduced admission fee $2 per person. Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month is Discount Day, which is tomorrow 9/9/08.

Gorgeous Sunny Day . . . . 1st stop . . . my Uncle Don's 60th Bday Party! It was a terrific turnout and this made our hearts happy. Then another 15 minutes away & we were parking at the Oregon Zoo.

We got to meet the new baby elephant. You can go to the zoo's website & vote for the new baby boy's name. I picked Duc (rhymes with Look) and was suggested in remembrance of former Portland TrailBlazer Duckworth who just tragically passed away at a young age. The line to meet the baby looked really long but the zoo keepers really do keep the line moving fast. I was impressed.
Once the kids and I were in the Elephant Barn . . . . we could see Mama standing and Baby laying beneath her asleep. Once it was our "front row seat" viewing turn Mama Elephant decided to join baby for nap & layed down beside her baby - with her backside to us. It was pretty cute actually. Just our luck, but hey as a Mama to 4 I could certainly understand her need for a nap. Cant blame her.

Payton & Darla are our expert Zoo Guides. . . . showing the 2 younger boys all the cool stuff - like using the zoo keys, and how if you wear baby blue clothing the penguins will follow you. . . . etc.,

Payton was most excited to see the Bats, Nolan wouldnt stop talking about the penguins, Darla was thrilled to discover she is the same height as a Sun Bear, Mama kept complaining she could smell a male goat & it stunk, and Elijah was just annoyed if we took any sort of break from walking/touring - oh and he was constantly thirsty. Reminder: Bring water bottles next time.