Tautphaus Park Zoo

We took advantage of our zoo pass again this week and went with our friends to Tautphaus Zoo in Idaho Falls. Now that Adahleigh is an experienced zoo-goer she points out the animals in their different cages and habitats and even tries to say their names. She especially liked the monkeys. The animals were very active and in view while we were there, so it was an great experience.



She was even able to find a duck nesting as you can see from the hoard of eggs the hen is sitting on.


This, however; is what we did most of the time, chase Adahleigh or tell her to stay by us, obviously she just wanted to go off on her own.


It was nice to have her friend Aubry there to play with on the few children's toys they have.





They were just like peas and carrots, when Adahleigh wasn't running off.


One unique thing about this zoo is that it has shared habitats where animals that would naturally live in the same area together are combined, probably for the purpose of saving space more than anything. it does allow for unique and entertaining events, not to worry the lions and zebras weren't combined. This black swan would chase and heard the emus around the habitat they were in. You'd think the emus would actually stand up for themselves since they were bigger and out numbered the swan.



Another cool exhibit was the aviary, which is like the butterfly houses in most zoos, where the bird run around and across the whole area. This little guy kept running around the stroller and Charles didn't even notice, he was too occupied.


We were also able to feed some of the animals. These pelicans were really fun to feed cuz they'd come right up to the fence and when you tossed the food up the spread out their pouch like a net to catch the food.


All in all it was a great outing.

Cherry Hill (Wilde Family Reunion)

We went to the Wilde Family reunion to finish off last weekend and basically got rained out. The forecast for rain was so high Saturday that they never even bothered opening up the water park, but it never really warmed up enough to get wet anyway, so we spent the time visiting instead. We did end up getting a chance to play mini-golf. Adahleigh loved it for the 3 holes she got to play, but then it started down pouring so we put her in the trailer with Grandpa and Grandma. We finished our game of golf since we were already wet we figured more rain couldn't hurt. The golf course ended up flooding to the point some of the holes were just a pond of water. Because of all the rain we didn't end up getting many pictures except for Adahleigh playing golf.

Gateway Mall

We went to Salt Lake last weekend to get Adam's computer fixed at the Mac store, so we went around and looked in some of the other stores and let Adahleigh play in the fountain they have there. Luckily it was the best day all weekend, so she didn't get cold playing in the fountain. She didn't even mind getting hit in the face by the water jet a couple of times.




Charles also enjoyed his time out in the sun.
I'm sure he wishes he was bigger the way he watches his sister play, so that he could join in the fun.


Adahleigh was already for her nap after a morning of playing and walking around.

Pocatello Zoo

Since we got our Zoo membership from Western North Carolina Nature Center (it gets us into zoos all across the nation for free for a year; after the $60.00 membership fee, thanks Erin) recently we decided to take the kids to the Pocatello Zoo. The Pocatello Zoo is more like someone's private animal collection than a zoo. It has a lot of animals that you'd find locally in the wild or on a farm and it doesn't have any really exotic animals, but it does make for a fun outing. Adahleigh liked dangling in front of the bear cages like a monkey. The bears were pretty impressed as you can see.




Adahleigh is learning what different animals are lately some of her favorites are ducks, cows and moose. While we were going around looking at animals she kept calling the bison and elk a cow or moose. I guess you could see how she could make that mistake. The animals didn't look the greatest seeing that they were still molting their winter coats.



Adahleigh really enjoyed pointed out the animals, she's showing us the ducks right behind her.

Charles even enjoyed his time out and about. He even cooperated to take this great picture with mom.

The zoo doesn't really compare to the Oregon zoo, that I'm use to, as far as habitats and animal collections go, and you even feel sad for the animals being stuck in such small cages. it is however neat to be able to get really close to the animals.


Adahleigh also enjoyed this tree fort, mainly just because of the slide and the other kids that were playing on it.

Solids

Charles has been slightly upgrade to solids, although he still prefers the mommy's milk (still no bottle) he is willing to eat some cereal.


The only problem is Adahleigh is right there begging for some cereal, so he needs to start eat a little quicker so she doesn't finish it off before he's done. The nice thing is that when he doesn't want all that's made for him we just give it to Adahleigh to polish off.

Beginning of Summer

This last week it finally warmed up enough to break out the swimming pool for the kids and wash the cars. Ashley missed washing the cars so much that she wanted to do that while I watched the kids.


Adahleigh had fun playing in the pool and involving Charles in the water play too. It's a good thing he is such a good sport with everything that she decides to do to him. He didn't make one peep the whole time she was dumping water on him.