Zoo trip with Grpa & Grma C

We went to the Binder Park Zoo in Battlecreek, about an hour's drive away. The weather was perfect (thankyou Lord!) - it wasn't too hot or too cold. It really was such an enjoyable day being with Dad and Mom and watching Tae's reactions to seeing different animals.



This giant ant was near the entrance of the zoo, so we stopped for a photo opportunity :)







Taden looking under the railing to see the Macaw bird



Gramma and Tae enjoying the zoo



We actually think these little prairie dogs were Taden's favorite animal of the day. This particular one was actually "waving" it's little arms - they were so fun to watch. When Daddy told Taden it was time to "go find some other animals", Taden was looking back at the prairie dogs as they walked away and he started sobbing! It wasn't fussing and it wasn't screaming, it was pure sobbing. He was so heart-broken to have to leave the prairie dogs! It was so cute :)



Taden and Daddy watching the prairie dogs. There were so many of them and they were fairly close so you could see really easy. They were digging in holes, you could see dirt flying out the hole. A couple of them were laying in the sun, they were so cute!



sweet boy



They have an "Africa" part of the zoo where you ride a tram-van thru the woods back to a different section of the zoo and when you get off the tram, it's as if you've traveled right to Africa. You see luggage from "traveling" and an African marketplace and tiki huts, etc. When we first got on the tram to ride to "Africa", Taden was pretty serious and a bit pensive / nervous. He didn't cry, but you could tell he was unsure of things. Once we started moving, he was fine.



Taden and Momma riding the tram



Taden and Gramma



Taden playing the drums in the marketplace



They have such long purple tongues and at the end they curl a bit to grab the food.



At this zoo you can buy food sold by the zoo, and hand feed it to the giraffes. It's a really neat experience!



Taden and Daddy



Taden oblivious to the giraffe b/c he saw Momma had a sucker! :) This "shorter" giraffe wasn't getting fed as much b/c he was lower, so we made sure to get him some of the lettuce :) (Never thought I'd refer to a giraffe as being "short"!)



Taden and Momma



Grampa and Tae



"How much longer, Dad, till we get to the monkeys?"



"oo-oo" says the monkey, "oo-oo" says Taden!



Taden making a "oo-oo" monkey noise - we thought he looked so cute doing it :)



Grampa, Gramma, and Taden



Taden has a beloved stuffed giraffe that we got for him last summer when we went to the zoo. We named the giraffe "George". Due to Taden carrying / holding George by the neck everywhere he goes, George's neck is now flopped over to the side and has seen better days :) Grma and Grpa bought Taden a new George while we were at the zoo and he adores it! He fell asleep in his stroller, holding George :)