Greater Vancouver Zoo

Yesterday the girls and I went to the Greater Vancouver Zoo with some friends. We got our Nexus Passes a while back and I was anxious to go thru the border with them for the first time. We went with some friends who also had their passes so we zoomed past the line and were across the border in a flash. I wish I had gotten our Nexus Passes sooner.
Above is Kennedy right as we entered the zoo.

I had been to this zoo one time before but it was a long time before I was ever pregnant with Madison. I forgot just how close the animals are. The zebras came right up to the fence and we could have literally reached out and touched them. There were a lot less barriers in this zoo than we were used to and absolutely no glass enclosures.

It was exciting for the kids to get to see the animals so closely.

Taking a quick rest. It was a very warm and sunny day.

The train kept circling the zoo and the kids were excited to get to ride it later.

Kennedy and Jake having some lunch. They had picnic tables set up around the zoo right near the animals so you could eat your lunch and watch the animals at the same time. I also noticed a lot of kids on their bikes at this zoo, something I don't think other zoo's allow.

Madison and Sarah having their lunch.

Kennedy and Sarah having a rest on the rock near the hippos.

There is a sleeping cheetah on the other side of that fence in the shade. The animals were fairly lively but a few were conserving their energy in the heat. I don't recall one animal we couldn't see.

In front of the petting zoo.

Yay! Train ride! It was a fun ride about 15 minutes long and circled the zoo once.

After the train ride we went into the zoo gift shop to check it out and Kennedy grabbed this hippo before I could get to her and dropped it. The foot broke off and the lady wasn't very happy about it that worked there. I offered to pay for it but couldn't believe it was $19.99. WHAT? She did give me 50% off of it which I appreciated but I honestly would have appreciated them charging me cost even more which was, likely, much less than $11.19. It will make a good story to tell and she will pay me back someday, I'm saving the receipt.

After the hippo fiasco we headed to the playground so the kids could run around. They were all getting tired by this point and the temperature was hot so this would be our last stop. We arrived to the zoo around 10:45 and left around 4:00. Long and fun day.

Kennedy can be exhausted and still have energy to spare.

We couldn't resist stopping at Edaleen Dairy after we entered back into the U.S. for an ice cream cone. The ice cream is SO good there, the kids thought so too!

Jake, Kennedy and Sarah all chose chocolate chip mint, or as Kennedy called it: GREEN ICE CREAM!

Madison opted for vanilla.

A beautiful day with family and friends. We are enjoying our summer outings and can't wait until the next one.