Zoo fun!

        Paul got the 3rd of July off of work for their observance of July 4th. So we decided to have some fun. We sort of took the day easy in the morning. Paul went to play basketball, I did my regular workouts, Jace took a nap, then we decided to go to the zoo in the afternoon. We have a zoo pass that we want to squeeze in a few more uses for before it runs out, so figured today would be the perfect day. Besides that, Jace is old enough that we figured he would be excited about seeing the animals.
       I wish that I would have taken a video of Jace's reactions to the animals, because they were seriously so cute! But I forgot! The first animals we visited were the giraffes. He has a stuffed animal giraffe named Guy, and he just loves it. And seeing the real giraffes was so cute. He just kept pointing and saying oooh!
      He loved to see all the animals. This was our first zoo trip where Jace was actually engaged and enjoying himself. The zoo also has a splash pad that we let Jace play in. I was excited, but not expecting much, because he is usually hesitant with water spraying on him. But he did so well! He even played in the little fountains and loved it!
     After the zoo we made our day complete by stopping and getting Hawaiian Shaved Ice. It was so delicious! Mine melted too fast, and leaked all over me, but it was so yummy. Jace liked it too! And of course he made a mess of himself. But it was worth it!

Jace's reaction to seeing the giraffes! He just kept on pointing and saying Oooh! It really was the cutest thing ever!

They are doing a Jurassic Park type thing where they have dinosaurs all over the park that make noise and move. Some of the dinos even spray you with water. Jace didn't know what to think. They were big and kind of scary looking so he seemed quite hesitant when we were around them. 

He thought the monkeys were just the coolest!

Just chilling in front of the sea lions and seals! We had fun watching them swim all over the place.

Jace had fun playing with the big ball and fountain at the entrance of the park.

Checking out the zebras and giraffes again. 

When we first got to the splash pad, Jace wasn't quite sure what to think about it all.

He liked the water because it was hot, but didn't like it when I didn't hold him.

He finally decided to feel the starfish

Then we went over to the fountains. He liked this little one. It is just his size. He played in it for a good 5 minutes probably! 

Paul got him to look up so we could snap a pictures!

Jace was not thrilled when we put him in the eagles nest! 

After the zoo we got some much needed Hawaiian shaved ice! This place isn't the Tikki Shak we are used to in Cedar City, but its as good as it gets up here. And we like it!

Jace at a good bit of mine, but most of it ended up on his face! 

After our zoo fun, jace played with his balloon. He seriously loves this balloon. It has been blown up for probably 3 weeks and he hugs it, loves it, rolls around on the floor with it, and plays with it all of the time! Who knew a balloon could provide so much entertainment!