Cousins and animals
Cousins came to visit for the weekend, and we decided to show them the fun that is the National Zoo. Emmie was excited to enjoy the beautiful day with her cousins at this fantastic (and free) zoo.
We started checking out the big cats. A bunch of lions were out chilling.
Here are a few of the lions they were watching.
They checked out the turtles, as we have done before.
We took a break for a snack in the sea lion show seats (they had no shows that afternoon, sadly).
JJ, an expert snacker.
Molly helped Emmie cool off.
We walked up to the elephant outpost at the bottom of the hill, which can be an excellent place to see the elephants up close. Sadly, they were hanging out at the top of this hill. But JJ managed to get a view of them from afar. We got to see them closer later, after hiking up the hill.
As we got up to the top side of the zoo, JJ spotted the giant stuffed panda at the Friends of the National Zoo booth. They were nice enough to let him hold it for a second.
We made it all the way to the top to the front entrance on Connecticut Avenue to take a picture in the zoo sign, as we have done before.
On the walk back down, we stopped into the gift shop and the kids each got a souvenir. Leah liked the lions so much, she got one of her own.
All the kids did great with all the walking (between 4 and 5 miles, according to my pedometer), but occasionally got some help. JJ got a ride on Aunt Jen as we headed down hill back to our cars.
As always, the zoo was lots of fun for all involved. We look forward to more visits to come.
