The Dublin Zoo

Jeff's company was moving office buildings today so he had the day off. The weather was supposed to be passable, so we decided to load up the kids and head to the Dublin zoo. We left the house around ten in the morning for a two hour drive there. We stopped at a McDonald's for lunch before hitting the zoo and I'm glad we did.

The zoo turned out to be nestled in the city of Dublin, amongst a group of gorgeous parks. There was no zoo parking lot, just street parking within the parks. By the time we parked and got the kids loaded up and fed, Jeff and I would've been falling over from hunger if we hadn't already eaten.

The kids weren't happy initially about being in the strollers, but they settled in.  Upon entering the park, we stopped for a family photo.  This was when there was still a bit of wind and clouds moving overhead, so we were all bundled up. Not long after that, the kids got down from the strollers and everyone's jackets (and hats were off.) The kids initially just wanted to see the ducks and push the strollers, but we stopped for a quick snack, then stopped again at some flamingos and they finally got in the swing of things. At this point, poor Gordon asked to get back in the stroller and he pretty much stayed there the rest of the day.

Family photo

Stopping for a quick snack

Walt was more interested in sticks than any animals at this point

Trying to get Adele excited about the lemurs

Initially, this is all she cared about -- pushing the stroller.

The first time the kids got excited for a non-duck was the Flamingos. Gordon asked to get back in the stroller at this point.

The kids loved the sea lions. We hung out here for a while and watched them splashing and swimming. Gordon wanted to throw something in the water and offered his shoes. In the end, he threw his stuffed elephant over a fence and into a different pond before I could stop him.

The kids went nuts for the giraffes. Not only are they amazing and gorgeous animals, but they came so close! 

The giraffe enclosure here was amazing. It was HUGE

Adele showing off her new elephant and her pretty blue eyes

Poor Gordon was so tired.

Gordon seriously perked up for the elephants. And just our luck that one of the elephants decided to take a stroll right next to where we stood. The others were all gathered way off in the corner across the way and very difficult to see.