We're going to the zoo zoo zoo... how about you you you...

Ok... so seriously... I think Colin and I were more excited than anyone (particularly Rupert) to be at the zoo! Not just any zoo... but the Calgary Zoo. It has ruined us for the Vancouver Zoo, not sure I'll ever be able to go there again. Anyways... here we go... are you ready???

{plotting our route}

Our first stop was the Canadian Wild (I think that's what it was called anyways!) It was pretty fun, although... we live in Canada, so have actually seen most of what was on exhibit :D

{Wyatt being a moose! The moose was sick and looked lonely...}

{fake grizzly bear... don't worry, the real one is coming!}

{there it is! And this is the closest I ever hope to get to one EVER!}

On to the rest of the zoo! First stop hippos!

{little joey}

{Raffi is that you????}

{fish... or "ish" as Rupert likes to call them}

{So anyone who has ever spent any time at all with my son knows he likes to point... well his pointer finger got a work out at the zoo, especially at the fish tank. There was so many fish moving so quickly and he wanted to point to every last one. It was too funny.}

{big poppa}

{We parted ways with B, T and W... and headed off on our own. We were determined to see everything... Rupe was along for the ride. Luckily he can sleep pretty much anywhere, which worked out nicely for us!}

{We arrived at the Tiger enclosure just in time for lunch!}

{Now your eyes may be drawn to the dinosaur looming in the background... but it was not the reason for the photo. The photo is trying to capture the ever illusive snow leopard which is having a snooze on the grass. Colin and I have watched a documentary on them and think that they are amazing. We were sad we couldn't get closer!}

{We met back up with the crew and were on to the dinos!!!!!!!}

{Paleontologist Wyatt}

{The Crew}

{The dinosaur park was amazing! You could press buttons to make the dinos move and make noise... a little frightening, but sooooo cool!}

{T-Rex... always a crowd pleaser!}

{He turned his hat around like this, couldn't resist a mini photo shoot!}

Our one purchase was for our precious boy... funny how he gets everything cool these days... We were going to let him choose what he wanted but then we spotted the Snow Leopard and decided that he would like it best anyways... :D And he does... It is a new favorite but will never take Raffi's place I'm sure. His name is Snowy... I know terribly original but whatevs.

It was such a fun day. It was probably my favorite!

And thus ends another installment in our adventure diary. :D

Heritage Park...

Our first big adventure in Calgary was to Heritage Park. We have heard much about it both from Brianne and her little guy Wyatt. We knew we would see big trains... and even get to ride on one! We were excited!

{Rupe and Wy in the double stroller... yes my child is only 1 and a half and hers is 2 and a half...}

{Rupert following his big buddy!}

Our first stop at Heritage Park was the first synagogue on the prairies that had been relocated to Calgary... Colin clearly had to try his hand at this Jewish custom.

Ok... so seriously... walking around Heritage Park was like walking around Avonlea... it was amazing!!!!!! There are day camps where the kids come and learn about what it was like "back in the day" and get to dress and participate in "olden day" activities. Sooooo much fun!

Not really too much to say about this one... except that it was a beautiful house besides the cheesy character with the peace sign...

{Colin and Wy on the carousel}

{Maybe next year Rupe will get to ride on the horse... but for now he was stuck in the carriage with the moms}

{Our ride...}

{The engineer... not the conductor... ask Wy, he'll tell you.}

{Our ride stamps}

{Here it comes!!!!!!!}

{My precious B... looking beautiful, but clearly not impressed that I'm taking her photo}

{In the words of Don the Pteranodon... hello Mr. The Conductor}

{Rupe looking... not as thrilled as he should be to be riding a train!}

{love these next two photos... Colin took them while I was baby wrangling!}

{Checking out the Hudson's Bay trading post... right before a massive fall off the bench... to be followed by a nap in daddy's arms}

{Calgary sky line}

{Perfect place for a nap}

Sadly Rupe slept through all the cool animals... so we took some photos to look at when we got home.

{Britt and Brett}

{house made of sod}

{stopping for a wee break}

It was a wonderful day!!!!!!! I could have spent a lot more time there... it's so different sight seeing with a kid. This was our first experience and it was kind of weird not to be able to just keep going and look at everything. However I do so love seeing things through Rupert's eyes. Everything is so new and exciting. We thoroughly look forward to going back again!

the long long road...

We're back!!!!!!!!!! After a wonderful vacation we are back! And this my dears is the first installment of many blogs to follow all about our grand adventures. Sunday afternoon we headed to Victoria to do a car switcheroo with Colin's parents... oh praise the Lord for air conditioning! After a quick visit with the grandparents (my mom inc.) we headed to the ferry for a quick jaunt across the water to my sister in law's (Megan) house for a petite visit and sleep. 4 thirty came way too early... but after some Tim's we were ready to go! Rupert was an absolute champ... napping off and on, playing with his toys and munching on whatever was handed back to him. One of our stops landed us in Revelstoke where there was an amazing train museum... however it was $10 a person... so we snuck in to use washrooms and snapped a pic of Rupe on this cute little train instead.

{One of our many pit stops... eating, running around, using the tree as a washroom only to discover a proper rest stop five minutes later... oops!}

Ok... so we've always been told that we had to drive through the Rockies... I now understand why. Seriously... my mouth was open the whole way and I kept on saying... "wow!" "wow!" "wow!" It is such a beautiful drive and the grandeur of the mountains is just awe inspiring. Truly experienced how big God is!

{a friend we met along the way...}

Enter... Calgary. Ok so there are few times I have been truly frightened while in a car. Usually they include snow or ice. This time it was rain, wind, thunder, lightning and hail... yup all at the same time and not just a little bit... a huge amount!!!!!!! I'm an Island girl... I can handle myself some rain and wind... but this was not right... it was freakish. People were pulled over on the side of the road waiting it out... not us... Colin "knew what he was doing". Rupert laughed and chatted in the back of the car completely unaware that we were about to die... well not really... clearly we lived, but I was doubtful at moments. Anyways... we made it safely to Calgary to our friend Todd and Brianne's and were greeted very warmly by their little boy (Rupert's new big buddy!) Stay tuned for the next installment... less dramatic but super fun!