Zoo Trip Part 2 and the rest of the day

This morning we got up and were at the zoo by 9:30.  Paul was not super happy about having to go so early but when we left at 11 and the line to get in was overflowing into the parking lot he was VERY glad we were leaving and not coming in!  Apparently today was the day to go to the zoo.  We saw Hailey and her kids (Hailey's husband, Adam, works with Paul at the Columbia office) and we saw a girl who lived on my hall freshman year of college and her husband and kids.  AND we saw one of my friends that I've known since 4th grade.  I hadn't seen Alice since her wedding (which was about 4 or 5 years ago).  She and her husband and been living in Alabama and recently moved to Charlotte and they had come down to Columbia for the day.  It was so neat to run into them!  We had sooo much fun at the zoo and Emmie enjoyed showing her Daddy all the animals.

Emmie and Daddy looking at the birds.

Looking at some of the little monkeys.

This is the FIRST TIME since I've been taking Emmie to the zoo that we've gotten a good look at the gorilla.  Thursday we saw him as he was walking over the hill but today he sat down and posed for everyone...kind of funny!

Paul was so excited to get to see Emmie do her squatting pose when she was looking at the animals.

Emmie was looking at the lions.  I LOVE this picture of her!  (Don't you just want to kiss those big cheeks?)

One of the baby giraffes.  When we were feeding the giraffe this one came over and we got to feed it.  The giraffes are one of my favorite animals at the zoo.  One of the babies (not sure if it was this one or the other one) was running around when we first walked by the exhibit and it was quite entertaining!

Feeding the baby.

One of the big giraffes.

Looking at the fish.

After we left the zoo we swung by Groucho's and Paul and I grabbed some yummy sandwiches!  We got home, ate lunch, and then Emmie went down for a nice 2 hour nap which meant I also got a nice 2 hour nap!  After she woke up she had some play time with Daddy while I went to the consignment shop and got her some summery play clothes (and a few things for next winter...found a cute smocked Christmas dress for 75% off..yay!).  When I got home Emmie and I took Franklin for a walk and then worked on getting dinner ready.  Paul grilled us some yummy pork chops (with help from Emmie and Franklin).

I have to put a plug in for Emmie's highchair now.  It's a Fisher Price Space Saver and it straps on to a regular chair and can be used as a highchair or a booster seat.

Soooo...tonight I pulled Emmie's chair right up to the table and put her food on one of her plates and she got to eat like a big person!  She loved it so much!

After dinner we played for a bit, gave her a bath, and then off she went to bed!  We had such a great day.  It seems like it's so rare that Paul and I both have a Saturday off and we really enjoyed our family time!