Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium

i've been begging Matt for the past couple years to take me to the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium.

he always said he would but we'd get busy or talk ourselves out of going because it's over an hour away from our house.

but i told him this year, no excuses, we were going.

so we went for my bday!

and Matt's sister was nice enough to give us a buy one get one free admission coupon so it was ridiculously worth it!

the park was completely dead so we didn't have to deal with crazy crowds or feeling rushed which was so perfect.

and i must say, this zoo was one of the best i've been to.

i can't believe they let people get so close to the animals.

and there aren't park workers around to tell you to back up or be careful or anything.

i should probably be worried about the fact that the giraffe could've literally head butted me if he wanted to or that the rhino could've just stepped over the fence around him and trampled me but instead i just thought it was so amazing!

so much better than seeing all the animals far away or stuck in cages.

Matt's favorites were the monkeys.

i had no idea this kid liked monkeys so much and when i asked him about that he just said "they're hilarious!"

he really liked this little family of monkeys where one was swinging around and showing off and the baby was just sitting nibbling on some corn.

he watched them for a good 10 minutes straight before i made him leave so we could go to the reptile house.

Matt is scared of the big snake sitting under that log.

this guy was one of my faves.

who knew there were white alligators?

Matt is planking with his alligator friend behind him.

this guy would've eaten me alive if that fence hadn't been there.

i can now add ostrich to my list of things i'm terrified of.

the leopard exhibit was extra cool!

see him sitting above Matt?

Matt thought it was a good idea to try to touch his tail.

the leopard stared him down with evil eyes and Matt decided he'd like to keep his fingers instead.

next were the llamas!

this guy looks just like Kuzco from Emperor's New Groove!

LLAMA FACE!

you could seriously reach out and touch these guys but Matt was a scaredy cat.

i wasn't scared until Kuzco looked like he was working up a nice loogie to spit at me.

Matt taking a breather while watching the gazelles.

rhino!

all the zebras were chillin' in the shade when we walked up so they were really close.

and Matt got mad at me because i stepped over one of the barriers to get a picture.

he has no sense of adventure.

baby zebra!

prego zebra!

we were lucky to walk over to the giraffes right when a bunch of kids were feeding them so they were being extra friendly.

it was so funny to see them stick out their long tongues so you could pour the pellets onto them.

see what i mean about these giraffes being able to head butt you?

yikes!

and just when you think you've seen all there is to see you get to go to the aquarium!

i wouldn't say this aquarium was the best i've been to or anything but it was pretty cool.

i like seeing Matt act funny around touch tanks.

fish lover.

and one of the best parts about this aquarium is they have PENGUINS!

i just love them!

we got to see them being fed and the lucky worker girl got to pet them and play with them and i was super jealous.

i think my favorite part of the whole day was the touch tank for the rays.

i could've spent all day there and been happy with my little ray friends.

one little guy in particular decided i was his BFF and kept coming back for me to pet him.

the whole day was simply amazing!

going there was the perfect present for my birthday!

thanks baby!