To My Beloved Zoo

After I posted our good-bye to Indianapolis, I felt like I couldn't quite move on yet.

And then it hit me.

I hadn't given a proper farewell to the Indianapolis Zoo.

So here I go. (Side note: All of the following pictures have been taken at this zoo)

This zoo is absolutely, hands down, undoubtedly my favorite place in Indianapolis...quite possibly in the entire world.

This is where my family has come for the last 2 years to celebrate...well...pretty much everything.

 

The first time we ever came here, Avery was 3 months old.

And we've watched this baby elephant grow along with our daughter (they were born a month apart.)

Then:

 

And a year and a half later:

It's been our date night.

It's where I would walk mile after mile trying to go into labor with this guy.

It's where Avery learned her animal noises.

It's where we pet our first (and probably only) shark.

It's where Kyle met the muntjak, which became his favorite animal.

It's where I furthered my love of rhinoceroses.

We've celebrated Halloween here.

We've celebrated Christmas here.

We've watched the zoo grow and change.

We watched this aviary get built.

We saw many a dog show in this new arena.

We even got a butterfly house.

But most importantly, this is where my family has grown and changed.

It's where we've spent time together with no distractions.

It's where Avery learned to splash in puddles.

It's where Sawyer embraced being in a floral stroller.

 It's where Avery gave her first kiss to someone outside of our family.

It's where Sawyer learned about sea life.

It's where my kids learned how to take naps outside of their cribs.

It's where I switched from carrying this girl around

to carrying this boy around.

Which helped this little girl learn how to walk holding our hands.

It's where they my kids enjoyed being outside together.

So even if my love for this place is a bit extreme, I can't help but want to thank it for being the most perfect place to my family!

You will be missed dearly!