Zoolights 2017

You know the holiday season is really here when it is finally Zoolights again. Last night we went for member preview night because it is way less busy than the regular nights. Also, member nights include free stingray bay and free carousel rides. You can see our previous years at Zoolights HERE. It is fun to look back at previous years. Arizona is weird. Sometimes it is cold and last night was not one of those nights. The weather was very mild and it is going to be a warm Thanksgiving this year. This year we were also able to go through the Dino trail since we have the season pass. The last time we were at the zoo a couple of weeks ago the kids went on the camel and we realized adults can go too so this time Doug took Cameron on a camel ride. He did great and the other kids were jealous! We did the carousel in the beginning and Justin and Doug took the big kids through sting ray bay at the end. It was a fun night and I still can't believe the holidays are here!

pretty pink skies last night!

love these goofballs!


dino fun!

they brought the talking giraffe back!

Isaac the camel

Love these guys!

Zoolights 2016

Last Monday we took advantage of the member preview nights of Zoolights and headed to the zoo after work (previous years HERE). We love going to Zoolights but it can get pretty busy and we don't love crowds so the member preview nights are a must for us. Also, carousel rides and the stingray bay are free on member nights which is also cool. It was totally not crowded at all and the weather was great. Not too cold yet so we didn't have to super bundle up the kids. At one point we bribed Aspen with a cookie so we could get a pictures of all the kids together with Grandma so then we had to go find her a cookie, haha. I will do whatever it takes to get a good picture. The kids had lots of fun walking around together. Even Nora loved looking up at all of the lights. It was a great night and we look forward to it every year. Here are some pictures and a quick little video:

Zoolights 2015

We love going to Zoolights every year (see my previous posts here) especially being members. The Phoenix Zoo opens Zoolights early every year for its members so we always take advantage of that and this was the best year yet. Seriously it was so empty. Zoolights in AZ gets crazy packed to the point where they have to use overflow parking. Probably because we have relatively mild winters. We went on Monday and it was awesome. It is so much nicer to let your kids run and not be chasing them in between massive crowds. They also have free carousel rides and free visits to the stingray bay for the member nights. We were the only ones on the carousel when we went so even Doug and I rode on animals. I am so glad that the zoo does these early nights for the members and I am so glad that the holiday season is here!

very cool new lit entry way

 

Remi was with us and this little guy was cool to see.

new talking turtle this year.

 

Jango the Giraffe

 

ouuuuttttt!

Zoolights 2014

The Sunday before Thanksgiving we made our annual Zoolights trip at The Phoenix Zoo. As zoo members we get to go the night before it opens to the public which is really nice. It is still busy, but nothing like it is during the rest of the season. It is also usually not super cold yet which is nice, too. Justin's sister and niece and her baby also came with us for the first time this year. Also on the member night the carousel is free so that was a nice bonus. My sister spoiled the kids and bought them glowing necklaces and Everly asks for hers every time we get in the car. This was obviously Aspen's first Zoolights trip and Everly's 3rd trip. Here is a post from our visit two years ago. We had a lot of fun this year and I definitely recommend going if you haven't been.

I love me a bundled baby.

 

Checking out the talking giraffe and turtle.

Everly is an expert on-camera kisser.

Our family!

Aunt Katy and sleeping Aspen.

Hailey, Carly, and baby Remi

 

cuties

Zoolights

Last year I opted out of taking Everly to Zoolights because she was so little and it was cold. So naturally, I was really excited to take her this year. We are zoo members and so we went on the day before Zoolights opened up to the public. It was great because it was the night before Thanksgiving and it really was not too busy. The babies loved it and Grandma spoiled them with glow rings. We will definitely be going once more before the season is over.