Cate and Sophie at the zoo

On the Monday after the 4th, we drove up to the Toledo Zoo to meet up with my dear college friend Martha, her husband, Jason, and their daughter Sophie, who was born only a few weeks after Cate (they're the Dancing Barefoot with Sophie blog). They drove down from Michigan for the day, and it was the first time we've gotten together in nearly 9 years- before Rick and I were even married! We were so excited to see each other and possibly more excited to get the girls together for a meeting.

We arrived first, so Cate had a little snack with Daddy while we waited.

The girls first meeting- checking each other out!

The first exhibit- the seals. Obviously, they didn't keep distance between them for long.

Then we decided to take the girls on the carousel. Sophie was a little unsure on this particular day and preferred to ride on Martha instead. :) Cate picked out this pygmy hippo and thoroughly enjoyed her first ride on a merry-go-round.
What "exotic" bird did Cate find most interesting in the aviary? Ohio's state bird- the cardinal! Of all the birds, Cate seemed to make quick friends with this cardinal in rehab.

Burning off a little energy at lunch. I caught her on the go in her moment of wildness!

The girls with the girls!

Cate's trying to sneak Sophie a kiss.

As if the cardinal wasn't enough, the girls most enjoyed the mallards that were nesting at the edge of the rhino exhibit. I'm not sure they even noticed the rhinos. Sophie really wanted to get up close and personal with the ducks!

I love this picture. Does it say, "We're done," or what?! I hope we can all get together before another 9 years goes by!