Last weekend Joe and I jumped into the Utah tradition of Baby Animal Days.

Or…

Babya Nimal Days.

We had heard horror stories about how packed this yearly event could be…every family this side of Salt Lake huddling around pins together to glimpse Spring’s finest. But, we decided to brave it. A girl can only stay away from goats for so long! Luckily, our friends were also game, so we weren’t alone in fighting the hoards of people.

When we first got there the line to see the bear cubs wrapped the entire length of the back park. So we decided to take turns standing in line while the other went and explored. The line was right next to this mama goat…who is all cute and everything…

but, she also had her one-week-old kid. Oh-em-geezus.

I just about lost it and we had only been there five minutes.

There were also sheep, piglets and…more baby goats for me to smother with love.

I don’t know these people; I’m just creepy like that. And my excitement level was around the same as that little boy’s.

Give. Me. That. Goat.

On the other side of the park I found this foal chasing a peacock,

this goat making googly-eyes at me,

and this kid literally strangling a kid out of love. (Look familiar, parents?) Please note: I’m the only adult IN the petting zoo area. #yep

Then it was my turn to stand in line while Joe explored. At least the view was nice for our 1.5 hour wait. What is this, Silver Dollar City?!

We finally made it to the cub crib! They came straight from Yellowstone!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Joe wanted inside that ring so bad. I mean, after 1.5 hours we wanted to hold some freakin’ bears.

Pile-o-sleepy-cubs.

All that cuteness made us pretty hungry, which always, in these places, leads to fried oreos, fried twinkies, and a pretty amazing spread of nachos.

Ah, the reserved, newly-tenured, won’t-touch-the-animals Dr. Scheer

What do you know? Another week-old baby goat.

It’s like a mix between Bella and a gremlin, and I want one so bad.

Killer profile.

After the goats, holding these ducklings was the second best part of the afternoon.

(It was squeaking at me.)

The tiniest balls of fuzz.

Four of the Fabulous Five (Joe behind camera, where he prefers to be):

Babya Nimal Days…you’ve made me want a farm. No, you’ve made me want a house full of goats. Who am I becoming out here?