Hey hey!
It is sunny in Seattle this morning! From the spot where I am I can see only blue sky. I'm facing south looking out a north facing window.
Woodland Park Zoo. Great zoo. I would say the 2-3 hours would be more than adequate to see the zoo. They have lions, and tigers, and bears,
oh my
elephants, various types of monkeys and chimps, giraffe's, and a few other interesting animals, lizards, kimoto dragon etc.
I would say that if you left Vancouver at 8am and took your time getting down here(which you have to with kids ..pee breaks etc) you would be here by 12-1pm and have perfect time to enjoy the zoo. It's sort of sad though the captivity.
Champlain Mall is in East Van(good part). I think that it's on E.54th. Right by my inlaws.