A Day at the Zoo

On Saturday we went to the zoo. Conner was really excited to go and we had a great time. Some of Clint's friends invited us to go and they have a girl Kaily's age. Kaily was excited to see the animals, but more excited to see her friend. The Gibbon monkeys didn't disappoint, they were SO loud. Conner liked them and thought they were funny. The zoo animals have been busy this summer, they have had lots of babies. There is a new baby elephant, which we didn't get to see b/c it's only 3 weeks old. They said she would be out in 3-6 more weeks depending on how mom does with others around her baby. They also have a new baby giraffe, new baby snow leopard, 3 new baby male tigers and a couple of others that were born in the spring that I can't remember. Kaily and Conner loved to look at the babies. Conner's favorite was the giraffe, I think b/c he could get so close to them. Kaily's favorite is always the alligators. I don't understand the fascination, but whatever.

The male tiger is in there on the far back left behind the white log.

This orangutan was born last year.

The new baby giraffe

A reality check

Have you ever had one of those moments when someone takes a picture of you and when you see it you think to yourself, "that can't be what I really look like." Then you look in the mirror and put yourself in denial about what the camera actually shows, making up reasons that you could possibly look like that. That's been me the past few months. I see the pictures, but really, in my head I don't look like that. Why can't the pictures show what I see in my head vs the one that is reality? So because I've had LOTS of those moments lately and for other "realities" that have come to light my path I have chosen to start up my exercise blog again. I have "hired" some people to be my guide back to health and to help be person I see in my head, only on the outside this time.

So, if you are interested is following me on this journey leave me your e-mail so I can send you an invite, the blog is private.

I can be optimistic, IT'S POURING!

It was 5:30 am when we got the kids into the car. The weather man had said there would be rain overnight and it would be scattered over the Wasatch Front so when we walked outside and there it was, POURING, I wanted think happy thoughts. It was a half hour up the canyon to Eden where the Ogden Art and Balloon festival was taking place. The website said be there early because take off is at sunrise, 6:30 am. As we pulled into the place there was hardly a car in sight and the rain was coming down harder than ever. Still, I was optimistic that it would clear up and we would be able to enjoy our morning. I packed warm clothes for the kids and brought coats for each of us. As the sun began to rise behind the mountains the mist all around us was enchanting. I continued to get the kids ready with Clint's help and we stepped outside for the first time. The rain had become a drizzle and Kaily and Conner were bundled up, still optimistic. Then the announcement..."Balloon launch cancelled today, but weather is going to improve by noon and they will have the balloon glow that night." So what did we do? It was 7 am, we were hungry and they were serving breakfast. We ate and went home disappointed, but fed and ready to go back to bed.

We made it any way

I had talked the balloons up so much that when the kids woke up again they wanted to go back. I took Clint to work that night and we ventured back up to Eden for the Balloon festival. I had to put them in warmer clothes, but that was okay. We got back there around 5:30 and went the Arts part first. Kaily loved looking at a real life spinning wheel that's like the one Sleeping Beauty uses. The lady who owns it was supper nice and let her try it out. She then showed Kaily how to weave it onto the loom. VERY COOL. Conner's favorite part had nothing to do with the art, but a very big Akita. For those who don't know, that's a dog. He went right up to it and the dog licked him from chin to forehead almost knocking him over. Conner yelled in excitement and went back for more. He loved petting it and wanted to follow it around the rest of the time we were there. Finally, it was time to head to the field where the balloons were going to be. Excitement filled the air as each one the trailers showed up. Remax handed out little balloons and Energizer handed out foam bunny hats. My kids were heaven! One men let Kaily stand in the basket to his balloon and she thought that was the best thing ever. Conner tired to climb in, but sometimes you're just too little. When the night came each balloon would take turns lighting up it was cool to watch. When everything was done my kids were very ready to go pick up Daddy from wk and go to bed.

Trains and water

What better way to spend a nice Monday afternoon than on a train bound for SLC to play at Gateway and look around Temple Square. We have never been on the new FrontRunner train that goes from Ogden to SLC before so we thought we would give it a try. It was great! It still took 45 min to get there, but we didn't have to pay for gas or deal with traffic. The kids had a lot of fun on it and we got to see parts of the valley we had never seen before. Conner found it fascinating; as he looked out the window letting cries or "WEEE" and "OHHH"escape his mouth every so often. He also liked the idea that he didn't have to be strapped in so he felt the need to run as fast and where ever he could. When we finally got to SLC we took TRAX to Temple Square and spent most of our time at the South Visitor Center. That's where we had FHE (family home evening). We looked at the Temple exhibit and Kaily asked lots of questions about how it was built. Then we showed the kids pictures of Temples around the world via a touch screen that they loved to play on. From there Kaily wanted to actually go to the temple, she loves it there. We let the kids play on the steps while we talked to a tour guide about the different things on the Temple and around it. He was very informative and we enjoyed his company very much. Since Kaily was being our tour guide in the family she went out to her next favorite spot, the reflecting pond. Conner liked it too, in fact he wanted to go swimming in it and was very offended when we told him he couldn't and tried to leave. By that time he was soaked so we made an unexpected trip to the fountains at Gateway. It was almost dark before we got there but that didn't stop them from getting soaked to the skin and freezing. It was a great afternoon and one I hope we do again soon.

Just enjoying the small things

It's been a great couple of weeks! Clint and I have been playing with our kids and just really enjoying our family time by going to the park, having picnics, wrestling in the front room (really any where in the house), watching movies together and listening to Kaily's made-up stories and songs. We have one more week until school starts and our schedule changes, which translates to dad not being home very often and when he is, he'll be doing homewk. We're making the most of the time we have left. Saturday we're going to a balloon and art festival around our area, I'm so excited to take the kids, and I think we'll venture onto a train ride to SLC tomorrow, we'll see.

?Private, yes or no?

This week I have read on 5 different people's blogs that they are going Private. This has made me a bit paranoid, so I'm asking all of you out there that read my blog your opinion. Those that have gone private and those that haven't, I would like to know why and why not. Thanks for your feed back, I appreciate it.

6 years

Yesterday Clint and I celebrated 6 years of marriage. Clint started it off by having us do Catapult at lagoon the day before and then on Sat we went to see Harry Potter 6. He then surprised me by taking me to get my wedding ring re-sized, I haven't been able to wear it since I had Kaily. I get the new ring on Wednesday, YEA!!! After that we went to Ruby River Steak House. I was craving a good steak and Kory said they do great steaks there and Clint indulged me. He would have rather gone to Bombay house where they serve Indian food. I got a great platter of food including a sirloin steak and bbq chicken. I ate so much I thought I would burst and I didn't even finish half of what was there. Later that night I found Clint curled up on the bed with the kids asleep, it was 9:00.

This is 6 things I have learned in my 6 years of marriage.

1. Laugh at yourself
2. I don't have to be in control of everything
3. Faith is a great principle, but it's even greater when you try it together
4. It's the small moments that are the greatest
5. Forgiveness is not only divine but essential
6. 6 years doesn't take very long to come and go

1.