This weekend has been filled with animals. On Friday I went to Tracy Aviary with one of my good friends growing up, Jessica Anderson. Then on Saturday I went with my family to Hogle Zoo.

Flamingos are such amazing birds. They are so interesting to watch. Here are some that are at the Tracy Aviary.

There were baby cranes that were only a two days old. They look like ducklings, but they'll grow up to look like their mom.

Here is a picture of my brother trying on a penguin hat at Hogle Zoo.

I really like taking pictures with people posing with Zoo animals. Here's Bret with a big ol' snake.

I was able to talk to one of my friends that I acquired while a Girl Scout Counselor at Camp Cloud Rim before we got to the zoo. She has been on a mission for the last year and a half. As we were talking she mentioned that she was at Hogel Zoo. I started laughing and tolder that I was planning on going that day to the zoo with my family. We were able to meet up for a few minutes at the zoo, and it was nice. And a little ironic because she is from central Utah and going to Utah State University so she is not in Salt Lake that often. It was good to see her and her family.

Here I am next to a sloth. Here is a sloth

hanging out above us in the tropical area section. We were walking by and looked and it was just hanging out in the tree. The sloths reminded me not to be lazy, and so I thought I would add this scripture.

Alma 37:46
O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us.

Giraffes are one of my favorite animals. They are so fun to watch. They are so tall and have those handy long necks. Plus, there eyelashes are incredible.

Here is my Mom and Kylie posing by an acorn. Kylie likes my mom to tell her stories about the two of them being mice or squirrels and gathering acorns and cotton to make their houses in the trees.

Elephants are my Dad's favorite animal, so how can I help but to be partial to them. I like this one because he has grass all over him.

Here I am just hanging out with my sister in a random boat that was to the side of the path.

Here is a white alligator at the zoo. He is very interesting to look at. There are only 10 white alligators in the world.

Here I am posing with The Ghost of the Bayou (as Hogle Zoo calls him), and the way the glass reflected it makes Bret look a little ghostly himself.

Counting My Blessings #2 - Family

I am so grateful for my family. There are many important parts that make up the whole.
A simple breakdown is: my amazing husband, my mom's side, my dad's side, and my in-laws.

I love having people that I know will be there for years to come. I love that there is so much that I can learn from each person. And of course I love each person.

It is so nice that I ask my mom what to do to help my dough rise faster, or talk to Bret's mom about ways to make eating healthier fit into my long work days. It is so fun to discuss novels with my father and step-mother. It is great to go rock climbing with my brother or shopping with my sister. I am so happy that Bret has such good siblings that I feel so comfortable spending time with. I could go on and on....my step-siblings that make me laugh....my adorable nieces and nephews...

I am so thankful for my husband. I love his sense of humor, the way he works so hard, how he always inspires me to be better. Oh, yes, I am very grateful for my family.

The Blessing Count #1 - The Restored Gospel

Blessing #1 - The Restored Gospel

I would like to start the tradition of writing about a blessing that I am grateful for every Sunday. I saw that the Chanel Weddle does this, and I liked it so much I decided to do it myself.

I am so thankful for the knowledge, peace, and happiness the Gospel brings. I find that when I am truly trying to keep the commandments and do things that will bring me closer to the Spirit, the happier I truly am.

I marvel at the complete truth that has been given to us. There is such comfort in knowing that no matter what may come, as long as I follow Christ, in the end I will be happy. I find it so motivating to improve my attitudes and behaviors for good when I remember the purpose of life.

To sum it up, here is a good quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“We can best express our gratitude for this glorious fullness [of the restored gospel] by developing a more full love for all of humankind. And why not, for the Restoration tells us who our neighbors really are! Let our gratitude likewise be expressed by striving to become, attribute by attribute, more and more as Jesus is” (“From the Beginning,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 20).

Happy 08/08/08!!!

I love when there is a pattern in the date.
Today is a perfect example of what I mean: 8-8-8.
For the whole month the dates will be cool: 08/01/08, 08/02/08, clear through 08/31/08.
So I hope everyone had a perfectly configured day!

My Random Trip to Chicago

It all began when I had a co-worker, Tara, who was going to need to take a foster child to his mother. She was excited to go on a little trip to Chicago, and I told her that I wanted to go if she could not. It turned out that she would be at Lake Powell when the child was approved to go back to his mom. I was so excited to go, but part of me thought that the arrangements may take too long and Tara would be back in time to go. So I did not really research Chicago or make any preparations. I did not want to get my hopes up.

Wednesday August 8, I found out that I was in fact going, and I was leaving the next morning. I got set up with the state travel department. Then Bret and I went to Lagoon to meet up with my family. I almost did not go to Lagoon because I was worried that I would be too tired to leave the next morning, but we had already planned to go. The one ride I was determined to go on was Wicked, and I was able to be on the front row. I ended up going to bed late and waking up early in the morning. The great thing about going on trips is that the excitement makes it hard to feel tired.

It was interesting to take a two year old child on a plane, but it was not nearly as hard as I thought it would be. He was a very good little boy, and he was so cute. The mother met us right at the edge of security and was excited to see her baby.

I stayed at the Hilton at the O'Hare Airport, and it was very nice. I went back and rested for a few minutes. I wanted to go out and explore the city, but I was almost too scared to go out in a foreign town on my own. Prior to my trip this is what I knew about Chicago: 1. It's called the Windy City 2. It’s famous for hot dogs and pizza 3. Wicked the musical is there.

I decided to go and add a little adventure into my life. After all, following signs is very effective for getting where you need to go.

So I followed the signs in the airport that pointed to transportation, bought a ticket for the L and off I went. I asked some nice people on the train where they would recommend going, and they said to take the blue line to Jackson. I was told by many people that the place to go was Michigan St., and so after getting directions from a woman, off I went.

Here are my impressions of Chicago: 1. The people are very friendly 2. It smells good in most places 3. There is at least one college, university, or institute on almost every block 4. Millennium Park is amazing 5. I enjoyed the beautiful statues and architecture

Since I was alone, my camera became a good companion, recording our experiences.
I really like all of the status at Millennium Park, especially the ones without heads or arms. My room at the Hilton was so cool. I loved that I could watch plans landing from my window. (I got a little tongue tied while taking my videos, but I took the clip below while in my hotel room.)

The plane ride home was enjoyable. I love flying and I love reading, put them together and you have one happy camper!

The Wedding Dinner

Bret and I had our Wedding Dinner at Overlook at the Ridge. It was a pleasant evening full of family and friends. It was amazing how fast everything went.



















Here are my flower girls ring bearers. My nieces and nephews are so cute.

Here is my beautiful cake made by Donna, Bret's sister.

The food was so delicious...mmmm....

Tossing of the bouquet.