Hogle Zoo's Zoo Lights

We decided to brave the cold and go to Hogle Zoo's Zoo Lights last night. I have to admit that I wasn't overly thrilled to go out into the cold, but I was curious to see what they had done up there. So we bundled the whole family up and off we went. It was a lot of fun and the decorations were so fun. They had a lot of animal ones and a lot of traditional ones with Santa and such. Brad took a lot of pictures and I'm adding a couple here to hopefully give you a taste of how cool it was. What was fun about the lights is that they made it look like they were animated. One of my favorites made it look like a bear was chasing a skunk, only to get sprayed. They were really well done. The zoo also had heaters set up at different points in the zoo, so that helped along the way. The one thing is you didn't really see any real animals. We say the tiger and that was about it (the reptile house was open, but we didn't want to unload the kids to go in).
We put the kids in Zach's wagon and piled blankets on them. They seemed to do really well in the cold. Zach got really into the lights too. Both of the kid's face just beamed at times as they looked at things. Of course, Brad and I were enjoying ourselves too. I had stopped and bought a fried smore and hot chocolate. The fried smore is good, but I would have enjoyed it better under different circumstanced (out of the cold). The hot chocolate was a lot of fun because I bought it in a mug that lights up, looking like the lights are circling around it. We all had a lot of fun with that. Plus the hot chocolate helped a lot while staying out in the cold.

We had a lot of fun and I would really encourage anyone who wants to go see some really beautiful lights with a cool theme to go up there. I know they are doing it though the end of the month at least. Just make sure to really bundle up, I won't mislead you there. It was really cold up there. And I recommend getting the hot chocolate, it did help to stay warm. I know, we are some zoo freaks at this house, but we all love going there. This just made it all the funner to go.

Things That Make Your Day

I was having a couple of weeks where things were frustrating me. I'm not saying they were valid frustrations, but that is what was happening. Frustration seems to me to be something that will bring you down. I was lucky in that something came along yesterday that totally made my day. I had a friend from long ago contact me through Facebook. Nina used to live across the street from me and in the summer of 1986 I would say our group of friends were inseparable. We had a lot of fun. Nina moved while we were in junior high and I only have seen her once since then and that was a little less than 15 years ago. I was actually thinking of Nina just a couple of days ago when something sparked a memory from that time. I tried to look her up on Facebook when I joined a couple of months ago, along with any other long lost friends I could think of. I was so thrilled that she joined and looked for me too. We had a good email conversation yesterday and it really made my day. I know I probably look too much in the past in my life, maybe that's the part of me that loves history too. But something I tend to regret is that I've never been good at staying in contact with my friends. I'm not the type to make a lot of friends, but the friends I do make I consider to be very good friends. I don't know why, if these friendships are so important to me, that I allow them to slip away over time. Maybe we're all like that, I guess my friends have let me slip away too. At least I've been given a chance at redemption. Now if only all of my other friends from eras past would sign up on Facebook.

Here's a picture of the group, minus me (I'm taking the picture).

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

I know most of you already know this, but I cut my hair again. I'm pretty lazy about hair cuts and eventually my hair is long again. Not too long, but long enough I think about a hair cut. But if I'm patient and wait a few months more, I know I'll have enough to donate it. So, this is the third time I've done it. It is so much fun because it is such a dramatic change, not just the taking of a few inches off. It takes 10 inches to donate and while I never really know how long it is (I never measure), I know it's at least that. Plus, I love the thought that something so simple to me as my hair can help a child who is in need because of cancer or whatever. My sister-in-law Kristi introduced me to Locks of Love, an organization that helps provide wigs to children in need, due to cancer treatments or other medical conditions. They either will use your hair to make wigs or sell it to offset any costs. It makes me feel really good that something that comes so easy to me with growing my hair can do something for others.

Dancing Monkeys

I was having a weekend where everything was driving me crazy. I was trying so hard to keep it under control, but I felt like I was heading towards a nervous breakdown. Just one of those things. I had the best thing happen to me though . . . a good laugh. We were driving to visit family Sunday evening and stopped at a stoplight next to a giant electronic sign. One of those full color ones with all the animation. A couple of fully feathered, beautiful turkeys pop up and I get Zach to look at it - "Zach, look at the turkeys!" He looks just as the sign changes to line of about five or so "dead" turkeys - you know, just how they look cooked. Plus, they are dancing. I'm thinking "Oh no, how am I going to explain this one to Zach?" Bless his heart, Zach says "Look, dancing monkeys." I know it wasn't that funny, but I couldn't stop laughing for a good couple of minutes. I'd just have to say "dancing monkeys" to get myself laughing again. I think Brad was considering committing me though at one point. Oh, but it was the best medicine for a cranky weekend.

Make a Smilebox postcard

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. We sure have had a great time so far. We took Zach and Sarah out for about an hour earlier in the evening. It took Zach a little while to get the hang of it and not be so shy, but as soon as he understood that if he went to the door and said "Trick or Treat" he would get some candy, he was all for it. Both Brad and I went, since we really don't get trick or treaters on our tiny street (we did get some about 10 minutes ago, a big group from the family who lives in the cul-de-sac behind us, I was so excited). We took our sit and stand double stroller with both kids in it and went to a long cul-de-sac street about a block away. I kept Sarah in the stroller while Brad took Zach up to each house. It was so fun to watch Zach get into it. Sarah still doesn't get it, but she had a good time getting out for awhile. Brad and I really enjoyed it, we love seeing our little boy grow up and enjoy all the things of childhood.

Early Voting

I went today to take advantage of the early voting that is going on here in Utah. It turned out great. There were a bunch of locations to go to and I chose one one in South Jordan. I went in, filled out a form with a small amount of my info, and handed it to one of the workers with my ID. He gave me a card that looked a lot like a hotel car key which I put into one of the new touch-screen computer systems they are using. I did have to wait in a couple of lines for a few minutes, but it went really fast. The new system was so easy to use and I think it is much better than the old punch card system. It then lets you verify everything and you're done voting. I strongly encourage anyone to go tomorrow (Oct. 31) if you get a chance to vote early. They are only open until 5:00 PM though tomorrow and I do wonder how busy it is going to be on the last day. I just recommend it because I have no idea if they are using the touch-screens on Election Day and I really loved them. I believe every county in Utah is doing early voting, so look it up on your county website if you're interested.
Brad and I are wondering if it will make the lines any shorter at the polls on Election Day. We've decided that we are going to go on a walk up on Election Day to the place we'd normally vote at to see if the lines are shorter.
Oh, and if you are wondering who I voted for, I'm not going to talk about it. I guess I've just seen too many people be judgemental of others' choices. So. . . go vote and vote for who you think will do the best job. That's what makes this country so great is that we all have a voice.