First Day of School

Yes, yes--its' the "First Day of School" blog post.  It was a happy and successful first day for everyone (including mommy--my first day with a couple hours of free time in years!)

Maisy started Pre-K at the school and Wilson started 2nd grade.

It was even a first day of school for Daddy.

When I asked Maisy if she liked her teacher she enthusiastically said yes.  I then asked her what her teacher's name was--pretty easy question, right. 

She paused.  "Hmmm...Ms. (pause) Wobbly?" 

I started laughing.  "Oh, Ms. Swobbly!" she replied.  I laughed even harder. 

"Okay, I don't know."

"It's Ms. Gr-am-ly," I told her.  So, we are working on that one.

Memphis Zoo

On our way home from Alabama we discovered a gem! If you are ever in Memphis you must go to the zoo.

Ace was totally wrapped up in the milieu of the zoo and he engrossingly pointed at all the animals, then ran around and giggled. I think maybe he was just happy not to be strapped into his carseat.

The penguins were charming as always. We were very close to them which enabled us to see their funny personalities up close.

This is were we met the Gibbeons Monkeys. They were by far the most entertaining animals of the day! Also, in the same habitat were the River Otters (one of our families' personal faves.) The monkeys and otters were interacting and being crazy. Very memorable, indeed.

As we entered the Asian Animals section of the zoo they had a statue of a Buddha. So here we are making friends with Buddha. Wilson is doing his best impression and Ace is just too mesmerized with his bald shiny head. He couldn't stop patting it!

But by far, the HUGE highlight for me was seeing the Panda Bear. Ya Ya was incredible to see and she was having lunch when we met her. Apparently Panda Bears are endangered and it is actually quite rare to ever see them outside of China because the Chinese government doesn't let them out of China very often. The Chinese Ambassador for the U.S. is from Memphis and so that is how their zoo is lucky enough to house a panda bear.

Overall we had a most adventurous time at the Memphis Zoo. It was a great end to our family trip.

Happy Birthday Kasia!

Everyone! Today is Kasia's birthday! What a great day! What a great woman! We celebrated last night with a rip roaring pool party.

Delaine made a beautiful cake that was appreciated, then devoured, by all.

We had lots of great friends at the pool to help us celebrate. Bill really liked the chips.

Ace enjoyed a steady pattern of eat, swim, eat, swim, eat, swim.

Maisy was soooo excited to have all her friends swimming with her. She's always up for a party.

Wilson showed off his improved swimming skills all night long. He swims like a fish! OR perhaps an aquatic badger.

As the evening turned to night, the fun continued. The water was nice and the guests were polite and well-mannered. Thank goodness for that. Didn't want the Melissa cops to come break us up.

Happy birthday Kasia! We all love you very much!

Now make a wish as you watch Kasia blow out the candles.

Memory Lane

August 6th was my dear friend Quincy's birthday and I thought what better way to wish her a Happy Birthday than to stroll down memory lane with her. Quincy and I lived on the same floor our freshman year at BYU. After that we were friends and roommates for the rest of our time at BYU. Let the stories begin!

This is a picture of us at my cousin's wedding. I don't know if she remembers this, but this is the very event that we both made a silent wish that some day we would find our TRUE LOVES and live happily ever after. You know how weddings make you feel all romantic? Well, if you know Quincy--you know she has most definitely and undeniably found her one and only TL! I also have found my true love (shout out to Brett) and so it looks like our wish came true.

I had totally forgotten this event until I came across this picture. First,I should ask Quincy: Do you remember Tanner Apt. #8? Do you remember when we filled their doorway with popcorn and then hung a sign that said "Never Gonna Get It" along side a respectable Barbie and little green army guys?

There were many reasons that this prank most inevitably had to be played on this apartment full of over-aged arrogant boys (specifically JP and Chuck.) The best one I can remember had to do with Quincy and I going on a mountain bike riding trip with them because we were invited. Then Quincy trying abashedly, yet with no inhibitions to learn to mountain bike, but falling off and getting a HUGE bruise on her thigh. But the kicker is that once we got home, they never called again! Silly boys. They apparently were not our TL's.

This is a picture of us at one of our favorite burger places our freshman year. This was pre-eyebrow plucking for me. Quincy showed me the best tweezers for plucking and I still own a pair. Please don't look too close at my eyebrows. They were pretty bushy.

Here is a picture of us with my bro Cameron. One very special thing for me is that Quincy pretty much knows my entire family--parents, siblings, and even my extended family. I believe there is one uncle she hasn't met. Pretty much every family gathering I attended in college--Quincy was with me. That is one reason I consider her family (among many other reasons.) All my family members love her too and consider her family.

As I pulled this last picture out this was Brett's comment: "Oh, a classic." I just couldn't stroll down memory lane without mentioning our other roommates. In the back is Rachel and Megan. Then my mom, of course. Then me and Quincy in the front. Channa (my sister)--I know she was there too. She was probably taking the picture. So many our adventures involved going to Mesa to visit my sister. I think it was on this trip that Quincy rolled down the window in the car while we were driving and yelled, "I LOVE US!!" to innocent pedestrians.

Here we are just a couple of weeks ago when we visited them. We were pretty fabulous then, but I dunno?--I think we look pretty fabulous now! Even though we are all grown-up and we don't have to walk to Smith's and carry our groceries home in our backpacks--I know we still have many more adventures to come.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, QUINCY!! I love you!

(Rachel, Megan, and Brittany--stayed tuned for more memories. When going through pictures, I found so many classics of all of us. I feel like I'm on a roll...)

Alabama

Yes, we went to ALABAMA on our longest trip of the summer. When people ask about our vacation, the same conversation invariably follows:

Friend: "So, where did you go on your trip?"
Brett or Kasia: "Alabama."
Friend (incredulously): "Why the heck did you go to Alabama?"

There is a simple response to that question. We went to Alabama because THAT'S WHERE KIRK AND QUINCY LIVE!

Quincy is Kasia's roommate from BYU. Kirk is her husband. Together, they have formed a formidable family that is a riot to hang out with. We went to the Huntsville area for about four days, where we made some lasting memories with our dear friends.

We did lots of swinging, sliding, and bike riding.

Here's Wilson with his "special friend," Zoe.

Question: Why does Ace look like he's pedaling a moon bike?

Answer: Because we visited the Rocket Center in Huntsville, and learned all about stuff that has gone to the moon! It was out of this world.

Ace at the Rocket Center with his main squeeze, Susie.

We went to a really fun water park called Point Mallard. Does it look like Ace is laughing or crying in that picture?

Wil and Zoe spent QUITE A BIT of time together during our stay. . .

. . . as did Maisy and her BFF Kaija.

Dance party, anyone? Zoe planned out the coolest party for us. Who you gonna call?

So, now you see why we went to Alabama for our summer trip. We hope to go back some time, because we love our friends! Thanks for a great trip Kirk and Quincy!