Updates!

One of our friend's wards was going disco skating, they invited us so we got to roller skate for free! So our night started out in the 70's.

Kirsten, me, Hayley, Eliza, Jane, Ashley

Zoe, Kaitlin, me, Ashley. These are the beautiful girls I'm going to be rooming with next year in Liberty Square Apartments!

I can't wait! I just love them!

me, Nick, Kaitlin

After the 70's decade we moved on to the 80's for a dance party.

Ashley, me, Kaitlin

Unfortunately the dance wasn't all that great so we decided to go to "Spark", a lounge that serves non alcoholic drinks where you can dress up and have fun. But.....we didn't realize it cost money to get in so...we went to the dollar theatre. Everyone was sick of changing so we went in our formal wear. Nick asked if he could get a discount from the dollar priced ticket since he was dressed up. They didn't go for it.

?, Taylor, Kaitlin, Me, Nick, Dallin, Jane

We've made it a goal to go do baptisms at the temple every Thursday night. It's been great so far, it's really neat to be able to do this with such great friends. We're planning on doing baptisms when we go to Arizona this weekend at the Mesa Temple. One of our friends is about to go on a mission so he'll be able to baptize us.

Dallin, Me, Taylor, Kaitlin

A few weeks ago a group of us went to a FREE Dashboard Confessional concert. None of the big group pictures turned out so this is only part of the group that went.

Nick, me, Jessica, James.

We drove up to Ogden to be with Eric when he got his mission call (Hermosillo Mexico). He went to BYU last semester, we miss him! This is almost all of our BYU family, missing just a couple people.

Back Row, L to R: Dallin, Preston, Nyal, Taylor, Jordan, Jane, Hayley, Eliza, Connor,

Front Row, L to R: Zach, Zoe, me, Eric, Ashley, Kirsten

And finally, a picture of me and my wonderful, amazing, beautiful roomate Kat.

My friends and I are looking forward to a roadtrip this week over the three day weekend. I can't wait for them to meet my family, and I can't wait to see my family! It's going to be a great trip.

Zoo Redo

Our year long zoo pass expires in March, so Jeff and I are trying to get all we can out of it before then. (It's great exercise. If my schedule allowed, I think I could go every day to climb the hills and not get tired of seeing and hearing everything!) While Brandon and Taylor were at a scouting event in the adjacent Papago Park, Jeff and I went back to the zoo. This time, we brought $3 so we could experience the new giraffe encounter.  The giraffes were wonderful! We ran up the hill and arrived just as the exhibit was opening. The keepers rang the bell and pretty soon, all four giraffes came bobbing up over the hill. It was so fun to watch them come. Their black tongues-18 inches long-snaked out to grab the food we had. I think it was a little intimidating to Jeff at first, But our guide, Mike, made everything right. Check out Their eyes-HUGE!

We saw some of the same animals (The lions & Rhinos were still sleeping-it doesn't matter what time of day we go!) and skipped a few others. This time, the otters were up and playful, and we stopped by the flamingos-STINKY!

Isn't this picture perfect for Valentine's Day?

Jeffrey was almost as fascinated with some prairie dogs (I think?) that were out roaming around. He feed them some popcorn someone had spilled. We also stopped for a snack by the lake to watch 4 brand new lemurs arrive at their new island enclosure. 4 of them are brand new to the zoo. The peacocks sharing the island got feed up and flew over the water right to where we were. The mean one just keep staring at me. Just as I thought we was going to jump on me, he flew over my head and chased two boys Jeffrey was talking to from school.

Click on it to see the full size. Creepy, huh? It was a great trip. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Hole in the Rock

Looks interesting, huh? Hole in the Rock. Not beautiful, not ugly, just interesting. Brandon and Taylor helped work on an eagle project at one of Papago Park's trails. (The Park includes, the zoo, botanical gardens, the orienteering and archery courses, playing fields, army recruitment and training center and acres of bike and hiking trails/camp grounds.)  Brandon came home with great stories so it sounds like I'll need to make the climb. He pratically dared me to when he told me it was too hard for me. Mark's taken the boys before, but I haven't gone. Guess that needs to change.

It's Spring!

Just Friday I posted some pictures that whispered winter, and here it is two days later with me posting Spring in Scottsdale. But yesterday at the zoo with Jeffrey, the signs were unmistakable.

I thought it was just the difference in climates of the two areas that caused the drastic change in climate, but not so. We were back in Payson this morning for a stake conference, and most of the snow was already gone. I was so surprised!

And I know in just 6 weeks when we're driving back, the highway will be covered with tall sunny-yellow wild flowers.

We really do have all 4 seasons here; some just come and go a little faster than others.

Good Morning!

Who needs roosters when you have buff cheeked Gibbons hanging around? We could hear them from the entrance! At first, I thought it was a sound track when Jeff asked, but it didn't take us long to find them...or for Jeff to call back. What a great way to start the day.

Until we met their neighbors breakfasting on 'meat product'. (That's what the keeper called it, anyway. Just what is 'meat product'? Gross. King vultures, not my favorite, but I can't help stopping to stare.

Our morning was in for more ugly when we stopped to watch a little community hygiene going on. Social grooming at its best and breakfast to boot!

I don't know what was going on here-but when Jeff sat along the wall, several of these guys came to join him. Sorry girls, no lice on this boy. (Whew!)

Not everyone was enthusiastic about starting the day.

Others hadn't even started yet.

I felt bad for waking this guy up. He was just so cute curled up under the tree. 

 Jeff ran for the telescope, but there was no need. Both cheetahs were up and roaming, then came and posed for the camera.

Can you see the other cheetah back against the fence waiting for his turn at breakfast?

The cheetahs were inspiring, so we decided to pick up our game and race against the clock.

Let's just say I'm glad I don't have to outrun any four legged critters to save my neck.

And there's nothing I do that's this fast.

Or, fortunately, this ugly. 

Or this cute.

and back to... ugly? Or exotic? Or angry? Or creepy or what are these guys? I don't know, but they weren't exactly thrilled with us. We didn't stay too long here, they were making me feel guilty.

But my favorite of the day...

...watching these two staring at each other? I just wish I knew what was going on in their minds. (This was right about the point Jeff tried to climb as high as he could on the fence. Really, what was he thinking?)

For an even better pic of this beautiful cat sneak over to this post.

The Zoo

Up close and personal with the zoo's welcoming committee.

Jeff and I went first to see the new Geico Gecko exhibit.

It's was actually better than I expected. We found all five geckos and had fun with the trivia blocks around the enclosure.

This guy left breakfast and came to down to peek right back at us.

 

Creepy, eh? But not as bad as this.

We went to play on the tree house (we never stop when someone else is with us.) 

Jeff was having fun climbing around-had it all to himself.

Then he called me in to show me something cool. Cool until...

 I'm a believer in letting kids develop the skill of figuring out things for themselves. With a little prompting, he was able to deduce that this nifty little contraption wasn't the 'stocks' he'd heard about from pilgrim's day, but something else entirely... Never saw the kids move so fast!