Zoo Days

Sometimes I convince Jackson to go to the zoo. It rocked. The new section was so cool! The polar bear is a total ham. Here's a photo deluge.

Climbing Sign Language

I took Michael's babies climbing. No, Michael does not really have any babies, but we always refer to his nieces and nephews as "the babies." I suppose we shouldn't anymore, since three of them just climbed up a mountain. We climbed Pete's Rock, which was my first climb when I was a kiddo (sniff, sniff). If you've ever met me (or read this blog) you know that I like these kids and their parents a whole lot. I loved how differently they handle climbing. I realized that all the adults I've taken climbing for the first time are totally faking it, since they all ask the same kinds of questions and none of them admit it when they're confused or uncomfortable. I suppose that's the great thing about kids, though--unfiltered responses (even when that leans toward freaking out).

My Dad belayed from the top, and I climbed next to them, which was pretty perfect.

Morgan is a total stud. He zoomed up. His logical brain though wanted me to tell him first about how it was working. He looked to me at the beginning and said, "I bet I can make it all the way up to Gary. Sarah, I bet you can too." Ever the encouraging big brother.

When he got up close enough to talk to my Dad, he took a break to tell him, "Sarah kept taking all the easy hands." 

Chloe was next. She didn't have any interest in the end goal, but she did enjoy stomping on any foliage on the way and saying in a squeaky voice, "Ouch." She got scared about ten feet from the top, which was not our best moment on the climb, but after latching on to me like a spider monkey and getting a ride to the top (ahem, QUITE the workout) she was happy at a clam, pointing out the copper mine and the hospital where her dad used to work. I told Chloe that my Dad wouldn't be able to hear us very well, so we'd have to use signs to tell him when we were climbing, she took this very literally and insisted on sign language applause when ever someone did something well, even if they were right next to her. So funny.

 Brynn mostly spent time laughing at Jackson and telling him that one of his feet was a "mommy foot" and one was a "daddy foot" since one was bigger. Jackson spent the rest of the day trying to hide his bigger foot behind his smaller one. Brynn was nervous until I told her she was being held by the rope. Another logician, I suppose. She climbed sooo quickly and only got frustrated when there wasn't a perfect handhold, she really wasn't scared, just rather impatient. At one point though, she looked right at me and said in an even voice, "I want my mom and dad." Message received, we went right back down. Her most common comment was "I'm too little to climb." This was a flat out lie, since she got about 75 feet up, near where Chloe is in the picture above. The camera died for her actual ascent, but we got a few of her spectating shots. I think she could be quite the climber. I also think if Jackson can wait about 15 years, they could be quite the couple.

Here are some celebratory shots at the top (Morgan's explaining to Laura how the anchoring system at the top works). I know this climbing adventure was mostly for my personal satisfaction, but I think they had a good time. Thanks for helping out Dad, Laura (the photographer) and Jackson.

Sa-wing Batta Batta

Some days Jackson wakes up and says, "To the batting cages." These kinds of adventures usually happen when Mandy's around.

I'd never done this--which is something you would have known had you seen my first couple tries--but I very much understand how some people might find it therapeutic. I now also have the urge to buy a few baseball shirts. Check out these stances:

 

 

 

PS-I think Michael was accidentally golfing, but he looks swell none the less.

Now I Get to Make Fiancé Jokes

Last week Michael and I announced to the world that we're engaged. Woo! Our parents threw us a graduation party, which was lovely, and we (by we I mean I made Michael do it) announced that we'll be getting married next summer. In Utah, being engaged for a year is about as common as being born with six fingers or winning on the Price is Right. I read one Utah wedding magazine that recommended that brides allow at least thee months to plan their wedding. Wha?! One year is going to work for us, I think.
We had my Nana's engagement ring re-set by a local jeweler, which is so exciting! I'm so proud to wear the diamond my Grandpa bought for my Nana, and I think she's glad to be a part of the process even though she won't be able to travel here for the wedding. My Nana has trouble with her vision, but I'm going to blow up a massive picture of my ring when I get it on a few weeks and send it to her. I'll post a massive picture here too.

We're pretty excited about the whole process, and we're not shy about planning advice! It's sort of daunting, isn't it? I've been saying it a lot lately, but I want to thank everyone who's supported our long distance love for the past five years. Hey! We live in the same state now--AND the same city. Madness! I'll post some pictures soon, but for now here's one of Armando. He's been keeping our secret for about four years now, since Jackson gave him to us on our first anniversary. Don't worry, we're not sure what that secret is either.

Bookshelves are Sexy

My blog titles are so provocative sometimes. Anyway, sometime soon I'll be able to post pictures of the apartment. I hit a small snag in the general moving in process- its a chaise lounge and it's big and red and doesn't fit and can't be returned and it laughs at me every time I turn my back. IKEA might be great for some things but returns aren't one of them. There's a picture below of Jackson being the number one pushcart driver in all pf the parking lot (back when the lounge was still fun).

I guess there was another small snag--a snafu, I'd you will--BOOKS! Where did we get all of these books? Plus, Michael got a job (which is amazing and fantastic), but guess what it involves? Reading and carrying a lot of books. Not little baby books, but big honking textbooks. He also gets a discount on all the books that his publisher publisher (he's working for a company that rhymes with Shmorton), so we'll now have a steady stream of free books.

We spent last night arguing about whose version of what book was better (I lost EVERY time, because I'm a bathtubber), but even though it's binding is so stretched that it won't even close, I couldn't get rid of Anna Karenina. And nobody can make me. I've included a few pictures of our current dilemma. We're trying to craft a shrinking spell so we can carry all our books like Hermione. I'll let you know how that goes.

I should probably point out that I am not in fact upset about the fact that Michael and I spend our nights arguing for books; it's actually kind if awesome, but you probably already figured that out.

Tennis Face

Action shot!

Check out that furry ball boy.

Summer Loafing

When one does not have a job until September (and is struggling to find motivation to get a temporary one) they spend their time as follows:

1.Wheeler Farm Sunday Market with Jackson and Mandy (and Rusty)

2. The Arts Festival, which is my version of the circus

3. Potting herbs

4. Taking a break from potting to lounge with the Moose Dog (hey! A picture of me on my blog)

5. Considering chaise lounges at IKEA. I want this so much.

6. Some of us go to fancy job interviews in NYC. Now everyone take a moment to attempt to hypnotize the publishing house that might hire Michael. 'You want to hire Michael. You want to hire Michael.' C'mon!

Sorry about the format, my iPhone might be super cool, but it sucks at blogging.