Always Second Place

I'm not complaining or anything, but it seems like I almost always come in second place. For instance, Jane was born first and I was second. The first year we tried out for the pep team, she was the first alternate and I was second alternate. One time we saw a list of our High School Graduating Class ranking and of 300 students, our names were right next to each other. Guess which one of us was listed second! I don't think it has tainted or harmed me at all - maybe it has even made me stronger, who knows. But coming in first would be quite nice once in a while.

In keeping with my tradition of coming in second, I did it once again tonight. At our Ward Halloween/Trunk-or-Treat Party there was a trunk decorating contest for anyone who wanted to participate. I thought it sounded like some fun so I went to the closest store (Walgreens) where pickins were slim, spent under $25, and this is what I created. Quite simple, really, but it did take some time to put together.

Photo taken in our garage with flash

Here is a video of what it looked like in the dark of night. One little trunk-or-treater wouldn't

come within 10 ft. of my car. So cute!

In actuality, there weren't very many who entered the contest, so taking second place is not something to be that proud of but it is better than third, fourth, fifth, ........etc. It would be nice, however, to know some day what it feels like to be first. One day maybe I'll know.

Animal House

I know it took a while....28 years to be exact....but Alan and I finally made it to the Los Angeles Zoo today. I don't know what took us so long. It is a nice zoo and it's also considered a botanical garden because of the lusch vegetation. I don't know why we never once took our children there when they were young. We did, however, take them to the San Diego Zoo a couple of times as well as the Hogle Zoo (in Utah) several times, so maybe that makes up for not taking them to this zoo. It took about 3 hours to see everything so we got some good exercise in while walking the grounds. Does that make up for the cookie and ice cream that we ate?

This is the grand entrance to the zoo.

This is just inside the park. You can see the pink flamingos in the background. I love flamingos!

Although he is pretty ugly and is missing the horn on his nose, we enjoyed this Rhino.

I especially love looking at the big cats and tigers are my favorite.

This made me think of King Kong. What a big brute!

What's a zoo without a little necking, right?

Utah Bliss

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Utah where I was able to spend quality time with family and friends. One bonus and blessing of this trip was to be able to spend time with my three sisters for a little "mini retreat." We were able to attend a session at the Bountiful temple together, followed by lunch, and then a quilting session. It was so much fun to be able to spend the day together. I loved every minute of it. I have the best sisters in the world!

Clockwise from top: Joan, Gayle, Jane, and Janice

Janice, Jane, and Gayle working on the quilt. See that empty spot? That's where I was working.

I shouldn't have been, but I was amazed at the beauty of the Utah mountains changing colors. I loved it! That's something we don't get to see here in the desert.

I loved seeing my kids again. This picture is at Jared Lee's wedding reception. Unfortunately Ryan had already left when this was taken. Ryan was in a hurry to get on the road for yet another fishing trip to Oregon.

Cheryl and I on temple square.

This was the main reason for my trip.....the sealing in the Salt Lake Temple of my friend Vicki's son Jared Lee to Caitlin Jeppson. The wedding ceremony was beautiful and they are a beautiful couple. I know that they will be happy together.