Reid Park Zoo

Before it got too hot here in Arizona, Natalie and I took the kids to Tucson to visit the Reid Park Zoo. The weather was just right. It wasn't very crowded and we got to see most of the animals before they went in for their afternoon naps! The kids had their swimming suits on because they have a new splash area for kids to play in. Emily and Brandon liked it, but Lindsay got sprayed once by a lizard and wouldn't leave my lap after that. Thankfully there was a bench nearby in the shade.

We got to the polar bear just in time. He was just coming out of his den and the zookeeper had hidden some fruit and tasty fish all around his exhibit. The kids enjoyed watching him find it all!

One of Lindsay's favorite things to do there, by far, was riding in the stroller. I forgot to bring mine and had to rent one, but it was way cooler than ars. It had a steering wheel and a cup holder!

They had an indoor exhibit where you could get up close to some of the animals. Here is a baby armadillo. He was really cool. We also got to see some snakes, lizards and giant cockroaches! Yuck!

It was a lot of fun to come to the zoo. It was Lindsay's first time, too! She loved seeing the animals. Brandon and Emily got to feed the giraffes too. Just as we finished looking at the animals, it started to get hot, so we went to the mall, had some lunch and did a little shopping. Then we headed home. It was a nice little trip. I'm glad Natalie and Brandon were able to come with us!

Emily's Kindergarten Graduation

Emily finished Kindergarten this year and couldn't be more excited for 1st grade. Although she is a little nervous about having more homework. I told her to get used to it!

This was Emily's teacher, Mrs. Smallwood. She was the best teacher ever. Emily already misses her now that summer is in full swing. We wish she could teach 1st grade next year! She misses her classmates, too, and asks daily to have them over to play. It's a good thing I know some of them!

They had a small assembly with the three kindergarten classes. They sand some of the songs they learned this year. It was fun!

We thank Thee oh God for a Prophet

On May 22, We met the Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. He was coming to dedicate the Gila Valley Temple. I was returning home from the Temple Cultural Celebration practice when I saw his jet fly in and called Palmer, who informed me that he was already at the airport. So I headed over there myself, thinking I would just get a glimpse of him coming off the aircraft. To our surprise her came over to us! There were about 20 people waiting to see him there. Palmer had the girls and took some pictures with his phone. I'm kicking myself because I left mine in the car and didn't want to go back out and get it in case he decided it was time to leave.

President Walker came around the fence and took Emily's hand to take her to meet the prophet. President Monson leaned over and had a little conversation with her about her flip flops. Then gave her a high five! He talked to Palmer about tractors, since he had on his Case IH shirt on. He told him he used to dig ditches and drive tractors when he was younger. He made no comment when Palmer asked if they were red ones! We got to visit with President Henry B. Eyring too. Lindsay kept calling him Grandpa!

After leaving the airport, he stopped along the road to meet with the Cluff family who were all waiting on Cluff Parkway. We had to pull over too since security wouldn't let us drive by while he was there. So, I grabbed my camera and got out as well. Here he is with Brent Beals.

Lindsay and I managed to squeeze in and get a few pictures. Thanks, Valerie for taking them for me! Emily wasn't in these because she was more excited to see her friend Katelynn! They were playing somewhere else!

I was glad I got out, because I didn't know Elder Holland was here too! He must have already been in the car when i showed up at the airport. These three men have been called by God , and you could tell that they loved each and everyone of us! The spirit was strong when we were standing in their presence. I will never forget how rare an opportunity this was for our family!