election zoo day

i almost put a slash there, but then i realized it didn't really need one after all. firstly, i voted. after the day was done i listened and read in shock and disbelief as the results came in. i just couldn't sleep. i was surprised at how uneasy i was left feeling when it became apparent that trump won. matt would roll over and ask how it was looking and i'd tell him incredulously, only to do it again in another hour. i just don't know what to think, but i do know that america has always been great, and it will keep on being great. one person just doesn't have enough power to make it not so, not that i think he'd even try. enough on that though.

alecia had asked if i'd like to go to the temple (always yes) via the zoo (always yes x2). these two kiddos, whose mama's shared a baby shower, have literally known each other since before they were born.

one day our dinner convo was all about lexi and what her new last name will be (big news!) and that lead to "what if i marry (insert every male friend's name here), what will my last name be?" including, but not limited to, curtis. just sayin'.

we met up with leisa and her crew too. these 3 little friends were so cute together. not as cute is delaney's obsession with skirts. we had made a deal that the next day (zoo day) she would wear jeans. so i got her dressed (under duress) and then out she came with this ruffly green skirt that matches next to nothing. and you know what? i just don't care. also, i just noticed frankie on the left side of the pic pushing the darrows stroller like a mad-woman.

curtis sandwich.

we followed the elephant prints in search of a nice lunch spot. but we decided the elephants were a tad too stinky to be a good lunch spot.

it was the most gorgeous day! perfect, perfect.

and it was a best for a lot of things. like panda encounters. this little bao-bao was soooo funny. he climbed and played and almost fell, all right in front of us, it was so fun!

and these seals were pretty darn fun too. the kids would move their arms and they'd follow, it was so great. leisa said she's seen them to do it better, but unless i'm just forgetting (entirely possible) i never have.

my girls loooove the zoo sign and could play here for hours. so we just had to stop here on our way out.

cute preschool friends!

and one last of my baby, because she asked.

then some last minute tree climbing as we raced back down the hill.

fall deliciousness. every time we drive anywhere i tell the girls to appreciate the beauty all around them, because when you live is a desert you get none of this. and i love it soooo much.

from the zoo we went to leisa's, where we dropped our kids off with leisa, who is a saint and offered to watch them for us so we could go to the temple. it was 2:52 when we raced out of the house to try to make it to the 3:00 session. alecia's speedy driving got us there right at 3:00, where we played the "7 kids with a babysitter" card to get them to hold things for us. if it wasn't so true i might feel badly, but as it turns out i don't, not at all. it was a wonderful time in the temple with a wonderful friend, and all made possible by another wonderful friend.

we picked up our kiddos and headed to dinner at cafe rio. duh, duh, duh. my gps and i started out on the wrong foot with it making me do a square maneuver and attempt to turn left on the busiest street known to man. so when it started telling me that branch ave exit was closed i said, oh no, you silly thing, i'm not falling for your shenanigans again. only i should have. i really should have. branch ave was closed and my non-listening added at least an hour onto our trip. we were all tired, hungry, and bored by the time we finally rolled up to cafe rio. and i'm still dreaming about their delicious salads.

meanwhile, bubba and his surrogate family went to a Caps game. fun. :)

the rest of our trip home was uneventful. thank goodness. so much excitement for one day.