Thanks Part Deux

I am also grateful for:

16.  my sense of humor
17.  the beauties in nature, and the ability to see & enjoy them
18.  chocolate
19.  technology, so I can keep in touch with my family & friends no matter where they are
20.  freedom to worship & live as I choose
21.  movies that make me laugh & cry at the same time
22.  nice people in stores, that remind me to be kind also
23.  small talents, like being able to cut my own hair
24.  stories that remind me to be more grateful & not so wrapped up in my own problems
25.  deciding early in life that there's not a lot worth arguing about
26.  forgiving, while not forgetting
27.  people that make me smile
28.  audiobooks, so I can listen to romances or self-help books without being judged
29.  sunshine through the rain
30.  the reminder that every path I take is my choice, and no one elses'

Salt Lake City

 We went to my father's funeral in October.  The service was on Saturday the 22nd, and we only had time to go to Temple Square on Sunday before we flew back to Honolulu.  It was a beautiful day, as you can tell by the pictures:

 Assembly Hall, Temple Square

 Different views of the Salt Lake Temple

 View of the Temple from the top of the LDS Conference Center

Salt Lake Temple view from across the gardens

Kuli 'Ou 'Ou Beach Park

 Beach Day for Cookie!  We can walk to Kuli 'Ou 'Ou beach in just a few minutes...  we should really go there more often

 She's fine as long as she can touch bottom, but freaks out if the water is too deep!  Carley finally carried her across the last part of the walk to get Cookie to the sand bar (mental note: go at low tide so we don't have to do this again)

 Phew!  Back on sand again!

 When her leash was off, Cookie ran like a dog on fire back & forth on the sand bar.  Unfortunately for her, she wasn't paying attention & went past the shallow part... panic ensued as she swam back to us

 I really wish I stayed ignorant about Cookie sharing our water bottles... Ewww

 It pays to have a paranoid pup sometimes... she stayed pretty close to us

 Awww, poor baby had to releash

 Carley wanted to pretend she was walking on water, and Cookie happily trotted with her

Almost too deep again, so it's time to go home & take a rinse off

Thanks

Most people are posting each day on Facebook, but I decided to record what I'm thankful for twice  in November. 

I am thankful for:

1. Jesus Christ, who has saved me more times than I can count
2. my children, especially when they let me laugh and act silly playing Wii
3. my husband, who got me through my father's funeral
4. my sister, who I still think about every day
5. walking in the morning with the sweetest dog in the world
6. feeling a light breeze when I am warm
7. having the time to bake something from scratch
8. reading a good book
9. living closer to a temple
10. reasonably good health
11. ears to hear the rain at night
12. eyes to see flowers
13. singing when my voice doesn't crack
14. being able to sleep through the night
15. a family that doesn't mind telling me the same thing again & again

Honolulu Zoo - October

 The elephants were livelier this visit.  I think they are looking forward to their new digs.  Their current enclosure is tiny for 2 elephants, and their new one looks more "natural", with more grass & trees.

 The turtles were in fine form as well.  In fact, they were racing all over the place (okay, slow & steady racing).

 One meerkat kept lying in the sun like he was exhausted.  It was a little creepy, since it looks like he's dead instead of napping.

 I was sad to see the sign that said Bobbles had been put down.  The previous signs always said that he was "special" but that his wobbling and hobbling wasn't a problem for him.  I will miss Bobbles... he was one of the highlights of my zoo visits.

Here's a pic of the infamous Gharial that we have sponsored through our zoo membership.  The guy with the open mouth never moved... I'm not sure if he was asleep with his mouth open, or just hoping a bird would land inside if he kept still just a little longer.