Starting it off with a Bang

This summer started on kind of a shaky note. The Saturday after school ended for me, I took Brooke to the grocery store where she realized for the first time there is food there. She kept doing the sign for "eat" every time I put something new in the cart. She also started reaching for things off the shelves and was not content like she usually is to just sit in the cart. She was the same way when we went to the library next. Then as soon as we got home Brooke broke a glass bottle of salad dressing all over the floor and cut her foot. The cut wasn't bad, but I had to mop the floor 3 times in order for it not to be a sticky mess anymore. Then we had to go back to the store beacause I forgot something and while there Brooke lost one of her new shoes. I couldn't find it anywhere. (the store called on Sunday and they found it) Then that night I realized Brooke had chewed a hole through her last binky! So totally unexpectedly and sooner than I had planned, it was round 2 of Brooke going binky-less. I am happy to say that the nights are getting better and I think this time it's actually going to stick.

Things got better on Monday and Tuesday. Blake and I decided to celebrate our anniversary (7 years!) by going into Salt Lake. We stopped at Cabela's where Brooke loved to watch the fish. And spent some time at Thanksgiving Point walking through the gardens and seeing their little farm animals they have there.

Brooke's favorite part of the whole thing was playing with these little trees

Blake's sister kindly offered to watch Brooke for us so Blake and I could enjoy a night out together. We stuffed ourselves sick at Rodizzio Grill (YUMMY!). Tuesday morning we got up and went to the zoo.

Brooke was on the go from the moment we got there!
This orangutan came over to say hello to Brooke. When she finally noticed it was there, and it was a live thing behind the window, she started laughing.
My favorite part was definitely the baby elephant. So cute!
We also got an upclose and personal look at the tigers. Usually they are always sleeping and hiding when we go. Today they were right by the fence. The 3 cubs from last year are all grown up and really playful. We got to watch them wrestle in the water.
I think it's safe to say Brooke wasn't the only one exhausted on the ride home! I am not sure how Blake took this picture while driving, but we are safe and sound back at home!