Emma at the Smith Center

The 3rd graders at Emma's school had the once in a life time opportunity to attend a play at the Smith Center here in Las Vegas. The play they watched was Frindle, which was a required book at their school.  The Smith Center is not only for the performing arts but has an educational outreach program.  10 years ago when they built the model for the Smith Center it did not include limos or taxis, but school buses.  The center won't officially open until this weekend but one of the first performances ever to the public was free to these few students.

Emma was so proud and excited to attend the play, especially since it was performing in the new Smith Center.  I have to admit, I was a bit jealous!!  I LOVE plays, ballets, concerts, opera....  I love it all.  I am so excited that Vegas opened the doors to this beautiful building and debt free as well!  It also holds an endowment for starting operations!  How awesome is that!

Our local news channel 3 was there to capture this event.  Since parents were not able to attend, I knew I wouldn't be able to take a picture of this special day for Emma.  BUT....  They interviewed her and she was so adorable!  She talked about her play that she wrote and is directing at her school.  They even made a sweet comment about her, too.

The link below will take you to the whole 30 minute segment that day.  News 3 at 5.  The actual clip is about 10 to 11 minutes in.

http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/25511/3331539

Enjoy!

Grace Kay - Month 23

Scott's Field Trip to Roo's N More

On February 17th, daddy took Scott to Roo's and More to meet up with his class for his first field trip.  This place was awesome!  It is near Moapa so it was quite a drive, but totally worth it!  Talk about a petting zoo!  Scott was able to pet or hold just about creature there! 

This is a Binturong - an Asian Bearcat.  (Bryan and Scott's favorite!)  It's not a bear or a cat, more like a wolverine and although carnivorous it eats mostly leaves and fruit.   It is a very gentle animal and smells like Cheetos.  Haha!

 I couldn't tell if Bryan or Scott liked the bearcat more!  They both came home super excited about it!

 The kids were able to play with the otters as they free roamed the area. 

The otters have a swimming pool that in the summer you can swim with them.....  I know!!

 Scott petting an otter!

A bunch of the kids were able to hold a python.  Scott was scared of snakes but I think he is over it now!

He even held a Toucan!

Hey, there is a monkey on my lap!

Checking out the animals.  There was camels, a donkey, a pony, a zebra, a llama, what else?

Oh, and this.  Bryan calls it a zebra donkey!

There was kangaroos and wallabies, too.  The tour guide took the albino wallaby and showed the kids the baby roo in its pouch....  I know!  The wallaby just let her take it out like it was nothing!  It didn't have its fur yet.  So tiny!

 

Scott and daddy had lots of fun together.  I know Scott enjoyed himself, he always does, but Bryan came home and could not stop talking about the place.  Or the bearcat!  When we can we will take the whole family there.  It sounded like so much fun!

 

My second trip to AZ...

On the morning of February 8th I received a call from my dad that his mom had passed away.  I was in the process of getting the kids out the door when he called.  Grandma Julie lived to be 92 years old.  The last 10+ years she battled Alzheimer's and it was her time long ago.  I was thankful but sad for my dad.  I know that she is free from her physical limitations.  I know that I will see her again someday and tell her all about my kids and wonderful husband.  

My Aunt Karyn held a wake at her home for grandma on Feb 25th.   It was a 4 day trip and had to leave Bryan with the kids.  Since my brother was already in Arizona working, I hitched a ride with my parents.

When we turned the corner to their home, these signs were the first thing we saw.  It was beautiful.  We spent the next few days catching up and reminiscing about grandma.

Grandma's wishes were to be cremated and her ashes spread somewhere.  I don't know if that will happen but they did get a small urn for her. 

We toasted to her, had a drink with her, ate dinner with her...  It was rather silly but that's us Tanners! 

The morning of the wake I went with my Uncle Rex to hike the mountain by their home.  I needed it.  It was breath-taking to see the whole valley from atop.

I learned a lot about Grandma Julie, some I remember from before, a lot that was new.  She owned a beauty shop...

She was an artist....

She had her own place...  "Julie's Snack Bar"  

She loved to sing and dance.  She was the life of the party and great at everything she did.  At least that is how I see her!  (I wasn't her kid!!)  She was an amazing woman and had to go through a lot in her life.

I miss her so much.  I know I will see her again someday.  

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again"

Emma's Field Trip to Lee Canyon

 On January 27th, all the 3rd graders at Emma's school took a trip to Lee Canyon for science and math in the snow.  Bryan was a chaperone along with Grandma Severance. 

 It was cold but a lot of fun!

 The weather has been so warm and they were lucky there was any snow on the ground at all.  It was pretty solid and hard to make snow angels and snow balls.  I think they had fun anyway!