Once a Taylorsvillian, always a Taylorsvillian, am I right? 

After a fun day of bowling and Leatherby's with friends, we ended the night right at Taylorsville Dayzz fireworks.  It wouldn't feel like summer without Taylorsville Dayzz!  And since it's beginning, I think I've only missed it summer of 2009, because I was living in Michigan.  The very next summer, 2010, Taylorsville Dayzz landed on the same day that Nathan bought my engagement ring.  Nathan was showing it off to everyone but me, because he still hadn't officially proposed yet.  Punk.

This year, for the first time since we were newly weds, we don't live in Taylorsville.  But we couldn't miss Taylorsville Dayzz.  We just couldn't.  The fireworks show they put on is easily the best fireworks show I've seen.  This year, it ended with a big hot wall of fire!  Where else can you see that?  

We were there.  As if we were high school lovers.  

Clementine was there too.  And despite how things look in this picture, she really loved it.  

Clementine and her daddy. 

I always love the smiley face firework!

Ooooooooo.....

Ahhhhhh!

I LOVE fireworks.  And I love Taylorsville Dayzz.  

Even though it was about 102 degrees outside, we braved the heat and headed out after nap time for a Tracy Aviary adventure.  I hadn't been to the aviary since I was in elementary school.  I honestly couldn't remember anything about it.  But we see it every time we go to play at the Liberty Park canyon fountains, and I remember  that my Mom always loved the aviary, so it made it's way onto our Summer Bucket List.   

Look at this awesome peacock!  When we started taking this selfie, his tail was calm and relaxed in the usual "I'm not going to show you how awesome I can really be" fashion.  But when he saw the camera on him, he got right into position and fanned himself out and surprised us both with his feather display.  Thanks, Mr. Peacock! 

I also think that these scarlet ibises are really pretty.  

My favorite part, by FAR, was the Owl Forest.  Maybe because it was all in the shade, and that makes all the difference on a hot summer day, or maybe because these owls are super cool creatures- but I was geeking out about owls.  And Clementine kept "whoooo whooooo"-ing at them.  

I think I like the aviary.  I like feeling like I'm in nature, observing nature.  I like the sounds of birds in nature.  The aviary also has some really cool plants and trees that were fun to be around.  And I think that birds are really fascinating, beautiful creatures.  We were wussy about the heat.  And we all got too tired and hungry by the end of our adventure.  But this is a neat little nature-in-the-city oasis that I am glad that we explored.  

I'm loving this summer of Bucket List adventures!

However, everything never goes according to plans, am I right?

Here are the tales of two Summer Bucket List misadventures...

First: The Coconut Lime Sodas

On Memorial Day, we had a lovely BBQ with our best of friends at the Archuleta's home, where Ashley made some truly delicious summery fresh drinks.  Since I was standing right there in the kitchen with her while she made them, and I even assembled my own drink, I was pretty sure I'd be able to recreate them myself.  And they were delicious enough that it was important for me to add them to our Bucket List.  

I assembled all of the necessary ingredients, and put them together the way I thought I remembered.  Half a can of coconut milk with the juice of half a lime and soda water, all over ice with crushed mint leaves.  We mixed the ingredients, minus the mint and ice, in the blender because the coconut milk was separated from the cream.  We thought we had been genius.  

But the result, as delicious as it looks, was totally nasty!  I tried mixing in a little bit of sugar.  And then a LOT of sugar, and then adding in more soda water.  But nothing was helping.  It was heavy and coated my tongue with a nasty sweater and was a weird mix of bland and sour.  

It was at this point that I realized that I shouldn't have relied on my own memory to make this drink.  I texted Ashley and found out where I went wrong.  Instead of half a can of coconut milk, instead use only 2 tablespoons or so.  And shake the can before opening it to mix in the cream.  And for the love of everything good and holy, just use Trader Joes coconut milk instead of this weird Thai stuff I found at Smiths on sale.  

Nathan was a sweet husband and finished his drink.  I couldn't do it.  We will be trying this again.  Using Ashley's recipe this time...

On to our next summertime failure:  The Family Bike Ride

Nathan loves biking. And I used to love riding back when I lived in Michigan.  Even though we drove all the way back to Utah with my Cute Raleigh Venture attached to the back of my Ford Escort, I hadn't been riding since the lovely Kal-Haven trail.  

One of Nathan's contributions for our Summer Bucket List was to go on a family bike ride.  And I was excited! We pumped up our tires, dusted off our bikes that had spent the winter on our balcony, and got ready to go.  For a Father's Day present, Clementine and I got Nathan a little bike trailer to tote Clementine around in while we family-biked.  And she picked our her own helmet- she liked it best because it has zoo animals along the sides.  :)  

One rare morning when Nathan didn't have to go to work, we donned our helmets and best biking attire, strapped Miss C into her chariot, hooked the chariot to Nathan's bike, and set off.  

The morning was already getting pretty warm, and I was nervous about it getting HOT before we got done.  But we were excited to try to make it to Liberty Park.  I was also kind of nervous about the hills that surround our house, making it impossible to get home without climbing every mountain.  I've never been so great at biking hills.  

But we set off!  It was thrilling and exciting to be out doing something fun together in the morning.  I LOVE mornings.  I was having a great time biking through the city, feeling the breeze in my face and the sun on my back,  And then, a block and a half from home, right in front of the Church Office Buildings, Nathan slowed WAAAAAYY down, and pulled on to the sidewalk.  I knew something was wrong.  

His bike chain broke!  I had no idea that could happen.  I don't know if it was too old, or if our little trailer is too heavy for his dainty street bike or what happened.  But it put a fast damper on our family bike ride.  

We walked home like this.  And Nathan's bike went straight into the shop for a new chain and a full tune up.  Hopefully our next biking adventure will take us further than this one.  Safely.  Sweet Clementine was a trooper.  I don't think she realized that we were doing anything different than what we set out to do.  I'm excited to get back out there and try this one again.  

On June 16, through the wind and the rain and the sun and the heat, we spent a few super fun hours at Hogle Zoo.  Our little Clementine is a lover of animals AND dinosaurs.  Thus, the zoo right now is her ZONE!  She had such a blast.  She loved the dinosaur displays they have going on right now, and she wasn't even afraid of the life sized dinos until we got to the T-Rex.  She also loved the giraffes, monkeys and the elephants and happily ran from habitat to habitat.

I am proud of Nathan and I for making the adult decision to NOT buy Dippin' Dots.  As good as they taste, and as rarely as we get to eat them, they really just are too expensive for what they are.  Maybe making adult decisions is too boring to blog about...

The carousel was a big hit this year.  Nathan got Clementine to wave at me each time she went around, and it was the cutest thing.  I could hear her saying "wheeee!"

I love the zoo.  I'm really glad we were able to go.

More photos to come.  Because my phone is struggling to upload.  Please stand by.

This morning, Nathan called on his way home from work (7:30 am) to ask if Clementine and I would be up for going to the farmers market when he got home.  Even though we were both still in bed, of course I said yes.  I got up and quickly got ready, and we headed out the door to beat the crowds.

I love the farmers market!  I love the people-watching, and the food samples, and the fresh flowers and herbs and veggies and the buskers and the local arts and crafts for sale.  I love being out in the cool freshness of the morning and feeling awake and productive.

Even though we live pretty close, we decided to drive on over.  We took Samson and loaded the little lady up in her stroller, and even found an amazing parking spot.  We did one and a half circles around the market before settling on our spoils.  Clementine snagged a new darling dress from a local hand-made clothing vendor, Tiny Tot Threads, after trying on several color and style options.  :)  Nathan got a new leather wallet, which will be a wonderful upgrade from carrying around his loose cards and cash unprotected, as he has been doing for a while now.  And for breakfast, we both got fresh fruit danishes and the famous mint limeade.  We donated to the homeless fund, which got us a copy of the Homeless Newspaper, and I donated a dollar to an awesome little violin player saving up money to go to ISSI.  We sat in the grass and enjoyed the atmosphere, and then Clementine begged to play at the park.  Samson got many compliments for being so dang handsome, and he got to meet many friends- both human and canine- along the way.

Thanks, Farmers Market.  I'm sure we will be back again soon.  

On June 8th, we crossed the first item off of our summer bucket list.  After Nathan had worked 6 consecutive grave shifts in a row in the Labor and Delivery wing of the University of Utah hospital, we were in dire need of some daytime family fun.  We packed up the sunscreen, the swim suit, and the little lady and headed down the street to THE GATEWAY OLYMPIC FOUNTAIN.

It was a beautifully hot day and the cool water felt amazing.  Clementine was her brave little self, and ran straight toward the water.  Sadly, on her first step, she slipped on the wet concrete and landed right on her back.  After a good cry and a good cuddle, she was ready to try again, this time with her sandals on.   She had a great time jamming to the music and splashing in the water.  Nathan and I had a fun time relaxing in the sunshine.  Clementine would come find us every now and then, and snuggle up in her towel.  But then she was right back out again to dance in the water.

When we had had enough of the fountain, Nathan and I were tempted by the soda and candy shop across the way, and ended up going home with 6 different varieties of root beer and some red velvet truffles.

A great time was had by all.

Summer Bucket List

Guys, does anybody blog anymore?  Seems like all of the blogs that I used to read on the regular are dead as a door knob.

Well, mine was too.  But I'm bringing it back to life!

With the SUMMER 2015 MORRIS FAMILY BUCKET LIST!

Last time I blogged, I was drowning in a terrible work/life imbalance.  I was sinking further and further into unhappiness, despite my 2015 new years resolution to Find Happiness.  (I should blog about that too!) I was "in my dark place." (said in a scary voice like Stuey from SNL)

But since my last blog post, I have quit my job as the Sistema Director at American Preparatory Academy- woo hoo!  Best decision I've made for myself in a long time!  Now I get to spend more time reading, planting, cleaning and organizing, and most importantly to me- being a good wife and mom to my little family.  And enjoying the beautiful city in which we live.  

ENTER: SUMMER BUCKET LIST!

I made a list of all of the fun things I want to do with my family this summer- inspired by my wonderful sister-in-law, Andrea, who does this every year.  I'm jumping on board, and getting out there to do fun stuff while the sun is hot and the days are long.  And I'm so excited about it! 

I'm so excited about it that I want to blog about each item I get to cross off the list.  

Get ready guys, this is going to be more fun than you've seen around these parts in a LONG time.