We had a Zoo-rriffic Day!

So, I mentioned that Team Rodgers went to the zoo last month. It was sort of a last minute decision. Neither one of us had been in years, and we had nothing better to do.

It's more or less the same as I remember..but it's looking to get a lot better in the next few years. It looks like they're going to build some new awesome enclosures for the monkeys and tigers..not together I hope.

They built a wonderful thing for the polar bear, so I know you can do it Kansas City!!

The polar bear was pretty sweet. It's right inside the gate to the zoo...they really shouldn't start on such a high note.

It swam, and ate...that's what I'd do if I was a polar bear.

Team Rodgers can't miss a photo-op.


I love red pandas. I sort of wish we had real pandas..and that they weren't in an aquarium-like cage.

You see, because the kangaroos were loose. Just hanging out...no fence, nada! There was a mother and her terrible child took off toward them...which is why I support leashing your child. Oh, and this child had no shoes. You hear this mothers, and mothers-to-be...leash and shoe your children!

Life as a meerkat would be pretty sweet too...he had probably had a long day.

Jon spotted this really pretty bird in one of the netted off areas.

Again, the KC Zoo has built this pretty sweet Sky Safari...our zoo could be so cool if they tried a little harder.

It's a ski lift. This was the best 8 dollars we spent all day. The only thing they need to make it better is umbrellas over the waiting area. Oh, and they need a few more animals..it was pretty sparse.

Baby giraffe!

We had a pretty good time. I think it will be a few years before we think about going back though. We'll wait until they get some new enclosures built.

I'm currently excited about the aquarium that's going in at Crown Center.

Speaking of Crown Center, we had a great time at Irish Fest. We didn't get that many pictures, so I don't know if I'll put them up or not. Katie and I went back Saturday morning to watch some of the feis. Sunday we headed over to my mom's for food and family.

I'm back to work today, and I wish I wasn't. I need one more day to recover!

Jessica

Platte County Fair and Tractor Pull

So, yesterday was probably the hottest Saturday in the history of Earth. What was I doing? Staying inside? No. We were at the Platte County Fair to see Jonathan's sister sing the National Anthem for the Tractor Pull.

We were there for much longer than anticipated because there was a communication error as far as the start time of the show goes.

Look at that tractor pull! We spent an hour watching this tractor level out the dirt in the arena. We thought the event started at 6, so about 5:40 or so we sat in the grand stand. We had the perfect spot for photo opportunities. We were right in the middle, sort of toward the top. It was perfect, until we got word that they weren't going to start until 7! Yikes, it was a hot hour and a half.

Not a tractor, and it's not pulling anything. It's pushing, pushing the dirt down.

Did I mention it was an entertaining hour?

We finally got with the program. This is Rachel in the announcer's booth singing before the pull.

And the flag, you have to have the flag for the National Anthem. She did a nice job. I wish I had just a little more zoom on my lens so I could have gotten a bit closer.

This is what they were supposed to pull. I learned all about this in the hour we were watching them pack dirt. For those of you that don't know (this was me) there is a weight that comes out and goes across this thing, once it gets to the right side it pushes that big flat thing into the ground, making it harder to pull. Depending on the pulling class, there is more or less weight. They judge by the distance they pull. I suppose if there was a tie in distance then they'd use the time.

Big noisy trucks were first.

This guy is from Iowa, and he pulled the farthest. Don't cheer yet Iowa fans! He was also the only one in this class to get disqualified for going outside the lines!

This is a sad excuse for a picture. We were under the impression that they were going to do all the classes of trucks first..and we didn't want to wait around. But they surprised us all, they did the small class of tractors in between. We had moved from our prime seating at this point to make plans with Jonathan's family. The tractors are much more interesting. They aren't as noisy, and the front ends come off the ground! We only got to see a few.

This is the best I could do as far as pulling tractors.

I hope everyone had a good weekend. I'm glad to be in my fishbowl, watching my husband work on our vehicles, and sucking down some AC.

Jessica

July 4th 2011

So I've finally had some time to go through the millions of pictures I took on the 4th.

We had a blast. My mom cooked, and we lit a bunch of stuff, and we are in the perfect location to watch everyone in the neighborhood light off their big night stuff.

But our preferred way to spend the day is with Parachute Racing.

Stretching is very important in this game. You never know how it will go.

The Rules:
You have to catch the parachute before it hits the ground...
and
There are no other rules...

See what I mean...it's brutal out there.

But Jon reins victorious

Back from battle, with a victory.

Yeah, I won that one.

She took it out of my hand and tried to pass it off as her own.

Katie and Vladamir..pushing is legal..

He's way faster than her.

About the pushing...


It's encouraged!

I would have had that one too...but she pushed me to the ground.

No victory for Jon this time.

There is also a lot of smoke bomb dancing, this is one of my favorites.

Snagged it!

Ok, notice what everyone is doing. Where the hell is Jon going? I mean really? It's obvious to say, he didn't win that round.

I've got a video for your viewing pleasure...just so you can get your head in the game.




I hope everyone had as much fun as we did. Jon's going to train better for next year.

Jessica

Prom 2011

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you an episode on the KT93.

See, I said I'd have Prom pictures up this weekend...some of you didn't believe me..

This is how I spent my Saturday. I got a free meal at my mom's so it was worth it. It's Katie's senior prom. She had her hair done, which I am glad because I've done it in the past...and I just simply don't have that kind of time...or skill for that matter.

She wore converse shoes...why, because she's smart. You know if you wear heels, you'll just take them off...and it's gross to run around barefoot...and if you don't take them off...then it's dumb to be miserable.

This was the 1 photo she wanted. It was a huge dress.

I like black and white. This is one of my favorites.

Her best friend Leah met us at the house before Katie's date showed up.

This is mainly why I had to show up...to lace the dress.

She was melting..I think.

Tyler trying to put on the corsage.

He's very trusting...KT and sharp pins...

He was a good sport about all the photo taking.

It's good that they took a limo.

Another friend, Alexis. We totally invaded her house to take pictures of the group before they left.

A few more photos before they left to go to dinner.

The last ones in..just in case she didn't fit and had to ride in the trunk.

I think she had a great time. I've been busy today, and she had to work. I met with a fellow Puppy Classmate to train our dogs a bit. It's only 2 more weeks until our Canine Good Citizen test....it's pretty much consuming my thoughts. Oliver is very close. We just might have a shot at passing.

I've been busy working on graduation party things...they're almost finished, which is good because it's next weekend...

Jessica