Our first stop was at The City Library - it was built a few years back but this is the first chance that we've had to explore it. We've heard that with its comfy reading areas and cozy fireplaces that it becomes a haven for the city's homeless in the winter, but today it was a cool and inviting refuge from the dry desert heat.
The lobby is a beautiful glass atrium, open from floor to ceiling.
Courtyard reflecting pool - directly behind the kids is
the "ceiling" to the children's section
While Pete looks up a multitude of books and CDs he
was interested in, the kids and I explore all the nooks
and crannies of the library -
from the cave drawings in the lower levels,
to the hidden sunlit wooden playroom,
to the beehives found up on the roof
there is even a great glass elevator
which takes us back down to the main level in a jiffy
Perhaps one of the best things of all about The City Library is that it is located
directly across the street from Charlie Chow's Dragon Grill;
it has been one of my favorite places to eat for decades now
Charlie Chow's used to be located in (the classier) Trolley Square
and me and my friend Karen would often go there for dinner
after a day of school up at the "U" -
it was also the restaurant I ate in the night
before I left on my mission to Korea
today we brought the kids here for the first time -
for lunch we order ham fried rice, moo goo gai pan,
chow mein noodles, and lemon and ginger chicken.
The kids love it!
When the kids finally tire of being drug around in the
heat, we finish up our adventure at the interactive Olympic fountain
on the plaza at The Gateway.
refreshing!
BBQ tonight at Spence and Sarah's house
The grown-up's table
and CD surrounded by the kids
After dinner the action moves to the front yard where Spence and Sarah's ward primary
is putting on a parade through the neighborhood. We set up our seats to watch.
Pete used to tease me that we couldn't come on a visit to Utah without randomly
running into someone that I knew. I still remember the last night we spent in Salt Lake
before moving to Thailand back in 1999, we ran into our mutual NY friends
Jolet and Catherine at the movies. (Mystery Men)
I am surprised when I recognize one of the parade participants as our friend
Aprille from the good old days in NYC.
Apparently she is visiting her in-laws who are in S&S' ward.
We play a game of catch-up and meet her cute daughter Julia.
the "end" of the parade
The reason for the family gathering today is to celebrate the first birthday
of Spencer & Sarah's kitty! Sarah is getting some practice for those
high pressure children's birthdays that she will soon have to be planning
after their first baby is born in December! Good thing kitty is getting
some attention now, because I'm betting she won't be recognized at all
on her second birthday. The same thing pretty much happened to
the twins after about their sixth birthday.
Grandma bought kitty a gift cat bed (not really from Basket Loft as the bag would suggest)
and Harriet made this cute card, complete with a poem written in cat.
Birthday girl with her cake
2 comments:
I think we've officially become "cat people" to your readers. Really the birthday party wouldn't have happened if you guys weren't in town!
I agree Sarah - you totally knew that my kids would get a kick out of the party - Harriet took that card very seriously! To me it's all a sign of what great parents you are going to be!
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