St. Jude Night at Zoo Lights

With Christmas only a week away, Cory and I decided to take Emmy to the Memphis Zoo for their Zoo Lights!  After normal business hours, the zoo re-opens for people to walk through and enjoy some light displays.  We knew it would be cold, and that Emmy is a diva, so we broke out her snow leopard coat, complete with little ears on the hood.  She was so excited to head to the zoo.

The drive to the zoo is about 20-25 minutes from our house, so we listened to Christmas music on the way, and assured each other that on a Thursday night it shouldn't be too crowded.  We were sadly disappointed when we arrived and were directed to the overflow parking lot, only then to discover the lot was full, which led us to a large field where more parking was available.  There was a long line of cars, and only one entrance into that field.  As I got out of the car and looked back at the line of cars, I made the comment to Cory, "We aren't getting out of here for a while."  

That didn't matter, though, because we were going to take our time inside the zoo!  We made our way to the front entrance where tables were set up to buy tickets.  Cory walked up to one of the tables and asked, "Is this where we pay to get in?"  The lady sitting at the table answered, "Are you a St. Jude employee?"  Nope.  "Tonight is St. Jude Night.  Only St. Jude employees and their families can get in."

So, we somehow picked the only night of the month that there was no general admission at zoo lights to drive to the zoo and park in a field that there was no escape from.  I started to think that we would have to sit in our car for maybe an hour, just waiting for an opening to leave.  While we stood in disbelief, I wandered over to the tables again and watched a man walk up and say he needed three wristbands.  He was given the wristbands free of charge without showing any credentials.  It was literally their company holiday party, and admission was free.  A plan was hatched.  Cory went to the farthest table from where we had our first encounter and said she needed three wristbands.  She was given the wristbands, no questions asked.  IT WAS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!  

Once we got in, I was continually paranoid that someone was going to small talk us and ask what department of St. Jude we worked in, blowing our cover.  Luckily it never happened.  I will say, though, that guilt started to creep in when we realized that everything inside the zoo was also free.  So as not to look suspicious, we took everything.  Free hot chocolate.  Free cider.  Free dinner buffet.  Free smores.

To be fair, I have a classmate in my program that works at St. Jude and had agreed to get us wristbands if we couldn't get any at the entrance.  Therefore, for the rest of this post, I will cease attempting to justify our actions.

Everything we did was made more enjoyable by the fact that we hadn't paid for it.

Obviously, all of the animals had gone to bed for the evening, but they did have some live reindeer out.  For the most part they were very uninterested in socializing with the good people of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

I originally thought that the habitats would be decked out in lights.  I soon realized that was not the smartest assumption.  That would be a huge hassle, and most likely a liability for the animals during the day.  Instead, there were displays along the walking paths.

Emmy did really well in the cold.  We pushed her in the stroller, but got her in and out when we wanted photos.  FYI, we did not go on the Ferris wheel.

At the panda exhibit they even had a dance party going.  Cory and Emmy busted a few moves before we continued our walk.

They had lots of big trees throughout the zoo all decorated differently.

Before Emmy was born, Cory made the comment in passing, "I really want the baby to be into elephants."  I thought it was just a random comment from her, but since then she has really stuck to her guns.  By proxy for Emmy, Cory has come to love all things elephant.  Imagine her joy at being able to snap this picture of us.

Don't tell Cory, but I think Emmy was more into the Peacocks.

On our way out we snapped a picture by the big tree at the entrance.  They had fake snow falling from the rooftops.  It turned out to be kind of foamy and soapy.  AKA nasty.

Here Emmy and I brave the fake snow.

Overall we had a great time at the Zoo Lights, and are getting more and more excited for Christmas to come.

We also would like to thank St. Jude one last time for sponsoring our family outing.

Emmy Turns Two Months

Look at who is two months old!  Her little band-aids hurt our hearts, but we are glad she is healthy!

MHA Holiday Party

Cory, Emmy, and I all attended the School of Public Health - Division of Health Systems Management and Policy holiday party!  That is the official way of saying the first and second year students in my program, plus faculty and staff.  It was a great time, mainly because it was the first time the people I go to school with have had a chance to meet Cory and Emmy.  Everyone loved seeing the baby, and she was so good for everyone who held her.  Successful first holiday party for Emmy Rae!

And The Bedpan Goes To...

I have officially finished my first semester of graduate school.  It was a great semester.  I learned a lot, had some wonderful experiences, and developed great friendships.  On the evening after my last final, a small get together was hosted by Mr. Bill Tuttle and Mr. Monte Massongill, who were the two instructors for my Administration of Health Care Organizations class.  

Not only was it a great way to end the semester with my cohort, but they also were awarding the Case Presentation Team Award.  The first week of October, each team presented the case it prepared to a panel of judges, who evaluated us and gave us scores.  Two months later we finally got the results of the competition.  My team won!  Go Red Team!

L to R: Mr. Tuttle, Toya, Manoella, Kendra, Me, Mr. Massongill Not pictured: Allison

We were presented the coveted bedpan trophy!  

Our names were engraved on the base of the trophy, basically granting us immortality.

We put a lot of work into our presentation, so it was satisfying to have some validation. 

Clearly, it is a unique trophy.  Mr. Tuttle explained his rationale for using a bedpan as the trophy by explaining the humility required by those who have to use them, clean them, and by those who care for those who use them.  As future health care administrators, he implored us to remember the need for that humility as we strive to provide the best quality care.

Look What I Found

I came downstairs today to find Mommy and Emmy dancing to Christmas music.  Don't let Emmy's face fool you.  She was loving it.

Emmy's Baby Blessing

The reason all our family came into town came on Sunday morning when Emmy Rae Gilmore was blessed.  She wore a dress my Grandma Sherry made, that my sister, Lacey, was blessed in when she was a baby.  She was a good girl all morning as everyone was getting ready.

Walking into the church building, I was getting slightly nervous.  I blessed Emmy, and while I had plenty of time to prepare my mind for the occasion, I didn't know exactly what I was going to say.  

Despite my nerves, I think the blessing went really well.  Emmy slept through the whole thing, which was convenient, and she made it through most of Sacrament meeting before waking up.  We wrapped her in the same blanket I was wrapped in as a baby.

L to R: Bishop Jon Pennington, Andy Anderson, Grandpa Mike Gilmore, Daddy, Joseph Naylor, Steven Skovran

We are grateful to those who helped me bless Emmy, especially to my dad, longtime family friend Andy Anderson, and my BFFL Joseph, who all traveled (some further than others) to be a part of the blessing.

We were glad that parts of our families could come as well.  Here we are with Grandma Buzz.

Grandpa Mike and Grandma Page

Auntie Lacey and Rhiannon

We really were glad that Joseph and his wife, Abbey, made the trip out from Washington D.C.  They are six months pregnant with their little boy, and we are so excited for them!

The whole gang

Thanks to everyone who came out for Emmy's blessing.  It was a special day for our family.  Emmy let us know afterward in private that she really appreciated the turnout.

For Unto Us A Child is Born

The night before Emmy's blessing the whole family headed to a Nativity showcase at church.  Church members from all over Memphis brought their various Nativity sets to display for the public.  As you could expect, some were pretty simple, and others were very ornate.  There were quite a few from countries around the world, too.  Different musical numbers were performed throughout the course of the night.

The Nativity activity was also the first time we used our Baby Bjorn.  It was everything we could ever hope for.  Emmy and I enjoyed the activity in style and comfort.

Here Cory and I discuss the religious, social, and cultural implications made by the Nativity scene depicted through various art forms.  It was a riveting conversation.  Emmy slept through most of it.  Also, we weren't talking about that.  I think the topic was, "What should we eat for dinner?"  That is our go-to talking point. 

Starry Nights

One of the activities we did with my parents and sister while they were here was the Starry Nights light show at Shelby Farms.  As you will see in the pictures, it was one of those light shows you can drive through.

One of the unique aspects of the drive was that sprinkled throughout regular light displays were Memphis-specific displays depicting well known landmarks or businesses.  

The first half of the drive honestly didn't have much of a Christmas theme.  There were planets and rocket ships, animals, a few trees, and a big KAPOW!

Cory's favorite part was the man catching a fish three times his size.

Mid-way through the drive we stopped at Mistletoe Village, where we got a little more into the holiday spirit.  Nothing says, "Merry Christmas!" like jumping on a camel and riding it into the night.  So that is exactly what we did.  It was actually a pretty neat experience.  I have never ridden a camel, and did not realize that they are significantly taller, it seems, than horses.  I felt like I could have journeyed across the Sahara with that camel.  We had a profound and immediate bond.

While we were riding the camel, Emmy got a picture with Grandma Page and Rhiannon.

Lacey and Rhiannon also rode a camel.  I promised Emmy that one day, if the opportunity presents itself, she, too, can ride a camel.

After the camel rides we drank some mediocre hot chocolate and were about to leave when Rhiannon said she wanted to go to the petting zoo.  Lacey and I went with her, but as soon as we walked in, Rhiannon had no desire to touch or feed any of the animals.  Hence, Lacey and I had to live the experience for her.

They had a kangaroo!  It didn't move much.

After Mistletoe Village, we jumped back in the car for the rest of the light show.  The displays started to become more Christmas-themed near the end.

The Starry Nights light display was a success.  We all had fun and it got us a little more in the Christmas Spirit.

Lacey and Rhiannon Visit

With Emmy's baby blessing on the horizon, family started pouring into town.  I was really excited that my sister, Lacey, and my niece, Rhiannon, came into town.  I don't get to see Lacey often, and they had yet to meet Emmy.  They flew in with my parents, and we immediately had to take them to Central BBQ, which has become our favorite BBQ joint in Memphis.

Here is Emmy with Auntie Lacey.

Rhiannon also enjoyed some quality time with her new baby cousin.

On their last day in town, we all took a walk around our complex for a light workout.

We ended up at the playground, which is how all exercising should end, in my opinion.

Christmas Time Is Here

December is here and the time has come to decorate for Christmas!  We turned on some Christmas tunes and broke out the tree.

Cory and I both grew up with artificial trees.  I think it is more practical.  You lose the festive pine scent, but you save money and don't have to deal with the maintenance.  There are always scented candles if your holiday hinges on the smell of a real tree.

Once we got the tree up we strung some lights on it and started hanging the ornaments.  This year we got Emmy her first Christmas ornament.  In reality, she actually got about 5 ornaments this year from various people in the family, but we are counting this one as her first.

I bought Cory this ornament of Daisy and Donald dancing.

She bought me a University of Memphis ornament.

We realized by the time we were finished that we need a bigger tree.  With all the ornaments from our childhood that our parents gave to us, and those we have acquired since being married, we ran out of room.

While I finished up with the tree, Cory was getting the stockings ready.  It is our first Christmas with an actual fireplace!  Cory made Emmy's stocking just like she made ours, out of an old sweater.  I think they are fun and unique.

The finished product, complete with our Nativity set.

You may be wondering where Emmy was the whole time Mom and Dad were partaking in the festivities.  Here is your answer: