A Night Out with Grown ups

We're pretty fornuate with Cole. He's such a good kid and so we take him nearly everywhere - really! In fact in his 19 months, we've only left him two times to go out, the first time to a Jazz game someone gave us tickets for and the second time when Shawn had to run some errands and we didn't want to take him out (during RSV season last year). Grandma gets to watch him on Wednesday mornings for just a couple of hours while Shawn's picked up a new counseling group - but that's it. We take him to the movies, dinner, home depot (as early photos depict) - really everywhere. So it was quite wierd when we went out this weekend sans the little guy.

We had received tickets for a comedy show here in SLC from one of performers in the troupe - actually he generously dontated 10 free tickets so we got a bunch of people together and made a night out of it - dinner at Pat's BBQ (yum! - what do you mean you haven't gone yet), the show (more about that coming up), and dessert at Hires afterwards (more yum!). Not knowing what the environment would be like at the show we elected to get a baby sitter for Cole and his Uncle Chris and Aunt Angie stepped up and watched him for us. It felt odd not having him right with us all night - and apparently even our friends noticed because they kept asking us where he was. We think Chris, Angie, and Cole did alright - each time we checked in with them through the evening everyone seemed to be surviving.

Teri's has been working insane hours starting earlier and earlier each morning over this last week getting ready for some major presentations at work and with the nonprofit agency board of directors she sits on; so we were ready for a night out. And so a big thanks to Morgan for the tickets and great excuse to make it happen. We whole heartedly endorse everyone checking out Quick Wits! They are a local comedy troupe (think 'Second City', 'Whose Line' - but family friendly and with local flare) with shows every Friday night downtown at Studio 600 -- right off the 6th south offramp. Price is really reasonable (even without the free tickets) comparable to a movie and sometimes even better since it looks like from their web site they have deals or specials running a lot of the time. The 'theater' they perform in is small and very intimate which allows for everyone to 'participate' since you're called on to help with the improv (i.e., shouting out names of dramatic movies, famous people, common locations, or interesting occupation). And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can even get to be part of the show (like our friend Ron pictured here!)

We're not exactly sure who got the bigger
workout - Ron or Paul... but I don't think we'll be using Ron as a parachute any
time soon.

And it was not all in vein ... Ron got a
prize for his 'ACTING' skills. Now if he can work on being a
better demonstrating what a gauge might look like before the next show ...

Even Shawn and Boyd got into the act - well sort
of!

See how patient Eb and Joel are
with Shawn and Boyd...Just waiting for that one funny line

They were such good sports ... Paul and Eb
that is ... I'm not sure why Shaawn and Boyd are looking down. Maybe they're
trying to spot the funny lines on the floor. Luckily the bit is a ensemble
piece!

Really - it was a great time and I'm not just saying that because I was tired and punchy. The performers are creative, quick, engaging, and overall funny. Do yourself a favor and check them out before they become big time celebrities and you can't even get in the theater due to sold out shows!

Thanks Chris & Angie for helping us out ... we might have to take you up on another night out.