Moab Giants

Since we were heading up to Utah Valley to attend cousin Emma's baptism and to drop Curtis off with his parents, we decided to make a small vacation out of it. We left home as early as we could so we could get to Moab right when Moab Giants Museum opened. We wanted to be able to walk around and see all the replicas without getting heatstroke. Even at 10 am it was really hot. 

This museum is very new, having just opened in the last year. We watched it being built and when we saw the large replica dinosaurs out on the grounds, we knew it was something we were eventually going to spend the money to go to. 

Fortunately for us, they have a 'locals discount' that allowed our whole family to get in for under $40. For a family our size, that's a real bargain. (last year it cost us about $120 to get into the aquarium in SLC) We did the Dinosaur Walk first thing, then went back and watched the movie and went into the actual museum part. Then we went into the gift shop and bought some souvenirs. I was surprised that even their gift shop prices were not extreme, it seemed quite reasonable to me. They also have a cafe, which looked like it had good food, but we didn't go into it. Maybe next time.

Here are some fun photos of our adventures:

The gang just inside the gates, ready to go...

The whole thing revolves around dinosaur tracks and how they formed and created. 

Every different replica has a placard to explain what type of track it is and gives an example of the type/species of dinosaur that would make that kind of track.

Sadie channeling her inner 'raptor' 

Just the right height for a 'smooch'!

I was blown away by the size of this one...

I absolutely can't imagine being near a live creature this size. The ground would've literally shook with each step...

And can you imagine the size of it's 'cow-pies'?

Had to do a little cheer stunting to be able to reach the tip of its tail...

They had a few places set up for fossil digging. There were misting stations for the waiting and watching parents. It was a very welcome thing.

The salt cedar was in bloom....I love the color and feathery nature of its blooms.

Had to do a little rodeoing on the Triceratops. I loved that there were some replicas that were open for touching and climbing on for photo opps. That made it a lot more fun.

Charlie going for his 8 seconds...

Soren trying to stay on his wild mount...

James wasn't too sure about being in the 'hot' seat.

It really was hot and was hurting his legs...

Sadie was pretty comfortable on hers...

Hannah was multi-tasking...yoga and rodeo at the same time...

I've seen large skeleton exhibits before but to be able to see a fully fleshed replica was incredible. I'm so glad they are extinct. I would hate to have run into any one of them...herbivore or carnivore.

This was the final replica, the piece de resistance....The T-Rex

Can you just imagine that thing chasing you?

I loved how they put it in a perfect place for a great photo. 

I thought the kids did a great job 'running' away.

Sadie seems to know something Cambria does not!

Soren and I were in trouble....he was catching up with us fast...

They had a playground and some other fun things to climb around on....

Sadie trying desperately to save Hannah

Charlie doesn't look too scared for being in a T-Rex's mouth...

Looks like he got Sadie, too.

Soren trying to escape

They had some really cool exhibits inside the museum. This one was really fun for the kids. It had a couple of games that were projected onto the floor, one was Tic Tac Toe, and the other was a track recognition and trail game.  It had some other interactive things, like you stand near an exhibit and act like you're trying to catch little dinosaurs as they run past. The other people can stand by a monitor and see you on screen as you try to catch the little CG dinosaurs. 

Hannah and Soren playing Tic Tac Toe

James doing one of the other activities

They also have a short 3D movie about the creation and evolution of the earth. Of course, it is depicted from an evolutionist viewpoint. But the 3D graphics were cool and don't we look cool in our sweet shades?
(We often talk about creation and evolution. I don't know what processes Heavenly Father used to create and shape this earth, nor how long it took, and it could very well have happened exactly like the scientists think. But we always emphasize that the earth was created by Heavenly Father for a purpose and that was for his children, who we are.)

My crew waiting for the movie to start

The glasses were a bit large for James' head....

I would not include this picture but James wanted to take a picture of me so I thought I would put it on this post. I think he did all right, even though he so wonderfully captured my extra chins. ;)

this is a much better angle

They also had this cool swing in the playground. All of my kids who tried it declared that we need to put on in the backyard, or in their bedroom!

Soren 

Isn't he dressed well for Moab? A black T-shirt and dark gray sweatpants???

Hannah

Cambria and Hannah

James

We had a blast at this attraction and I'm glad we took the time and shelled out the money to visit. It was well worth all that we spent! I hope we'll be able to go again when they get their 5D aquarium opened up. #MoabGiants

Curtis and I get away

Last weekend, before Spring Break, Curtis and I had planned to take Ford, Shiala and Kami up to Orem to pick up their car that was up there being repaired. So on Friday evening we picked them up and headed north. We had not even gotten to Moab when Ford got a message from the mechanic that said they weren't able to have it ready for pick up yet, due to some problems with parts. So......

The crew in the back seat! Poor Kami was almost asleep at this point. 

The sunset, unfiltered, in Moab from the parking lot of the restaurant.

We stopped in Moab and decided to eat while we figured out what to do next. We had some yummy food at The Branding Iron and made arrangements for Cambria to drive to Wilson Arch to meet us and take them back to Monticello. Curtis and I had already reserved our hotel rooms so we decided to take the weekend and go anyway.

Shiala trying to decide what to order...so many yummy choices :)

Cute girl!

We got to Provo late and just enjoyed our weekend. We had no plans, Curtis just said I could do what I wanted and he would tag along, since I usually don't get to browse/shop when all the kids are in tow. I dragged him through Tai Pan Trading Co, where I found an awesome aqua blue cupcake stand and some fake lemons to put on it in my gray, aqua and yellow kitchen! I then also dragged him through Hobby Lobby and to the Wood Connection where I purchased a couple of items to paint.

On Saturday, we drove up to Riverton area to meet up with Jordan, Lindsey and Emerson who had come down to see Lindsey's sister's new baby. We met them at The Olive Garden and had a yummy dinner. It was very busy. Everywhere was busy. I'm thankful to be out of that rat race!

Emerson was having a good time poking at this little computer thing on the table...

On Sunday we went to Church with Nicole's family and spent the day with them. They are always so good to let us spend time with them. On Monday, we did a bit of Sam's Club shopping and then headed home. We stopped at Zupas in Spanish Fork for lunch before heading into the canyon. I was able to get my favorite salad and sandwich and chocolate-dipped strawberry! I love the Nuts About Berries salad and the Turkey Artichoke sandwich. Yummmm. Curtis was generous enough to also give me his strawberry. ;)

De-lish!

I'm sorry our plan to help Ford and Shiala out didn't work out, but I'm glad we were still able to go and enjoy our weekend. I love that my hubby is also my bestest friend and there is no one in the world I would rather spend time with than him. I'm thankful that after many long years of little kids in the house, I now have some old enough to take care of everyone and we can sneak away once in a while.

My PT Sub job

When school started back after Christmas break I started a small part-time job subbing as a janitor at the high school. It's a semi-permanent sub job, at least through the end of this school year. So this is what I do every day of the week. I empty all the big trash cans in the hall, clean the fountains, clean all the entrance doors and sweep the halls. It's just 2 hours a day. It took me a while to figure out how it was going to work best for me, but what it has come to is that I do 1-1.25 hrs after school and then go in at about 6 in the morning and finish up. That way it doesn't interfere too much with family time and when I get up early and go in no one even misses me.
I've discovered that I like a job that allows me to work quietly. I put in my earphones and work away.
I like having the extra income. It has allowed me to get some things for the house/family that were needed but always at the bottom of the priority list, like new bathroom rugs. It also allows me to have a bit of money to spend without feeling guilty.
I was so sad when my vacation rental cleaning job ended and missed the extra money. This has been a nice blessing. Funny how Heavenly Father works things out for his children. Closes a door but opens another, if we can be patient and wait on His timing.

cleaning fountains every day….sometimes they only stay clean for 2 minutes.

This is my view every day…Lots of orange and black

I listen to Pandora most of the time. I like this station that plays music from my high school and college days. I also like the Adele station as well as listening to audio shows on the Mormon Channel.

Danc-ercise

After pondering the fact that I need to do more to make life fun and interesting for my kids, I think I really surprised them one day when I agreed to play Just Dance with them. Hannah, Charlie and I danced a few times, our favorite is the Ghostbuster dance. Sadie was so astounded she ran and got my phone and took pictures. Probably thought it was a once in a life-time event! I'd say she's probably right, but I'm trying to remedy that. :)

Hannah, Charlie and I doing the Ghostbuster dance

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters!

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Its quite the workout to do Just Dance.
I ought to do it more often...

I think I actually won by points on one dance! Made my day :)

We finally even got Soren to give it a go!