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

Memorial Day and Ford's Birthday

It was a different Memorial Day this year than it usually is. Usually we visit the cemeteries in Monticello, Blanding and Bluff, taking most of the morning. However, Mom had already taken care of the graves in Bluff and Blanding before she and Hugh left on their trip on May 22, so we only had to do Monticello.

We actually waited until afternoon, when Stacy and Stewart were coming through on their way home from Blanding. We all met at the cemetery, put fresh flowers in the vase on Dad's headstone, put silk on everyone else and took a few snapshots, and that was it. Short and sweet. And a bit sad. I like spending the day taking care of the graves. Otherwise, it's just another day.

Cambria had a selfie-stick so we were able to get a good group photo of all of us to send to Mom...

I like that my family is comfortable at the cemetery…siting or standing around and visiting is common...

After finishing up at the cemetery we had Ford's family and Karla's family over for dinner to celebrate Ford's birthday. This year was exactly like the year he was born, because he was born on Memorial Day and my OB was out of town, of course. Hard to believe that was 22 years ago. Where does the time go? Curtis smoked a roast and we had yummy potatoes and some dutch oven potatoes as well. I don't know why we don't do this more often, it's always good to have family over for a meal.

Just had to throw a couple of these crazy pictures in….  I think she was having entirely too much fun taking selfies!! Looks like Allie wanted in on the fun too!

Easter weekend 2016

Wendy's and Stacy's families came home for Easter. So Mom planned for us all to spend that Saturday together and also Hugh's son, Greg, was there with his family. We all gathered in Bluff for lunch, which was just a quick sandwich and chips, veggies, etc. Then we loaded up our cars and headed to Hovenweep.

the buffet line in Grandma's kitchen

I have not been to Hovenweep since I was in the 4th grade and went on a field trip there. I have almost 0 memories of the place. I was happy to take my kids to another cool place in San Juan Co. There really is so much to see and do here, if you're willing to drive.

What a crew!
Olivia, Tilly, Hannah, Cambria, Sadie, Laila, Zoe and Ane
All the Barton Grand-girls (except Aysha)

We stopped at the visitor center for a bit until we were all together, then we started down the trail. The trail was concrete and I wondered if the whole thing was going to be so 'citified' but the pavement ended at the first overlook. Then it was just a faint path, outlined with rocks over the sand and sandstone. We did not hike the entire loop, but went about a mile and a half. Some of the kids went a bit further. The trail just loops around the small canyon where all the towers are located.

My crew
top:Hannah, Cambria, Sadie
bottom: Me holding  James, Soren, Charlie

Poor Laila!
Laila, Olivia, Hannah, Tilly, Zoe, Sadie, Cambria, Ane

Charge!
Charlie, Soren, Ethan

The trial marked with rocks

It was a bit chilly still that day. There had been rain/snow earlier

The towers at Hovenweep are all in pretty close proximity and you can see almost all of them at once. They are built around the sides and in the bottom of a small canyon. No one really knows why they are there or what their purposes were, but they look to me like defensive structures. There are small openings in them. Are they for shooting arrows out of?

Square tower in canyon

Some are square, such as this one in the bottom of the canyon...

Defending their stronghold
Charlie, Ethan, Soren

Some are more rounded such as this one on the edge of the canyon...some are actually built into the cavity of the rocks. The foundations of the towers fit so closely to the rock they're built on you have to look closely to see where the rock ends and the foundation begins. Amazing!

Think I'll back off before they let me have it

James finally went on his own. He refuses to wear his coat and froze and whined. OY!

After we left Hovenweep, we came back to Bluff by way of Aneth and Montezuma Creek. Since we were on that road, we stopped and hiked into the cove to see the cliff flowers. They were in full bloom.

hiking into the Cove

Cliff flowers grow where the water seeps out of the layers of sandstone

So beautiful and delicate and they smell so good.

dainty little flowers. I imagine they're probably quite hardy.

Hannah, Cambria and Tilly

It was so much fun to have almost all of us together. (Karla wasn't feeling well, so didn't come) Curtis, Ford, Shiala and Kami came to Bluff later and we all had dinner together. It was nice to spend more time with Hugh's son and family and get to know them better. It was a bit strange to hear his kids call my mom 'Grandma' but some of those little girls have no memory of Hugh's first wife so Mom is the only Grandma they know. I'm happy she has been so welcoming to them. I love watching my kids enjoy being with their cousins and I love being with my sisters. Family is truly the best thing in the world!

Let's head home
Watch out for the prickly pear cactus

Sisters!

bumper sticker we saw on the way to Hovenweep. We all thought it was funny.

On Sunday, we had Ford and Shiala come over to do our traditional Easter Seder. This was their first time to do Easter with us, so it was a new thing for them. Kami had fun just walking around and eating everyone's food. We love this tradition. We still did baskets as well, but this is the highlight!

 Easter is the ultimate holiday. Without the reason for the celebration of Easter, there would be no need to celebrate Christmas. If Jesus had not done what he did, he would just be an obscure carpenter from Galilee who faded into history and no one would even know who he was. But because He did do what He did, He was who He said He was, we know of Him and celebrate His birth, life and Atonement. Because He died for us, was resurrected and LIVES, we have HOPE. We can expect him to fulfill all his words and we also will LIVE forever. What a blessing that knowledge is.