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

MES Spring Dance Festival

Time for the Spring Festival again. The format for it changes every year depending on what the Arts teacher and other teachers decide I guess. This year each class did a dance and Oh, BOY! were my boys not excited about it. In fact Charlie started refusing to go to school on the days he knew there would be dance practice. I had to write a note to his teacher explaining what was going on and try to encourage Charles to just participate. He eventually did do it and I was pretty proud of him, and Soren, for doing something they just really would have rather 'stuck a fork in their eye' than done! (family joke) 

So here's Soren doing the Turkey in the Straw Dance. He was pretty business-like.

Then, here's cute little "Chicken" Charlie! The first grade did the Chicken Dance that most first grades around the country do. I loved their little masks and tail feathers. They did a good job.

Each class had also made a class banner. Here are the boys in front of their class banners.

Soren's teacher is retiring after this year. So they made their banner in honor of Mr. Boyle.

Next year I'll get to see all three of the younger boys participate. James will join his two brothers at MES.

MES End of Year Awards Assembly

Every year the parents of the students of Monticello Elementary School have to sit through a lengthy assembly while all the athletic, scholastic and social awards are given out. It is NOT one of my favorite ways to spend an hour or two.  It seems as if every year, the same names get called over and over and over again and all the other kids sit there dejected because their name is never called. I especially hate the Field Day awards which seem endless. I wish they'd just give those out on Field Day. 

 I asked the boys if they would be sad if I didn't go this year. Charlie and Soren both asked why I wouldn't go. Charles told me he thought he had gotten a ribbon in Long Jump, so I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to GET to go. I did leave James home with Nina so I didn't have to wrangle him for the 1-2 hours.

This a panoramic shot of the student body of MES on the west bleachers. 

Unfortunately, enrollment keeps dipping and every year it seems smaller.

In fact, my boys did get their names called a number of times. Soren's awards were mostly scholastic. Charlie did in fact win 1st place in the Long Jump for 1st grade boys and got a blue ribbon. He also got a white ribbon for taking 3rd place in the obstacle course. He also earned scholastic certificates.

Charlie waiting for his award

Soren's turns

Towards the end of the assembly they announced the citizenship awards for each class. To my surprise and delight both of my boys were chosen for that award in each of their classes. It nearly brought me to tears. I told them as we headed home, that to me that was the best thing they could have won. Out of all the other awards scholastic and athletic, I was so happy with them for just being good boys, and being kind, friendly and helpful. It was a sweet Mom moment. 

Charlie with his citizenship award

With his Field Day ribbons

Soren with his Citizenship award

I ended up being really glad I went to the dreaded awards assembly. I rounded up my boys with all their stuff and we had a happy ride home on the last day of school. :)