Weekend Road Trip- National Dinosaur Monument, Vernal Utah

We never really go anywhere- Dan and I both get travel anxiety. We thought it would be fun to do a little weekend something and took Cameron to see the dinosaur monument and museum in Vernal. Vernal is tiny, so that is about all there was to do there- which was okay because Cam has never spent so much time in the car before; so we took our sweet time and played in the pool and walked around a few shops too.
Grandpa and Grandma came for one night and had some fun with us too.
We learned that as paleontologists do more research, the names and types of dinosaurs are ever changing. What I grew up knowing as a Brontosaurus and Brachiosaurus, was actually Diplodocus- well- there are fossils for all 3 types of dinosaurs, but the ones with fossils here in Utah are the Diplodocus.
Scientists are also now finding or theorizing that many dinosaurs were feathered!
We had fun. We decided we will have to do the trip again- but camp near the green river and add fishing to our agenda! It was so pretty! And it wasn't busy at all- school hadn't quite got out yet so it was fun to really let Cameron explore around without having to hover over his every move!

This dinosaur almost ate me. The triceratops came to my rescue.

We had to discuss fossil teeth. 

Sorry guy who had just cleaned all the glass...... I promise he is learning!

 Digging for fossils!!!

There were no live digs going on this year, but we learned a lot about one that had happened last summer!! Kind of exciting to learn that scientists are still finding new fossils right where we live!!!

Museum of Natural Curiosity

There is a fairly new museum down at thanksgiving point- the museum of natural curiosity. It is unlike any other children's museum I have every seen! The admission was $15 a person-  a bit steep, but worth it! You can't even do everything in one day. I am contemplating a membership next year.
Kristen and Jax took me and Cam, they have a membership so we got in half off. The two boys just LOVED it!!

 This was cool! They have a whole exhibit of water play- there is a baby/toddler table with chairs built right in!!

 Of course he got thirsty- and kept drinking the water

The outside was probably my favorite. I wish more parks were made like this. They had sand stations, creative play areas, giant chess and checkers, a stage, It was fun. There was a steep hill, and Cameron is pretty cautious so he took himself down that hill backward. It was funny!

State Fair, 101 Inventions that changed the world, and Grandpa's Birthday!

I couldn't decide whether to separate each event, or put them all together- Obviously I decided to put them all together.
We took Cam to the state fair last Monday for the first time. He had plenty to look at, and I think he had fun seeing new things.

I thought this goat was so cute! It was such a little one and it was laying in it's bowl!

Dan and I bought a deal online for discount tickets to a traveling exhibit at The Leonardo Museum downtown. The exhibit was 101 inventions that changed the world. It wasn't a very large exhibit, they way they presented it was as high tech as I have ever seen in an exhibit. They had a giant room with screens all over- and the exhibit was played via movie. They had it arranged so that each item was being projected all around the room- on every wall and screen, and even on the floor. It was really neat. There was a room with display of many of the objects mentioned.

There was a computer- the very first apple. Dan was so excited and said, "Those are the computers we used to play 'Oregon Trail' on!"

The museum also had part of the exhibit dedicated to inventions that changed the world that originated right in Utah!
Dan's favorite invention that came out of Utah is.... The Atari! That's right! It was developed right in Farmington Utah by a young employee at Lagoon!!

This was the most intriguing invention exhibited from Utah. Apparently Cameron's too. He seems to be quite involved with studying about the Jarvik!

The Frisbee came from Richfield....

 The Television!!!

 Then the last one in the exhibit from Utah- The Knockout Mouse. This one peaked my interest as well!

 A beautiful quote from the creator of the Atari:

 I loved this exhibit/piece of art. It is a hylozoic veil. 

This is a great explanation courtesy of The Leonardo's website: "Hylozoic Veil is the vision of world-renowned Canadian architect Philip Beesley. Mr. Beesley's installations have been displayed all over the globe, including the 2010 Venice Biennale. The Leonardo is thrilled to host Hylozoic Veil, Mr. Beesley's only permanent installation in the United States and the largest in his Hylozoic series. 

This unique three-story piece is an immersive, responsive environment that combines physics, chemistry, sculpture, engineering, and even hints of artifical life. It reacts to your presence, paving the way for the responsive architecture of the future. Hylozoic Veil combines art, technology, science, and an enormous amount of creativity, making it the perfect embodiment of The Leonardo Museum. See it from our public lobby, up-close on our Second Floor Observation Area, or look at from above on the Third Floor." 

Today is Grandpa's Birthday!!! We celebrated yesterday. He informed me that he is turning 39! I asked if that was the age he would choose, and his reply was, "39 was a good age!"
I am personally so so grateful for Dave in my life. He is an amazing Father and Grandfather. He is patient and kind. He is a good example of the Priesthood, and I've never heard him speak badly of anyone.
Cameron liked the candles!! We love you Grandpa! Happy, Happy Birthday!!!