Museum of Ancient Life

While we were in Utah for the holidays we went to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point (which my kids called the Dinosaur Museum) with Mimi and Papa.  The kids had so much fun there getting to look around at everything and see the giant model dinosaurs.  There were also a lot of hands on exhibits which were really entertaining for the kids too.

This was a really nice outing for our family while we were there because everyone was entertained and it was inside where it was nice and warm.  I am glad that we did with the kids and really took the time to go do something that we knew they would enjoy.

Anders twisting some gears in a hands on exhibit at the beginning.

The boys had fun running between all the different stations so that they could try everything.

Learning how the game of Operation works.

I loved this giant Etch-a-Sketch, even though it made me feel old when Alden asked me what it was.

Building different shapes!

Anders was very happy just trying to figure this out!

Anytime there was something to climb on or over Anders would go that way rather than walking normally.  At least he burned off a lot of energy.

I love these trilobites and I loved explaining what they were to Alden.  He thought they were pretty cool.

They had tons of really cool models there!

Alden loved this one because he could open it up to see what it would have looked like inside.

Alden made his own felt dinosaur!

Anders found something else to climb on!

Alden loved pointing everything out as we moved through the museum and we had to keep telling him to slow down because he was so excited to see what was next.

The boys were so excited to find a dinosaur they could "ride" on!

I loved the undersea exhibit with the giant turtle skeleton.

It was really neat to see so many things that are similar to things still living today but also see things that look so different from anything left living now.

Trying to get pictures of kids is always fun!

The boys loved the shark and woolly mammoth displays.

There was part at the end where the kids could go walk around in a sand pit and try to dig up (with brushes) dinosaur bones.  Anders was so happy to be in the sand!  He seriously loves digging and never minds getting his feet dirty.

He was so happy here!  It was a great outing for the whole family and I am so glad that we took the time to go.

Christmas

The kids were so excited to get up Christmas morning and see what they got but I was also surprised that my kids were actually willing to wait pretty patiently until everyone else was ready.  It was nice because we were just able to get up, open presents and then enjoy a pretty relaxed day with family. The kids were super excited to get their presents and were super happy with what they got.  I was impressed that Alden wasn't upset that he didn't get the thing he wanted most on his Christmas list (a big toy Paw Patrol boat) and instead, when he got two little ones, he decided one should be for his brother because Anders didn't get any.  That, to me, was one of the greatest moments of my Christmas day.

Another highlight of the day was being able to skype my brother Erik who is on his mission in Peru.  It was so nice to see his face and hear his voice!  He looks so good and I am so proud of him for all he is accomplishing and learning down there.

We also got to go visit Grammy and Grandpa on Christmas which was really nice.  It was nice to see them and get to make them part of our Christmas day celebration!  We love that my parents live close enough to them that we get to visit both of them while we are in California! 

Overall, Christmas was just a nice, relaxed day where the kids got to open a few presents and we got to enjoy a lot of good quality family time!  I think that family time is so important around the holidays so that made for a great day for me!

Waiting patiently to open presents.

Yay! Stockings!

Anders getting help from Daddy!  

Eliza just enjoyed playing with paper and boxes and finding anything she could put in her mouth.

I love my sweet little girl and our matching PJs!

Erik!!!

It was so good to see him and see how happy and well he looks!  I am so excited to get to spend Christmas with him next year!

Eliza crawling around Grammy and Grandpa's.

She wanted to play with the Duplos too!

Such a cute little brother and sister!  Alden was not in the mood to smile for pictures!

That cheesy smile makes me laugh!

Alden and Grammy!  So sweet!

The boys loved getting to play more foosball with my sister, grandma, grandpa or whoever was willing to play with them!

He loved playing even if it was tricky for him!

Anders seriously loved playing!  It was a great Christmas for everyone and I am just so glad for all of the wonderful family time that we got to have!

These pictures aren't from Christmas day but I loved how they showed Grammy with my boys from a couple days later.  I love that my boys get to have a good relationship with her and Grandpa Peak!