Eccles Dinosaur Park

This past Saturday we stomped around with giants at Eccles Dinosaur Park in Ogden.  This was our first visit and if you were to look at the long lines, one might have considered this place a great find.  However, once we entered the park, we (hubby and me) were not that impressed, while Sophie on the other hand really liked it and wants to come back again.  So at least she found it to be worthwhile, which is why we went there in the first place...for her :o) ...mission accomplished.  Aside from the park, there is a museum which was interesting.  In the picture below you'll see rocks that resemble food; that was pretty cool.

Here are some photos (click on picture to enlarge):

Daddy and Soph

Dinner, anyone?  Notice even the cigarettes, lower right corner.

Me and Soph

Lavender Farm

Lavender Farm is probably my favorite farm in Utah. I could spend hours there, just ask my hubby and Soph. The first time we visited this farm was last July when Soph's Aunt Christel and cousin Catherine came over to visit from Belgium.  And today marks our 4th visit. 

Even though it was scorching hot this afternoon, I still enjoyed it immensely.  I guess all that lavender aroma diffused all over the place does a good job stimulating my feel good senses.

Actual harvesting will take place the first week in July

Sophie

Sophie waiting on Daddy to clip a bundle of lavender to take home with us

This farm is located in Mona, UT, about an hour from where we live in Draper.  With over 1400 acres of fragrant herbs, the Young Living Lavender Farm is the largest natural herb farm for the production of theraputic-grade essential oils.  Not only is lavender used for cleaning and cosmetics, you can also cook with lavender.  

Mirror Lake and Provo River Waterfall

With hubby being home the week of 4th of July, it feels like a little mini vacation.  Sunday we finally explored Mirror Lake, elevation 10,687 ft.  Seeing remnants of snow scattered on the ground was a good indication we were much higher than where we live, elevation 6,000+ ft.  

It was about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive.  Once we arrived, it was quite obvious Mirror Lake is a favorite fishing spot; the lake is plenty stocked with trout.  We walked around the lake admiring the carpet of wildflowers, enjoying the cool brisk air and watching fish jump out of the water.

It took us about 2 hours to walk around the lake

Me and Sophie (Mirror Lake)

On our way back down Uinta Mountain, we also visited Provo River Waterfall.  With all the snow melt runoff, the roaring waterfall and gushing river was quite spectacular.  It made me feel like going white water rafting.

 Sophie presenting the waterfall

Later that evening, guess what I had for dinner?  

Yes, Trout :o)

Sheep and Wool Festival

This afternoon we went to the sheep and wool festival at Farm Country in Thanksgiving Point.  It was quite educational as I learned a few things I didn't know about sheep.

They produce in their wool, natural lanolin, otherwise known as "wool fat."  I'm sure most of us know that lanolin is used as a base in cosmetics, lotions, soaps and ointment; however, I did not know it's used as a lubricant to prevent corrosion and rust and preserves leather.  Boats also use lanolin to create a slippery surface so that barnacles cannot adhere themselves to the propellers.  

The gentleman who was shearing this sheep (above) said you can't get more fresh lanolin than that (see my hand....lanolin grease).  

Also, sheep are sheared once a year.  To clean the wool, it is placed in very, very hot water....surprisingly, it comes out quite white/yellow and clean, ready to be woven into yarn.

A Fun Birthday Party

Sophie had been looking forward to Samir's birthday party for quite some time and today was finally THE DAY.  She was so excited, not particularly because of the party itself, but because she could see and play with Vivika, Samir's baby sister.

Lately, Soph has become quite obsessed with babies, wanting to know everything about them, and what she was like as a baby.  "How did I cry as a baby?  Did I wear diapers when I was a baby?  What did I eat as a baby?  Did you hold me like this when I was a baby?".....and on and on and on.  

Well, aside from her being so wrapped up with Vivika, the party was a lot of fun with lots of fun games for the kids!  Sophie particularly liked the game "What Time is it Mr. Wolf?"

A side note.....I've always known Sophie to be quite active, even when I was pregnant with her.  She was constantly moving and rolling, sliding her legs up and down inside, tickling the heck out of me every single day.  And then taking her first steps when she was just 9 months old, always constantly on the move.  To this day, she can't sit still, even when she's watching her favorite TV shows.... she's practicing her gymnastics skills.  Well, I'm under the impression all this activity is driven by huge amounts of nervous energy.  This can be good and bad....good in that she's quite ambitious, determined and dedicated to achieving her personal goals and bad in that she just can't relax, like sitting still while she eats.   But, I honestly believe  I don't think she would have figured out how to do such things as the hula hoop (when she was almost 4 1/2 yrs old) if not for her "nervous energy."  Now, if she could only stop being so nervous when she's around people :o/  BTW, she and Samir's mom were the only 2 that could do the hula hoop :o/

In the picture below, Sophie playing with Vivika's feet (not the Belgian expression, but really playing with her feet). 

   

Hogle Zoo

Yesterday, we went to the zoo; I figured we should go before it got too hot.  Utah temperatures are extreme, so it gets very hot statewide during the summers, with the exception of mountain areas and high mountain valleys.

Even though it was in the low 80's, it felt more like the upper 90's.    I think most of the heat was generated from all the body heat.  My word bird!  You should have seen all the people!!  

It was so hot, we zipped right through the new Madagascar exhibit.  I read previously that "Madagascar, an island once only known as a rest stop for pirate ships..." was not exactly a place where we wanted to stop and rest..... Now that winter is over, so glad we live in the mountains.

Christy, an African elephant is due any day in July/Aug.  Here she's getting her daily bath.  

Hey, here's a picture of me (without my sunglasses) and Sophie, her intentional pose just for this photo.