New Museum

Brian's sister was here last week and I was looking around for something close and the Natural History Museum's website said it had opened in it's brand new site two days earlier.  I'd never been to the old one, but when we pulled up I was impressed.  All the museums I've been to in Utah have ranged from hokey to okay. I was amazed from the outside.  People talk about architecture blending in with the landscape, but this was the most realistic example I've ever seen. Shaped like the mountains behind it, dressed in copper mined from across the valley.

Inside it was so modern I felt like I was in a fancy California museum.  I have to say the University of Utah outdid BYU's Bean Museum, haha. It was very kid friendly with several educational play areas and class rooms with hands-on learning tools.  We bought a year pass and I'm looking forward to taking the kids over and over.  There's a lot to learn about little ol' Utah. Like how ever many thousands of years ago this was beach front property.

Our little archaeologist 

Tracy Aviary

Winter is boring.  I figured this out the other day when I realized our only weekday excitement comes from going to visit Roxy. Most days its the only time we leave home.  And then my sister made me jealous.  We talked on the phone the other morning when it had snowed for hours and hours.  On the other end of the line she was at the playground with her two-year old in 70 degree weather.  I don't need 70, even 40 feels warm.  So I picked today to use up an about-to-expire groupon for the Tracy Aviary since temperatures are above freezing and the pollution advisory doesn't start unti tomorrow.

It wasn't crowded, so that was good.  And Esme loves to wear her mittens, and that helps. And most of the birds were out, which was surprising.  I really felt sorry for the flamingos.  Tropical birds surrounded by snow.  The peacocks were fun to watch, wandering around the grounds.  Esme got just as excited as she does seeing other animals.

although you can't tell here

The only one with enough sass to show his feathers was a teenager.  Not so impressive,
but he wasn't self conscious.

The best part was feeding some parrots.  I thought Eli would chicken out for sure, but he didn't.  

  

In fact, he took his job quite seriously.

Just Another Trip To The Fair

Nothing special, really. Just a Monday night visit to the State Fair. First came the all-you-can-eat ice cream ($3) tent, then the mini farm, then running into the prophet, and onto some bunny rabbits.

That would be the back of Eli's head in the second to last picture. He gave President Monson his usual I-don't-know-you frown and ran back to me. AHHHH!!!! Curt was more friendly.

Lesson of the day: You never know who you'll run into in the pigeon exhibit, so don't skip it.

Pumpkin Patch

I feel like a genius for having us go to the pumpkin patch last night, it was so much fun. It was a first for our little family and luckily we found a great one (Mabey's in South Jordan). I love supporting mom and pop operations; it was so small-town you just knock on their front door when you've made your selection and are ready to pay. She eye-balled our loot and said "$15." We were a little worried we about getting carried out there and had no way to track weight, plus I remember my sister saying something about spending $50 for a couple of pumpkins at a patch once, must've been in Berkley.

Eli searched patiently for small ones he could point out as "babies" and I was looking for beautiful ones while Brian kept mentioning the type good for eating. I'm so practical they will all, but one jackolantern, will end up as mush in due time.

Lights On Temple Square

This weekend my mom came down from Idaho for a visit and we took her to see the lights and nativity on Temple Square. It was crazy cold of course, but luckily the geniuses at Maclaren made me feel pretty smart by including a rain/wind shield with our stroller. Eli was nice and warm while we briskly enjoyed the lights, nativity, and music in the freshly fallen snow. We came home and warmed up with some homemade hot chocolate (1 TBSP. cocoa powder+2TBSP. sugar/ C. of Milk) around the fireplace. Perfect Sunday evening.

Back To Nature

I've explored Salt Lake's shopping plenty since we moved here, but that's about it. From the valley we can see the mountain trees warming in color. We finally ventured up into Big Cottonwood Canyon Friday, hoping to see the fall leaves before the weekend rain. We used to go to Provo Canyon all the time when we lived there and realized how much we had been missing during the beautiful drive. Plenty of other people were taking advantage of the nearby forest and majestic cliffs. We passed hunters, rock climbers, hikers, fishermen, and the toughest cyclists I've ever seen, ascending the 15 curving miles.
When we got to little Silver Lake in Brighton there were lots of families walking the paved trail around the lake. Brian grew happy and reminiscent as he breathed in the (naturally) pine-fresh air.
Eli was in heaven, exploring off the trail, throwing gravel, and chasing squirrels. He was constantly running, laughing, and saying "Woooow." Brian grew proud that Eli was going to love hiking and fishing like his dad. Brian's outdoorsiness showed as he scoped out the best fishing spots- where the lake grew deep and cold. The fish were even jumping out of the water. He was disappointed that we hadn't discovered this place sooner.
All the aspen trees were glowing yellow, a beautiful contrast intermixed with the evergreens. It was the perfect evening. I can see why this was Brigham Young's summer vacation spot. I hope they had mosquito repellent back then.

State Fair

I grew up in a respectable, state-fair-going family. Somehow Brian doesn't have an appreciation for all things deep-fried, so we went without the party pooper. Eli and I didn't want him limiting our fun since it was our first time to the Utah State Fair. There was something for each of us. Here are our favorites:

Honorable Mention:
A 700 Pound Butter Sculpture

5th Place:
My footlong corndog (maybe I'm glad the camera batteries died in time to miss it)

4th Place:
Homegrown Prize-winning vegetables

and flowers galore with a Dahlia the size of my head.

3rd Place:
The freshly shorn sheep, which taught us that they really say "Maaaa" (as in math, not Baaaa). They were Eli's favorite until one "Maaaa"ed so loudly it made him cry.

2nd Place:

Homemade ice cream. I had to have some when I saw the sign and the old tractor engine churning the two barrels of ice cream. The lady even had an itty bitty size cone and scoops for little kids.

1st Place & Best in Show:

Little Hands on the Farm- It was our unsurpassed favorite. Little kids went in (for free) and put on aprons and took a pail and worked on the farm doing various chores:

Milk a Fake Cow-
It came first and Eli was too scared with the loud mooing.

Pick Apples in the Orchard-
The apron was so cute I had to buy one at the end. Good momento from his first fair, right?

Brush a Sheep-
And take some wool to add to his bucket.

Gather Eggs-
This was his favorite. I had to ungather some before we moved on.

Turn in Your Goods-
For which he was paid $1 and could buy something from the store. He LOVES paying at stores.

It was way too fun, maybe Brian will go with us next year now that we have proof.

Summertime: Life Is Good

Especially in these late days of summer with cooler weather and many events around town. In the dreary days of winter we will look back longingly at these days filled with swimming, fairs, bike rides, farmer's markets, and walks to the park. Until then we're over-loading on fun. Yesterday we went on a bike ride, today was the Greek festival, and tomorrow we'll go to the farmer's market. I'll elaborate on a couple of them.
This afternoon Eli and I took the train to pick Brian up from work and we all went to the Greek Festival for some good eats. Worried the food was going to be like Swiss Days, Brian acted very not excited. Near the entrance we were greeted by two whole lambs (dripping with an olive oil marinade) roasting on spits. His attitude changed quickly. Over our delicioso dinners we watched traditional Greek dancing, Eli's eyes were glued. He almost preferred it to the chicken. He got excited outside at the kid's carnival where he was only big enough to do one game: pick a rubber ducky from a tub of water. It was his first carnival game, so I was sure to document the uninteresting, over-priced event.
Yesterday Eli and I did our favorite warm-weather activity. Here are some hints: 1) It's free 2) It's fun for us both 3) It's exercise, only for me 4) Leaves no carbon footprint 5) And takes us places... Yes, bike riding. He has a seat on my bike and we both love it. My friend has one of those tow-behind trailers that holds two kids and getting Eli in there was like trying to put a cat in water.
We live a couple of blocks from an entrance to a bike trail, so we took it a mile or so to a $2 petting zoo. Eli was brave enough to pet a baby goat this time and made us stay quite a while with the pigs, horse, donkey, llamas, bunny, and rooster.
I don't know what we'll do with the end of summer and its merriment and free activities. I guess this winter our goal will be to learn to enjoy "the greatest snow on earth."

Swiss Days or Utah Days?

My sister and her beautiful little family went to Switzerland a couple of days ago to visit my other sister and dad. Here in Utah, Swiss Days in Midway is as close as we got this year. Every time we go I tell myself, "We're not going next year, it's just a bunch of Utah handicrafts and bad food." But there's something about entering a small mountain town with Swiss flags and architecture. It is also well-organized as if the Swiss government were orchestrating it. There's free parking and frequent shuttles taking people to the event which has lots of entertainment being performed , free drink and even hand-washing stations set up. Now the downside. Food stands have names like Swiss Tacos and Swiss Hamburgers. Yikes. The saurkraut is so concentrated it makes your cheeks go hollow and eyes squint. We were sure to arrive full.

Today I found the best food available, caramel apples. Eli only appreciated the caramel, sending the naked sour apple slice back. This wasn't the only treat this year. Luckily, we stuck around long enough to hear some impressive yodeling (click here for a tame example) and I even saw a couple of guys in lederhhosen. Now we're getting authentic. There was even a stand set up by the Swiss Consulate giving out free Swiss stuff (the only real Swiss stuff there) to encourage people to go to a website and share their Swiss heritage. It was all a small, not-so-realistic taste of the experience my sister's family is having, but it was still fun to get out and experience some familiar sites and sounds.