Summer fun at our local library

We may have missed the summer reading program at our local library, but we still got to have some good times. One day we happened to arrive during craft time, which we'd never tried before. The Muffins loved it! The first time we went the kids got to mold their own pencil toppers. The next time, shown above, they made Halloween decorations as part of the library's summer Halloween event. There were also outdoor story times with puppet shows to attend after the craft times. The Muffins definitely had fun at the library this summer.

Fossils in our backyard (so to speak)

After much searching far and wide for fossils to keep the Muffins entertained, we finally made it over to the BYU Paleontology Museum, which, in addition to being quite a bit closer to us than other museums we've visited, has the neat bonus feature of being free.

Although it is a relatively small museum, it is nevertheless well stocked with very nice fossil displays. Here are the Muffins checking out some kind of reptile:

Here's a giant sloth skeleton:

Here's Amanda with a fossilized tortoise shell (note that she's standing by the sloth's leg, for size comparison):

The Muffins wanted to see more stuff after they'd had their fill of fossils for the day, and so Mom took them across the street to see the cougar in front of the BYU stadium, just because:

Lydia turns 2!

Our activity for Lydia's birthday this year was a trip to Build-a-Bear. Amanda and Jared had gone a few years ago, and so this time it was Lydia and Curtis's turn to pick a special critter. The options were overwhelming, but in the end Lydia got a koala and Curtis got a monkey. However, the birthday evening had just begun. Our next stop was a visit to one of Mom's very dear friend from high school. She and her family graciously let us join them for dinner and a little cake party for Lydia. Here's Lydia getting ready to blow out the candles (with a little help):

And here she is pleased with the finished result:

Hooray for Lydia!

A little hiking

One evening as the Muffins were restless, Mom decided it was time to check out one of our long-neglected local attractions: Bridal Veil Falls. We drove up the canyon, parked at the park, and began our little hike. Here are the Muffins at the start of the trail (for our purposes, anyway):

A look down the trail:

The Provo River, which ran alongside the trail much of the way:

Bridal Veil Falls, upper section:

Crowds and camera issues kept us from getting any good Muffin pictures by the pool at the bottom of the falls; we'll just have to go back sometime.

Splashing at the Riverwoods

We made a remarkable discovery back in Utah: they've got places to play in water, here, too! Here are scenes of the Muffins enjoying splash time at the Riverwoods shopping center.