Denver Museum of Nature and Science ~

 Now that ive had a day and a half to recover, i can post about our fabulous trip to the Museum!  This is Justins favorite museum, so he took the day off of work to come with us.  The entire school went, so they rode on the bus (including Jordyn, which was a big treat for her), and we followed along in our car.  We went as chaperones, so we got a great deal on the museum/planetarium/IMAX combo...only $8.50 each for Justin and i...Jordyn, of course, got in free :)

 We split up into groups...Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grades together, and the 2-5th grades were in the other group. (Naturally we hung out with the little ones)  The first stop on our journey was the IMAX theatre, where we saw Flying Monsters in 3D.  It was all about the evolution of pterosaurs and how they took flight.  It was amazing!  Its been ages since i saw an IMAX movie, and this one was incredible!  Everyone loved it!

 Our next stop, was the planetarium, where there was a fun presentation with Big Bird and Elmo.  I was hoping for a more informative presentation, but it was just right for the kiddos, and they all seemed to really enjoy it so that was great.  Next it was time for lunch!

 With the long drive, and two "sitting" exhibits, we decided it would be good for the kids to run around a bit, so we all went outside to (quoting Ms Bev), "get the wiggles and jiggles out! "  It was a beautiful day, a little too hot for my pasty skin, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it  :)  My cousin Christy and i posed with this statue over 20 years ago, so Jordyn and i decided to take our picture with the giant grizzly bear too.  Ill have to dig out the old photos to compare them :)

 Next stop, the Lizards and Snake exhibit!  This special exhibit has more than 60 live snakes and lizards from 5 continents,  and there were all kinds of interactive booths to learn about them as well.  Naturally the kids had a blast!  Heres a shot of Jordyn and i checking out a water monitor lizard.

 

We had a little bit of time left, so after the snake exhibit, we all journeyed over to the Dinosaur exhibit.

 I could have spent hours in here, but since we were pressed for time, i snapped a few photos so i could read about the displays later.  We will definitely have to come back again soon!

 The best part of driving our own car, we could stay longer to see more stuff....so when the school bus left, Jordyn stayed with us and we continued on our adventure.  Besides, how could we miss out on the Gems and Minerals, Dioramas, Gift shop and Egyptian Mummies!

Jordyn really liked this part of the museum, and who wouldnt...canopic jars, hieroglyphs, mummies, and when she started asking questions about this papyrus, the museum docent told her the entire story.  She was awesome, and had both of us completely entranced!  In fact, Jordyn and i were discussing this story on the way to school the next day...looks like i may have a future Egyptologist on my hands.

 But Jordyns absolute favorite moment was when she fed the sabertooth tiger some coins and he growled at her.  She fed him lots of coins and laughed when he growled again and again!  Justin recalled the fun he had as a kid, feeding the sabertooth tiger, so that tigers been around forever.  I wonder how many coins he's collected over the decades?

 After enjoying an extra two hours at the museum, it was time to head home...but first we had to get past these vicious wolves...Run Jordyn Run!!!

 uh oh...doesnt look like daddys gonna make it...guess im driving home!

When we got to Fort Collins we stopped for dinner at El Burritos, a favorite place of Justins, and an old hang out of his when he was in his 20's.  Nothing tastes better on a hot day than Mexican food washed down with an ice cold beer!  What a fabulous day!