Utah Trip Part 2: Vernal, Pioneer Day and Dinosaurs

Monday evening, we spent hanging out with Grandma Jean and being very happy to be out of the car.

Morgan showing off his archery skills while Pepper becomes fast friends with Grandma Jean. It seems our kids begin their love affair with Grandma "Jeans," as they call her, at the age of 3.

Ben, the cat is still alive and well and as friendly as ever. Pepper wasn't as inclined as Morgan to become friends with him.

We just love visiting Grandma Jeans.

Because our family is a bit bigger and rowdier, we decided to stay at a hotel in town. The kids were very excited that the hotel has a pool. Unfortunately, it was not that warm outside but the kids and Cody persevered anyway.

Anything for a swim. And it helped keep the noisy people outside while I put Hazel to sleep. 

The Vernal Temple was right behind our hotel so on Tuesday morning, the 24th of July or Pioneer Day, we walked over to check it out. 

I remembered to pack festive clothes for everyone but myself. 

The old Tabernacle side of the temple. 

Vernal has tons of the these pretty flowers all over town. I can't believe the city pays for all that upkeep but they are sure pretty to look at.

Another bonus of staying at our hotel was we got great seats for the Pioneer Day parade that went down Main Street. And I didn't even have to wake Hazel up from her nap.

"Only you can prevent forest fires!"

Pepper enjoyed all the princesses. I can't even imagine the amount of pageants you would need to have THAT many princesses!

Only in Utah would the Elders be in the parade.

And the Sisters.

I counted no less than six dance troupes. In one small town...really?!

This was my favorite thing from the whole parade. A dance/unicycle troupe. They were amazing and did all sorts of different formations holding onto each other. Amazing.

The kids loved everything about the parade. The free candy, the spectacle and the free candy.

Happy girl.

So nice to share. Hazel goes crazy for popsicles.

Even though it was a bit rainy and overcast and not all that warm, there were a few floats with water guns. Pepper and Morgan ran out to get squirted.

Nothing says celebration like a hearse!

Right after the parade we drove over to the Dinosaur Museum a few blocks down. We loved this place the last time we visited Vernal and we were not disappointed again.

Hazel approved of the museum as well.

Digging for bones.

The Morrison Formation is where they have found most of the dinosaurs in Vernal.

Morgan's Formation must be where his lost tooth went. That happened right before our trip so I'll post about that later.

Ummm...Dad there's a dinosaur out there.

Exploring the dinosaur garden.

Regular fish are also pretty exciting.

Morgan not wanting to keep his eyes off this ferocious looking beast.

Morgan directing traffic.

The first dinosaur discovered in Vernal. Apatosaurus I believe.

Nothing like a nice wooly mammoth behind to make your day fun.

That was the first half of our very busy day. Vernal may be a small town but there are a lot of fun things to do.