Adventure Day #1

Disclaimer:
For those of you who have already read Cindy's Creative Chaos, this will just be a repeat. I have tried to use a few different pictures, but since Cindy was our designated photographer. Some of the pics may be a repeat

Today Cindy, and Monica and I decided to take an Adventure. We decided to check out someplace we had never experienced before. I can't say that the kids were too excited about it. Over the past weekend, Steve and I went to St. George with my parents, and on the way passed the most beautiful fields I've ever seen in my life. As you come up over the hill into Mona, the green fields to the west turn purple. It is unlike anything I've ever seen. My kids were totally impressed as we passed by, but honestly, stopping by there never occurred to me. Until I got a phone call from Cindy Monday. She had heard about Lavender days, and thought it would be a fun outing to take the kids to experience it. All we really knew is that they had horse drawn wagon rides to take you on a tour of the farm. That was enough...we thought that would be fun.

We were in for a surprise. This is Tyler standing in the middle of the Lavender Labyrinth. It was a maze that you entered, only trying to find your way back out. As the kids ran through, and touched the plants, the released their fragrance and it was an amazing smell. They ran and jumped and played. It was surprising how fun a garden of purple smelly flowers could be for a bunch of kids.


This is the gang. I took Angie's kids with us, so it made for quite a group. But considering that it was a Tuesday afternoon. We just about had the whole place to ourselves, so they could run and scream and play all they wanted, and they didn't bother anyone.

There were different sections of this farm. The first one we hit was the western playground. Play was the best word the kids found...they ran and played and loved every minute of being in the Wild West. There were wagons and buildings and play sets that they could enjoy. It was hard to get them to leave this cool town to sit and eat lunch. I'm not sure they actually ate too much. They were in too big of a hurry to get back to the playing.



After leaving the Wild West, we ventured over to the Renaissance area. The kids again ran and played through all of the buildings and playhouses. They tried on helmets (as shown below by Chase) used all kinds of medieval weaponry. Of course they thought this was fabulous.


This is the jousting arena (yes, they do in fact have a jousting arena, and actually hold jousts occasionally). Sadly today they were not actually jousting, but one day we are going to have to go see this one in person.

This thing, Cindy referred to as a medieval torture device. It is actually a merry-go-round. But it is human/mom powered. Actually the kids did a great job of spinning each other around, but I think a challenge went out to see how fast the moms could push it. I think Cindy and Monica got their work out today.

Another strange ride for the kids to enjoy...the Barrel Ride. Again, also kid powered. But they loved it just the same.

What a fun day this was. I would highly recommend it to anyone who just wants a CHEAP way to play with the kids. We packed picnic lunches and ate at one of the picnic tables in the shade on the grass. The kids ran and played and we were educated about herbs. They had a garden out front, that displayed many of the herbs they grow there on the farm. We smelled and compared. And shockingly the kids really even enjoyed that part.
The lavender is at it's peak right now, in full bloom. They are actually having a 5k run this saturday "through the lavender fields", and evidently many more activities. But totally worth the 1 hour drive to get there.
The kids are already asking when they get to go back.

We finished the trip with a stop at the Big Red Barn in Santaquin for Cherries, berries, and suckers for the kids. What a fun trip!

Check out Cindy's blog (creative chaos) for a few more pictures...especially the one of the Zedonk. This strange critter was a mix between a Zebra and a Donkey...I know...I didn't think a donkey could breed, but evidently it can with a zebra. The animals were sure interesting, but not really the ones you would expect to see on a farm.