Go West - Day Two

After a scrumptious breakfast at the house we headed to the Kennecott Copper mines. My dad had been there several years ago and knew that it would be a wonderful trip for the boys.

The boys were in total awe of the size of the mine itself and the trucks that were driving in and out of it. There were more diggers and trucks than the boys could count, and lots of activity going on down in the mine. This man-made structure is the only one that can be seen in space it is so large. While we were there, they also did a blast for us - which the boys liked. It was so far away though, that the noise could be barely heard and all we could really see was the puffs of smoke coming up.

There was a great visitors center where the boys could use microscopes to see the gold, copper and other metals being ored from the mine, as well as miniature trucks and a video for us all to see. Their process and pipelines were quite impressive, and the fifteen minute video was just the right time span for the kids to sit and listen to.

We followed our time at the mines with lunch at In and Out Burgers, where all they serve is burgers! Evidently this is quite the establishment- and is well frequented by the rich and famous. All that was present that day was the Mormons.

That was definitely the one aspect of this trip that Dan and I had not expected - all of the Mormons. Thankfully Stephanie and Andy are well-versed in Mormonism, and had educated us the night before. Everywhere we went, there they were with their large families. It was incredible. The one tell-tale sign: their underwear. So needless to say, we couldn't help but check out each 'adults' underwear to see if they were part of the cult. Here is a picture of what it looks like:

Our lunch at In-N-Out only prepared us for our trip to visit the Temple, where over 15 weddings appeared to have taken place. This was evident by the brides and grooms outside with their families, but also the families outside waiting for the brides and grooms to appear. In Mormonism, only the bride and groom enter the Temple for the ceremony. Everyone else has to wait outside for the celebration and reception.

As we walked around the grounds were beautiful - and clearly no shortage of money appeared to exist. Evidently the Mormons are required to turn in their tax statements each year to ensure that they are tithing properly. Wow!

While there weren't many of the buildings that we were allowed to go in, we were able to walk inside the chapel where the choir performs. The inside was beautiful and to just look at the pipe organ made you want to cry. I cannot imagine how beautiful it sounded. They did play a short CD of their music and it reverberated thru the building and sounded incredible. While I would love to have heard their music, the erry feeling of their lost souls couldn't help but be felt to those of us who believe in the One Way to heaven. It was almost as if they walked around in a daze, or trans....completely closed off from the view that the rest of the world sees. To honestly believe the Big Foot is Cain sent to wander the earth forever? Or to believe that it is only thru the calling of their husbands that a woman can enter heaven or their celestial planet?

As I said, Dan and I were just completely blown away by how far they are from the Truth. The experience was truly eye-opening.

On a much lighter note, and much more entertaining for the children, was the Children's Museum just down the street from the Temple. (Very fitting since they all have five or more children to their name) The kids were so excited to have a place to run around and be 'kids' after such a long day of sightseeing and riding in the car.

Drew's favorite section of the museum, before we saw the helicopter, was the huge water table. He loved it - and even tried to dry off the toys using the hand blower!

Nathan had several sections of the museum that he loved. Of course the rock climbing wall was a hit, until it bit him. His poor elbows and knees got a little skinned. He also loved the construction room. He was so excited to wear a helmet and vest just like daddy!

Drew loved the tunnel for all the balls in the beehive.
The wind blew in his face as it sucked the ball up!

Parking at the museum - that's what we've resorted to as our date nights!
Outside the boys discovered a helicopter to play in! They loved it until it started making real sounds. They thought for sure it was going to take off and they both ran out of there as fast as they could. Their faces were priceless!
Wrangling up the kids to leave....

Who's in charge here? That's what we'd all like to know!