Friday turned out to be a great day for us.  Both Lily and Derek didn't have school, and so I wanted to use the opportunity to visit one of the many museums here in Colorado Springs.  As we looked through our choices, we decided on the Western Museum of Mining and Industry.

I wasn't really sure what to expect, but we had a pretty good discount getting in, and so there wasn't any pressure.  Well, the kids ended up really enjoying it, and it was just the perfect size to fit for us to see in the 1 1/2 hours that we had before lunch.

The highlights were:

• Panning for Gold
• Going on a Treasure hunt for items in the museum, and when they found them all, getting a prize (Lily got a piece of petrified wood, which she thought was AWESOME.)
• Being there at the same time as a few school groups, and so sneaking up close to watch the extra demonstrations they did for them.
• Watching the huge machinery move.
• Pushing buttons on the mini displays
• Buying and eating a candy sticks

After we finished with the indoor exhibits, we headed outside to look around and see if we could find the two burros they keep there.  The kids loved it, even if we never found the burros :).

After the museum, we headed to Ft. Carson to join Kevin at a BBQ his battalion was having.  It was really great to have lunch with him and finally see where he works.  The food was yummy and the weather was gorgeous.  At one point, someone brought out the 4-wheelers that they use out in the desert so that the kids could climb on them.  We got some fun pictures on them, even if they made me put on the kevlar helmet to complete the look :).  Fun times!

It was a great day, and I am glad I made myself get out and do something with the kids.  Up until recently, I had been so busy unpacking and working on things, I felt like I was neglecting them.  Hopefully we will be able to keep it up and continue doing fun family field trips. 

The rest of our weekend was pretty great too.  I took the kids to the park on Saturday where they got to run off their energy (since our backyard won't get put in until the spring).  Lily also got to play with our new neighbor, while I had a great time getting to know her mom. 

And last night while I went to the General Relief Society broadcast, Kevin and the kids got pizza and watched a movie together :).  While they were having their fun, I had a fantastic time listening to the prophet, meeting new people, and becoming better friends with the awesome ladies in my ward.  We even went out to dessert afterward, and I have to say that I haven't laughed that hard in a while.  I am definitely feeling blessed :).