Dinosaurs!

OMSI has various exhibits that they get on tour, and the current one is a dinosaur exhibit. I took quite a few more pictures than this but these are sufficient to give the general idea.

This first is one of several life size replicas that had been given some small movements and sound effects to make them more realistic. Madison loved looking at these.
There were many skeletons on display, and all of these (as I understand it) were actually found in various locations in China. The ones on display ranged in size from only a couple of feet tall to over 50 feet in length. There was even a pteradactyl (I'm certain I mis-spelled that) that spanned the entire entrance to the museum.
This was just for fun, since they had it available, and even had chairs and step-stools behind the board to make it easier for the kids, regardless of height :)
Although it's hard to see, Kellen is leaning over a box that has a handle sticking out the front so that you can turn the box over and over, shifting the tiny rocks that are on a screen. Mixed in with the rocks are tiny bones (rat ankles, claws, etc.) and the object is to experience how difficult it can be for the scientists who do this work to be able to separate what's important from what's not.
While Kellen and I learned about the effects of alcohol on the brain and body, and went to explore the Turbine hall with it's robots and rockets, Madison went with Steve to the Children's Laboratory so that she could play in the sand box. At one point, she set down the shovel she was playing with and someone else picked it up. Realizing it was gone, she looked up at the boy who had it, held out her hand and said, "Excuse me," expecting it to be immediately handed back :)
This is a space capsule that the kids enjoyed climbing and playing in. Steve says it was one of the original "earth orbiters". In any case, it makes for good playing.

In all, it was a great trip out. On our way there we stopped at Barnes and Noble because the kids had gift certificates to spend. Steve has a long-time friend, Ryan, who a few of you might remember. He sang a duet with Melinda and was best man at our wedding. He and Steve have continued to keep in contact through the years and Ryan has sent Kellen the most wonderful books every year for his birthday. Ryan was married just a couple of years ago and now lives in Minnesota with his wife Edith so this year they sent a gift card for each of the kids to be able to pick out their own books at Barnes and Noble. We helped Madison pick out three Dr. Suess board books, while Kellen chose a Pokemon sticker book and a book mark. It wasn't exactly the kind of book I had in mind for him, but it was his gift card to spend so I had to let him.

To finish it off, we had made cake batter ice cream earlier in the day so it was waiting at home for us to have for dessert before sending the kids off to bed.