This is the Place State Park

Yesterday we got the chance to go to This is the Place State Park with Rio Tinto Kennocott.  Tony's dad is an engineer who sub-contracts with Kennocott. 
Last year we got to go to the Zoo and this year they had their employee fun day at This is the Place State Park.  It is kind of funny because they are located across the street from one another.

The boys (Tony, Tyler, Josh, and Lloyd) all took the Tracks train up to the park while us girls (Margie, Megan, and myself) decided it wold be a better idea for us to take the car.  I am glad we did that so we didn't have to worry about folding up the stroller a lot and dealing with a fussy baby on the train.

 The boys got there faster then they thought so they had to wait a little bit for us girls to catch up.  We got a great parking spot and headed towards the food so the boys could come and meet us.  Margie and I got our food and found some seats and within about five minutes the boys had food and joined our party.
The food was pretty good.  BBQ chicken sandwich, salads, chips and fruits.  Then they had some ice cream sandwiches and punch or water. 

After we ate we got in line for the train and road it to the top of the hill where the activities were.  The boys got some pop cycles and then they shot taffy out of a cannon and all the kids got to collect the candy and put it in their bags that we got when we first got there.  Everyone got a red bag that could be used as a hand bag or a back pack.  The workers also threw out hard candies so the kids could get more treats.  
After that we got some more treats at the Candy Stand and then headed to the petting zoo and pony rides.

Josh wanted to go get in front of everyone in line and ride his pony...he did not like having to wait his turn (he should be real fun in Disneyland in two weeks).   After they waited a couple minutes Josh and Tyler got to ride the ponies.  Josh did super great and rode all by him self and seemed to really enjoy it.  He ended up going twice.  Tyler liked it too, but not enough to go again.
I was totally amazed how much Josh loved petting all the animals and he had no fear at all for any of them.  Josh went right up to each animal and started petting them like they were his own dog that he knew and trusted.  Tony was always right by Josh.  I guess Josh got Tony's gift with animals.  I swear Tony is a cow whisperer.

Tyler, however, not so much into touching all the animals.  He either wouldn't touch them at all, or just pat them once and say he was good.  He did like the turkeys though.  He didn't touch them, but he liked them.
After the animals we saw some bees in a hive and got some beeswax chapstick (three different flavors) and we saw a blacksmith doing....I honestly don't know.  I was in the back and wasn't really paying attention.

Then we went up to do some crafts.  The kids were able to make beaded necklaces, arrowhead necklaces, and brand on leather to make a necklace.  Tyler made a leather necklace and a beaded bracelet and Josh got an arrowhead necklace.  Tony is the one who made it and Josh pretty much threw a fit about something or other - sometime we just have no idea because we don't know what he is saying.
Then it was off the pan for gold.  The boys really liked playing in the muddy water trying to find bits of fools gold.  We also got some safety glasses for everyone in our family, so we can be safe.

After panning for gold it was corn on the cob time.  Boy was that good corn.  They had it all ready and you put on your butter and salt and pepper...really some of the best corn I have had.  Tyler and Josh both ate some corn too.  Super yummy.
They had face painting, but my kids aren't really into getting their faces painted (lucky for us because we would have had to wait in a super long line) so we skipped that and went on a small train around the water.
Josh totally loves trains and love going on the ride.  Once again he had a hard time waiting his turn, but he had to learn to wait in line.
Then we went down to check out getting a photo done, we decided against it and then got some ice cream and pop cycles and headed back to the car.  Tony decided maybe Megan would like to try some pop cycle and boy did she.  She really loved sucking on it and made quite the mess.  She has only had rice cereal twice, but she's had ice cream two times and now a pop cycle.  I hope we haven't ruined her for the healthy stuff.
Then we drove to Tony's parents to get our car and then we all drove home.  We all had a very fun time and we were super glad that we were able to go with Tony's parents.  We can't wait until next year to see what Rio Tinto does then.  What a great day we all had!