Family Reunion in Zions

This is the reason we took our trip to Utah. We met up with Evan's family at Zion's National Park near St. George, Utah. The weather was beautiful, the company fantastic, and the dirt, way too much.

We camped out at some camp grounds near the park. We were packed in quite close, but when you reserved 10 camp spots to hold somewhere around 75 people, it was great. We were in close proximity, but that meant lots of visiting, lots of cousins interacting, and lots and lots of fun. My kids didn't realize they had so many cousins. With 16 children in Evan's family, there are bound to be lots of cousins. Taneal's comments was, "I actually have GIRL cousins my age!" On my side of the family, all the cousins her age are boys.

We were camped about 50 yards from a swift moving river. We were the first ones to arrive at the camp by several hours, so we headed down to the river to cool off. We decided to form a dam around a shallow area as a boundary to keep the kids in. They couldn't go outside the shallow rock wall. They pretty much followed the rule and stayed legal. Until Uncle Robert snagged Taneal and Camie and took them river rafting. He commented that he had no idea my girls were so much fun and gutsy. Taneal and Camie said that that was some of the most fun they have ever had.

We took a few hikes into Zion's Park. Wow. That is one beautiful place. The walls of the mountains were spectacular. Taneal kept grabbing my phone and snapping pictures. It was fun. I just wish I had worn different shoes. The hike was a little difficult carrying Gavin and sporting flip flops. I don't know why I didn't realize we would be hiking.

This squirrel was a little too friendly. There were signs posted all over the place not to feed the animals. So what does Evan do? And that squirrel got so close to Nathan. Fortunately Nathan thought it was cool and didn't freak out.

Check out the deer in the background. Fun to see Danielle share that moment.

This is the bus that took us through the park. No air conditioning. I thought I was going to die when I heard that, but it actually wasn't too bad.

We went to the weeping rock, or I think that is what the name of it was. Basically water was dripping out of the rocks overhead, kind of in a cave, sort of. I have a picture of it.

 Uncle Trent. So fun to have him there, just wished Christi, his wife had come. I was so looking forward to hanging out with her!

Here is that weeping Rock picture I was telling you about.

Camie was filling up her spray bottle with water.

Taneal was just getting a drink. Don't know if it was safe to drink the water, but we didn't get sick?

Spencer was cold. It was on the side of chilly, probably around 75 degrees. This is a true born and raised southerner. Couldn't believe he was actually cold! The rest of the group was sweating their guts out!

Danielle and Breman playing together.

This is a picture of us back at camp. Did I mention there was a whole lot of us there? I think only 3 of the 16 kids were missing. And then you add spouses and children and wow!

Imagine feeding that group. They assigned all the meals to different families so that we only had to bring food for the one meal we were in charge of. Talk about a lot of food. But that family just prepared it like they were making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Like it was no big deal. The food was good. That is talent to be able to prepare that much food for so many people without it being a big deal.

Here is my little Spencer. It was quite a hike for him. He wanted to be carried after about a mile. Fortunately Rachel was willing to carry him. I would have but I had Gavin and Evan had Nathan.

Spencer taking a break.

Can't remember what they were doing there, but I'm sure it was fun.

Camie climbing a rock.

Danielle being her normal goofy self and Spencer actually cracking that smile he likes to suppress.

Daren and Shannon. We hadn't seen them in something like 5 years. Of course we hadn't seen a lot of the clan in about 5 or more years.

Nathan had had enough and slept in the stroller. When he is out, well, he is out. Recharging. Getting more energy. Gearing up for some active moments.

Camie and Grandma Black

And my crew with their Black grandparents. I love my last name. It can be so much fun.

Brandon

Uncle Lance, the youngest of the 16 children. You'd have to be relaxed to be the youngest of that many.

Miya.

We had a blast with cousins and Aunts and Uncles. There was a bit too much dirt for my liking. It was that kind of chalky dirt that blows in the wind and gets between your toes and feels like you are running your fingers down the chalk board. It was everywhere. The camping wasn't too bad because it cooled off at night. The kids loved being able to be around so many others their ages and to just play and have a great time. I think I am the only one that minded the dirt. And I can put up with a lot to be around good company.

Don't know what next year will hold. Hopefully we can make it to the reunion next year and get to know family even better.