On Our Way Home

 Today was the day of goodbyes. It was hard to get kiddos up since we have played so hard and stayed up so late these past few days. The littlest kids were sacked out!

Everyone cleaned their rooms and then went on to the common areas. There was a lot of ice cream left so it went to the people who lived closest. Dane was very happy about it. 

Thomas and Elen did a great job organizing this reunion and we are looking forward to the next one. However, Jason and I are in charge of that one so I am a little nervous. We have to figure out where to have it. We don't know enough about the El Paso area to know if it can be there or not. Might be a destination reunion. ;)

We needed to drive to Gallup today to stay the night in a hotel. This time we took the northern way back to Texas. We drove through some interesting countryside. We passed through Vermilion Cliffs National Monument which were indeed a dusty shade of red. We also passed through a few Native American reservations  (Hopi, Kaibab and Navajo) in Arizona. Those were the most depressing areas I have ever seen in my life. 

We stopped at a bridge area over the Colorado River to get out of the car to stretch and to see the natural landscape in northeast Arizona. Here is Marble Canyon. 

Tomorrow we drive back to El Paso and the next day school starts!

Telford Family Reunion Day 3

 Today we all gathered together for a family picture. It was no easy task with this many people but it came out pretty good. You can't expect all little kids to stand still and smile. 

Dottie was fussed at before and during the picture so when her parents couldn't find her later they thought she had run off (she has before). So all the adults set off in a search to find her, looking all around the complex, at all the pools and in the desert wilderness nearby. Finally she was found. She had been hiding in the house the whole time. 

Later that day we went on a hike with the Waltons and Telfords to a place that Amanda wanted to show us called Jenny's Canyon. It was pretty cool! We got lots of pictures in the caves and rock formations. 

That afternoon we decided to go feed the ducks and play at the park with Thomas' family. We got to meet Amanda's dog, Tuuka, when she went to go get him for playing at the park as well. 

Then we treated everyone who came with us to homemade ice cream at a shop nearby. It was a tasty treat on a beautiful day. 

There was a lot more playing in the pool and having fun upstairs with the air hockey and video games. It's our last night together.

Elen had talked to me earlier about having a surprise party for Brendan during the reunion since he was turning 16. We got him downstairs under the guise of wanting to play a game. Then she brought out the cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to him. He was totally surprised. "Its not my birthday yet!" he said. But I could tell he really liked the gesture. 

Then Uncle Thomas and the cousins that wanted to played some D&D. It didn't end well but he had fun while it lasted. 

Dottie and Vivian spent time trying to wrestle Uncle Jason again. 

Grandpa Dave got some pictures with the Winns.

Most of the cousins stayed up late for games. I was so tired that I went to bed far before most of the adults did. There have been some tiffs amongst cousins but its nice to see most of the playing and getting along.

Telford Family Reunion Day 2

Jason and the kids wanted to go hike the Narrows in Zion National Park. I had already hiked it before and though it was beautiful and I did want to be with my hubby and kids, this is the only time I get to see some members of my family. So I decided I would go with my sisters, my mom, and assorted kiddos into St George. Jason and our kids went with Aaron Walton and some of his kids and they were gone most of the day. He sent me pictures. They had a lot of fun but the Narrows was pretty packed. 

Paige likes Uncle Aaron. You can see her holding his hand. 

In St George, we saw some fun shops including a candy store and a store with Western collectibles. It was fun to get to know some of my nieces and nephews more. I don't see them often. Hannah tried on a pink cowboy hat.

Cute cousins Maddie and Evie. 

Part of the crew.

The candy shop was super fun.

Everyone always says that the sisters have the same smile. 

After the shopping some of us went back to the house and Mom, Amanda, Dane, and I went out to eat at this fun place that had a great view. It was nice to get to know Dane again. He's such a good kid. He conked out for a nap later that day. 

Most of the kids were in and out of the pool all afternoon. 

That evening we played some fun games. Elen had wrapped up two balls of toys with plastic wrap. You had a specific time to unwrap it and hoped that you'd get candy or presents. 

Then we played charades. Oh boy! It was so much fun. We laughed and laughed.

I can't believe how mature my nieces and nephews are getting! Look how grown up Hailey is.

Isn't this engaged couple so adorable? I think Luis might be overwhelmed by all of us but he's a good sport. 

It was bathtime for some of the little kids. Dottie loves Uncle Jason and she's quite the feisty little kid. She kept trying to wrestle with him. He was tired from trying to fend her off, which she thought was hysterical. 

After the little kids went to bed, some of us decided to play Throw, Throw Burrito. It is a silly game. We had a ton of fun. 

I love my family. Tomorrow is sure to be fabulous as well.