Craig Family Reunion

We headed up to Utah for two family reunions. The first was the Craig Reunion, and it started on Thursday, July 27th. Earlier that day, some of us were able to gather at the Cedar City Temple to attend an endowment session with Evelyn (my niece), who was receiving her endowment prior to her mission to Minnesota. It was great to be in the temple together!

Jonnie and I--

Grandma and Evelyn--

Me and Evelyn--

A group of us--Grandma, Ken, Katie, Jordan, Kelsey, Deron, me--

The day before, when we were driving up from Arizona, we got a message from Jan, who had just been informed that our reserved reunion house in Fairview was out of commission. No water! And it wouldn't have access to water until the following Monday. Not good for a house full of 65 people. Ahh! So, we had to scramble and find something else! Not an easy feat, looking for a reunion house for 65 in Utah in the middle of the summer. But...tender mercy...we found one! It was in Lyman, Utah. So, we headed there.

It turned out to be a huge blessing. We had to adjust our schedule, and miss out on a pool/lake day and our temple baptism trip...but, fortunately we have awesome family members that are flexible and ready to adapt. And because it was last minute, filling in the spot for a cancellation, we got a discount, and we all got more than HALF our money back! Wahoo!

It was a great spot. It's under new ownership and they are building quite the place.

There was a playground, outside basketball court, a firepit, room for outside games...

And cabins for each of the couples/families. It was a great set up.

The evenings were ideal for outside play. Cousins had a great time being together!

(Daxton was loving the sunset here, and asked for a picture)--

The teenagers playing some basketball--

Janson sportin' his stuff, with the sun setting in the background--

Love the cousin time!

Ryah, Anna, Luke, Noah,

Olivia, Zach--

Luke, Branden, Janson--

Colton, Ethan J., Lucy, Hillary, Inger--

The inside gathering area that we used for devotionals each night, the Family Home Evening, talent show, Grandma's mission report, etc.

Grandma sharing--

Janson was a huge help, assisting Grandma in putting together her mission slideshow video. He spent a LOT of time with her, organizing the photos, preparing them, and adding in the music....it was great for her to get to share with everyone!

Ryah took out her contacts at night, and with her glasses on, she and Marie took a "matching glasses" pic (with Janson photo-bombing)--

Lyman is near Capitol Reef National Park (we've been there! Last year, on the RV trip...)--

So we went hiking there on Friday.

Sierra seeking shade--

It was a very cool hike.

Sierra sportin' her hiking skills-

At the top, cousins hanging out and talking--

(Dehn, across the way, taking a picture of all of us)--

Grandma walking with her grandkids-crew!

It was a good time.

Marie brought materials for crafts and it was a hit!

Our family was in charge of the talent/variety show, and it was great!

I had kids coming up to me last minute, wanting to add things in and share--and I love that. There were magic tricks, lip syncs, singing, balancing acts...all kinds of fun things.

Daxton showed a video of his different flips and tricks off the diving board; Colton had his art drawings shared; Sierra did some gymnastics; Janson shared a video of him playing a song on the violin;...

And Ryah and Colton joined the twins (Inger and Anika) in singing "Lava" and playing the ukulele.

And Ryah and Marie performed the song they wrote: Mountain Called Life. Ryah wrote the music, Marie wrote the lyrics....and they both contributed and collaborated on both. It is awesome.

We recorded Ryah playing the song on the piano, and they both sang the song together to the recording.

And I cry every time they sing it, and this was no exception. It was really touching. People were very complimentary--saying how awesome the song is and how sweet it was for them to work together on it. I think it was good for both of them and they plan to do more! People also encouraged them to submit it to the church, for the youth album. That would be cool. So proud of them. Love it!

Sierra and Juliette, the two youngest of the grandkids (not counting the great grandkids), are very sweet together:

Love it--

Hanging out:

Devotional by the Blankenbillers:

OF COURSE we had the Craig homemade ice cream night! Strawberry, cherry nut, peach raspberry, mint cookie, rocky road, mint chocolate chip,....so many good flavors!

Everyone loves ice cream night! (Great tradition, Grandpa Craig!)

Ryah and Becca--

....joined by Devin and Janson:

And then they were joined by: Ethan J., Lucy, Colton, Hillary, Marie, Megan, and Sierra--

I love how when you take a picture of some cousins, more come running over, wanting to join in!

Janson keeping Sierra entertained on the swing. Tireless work...

Brett getting "hand art" done by his 2 daughters, Olivia and Ivy. He's a good sport!

Jonnie and I slipped away on Saturday, to attend the wedding/sealing of our niece on the Smurthwaite side, Becca Petty, to JP Mora. We love JP and Becca and are very close to both of them--so it was worth the sacrifice, to make it to their sealing. It was beautiful.

Jonnie and I at the Mt, Timpanogas Temple--

Back to the Craig reunion....

in a devotional that night, Sierra and Juliette (as the youngest grandkids) were called up to try to move this table. But then needed the help of their dads, Jonnie and Dehn. Being reminded that we all need the help of the Savior--

We attended the ward in Lyman the next day. The Bishop made a comment about receiving the call the day before from Jan, that our family reunion would be coming to church--with 65+ people, it was good to give them a heads up! He said that he was touched by "this family" that has so many that would take the time to come to church, away from home, on their vacation. It was great tribute to my Mom (and Dad)!

At church:

Ryah, Seth, Noah, Branden, Luke, Olivia, Anna--

Lots of cousins!!!

Grandma received this gift, a t-shirt quilt made from a bunch of my Dad's favorite t-shirts. It was emotional, but a wonderful reminder of him--we got it out for the family picture. Fitting. Dad was definitely there in spirit!!