Harward Family Reunion

This year we were so excited to have a Harward Family Reunion (my side.)  Makayla could hardly wait to see her cousins that she hadn't seen in 7 months and Kyle is old enough now to enjoy cousins too.  Finally the day arrived to leave for Utah...

We decided that we wanted to spend a little time with Ben's family too so we went to Utah a few days early.  It was so much fun seeing everyone!!!  On our first day we took the kids to the Bean Museum at BYU.  They loved seeing the animals and spending time with grandma, Nate and Matt.

That night we went to Thanksgiving Point and the kids had a blast riding the ponies and feeding the animals.  Makayla was a natural cowgirl.

Kyle kept this smile on his face the whole time!!!

The next day we all took a hike up to Timpanogos Cave.  It was straight up the mountain for a mile and a half and then straight back down for a mile and a half.  We were all hurting by the time it was done except for...

KYLE!!!  He had a nice easy ride the entire time!!!  Poor Ben!!!

Everyone was really happy when we finally made it to the top.  The cave was amazing.  It had been so long since Ben and I had been there that we had forgotten how cool it was.  Makayla loved it but Kyle was terrified and wouldn't let us set him down the entire time.  Makayla was amazing and walked up the mountain and back down all by herself.  We were so proud of her!

That night we had a hot dog roast at grandma and grandpa's.  It was fun for Kyle and Makayla to play with all their cousins.  Being so far from our family really makes us all appreciate the times we have together.

The next morning it was off to grandma and grandpa Harward's house for our family reunion.  When we got there we just all hung out together and played and talked.  We had a great lunch and then it was off to the Temple for the adults while grandma and grandpa watched the kids.  We had a wonderful session at the temple and it was so much fun being with all my brothers and sister and their spouses.  When we got home Makayla came running up to me saying, "Mommy, mommy something terrible happened!!!"  Come to find out they were all playing on the slip and slide and the bees decided to join them.  In the end three kids got stung by bees including Makayla.  I felt bad for the kids and my parents but you have to admit that was kind of funny.  That night all the guys went camping and my sister and sisters-in-law all went to the Olive Garden.  It was so yummy!!!

The next morning it was off the the swimming pool.  Those of you who are not from Utah have to understand that in Utah they don't just have boring swimming pools they are all mini water parks.  The kids had a blast.  Here is Makayla showing off her water ballet as she glides gracefully down the slide.

One of all of our favorite parts of the pool is the lazy river.

That night it was firework time.  Since fireworks are illegal in Fallon we have to go to Utah to get our fix.  Kyle especially loved them.  He couldn't keep his eyes off a firework every time it was lighted and as soon as it was done he would yell, "More, more, more!!!"

Makayla loved watching everything with her cousin Cambrie.  At first they just watched but after a while they stood up and started dancing while they made up songs about the colors in the fireworks.  It was really cute.

On Sunday after church we went to Bridal Veil Falls.  It is so pretty there!!!  The kids as well as the adults loved playing in the freezing water.  A few of them even fell in the water including Makayla but it didn't even phase them.  They just kept playing and having fun.  Afterward, we had a picnic.  Everything was so good!  Why is it that food always tastes better in the mountains???

For each of the nights Kyle was sleeping in a crib (thanks Brighton!!!) and Makayla was sleeping in the same room on a mattress on the floor.  This night we were really having a hard time getting Kyle to bed.  We couldn't just let him cry because then he'd wake up all the other kids.  He kept saying he wanted to sleep on the bed with Kayla so we finally relented.  We put him down and told him not to get out and that lasted 1 minute.  We put him down again and told him not to get out and that lasted 2 minutes.  Finally he stayed in there.  I went to check on them and while Makayla was fast asleep Kyle was just playing on the floor.  That was it.  We took him upstairs to cuddle for a couple minutes and then he went back into the crib and finally fell asleep.

The next day everyone went to the Kangaroo Zoo and then out to lunch.  After naps it was off to another water park that was free!!!!  Oh I wish some of these things would come to Fallon!  Kyle had a good time with Hunter.  They are the only boys on my side.  

And it looks like Cambrie and Makayla are at their water dancing again!!!  Overall it was a wonderful trip.  We had so much fun with both sides of the family.  It was great letting the kids get to know each other better. We can't wait until Christmas to see everyone again!!!!

(I have more pictures to post but I am waiting for my sister-in-law to send them to me. (thanks Jenny!)  Stay tuned...