Utah Trip--Week 2 Blanding

Next up on our vacation was a trip down to Blanding for the official Oswald reunion. We spent the next week catching up with those we hadn't seen yet and continuing our visit with those we had. And of course the stay was jam-packed with lots of activities too keep us busy and exhausted. We went swimming at the city pool, took some of the youth to the Monticello temple, visited the Dinosaur Museum, saw a fun melodrama, and enjoyed Flavel Bread (Kendall and some of the other cousins pulled an all nighter helping Chris bake). We watched several family members compete in a one mile or 5K Fourth of July Race (including Kendall, Lynnsey, and Spencer), went to the Blanding 4th of July parade followed by a huge festival at the park with lots of vendors (including Chris and his bread) and kids activities, and went back to the same park to watch a fantastic fireworks show with a concert beforehand. We took a field trip to the historic Bluff Fort which has been restored to the way it was when early pioneer settlers came to the area--it was really fun to visit the pioneer cabins and let the kids dress up and pull handcarts. We had lots of  family history discussions and time to visit and play.

Mandy's little boys are so adorable. Still hard to believe that Susan is a Grandma! 

We tried to plan the temple trip for when more of the cousins had arrived but just couldn't fit it in. Still, it was a fun trip even with just four youth.

Moon rock at the Dinosaur Museum.

We had so much fun and laughed a ton at the annual melodrama put on by Kalen's old high school drama teacher.

Edge of the Cedars was right behind us at the melodrama.

Chris had to make a ton of bread to sell at the 4th of July Festival so he recruited a few helpers and they made bread ALL night. Kendall loved it!

Runners for the One Mile Fun Run (Kendall and Spencer) and the 5K race (everyone else!)

4th of July Parade!

The all night baking session followed by a mile long race caught up to Kendall.

Spencer was thrilled when they started throwing out popsicles at the parade.

The best part of the parade is always when the fire trucks come through to cool everyone off.

Dress up at Bluff Fort.

Cute little Statten--Mandy's second baby.

One of the cabins at Bluff Fort.

School room.

Jaden has so much personality. This picture just makes us laugh every time we see it.

We drove up above the old Bluff Cemetery where the rock formations provided an amazing view.

On our last day, Susan took Taylor, Kendall and Lynnsey to Monument Valley while Kalen and I packed the van and Kaya got to ride a horse with her cousin Felicia. 

When Kendall's shoe completely fell apart, he borrowed the only duct tape on hand to repair it--pink piggies. Grant (Mandy's oldest) saw Kendall's shoe and decided that was the coolest thing ever so he had Kendall fix his sandal to match.