July 1-6 was our Speers Family reunion that we do every 2 years. We flew into Las Vegas and drove 3.5 hours to Orderville, Utah and stayed by Zions park at Zion Ponderosa resort. The weather was beautiful. Highs of 80 and lows of 50. It was so wonderful to be chilly in the morning and evening and it be pleasant the rest of the day. I absolutely love running and being outside in that weather.
We took the same flight as my parents, and then stopped at Costco for groceries. We then drove through Zions National Park which was beautiful.
We had so many groceries, the kids had to share a seat for the drive. Thankfully they are good sports.
The first morning we went on a Kan-am ride through Zions for a canyoneering/repelling adventure.
It was great. Everyone was very brave and went down 2 repells after a short hike. Corey went first, then I went since we both had repelled before.
I waited at the end of the first decline for every person to go through. Some were much faster than others.
You could tell there was fear, but everyone overcame it and made it down safely.
When we got back, the boys went on a Tactical shooting adventure.
Even Deacon went and did really well.
They shot with a 22 gun, a 9 mm, a AR style rifle, and a sniper rifle.
Ragnar was in heaven, and Cavin also did very well. I hope they will be able to protect me should they need to ;)
While the boys played, the girls went for a swim and rested.
The next day we went on another ATV ride to a canyon where the narrows were amazing, but tight and tricky to get around. We climbed many rocks but had an amazing view. I was so proud of everyone who made it through. You could tell it was very difficult and physically taxing for Natalie, but she did well and made it in and out.
My mom did not join us as she is physically not able, but all the rest of us were there.
It was cool down there and so pretty.
We then went to get ice cream afterward. Which my dad loves.
On the 4th of July, we went to Kanab for their town parade.
It was a cute, hour long parade and the kids got candy and had fun.
That evening we were supposed to go hike the canyon overlook, but a fire began in the forest and our power went out. We could see the smoke from our vrbo rental. We had to hurry and pack to be ready if we needed to evacuate! Thankfully we did not have to leave, and the fire was contained early on, we missed the hike, but tried to have cake and ice cream to celebrate grandpa, Corey, and Liams birthdays.The next day went went to church and the time online was incorrect, so we missed the sacrament, so our family and a few others went to Glendale to another ward and took the sacrament there. It was a nice meeting. That evening we played minute to win it games.
Even grandma and grandpa were good sports and played. We watched movies, talked, and just enjoyed being together.
Parts of Coreys family, Ella, and all of Chris' family were not there. I am so glad Corey at least made the effort to attend with James, and we really missed Chris and his kids. They did not attend the last one either. I hope someday our family will heal and they will rejoin us. Until then, it always feels like a piece is missing. I pray that someday our family will be together again. It was a lovely reunion and I am grateful for the efforts my parents make to continue to make it happen in whatever form they are able.
