Growing Paynes: Payne Family Reunion

Just after the Fourth of July we headed up to Utah for our tri-annual Payne Family Reunion.

We made the best of the trip by planning lots of activities in the car and making lots of stops along the way.

Jake loved this magnet idea that I found here.

Ours didn't have chalkboard paint - just magnets.

Out first official stop was Toroweap at the North rim of the Grand Canyon.

Haven't heard of it? Here's a link. Apparently it isn't for the faint of heart.

But the view is spectacular.

Some of Arizona's best.

After a night's stay in Hurricane, UT and a new tire in Washington caused by our journey the day before ... we spent the next day exploring Springdale, UT. We ate at Oscar's Cafe there and it was SO good. After lunch, we decided it was time to make our way through Zion and the rest of the way up to Richfield to meet up with family.

Here is one picture of Zion from the car.

Our first night in Richfield we all went to this fantastic place for dinner and Cam and I were HOOKED. We ate there once every day for the next two days.

Besides setting up and helping run the family reunion, we spent lots of time swimming with cousins at the hotel and finding a doctor to treat an ear infection that Jake had.

Oh, and we danced a bit in our hotel room.

At the actual reunion there was lots of fun to be had.

Cameron was in charge of the rocket station where people made and launched rockets for the whole first day until the launcher finally gave out. Then there was softball, and auction and lots of free time for bonding with cousins.

Jake and Rylee enjoying a cool treat.

Daddy and Jake catching a nap.

This was the last day. He was completely pooped from traveling and not sleeping well. He slept like this for almost 3 hours.

And, by the time he woke up, we were mostly packed up and so we grabbed some picture with Grandpa before heading back to the hotel for one more night!