Hale Ranch Reunion 2013

We had an adult lunch at Katy McKay's place of employment, Cafe Diablo. Pretty impressive. Is that even food? Yes it was, and it was delicious salman and guacamole and cactus pear. Wow.

The Almond tart with Bourbon Pear was the best thing I've had in ages.

We had a great afternoon in Goblin Valley State Park. It was HOT, but so fun.

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And meet Samuel Nuutinen. The son of my Finnish missionary companion who stayed with us for two weeks. I think this day was the highlight of his trip. He got along great with the McKay boys and, as the oldest of 4 boys and second of 6 kids, felt right at home with our 4 boys. He was a patient friend to them and they love hanging out with cool teenagers!

This is the hillside that Jack ran down then tripped and did several flips at the bottom as his mom cheered. Whoops!

Willa overlooking the goblins.

After playing in Goblin Valley some of the teens, Samuel and some of the men stayed on and hiked Little Wild Horse slot canyon, while the women and littles went back to the Ranch.

Pioneer Day at the Ranch was the best. We costumed up Ranch-style and paraded to the theater, after Dad Hale gave us the historic rules of the wagon trail, which included: "No gambling or swearing.". At the theater each of the grandchildren did a dramatic reading about one of our ancestors. Samuel gave one about his grandfather who was the first Finnish man in his family to join the church.

It was great to be with the Brians and Sandy and Allen.

At one of our night firesides, Mike sang us some Tevye songs as most of us missed singing him star in Fiddler on the Roof  back in Virginia.

Lovely Lisa led us in Zumba!

Can you see the Vicky Double in this pic?! 
The kids joined in under the porch.

It was another heavenly reunion. Being with cousins and family in the most lovely spot on earth, cannot be beat!