Utah vacation, part 3

All of my husband's siblings also gathered with us for a big reunion while we were in Utah. Just our immediate families made for almost 40 people! It was so wonderful to spend time with everyone.

As a special treat my mother-in-law had arranged for the men to take all 23 children on a hike and picnic lunch to a little local zoo.

 
While they were away she had a massage therapist come over for all us moms! It was wonderful; my shoulder muscles have never been so relaxed!

That evening we had family night out at Jen & Greg's with some of the extended John family. Great Grandpa John was there, as well as many of Jeff's aunts, uncles and cousins. It was amazing to see how his cousins have grown, and so wonderful to visit with Great Grandpa John. He is having heart problems and is very fragile right now.

As is traditional for the John family, there was a family talent show. For our family's part, Emma and Isabelle each performed on the piano, then they sang a duet (a song from Tangled). Then all 5 of the older kids sang Do-Re-Mi, complete with actions. Emma had organized and directed these productions (and motivated the participants). She is a fabulous big sister!

On another day we visited Great Grandma Call. All the kids love the toys she keeps in a closet for the grandkids. Sebastian was not on his best behavior! It was only 10 or 11 in the morning, but as soon as we strapped him back in the car, he was fast asleep. This vacation stuff is tough on 1-year-olds!

For a while when Jeff and I were poor and busy college students at Utah State, Grandma Call would invite us over once a week to enjoy a homemade meal with her. We always looked forward to those nights! I still make chicken enchiladas like she does.

On the 4th of July everyone gathered at Eric & Karlie's for a pancake brunch cookout, then to Hyrum for a parade, plenty of water fun back at Eric & Karlie's, and in the evening we ended up at Bill & Melinda's for fireworks.