Last year, all of my siblings and their little families were able to attend the Callister Reunion, on my mom's side. We're rarely all together at the same time since we're all so spread out where we live, so it was really special. It was then that my dad decided it was time we start having our own family reunion. So July 16-18 of this year, we had our first official Nick and Lois Lang Family Reunion at Duck Creek on Cedar Mountain. It was awesome!
Every night, Steve and Nick would have a sweet jamming session on their guitars for us all to enjoy.
On Friday morning, after Wade and I made pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fruit for everyone, he went hiking to the caves with most of the family. Stacie and I went on our own little hike because we had the youngest kids, and we knew they wouldn't last long on a the big hike.
We "hiked" for 2 minutes and then found a perfect spot near a stream. It was just gorgeous, and the girls loved picking flowers for us.
Here's Jon filling up the watering can and then pouring it back into the stream, on the rocks, and on the plants.
Hailey, Emily, and Amanda
Aspen is also their age, and these 4 girls were inseparable the whole weekend!
The kids watching with excitement as Grandpa makes kool-aid for lunch
I promise Alex was excited, he was just pulling a silly face for me!
I brought my parachute for the younger kid's games. This has been one of the best investments I've ever made. It can provide hours of entertainment!
Margaret and Ruthanne were in charge of the older kid's games.
My mom somehow got roped into playing along and is screaming like a little girl as Alex throws a wet sponge her way. haha
Water break
The cool smore pinata that Margaret made
You're killing me smalls!
My mom had challenged each family member to memorize and recite a poem, just like my Grandma Callister used to. It was really neat that even the younger ones wanted to participate. Here's Jonny reciting the ABC's. Emily recited "The First Article of Faith," "Jack and Jill," and "The Grand Old Duke of York." The last two are her favorite poems....don't ask me why!
Even filthy dirty while camping, Emily's still a little lady ;)
Searching for surprises in the saw dust pile
My dad rented ATV's for the whole weekend. SA-WEET! Ali watched our kids while Wade and I rode up a steep, rocky mountain and then some other fun trails. Later, we took the kids on a simple trail. They loved it, of course! Thanks again Dad!
After the reunion, we spent the rest of the weekend at my mom's house in Santa Clara. It was dang hot in Southern Utah, so the kids spent a lot of time playing in the water. Check out Emily's face as Jon pours cold water on her. What a nice brother!
Our favorite ride by far was Wicked. Anyone else agree? We rode it like 4 times. We just couldn't get enough. 
Enjoying the beautiful view on the Sky Ride
Lagoon a Beach was a lot more fun once the crowds died down. Between 6pm-8pm is the perfect time to go because of a lot of people have left to go eat dinner and ride regular rides. Since there were NO lines at all after 7pm, Wade and I were like little kids running with our tubes to go down the water slides again and again. :) While we were there, it was cool to bump into some friends from our neighborhood as well as my cousin, Sunny, and her family who live in Idaho. I had to do a double take because I wasn't expecting her to be in Utah. It was fun to visit with them for a little while.
They were all excited when I turned on the sprinkler. Brock, Kenzo, and Jonny would jump over the water and then try to catch it or hit it.
My 3-4 year old class was a little crazier than the 2 year olds. ;) They were teaming up and trying to get my helpers wet. It was hilarious! Miss Jazel and Miss Melanie had joined us for the day and after two hours, they were more wet than anybody!
Best buddies, Emily and Nicole!
...and then go right back to playing and splashing each other!
a very happy (and very wet) Jonny
"More popcorn please!"
Monday after quiet time, I pulled out some huge moving boxes for Jon and Emily. They had a blast using them to make their own fort. And then I left them out all week long so my students could explore in them during Science Week, too.
Once the children made their ribbon wands, they created their own dances with them. They loved it! I even made one for myself. Those things are awesome!
...my sister, Ruthanne, jumped in the picture to take my place. 
The Candy Cannon was a hit, as usual. It's a cannon that shoots out candy for the kids...and adults, too, of course. ;) I don't know how I was so lucky to capture it just as it was shooting off. Pretty cool, eh?
