6/30/18 Surprise! It's a Dishwasher

When we got home from the Mangum Family Reunion we were surprised to find Aaron and Josh sitting in our living room with Gram and Papa. They had heard that our dishwasher was broken and that our plan was to simply make due. They decided to help out. We learned later that the original plan was to update Grammie's dishwasher. Grammie Mangum told Aaron that her dishwasher was holding up but that Heidi was the one who really needed the help. So, in a way, this is a gift from both of them. 

Above you see Heidi reading the installation instructions. She was still feeling very sick or she would've insisted on doing more than being the reader. She loves these kinds of projects.

Instead, it was Aaron, down on the floor, connecting hoses etc. He made sure that everything was level and set up properly.

Here Aaron is with the mission completed.

We can report that it washes dishes effectively, and quietly. We are very grateful for this thoughtful and unexpected gift. I am sure that we will think of Aaron and family whenever we use it to wash dishes.

6/29/18 Reunion Return Home

Today it was time to return to reality. TJ wanted a picture in the pretend well by our cabin.

Peter, Alex, and Joseph did not wish to be left out.

On this day we were blessed many times so that we made the return safely. Despite being sick all night and not feeling better yet Heidi did not throw up on the way home. Also, our check engine light came on shortly after leaving Kohl's Ranch. It turns out that a squirrel(s) chewed through some of our spark plug wires. It was a blessing to make it to Payson and another blessing to find a mechanic willing to squeeze us in. Another blessing is that Grammie and Grandpa waited for us in Payson. They helped us make it to Wendy's for lunch and then a park while we awaited the repair.

Happily, the rest of the trip was uneventful.

6/28/18 Reunion Day 4 Morning at the Lake

This morning we went down to the nearby lake. Peter and Joseph were teaming up to do this fun pose so I snapped a quick shot of them. I didn't take my camera near the water for fear of getting it ruined so I didn't get any pictures but many fun things happened.

Among them: Sarah caught two fish using one of Uncle Chris's poles. Heather brought a two-person inflatable boat which was very popular. Chris and Aaron rented a couple of Kayaks and peddle powered boats that the kids played in for hours.

This is our cabin number. Peter explained very carefully to us that it is pronounced "Frito-Free, that's why we are Cabin #1". Heather made paper signs so that we could remember which cabins held family members. Ours was number 1. We thought Frito Free was a fun, alternate name for our cabin.

Aunt Valerie provided Kinetic Sand for the kids to play with.

TJ and Joseph resting on the couch.

I had fun playing giant chess with Rebecca and some of the other kids. Peter and Alex liked it too.

I also played a game with Whitney, Sarah, and Rebecca on a team. It was good fun.

6/27/18 Reunion Natural Bridge Day 3

On day 3 of the Family Reunion, many of us hiked under the Natural Bridge in Natural Bridge State Park.

Even Peter and Alex made the trek.

Grammie came part of the way. Joseph and Lauren made the trip as well.

In some places the rocks are slippery, requiring teamwork to make it through.

David, SpiderMonkey, Connelly was out front scouting the path and exploring alternative routes the whole time. His adventurous side has really grown these last few years.

Here I am with my Sweetheart.

In the afternoon, Heather arranged for the kids to be able to paint small stones as a craft project. They were pretty cute.

In the evening we celebrated Grammie and Grandpa Mangum's 50th wedding anniversary.

Heather lead the charge in creating a large framed family picture (taken yesterday) as a gift. She also arranged a "fingerprint leaf" tree and a framed print from their wedding.

As a further treat, the family shared their talents. Lauren did a monologue from the Princess Bride. Lucy shared some of her drawings and artwork. 

   Our little family sang an abbreviated version of "Lava". David held up a cue card so that family members could sing along during the chorus. TJ and Joseph held up a blue sheet and waved it to represent the ocean. Sarah, Rebecca, Heidi and I played accompaniment on our ukuleles. It was fun to realize, in part, my dream of having a family band.

6/26/18 Reunion Day 2 part 3

Poolside at Kohl's Ranch.

Grammie and Grandpa Mangum with Grammie's Sister Brenda and her husband Gene.

Several of the kids had fun crawdad fishing. Look at the size of these two that TJ and Joseph caught.

6/26/18 Reunion Day 2 Continued

The evening activity today was sunset on the Mogollon Rim.

Rebecca and Sarah

Lauren

Bradley

Bradley and Matt

Four Peaks, (close to Mesa)

Some of the boys thought it was cool to chew on the grass.

6/26/18 Reunion Picture Day

Today one of the big goals was to take family pictures. Heidi and I tested out locations with our little family.

Sarah, TJ, and Joseph had fun playing LEGOS with Lucy.

A fun Alex story. Chris asked the family who their favorite person from the book of Mormon was. Without hesitation, Alex exclaimed, "Peter!"

Lucy, Sharon, Matt and Alex Mangum.

These are two of the cabins that the families stayed in.

Doug, Lauren, Anthony, Bradley and Heather Roche.

Anthony, Bradley, and David waiting for their turn to take pictures.

Some of the kids played duck, duck, goose while they waited.

Here is our big group shot.

Grammie and Grandpa with their children and spouses.

Here is another everyone shot.

Grammie and Grandpa with their children.

Mangum children

Shirley with a big smile

Aaron, Emily, Josh and Alison Mangum.

Chris, Valerie, William and Whitney Mangum.

Heidi and Me. I'm a lucky man.