Butler Reunion

This years Butler family reunion was in Glendale just outside of Bryce Canyon. We stayed at an awesome KOA campground with an awesome view, fun trails, lizards, clean bathrooms, swimming pool and great company. Did I mention clean bathrooms? With showers? Lin did a great job planning the trip.

First night camp fire roasting marshmallows and starbursts.

Our gorgeous backyard view.

Swimming in the pool was cold, but the kids didn't care. They had a blast and it was a great way to break up the camping fun.

The kids favorite past time? Lizard hunting! The boys and some of the girls would spend most of their time in the backyard trails catching and chasing lizards. Grace's lizard has a beautiful blue tail and Zac decided to take his lizard for a dental floss walk.

Don't forget about the Boule Ball competitions. Grandpa was a great competitor and came back for more. This is the guys measuring the distance between balls to determine who got the most points.

Bombs away!

A Butler get-together just wouldn't be complete without a whole bunch of gaming. Bring it on!

Cute girls on the playground.

Inside the cabin was nice and cozy. Kate loved the top bunk and Emmy slept snug in her stroller.

Most everyone went hiking up a wonderful trail just a few minutes outside of our KOA. The trail was naturally carved through beautiful sandstone cliffs. The kids loved climbing up and down the rocks and finding little nooks to cram into.

The hike was short and just right for all of the family. We all had a great time even when it started to rain and we had to run back to the cars. We ended up soaking wet and giggling the whole way down.

All along the trail people carved their names and words in the rock walls. Someone even asked their fiance to marry them at the top by carving the question into the cliff wall. My kids thought it would be fun to try. Please don't tell the authorities!

Grandpa Phelan brought popsicle sticks one day and taught the kids how to make stars. Grandpa learned how to make them at a deaf camp when he was about 10 years old. After everyone had a handful of stars made, they would stand in a circle and start throwing stars at each other. The last one standing wins.

 When the stars would hit you the popsicle sticks would explode. It was great fun.

Ready for battle!

Zac, Isaac and Parker were inseparable. It's great to have best friends as cousins.

Future best buddies Kalia and Emily. They even have the same haircut!

Daddy lovin'.

Snacking buddies.

We celebrated the last night by having a good ol' fashion campfire program. From magic tricks to frying bacon and cousin songs to David's birthday surprise. It was everyones favorite night. We all participated and had a great time, but the cousins, lead by Parker, was the best part of the show performing, "If We Weren't Cousins Wonder What We'd Be." Their surprise performance was a hit! Nobody does fun like the Butlers!