Our Brian Head Reunion--Thankfully Not Burned Out

Ugh.  I feel sick.  Spoiler alert: I've been helping in the 3 year-old preschool class while Annika is in Pre-K for a grand total of seven days, and I'm already bringing home germs.  Blech.  On the positive side, a friend is watching Annie for me so I have a little time to get stuff done.  While there are plenty of other chores to be done, blogging seemed like the best choice.  At least I'm snuggled in bed with the laptop.

Reminiscing on healthier days--Brian Head!  At the end of July, the Wheeler clan rented this lovely cabin for a family reunion.

We nearly cancelled our reservation because of major wildfires just a few weeks earlier.  This picture was taken from the deck.  As you can see, the fire blazed literally feet away.  Thanks to firefighters who protected the home all night long, the cabin was saved.

While kind of sad, these charred trees have a beauty all of their own.

Enough time had passed since the fire that the air was clear and smoke-free.

Talia certainly enjoyed the deck.

Kids and grown-ups alike loved the hot tub.

One of our first excursions as a group was to Bryce Canyon.  I think Christy's excited!

Annika prepped by striving to break her neck.  Typical.

Justin, Brianna, and Ruby, soaking in the sun.

I could gaze at the canyon all day and never tire of the sight.

Pausing to wave as we start our descent to the bottom.

Eli, hanging out in a hole in the rock.


Looks like Justin's found something interesting.

Maybe it's Uncle Lance, joining the family all the way from Chicago.


Ruby's rockin' the oreos.

Marvelous from the bottom as well as the top.

It took quite a bit of encouragement, but Annika walked the whole way.  It helps that mean-old Mom refuses to carry her on hikes anymore.

Winding our way back up.

Brooklyn used her fruit-by-the-foot wrapper as pretty effective bait for Ruby.

Sure love this gal!  She is remarkably capable with the young ones.

Once we reached the top, Uncle Lance led us in some awesome stretches.

Aunt Christy and Brooklyn give it a go.  (Grandma Susie tried it too.)

I think Talia takes the prize for flexibility.

The award for energy, however, goes to Miss Annie.  Rain only adds to her sense of adventure.

Puddles were made for jumping.

Back at the cabin, we dried off and enjoyed a movie with Grandpa Charles.

The next day we headed to a nearby pond for some fishing.

Even though we could see dozens of fish at the surface, it still took lots of patience.

Brooklyn's got one!  Turns out fish enjoy marshmallows.  (And we enjoy fish. Christy cooked up some remarkably tasty trout.)

Thanks for the help, Uncle Justin.  Glad your new tackle box could get some good use.

Ruby and Brianna cheer their dad on from the sidelines.

Just minutes from Brian Head, Cedar Breaks was our next family excursion.  This was my first time seeing the national monument, but hopefully not my last.

Thanks to some recent rain, the trail was MUDDY!

While the slippery trail may have cut our hike short, we still got some fun pictures.


Here's Christy in her awesome hat.

Dr. Uncle Justin, practicing his model smile.

And prettiest of all, the wildlife.

Back at the Airbnb, Annika turned the sink into her own private hot tub.

Everybody's favorite time--meal time!

Game time runs a close second, especially when it's Carcassonne.

Our last hike of the trip also got cut a bit short due to weather.  Turns out lightning likes mountain peaks too.

Still worth a visit, even if just for a moment.

Before we knew it, it was time to head home.

All in all, our reunion in Brian Head merited a giant thumb's up.  Grandma Susie, thanks so much for helping us find such a lovely place to hang together as a family.