St. George Reunion with Friends

St. George Temple in Utah

We had a special reunion with super good friends who use to live in China with us. We're the only ones in our group that still live in China! They are incredible families and it was a BLAST playing this summer! Such great friends. The Smoots parent's have a beautiful home in Leeds where we all stayed. Reid and Kirsten Smoot and daughters: Kaiya, Thalia and Zara; Paul and Cami Kartchner and children: Katelynn, Dixon, Anders and newborn Zoe; Garrett and Kellie Openshaw and daughters: Amaya, Avery, Azlyn and Aidan; Jared and Meshweyla Macdonald (from New Zealand) and sons: Liddell and Veyron; and Josh Roemmich. Unfortunately Jessica had to stay behind because their daughters Riley and Devan got sick. 

We drove from my parents place in Fairview, Utah straight to Zion National Park. Brian caught up with Reid, Paul and Garrett for an epic repelling hike through the slot canyons that he said made him feel like a Navy Seal. He also told me that we are coming to St. George every year! Woowoo! It's awesome being so close to Zion National Park and to spend time with such great people who we're blessed to call friends. 

The swimming holes at Zion National Park.

These four dudes returned from their "Navy Seals" repelling hike in the slot canyons and then jumped off the cliff with the children. 

Dixie National Forest, Utah. The Smoots home is one mile from the Dixie National Forest and it's so much fun to run the trails there. 

We loved this hike!

We also did a family hike off of the Kanarville exit which was so much fun to do. After 15 minutes you are hiking through a little river and then through slot canyons before you get to some rock slides. The water keeps you cool and it's all shaded in the slot canyons. It's about a 4 mile hike. Callie and Brock took off and loved it. Dash and Chael enjoyed it too and Chael only had to be carried a little bit. They are at great ages for hikes like this. I think it's so good for our children! 

Chael did awesome! He was tired by the end and fell asleep on my back the last 10 minutes. 

Trooper!

These two had so much fun and of course liked to keep things challenging.

Kirsten hiked this with three children (hubby out of town) inlcuding one carried on her back the whole time. Great little work out right there. She's so tough. 

Slot canyon ladder.