This year in honor of a big birthday with a big round number for someone who shall remain nameless *cough* LuAnn *cough*, we gathered at the Red Cliffs Resort, just up the river from Moab for the annual Poulsen Family Reunion. Everyone was there, including all of the far-flung Riverton Gabes.
We started the festivities with family pictures. It is always a good idea to do this at family reunions, even though we did it just last year. Or the year before. It was also a good idea to do it very first, so we could have a few days to recover if anyone got too offended or otherwise out of sorts about it. Dayna lined up a local couple who had the unenviable task of herding the cats...
There were moments of stress...
...and moments waiting for our turn.
Some had softer seats than others.
While waiting, we tried our hand at taking our own pictures. Lynne and Kit had an idea for a "walking down the path of life" sequence. It turned out that Addy's obsession with collecting rocks obstructed the portraiture...
Still, we managed a nice shot.
Or two.
Or three.
Or four.
Dayna reluctantly continued in the cruise director role.
There were nice shots of color-coordinated families, and the background and lighting were sensational.
Look at those mesas, and the mirror river. Oh, and the adorable family photobombing the scenery.
We had time for a few candid shots, too, which turned out some of my favorites.
Charlie practiced his John Wayne: "Come on, Pilgrim, we're burning daylight."
Still, there comes a time when you are just done having pictures taken.
Next morning, we did a kids' hike to Landscape Arch on the Devil's Garden trail. Danny was skeptical, but not unwilling.
Addy also rode in style. Isn't this called a palanquin?
Charlie did really well in bursts, but even with a walking stick ran out of juice a number of times. No meltdowns, but he did a couple of sit-down strikes. I'd say he walked 2/3 of the hike. Not bad for a first timer. Other traffic on the trail was very heavy. Shoulder to shoulder, actually. Very much like a Manhattan sidewalk. Or Paris, since most of the other tourists seemed to be French.
Here is an obligatory selfie of me and the next arch that will fall down.
At the arch, we played in the sand and had snacks.
Addy tried the walking stick, too.
When we got back, the Virginia Gabe kids got a spin in the Razor. And loved it.
In the afternoon while the littles were napping, the girls did facepainting. Grace has practiced a lot and is quite good.
Lili got some good practice on a willing Alice.
Then in the evening, we gathered for an evening repast. Nothing like breaking bread (or tortillas) together for cementing those family ties.
Cousins, both now making their way in the wide world.
Concentration was zen-like as we waited for food, which was very good.
Addy likes quesadillas and ate a good meal, once she figured out most efficient angles.
Jackson hung around.
Mike was fortunate enough to have a birthday. The sombrero was the restaurant's idea, but we all laughed at/with Mike just the same.
At this dinner, we tried to organize an early morning hike to Delicate Arch. The Virginia Gabes opted out so they could hit the pool (didn't get around to it Friday), and the other families groaned at the suggestion to get rolling by 5 am. Sedition and rebellion set in and a second hike was organized to get underway by 7 am. See Part 5 for a tale of two hikes.
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