Thursday, August 14, 2008

HEAP REUNION 08


Every year since my grandpa (Theo Heap) was a boy, the Heap family has been having a reunion in the White Mountains of Eastern Arizona. It's been going on for over 70 years! And, there are now hundreds of family members camping in a meadow called "Potato Patch". This year was especially fun because Caleb had his 6th bday party while we were there. We had cupcakes and he opened a few presents on top of Green's Peak with his cousins and mine. Ryan actually had his 6th bday party in the very same spot! (Coincidentally Ryan lived in the nearby town of Eager until he was about 7 years old). Then, as is the Heap tradition, we ran suicidally down Green's Peak. I remember doing the same run with Grandma Heap (Gloria) every year while I was growing up. The tradition lives on!

At the top of Green's Peak
Cousin Bailee (Uncle Ted's daughter) helping Eli ride the horse.
At camp, where all the eating happens. Peanut butter candy, Navajo tacos and other fattening, greasy stuff!
Check out Caleb's face. He had been using a stick from the fire as his lightsaber.
Caleb was so excited to get his very first gun for his 6th bday! I was a little nervous until my cousin Kris took Caleb & Collin on a rabbit hunt and reported that the bbs bounced right off the rabbit's fur.
Caleb had so much fun with his 2nd cousin, Collin and his 3rd? cousin Bayley.

Caleb's 1st Green's Peak run. He took a few spills and loved it! That's my boy!
Back at camp, Ryan taught Caleb the necessary safety skills. See Ryan's finger in the bottom picture? "Always point the gun to the ground!"
Collin and Caleb doing some target practice. I love Collin's face in this one.
All the ladies took on Green's Peak. We hiked up to the top and then ran back down! I'd never done it that way and probably won't ever do it again!
Here's Ryan back at camp. He was babysitting while the ladies ran the mountain. He looks happy!


Eli's Thumbs Up before taking off on a ride on the Ranger.

Many Heap cousins after the splunking adventure. Ryan found a cave while geocaching.