Lyman, Utah

Chances are if you have heard of it, you either grew up there or knew someone from there. I also thought that I was from a small town, Moab is hardly a city. I love that I grew up in a small town, I didn't always, but I take pride in telling people where I'm from.

Daniel and I have argued (friendly arguments :) on which is better, Moab or Lyman. And we can both come up with some pretty good arguments and have never been able to persuade either to the other side. At least not vocally.

Moab will always be my home and I will never think any place is a better place, but I happen to also really love Lyman (PLEASE PLEASE don't tell Daniel). It helps that it's very beautiful- a different beauty than Moab. It is home to some loved ones, and it holds many sweet memories for my best friend. But this weekend showed me more.

They know how to celebrate.

This is a candy cannon- that's right a CANDY cannon. I've heard about it for many years, but this year (thanks to the reunion being moved) I got to see it.

They pack it with gun powder, then candy and light the fuse.

Then candy flies everywhere.


Some gets a little charred, but it's a small sacrifice.


Then the cracker jack races. We lined Chase up with the other kids from 0-3 and let him run his first race. I'm sad to say he lost. Even behind this little gal with the broken foot. (Notice the cast on the left). He has potential, we just need to work out the little glitch at the start. The one where you DON'T need to stand still and give everyone a 30 second head start.

Once he started though, he couldn't be stopped.
Even the big boys got in on the action. That's Daniel on the far right.

Then there were softball games and rootbeer floats- for the whole town to enjoy.

Then there is the beauty. It's farm land surrounded by mountains.

Here they enjoy the "simple life" as some call it. I guess these days desk jobs, t.v. and internet addictions are the "complicated life". 3 jobs including manual labor and 12-14 hour work days are apparently ....simple.... Too bad it couldn't be this simple everywhere- Sigh....

The kids always need Grandpa T. to take them on tractor rides.


And cousins, pretend to be like Grandpa.

This is their basketball court- right in front of the cow pen.
And there's always a cousin to help you find your way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.