Dave and Jan recently enjoyed a visit from their daughter Alissa and her husband (Rev. Andrew Crandall) and four sons. Because Dave and Jan’s son, Stephen, and family moved to Cedar City in November to assume ownership of the Top Spot Drive Inn and Gas Station, a visit from the Crandalls brought the whole family together in the same place, resulting in some good times for all. This was the Crandalls’ first time to see the house Stephen and family live in, so it provided an opportunity for some family photos – like this one taken on the stairway in Stephen and Meagan’s house.

Top to bottom, and left to right: Jan and Dave Balsley, Meagan and Stephen Balsley, Levi C., Erin B, Ryan B., Elijah C., Andrew and Alissa Crandall, Silas C. and Ephraim C.

Ephraim, Levi and Andrew spent time putting a puzzle together, and Andrew displayed a finished puzzle which held together when he lifted it up by its corners from the table where it was assembled.

The Crandall boys enjoyed finding fossils in a wash within easy walking distance from Dave and Jan’s.

The Crandall family enjoyed finding “who dunnit” as they played several games of Clue together.

Both families enjoyed some meals at Stephen’s restaurant, but only Alissa captured a meal with a photo. While Stephen was running his business, both families headed out to nearby Three Peaks for a picnic and some rock climbing and a game of hide and seek among the rocks in the park. Can you find the boy hiding in the rocks? And a telephoto lens brought Alissa up close from her spot a hundred yards up on a ridge!

Some good meals were enjoyed by both families, and there was a belated birthday recognition for Alissa.

Dave and Jan are grateful that the Crandall family is willing to make the lengthy trek from South Dakota to enjoy the amazing beauty of Southwestern Utah – making such a family reunion possible. And there was more to be enjoyed – like the Air B&B stay the Crandalls enjoyed in the Page, Arizona area, and the camping trip the senior Balsleys and Crandalls enjoyed at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. But we’ll save some of the story for the next edition of the Cedar City Balsleys – thankful for the joys which come with family life, especially for families who enjoy a common relationship with the Lord as our family does!