Lake Powell

Back in December, we got a call from some good friends asking us if we wanted to join them and another family at Lake Powell in June.  Um . . . heck ya!  I have been to Lake Powell a few times as a kid and last in 1994, but it's always been a favorite of mine and some of the best waterskiing on earth.

The three families started planning a long time ago and we really did an amazing job, if I do say so myself.  Between getting the boat that belongs to my family ready (getting props rebuilt, getting new plates for the trailer and getting the boat registered, etc) and planning/shopping for food for 16 people, it was quite an undertaking.

We left super early two days after school got out and stayed in Hanksville, UT the first night after a stop at Arches National Park to hike and see the sights.  The next day was an easy drive to Lake Powell and we even let Cooper drive for a while (and if the look on the face of the lady that took our money at the entrance to the park is any indication, he still doesn't look old enough to drive).

We enjoyed 6 nights on the lake with only a few mishaps (one of the engines on the house boat died, we didn't have the right equipment to pump out the sewage tank and the speed boat was a little testy at times . . . oh and we had a bit of an ant problem at times).  But, what's a vacation without a few good stories to tell, right?  "Technically", we were only supposed to have 12, but who's counting.  The kids all got along so well and having buddies always available made it so nice.

The kids loved sleeping under the stars on top of the house boat, going down the slide off the back of the boat, cliff diving, playing in the sand and mud, catching lizards, roasting marshmallows over the fire, tubing behind the boat and we even got several kids up on skis and/or kneeboards.  Knowing that after this summer, we only have two more summers before Cooper graduates from high school, I am so grateful for this trip.  We had no cell service, no electronic devices and we just played for a week straight.  I know the kids will always remember this trip.  Many memories were made!

Ready to head out at 6:30 a.m.

Arches hike

Finally at the top

Thinking of sending this to the Moab Chamber of Commerce as Kaiya continues her journey of doing handstands across America. 

Really incredible view

She actually got applause from everyone at the top as she did this one

Yes, he actually drove the houseboat

Day one

One of the rare times that Doug wasn't driving either the houseboat or speed boat

Launching herself off the slide on back of the houseboat

Crazy Kinley

This is the life

Cooper and Brayden in a mud war

Goofballs

Doug's turn to ski

Not sure this girl knows how to stay upright anymore

Kaiya on the kneeboard

Got Coop up on skis

53' footer we called home for 6 nights

Captain Douglas

Tubes are good for so much more than water fun

Twins! Kaiya's favorite family to babysit.  

Snack time

Quick stop at the Marina for supplies

Probably my favorite picture of the trip 

The scenery is just breathtaking

Might have to send this one to a magazine

S'mores!

Blaine and Tirsa

Michelle and Adam

Over 20 years ago, Doug asked my dad if he could marry me at Lake Powell.  We haven't changed a bit. 

Kinley being Ezra's pillow

One of many log rolls off the tube

Coop and Ezra ready for take off

Blonde beach buddies

What a great trip

Did I mention how much I love to waterski?

Final handstand had to be on top of the houseboat, of course

Even old ladies can still do a handstand . . . difference is my wrists hurt for days afterward

School's out for summer!

I think because we basically skipped spring around here and went straight from winter to summer, I am struggling to realize the school year is over!

Kaiya had her end of school choir concert (for which she auditioned and sang a brief solo), Cooper received his academic letter at the end of school awards ceremony (one of very few freshman to receive this award--he is in the top 5 in his class of 350) and Kinley enjoyed Field Day and a last day of school picnic.  Coop was a stinker and wouldn't let me take his picture holding his academic and his golf letter--not too shabby for a freshman!

In just a few short months, I will have a 4th grader, 7th grader and a sophomore in high school.  What???

This is a terrible picture, but I had to laugh because Kaiya literally glows like a ghost.  Front row, 4th from the left. 

Goodbye, Mrs. Hamblin (taught all 3 of my kids)

I just felt like running

Ok, so I don't always feel like running, but somehow, I keep doing it anyway.  It's an easy way to stay in shape and by signing up for a few races each year, it keeps me working toward something.

I ran in a nighttime fun run with three of my best friends and it was a kick.  We all wore glow bracelets and most important, we got time on the way to Denver and back to finally catch up.  The end of the school year about kills us all and two of these gals were in the process of moving, but we had signed up a long time ago and we needed a little girl time.

Then, my girls and I participated in the inaugural Carbon Valley Half Marathon and Fun Run.  Kaiya and Kinley both ran in the one mile fun run, which started a half hour after the half marathon, so I didn't get to see them but Doug was their cheerleader.

The girls both kicked some serious butt.  There were about 200 kids in the fun run and Kaiya was 7th and Kinley 11th.  Both finished just over a 7:00 mile pace.  So proud of them!

I had a bit of a hard time paying to run this half marathon because it literally started near my house, went around my neighborhood and stayed in Firestone--the same routes I can run for free every day!  But, it was a benefit run for Children's Hospital and my dear friend and workout buddy and I decided to give it a go.  It was a pretty tough course, but I hit my goal time and survived (and then had to go to work that afternoon--ouch!).

I hope I can keep running at least one half marathon a year until my legs just won't do it anymore.

Box top bliss

Kinley's school takes their box tops seriously.  Very seriously.  This year, they had a contest to see which class could bring the most box tops.  The prize?  A limo ride around the block complete with a red carpet and paparazzi to greet them.  Oh yeah, baby!

Thanks to my good friend, Tirsa, who just so happened to have a baggie of 200 box tops that Kinley spotted at her house and whose own daughter didn't really need them for her school, Kinley's class won!

Kinley got up early to get ready and let's just say, she clearly enjoyed herself . . . it was worth showing up to snap a few photos.