Quick Camping Trip

We have gotten together the last couple of years with our neighbors and friends to go on an overnight camping trip.  We always have a great time and this year was no exception.  We played in the water (next time I will pack water shoes), played with our friends, visited with each other and ate lots of yummy food.  Below Josh and Kayden are eating a wonderfully prepared mountain man breakfast.  Notice all the wet shoes and Josh's bare feet? Hence the reason water shoes will make in to the overnight bag next time.

We love this summer time tradition and look forward to it every year!

Lake Powell 2014

I have put off posting about our Lake Powell trip due to the amount of pictures I had.  But I have since discovered a collage app that has helped me post multiple pictures without making the post forever long.  Now for the good stuff: We had a great trip to Lake Powell over the 4th of July this year!  No houseboats tried to sink like our last trip, the weather was lovely during the day (despite the rain at night) and we loved being with cousins!

We were able to do some water skiing.  Some of us for the first time.  I had to prove that I still had it in me (upper left).  My grip sure isn't what it used to be, but after a few attempts I was able to get up.  After my inspiring ski, Josh and Kayden decided to give it a try.  Josh got up (right) for a brief second before falling.  He decided that was enough.  Kayden got in the water with the skis on, but that was enough for him.  Instead of having the boat pull him, Uncle Paul pulled him in while he held onto the rope.  Thanks to Aunt Debra who got in the water with Josh and Kayden to help them out and give them some tips!

McKay gave water skiing a try and ended up enjoying it.  He learned how to ski on Saturday and by Monday he was trying to jump wakes.  I wasn't there, but I heard that it was some good entertainment!

We did a lot of swimming behind the houseboat.  We brought a blow-up alligator that was a lot of fun to swim with.  Josh loved going off the slide backwards and head first.  Jumping off the top of the houseboat was something everyone loved. (Except me--once was enough!)

Above McKay and Kayden are jumping off the top of the houseboat.  Being in the water was the best way to stay cool.  The boys love being with their cousins.  Kayden found that he loved doing cannonballs.

McKay, Jaxon and Josh had a good time riding the tubes with their cousins.  After a couple of injuries, they all opted for calm rides.  McKay and Samantha even tried riding backwards.

For the most part, Kayden just loved riding in the boat and then jumping of the back of the boat between rides.  He didn't have any interest at riding the tubes or the Ion.  Josh was just happy to be at Lake Powell and loved doing everything!  Jaxon and Lachlan talked Jeremy into taking and easy ride on the Ion.  After last year's 4th of July injury, Jeremy decided he had better not be to adventurous. 

Dad and his boys.  (I can't get over how much Josh looks like Jeremy!)

The kids on the Ion.  (Kayden got on for just the picture and then jumped off.)  After a spin around the lake, we all jumped in the water for a swim and a bath.

On the 4th of July, we drove the boat out into the bay to watch some fireworks.  It was fun to see all the surrounding camps light fireworks off and hear the echo off the canyon walls.  Sadly, Kayden fell asleep on the boat ride out into the bay and missed it all.

On our last full day there (Sunday) we went for a boat ride to Rainbow Bridge and had a picnic lunch.  After our picnic lunch we went for a long swim.  Kayden is pictured at the bottom with Eldon and Sandy.  They are my lovely cousins that invite us down to Lake Powell each summer.  They are so good to us and our kids.  The kids love them!

Rainbow Bridge was hot but beautiful--as always.

It was a memorable trip.  We loved being down there with all our cousins and extended family.  We were almost injury free this 4th of July.  Debra took a tumble on their boat and banged her ankle up quite badly.  It wasn't broken, but she is still having problems with it.  As for me, I slipped on the beach while taking pictures and bruised or broke my tailbone.  Not sure which, but 6 weeks later it still hurts to sit.  Good thing we have good memories to hang on to!