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!

Fish Lake

Last fall, Jeremy and I attended a charity auction for Jeremy's Dad's work where we won a "deluxe accommodation" stay at Fish Lake. Other than the "deluxe accommodations" being anything but "deluxe", we had a great time and made some great memories.  In addition to our stay at Fish Lake, we took one of the days and drove out to Capital Reef and did some sight seeing and hiking.

Jeremy and the boys checking out the hieroglyphics that were left by the Native Americans many years ago.

Some of the pictures that they were checking out.

Kayden picked up a cool walking stick at the souvenir shop.  He used it all day and was convinced his new walking stick made him stronger!

We had a picnic in the park.

We went for a hike in the narrow canyons.  It was hot!  The boys found all sorts of nooks and crannies to sit in.  Above, McKay is poking his head through a hole in the rock.

A cool place to take a break.

Josh on the trail with Kayden and I bringing up the rear.

Shade!  This is the part of the canyon where the two walls were the closest together.  There was quite an echo!

A McKay sized spot of shade.

When we got back to Fish Lake, we decided to rent a boat and take a ride out on the lake.  The pontoon boats were out of service, so we took a fishing boat.  It was a nice ssslllooowww ride.

McKay commented, "I can swim faster than this boat!"  None the less, we had a good time together.

Riding along enjoying the beauty of the lake.

Jaxon decided to take a dip in the lake.  Above he is thinking about it.....

...getting closer to jumping in.....

....he finally took the plunge!

It was quite the ordeal to get him back into that tiny fishing boat.  Jeremy had to give him a lift by the life jacket...

...then Jaxon could finally climb over the side (which included a nice face-plant).

Finally!  Back in the boat!

Josh had no desire to put more than just his feet in the water.

Kayden decided to get a little wet, but wanted to try to in in at the back of the boat.  It proved to be a little difficult.

So he moved to the front of the boat and eased himself into the water with McKay's help.

Other than the water being quite cold, he had a lot of fun!

He had an easier time than Jaxon getting himself back into the boat.

Wet--but back in the boat.

McKay just takin' it easy!

Dad's look-out.

Enjoying the water along with the view.

Back at the cabin, we played games at night and watched a little TV.  It was a fun, relaxing and memorable weekend at Fish Lake!

Girl's Camp 2014

Life got really busy starting this last March when I got called to work in the stake young women's.  It has been a hard calling to fulfill, but I have learned a lot and would never trade away the relationships that I have made and experiences I have had.  I had the honor and privilege to go up to Heber Valley Girl's Camp for stake girl's camp this year.

Just some of the beautiful young women that were up at camp.  We were able to hold morning sides, workshops, activities and evening programs that were amazing!

One evening program were where honored to have Sister Elaine S. Dalton come and speak to us.  She delivered a great message.  You can truly feel the love she has for the young women and the young women's program.

Even though it is a bit blurry, here I am with Sister Dalton and a bunch of women that I get to work with in the stake young women's.  I love these women!  (I took my old camera to camp with me and wish I would have taken my good camera!!)

McKay's Eagle Court of Honor

Watching McKay work on and receive his Eagle Scout Award was a true proud parent moment!  I am sure that I was glowing with pride when McKay received his eagle award.  It was a great ceremony.

We invited a live eagle to the court of honor.  It was neat to see the bald eagle and learn about it.  McKay got to pose for pictures with it!

McKay received his eagle along with four other boys.  It was a great night for our ward.  Above are all the Eagle recipients for that night.

McKay and the other scouts repeating the Eagle Pledge.

Receiving the Eagle Scout award.  I was honored to pin it on McKay.

Proud to receive the Mother's Pin.

Jeremy truly earned the Father's Pin.  Jeremy is also the scout master for our ward.

Super proud of McKay.

After the presentation of the award, McKay had to tell some memories of scouting.  One he shared was of last year's scout camp when they got caught in a ton of rain and hail.

McKay received this eagle statue from his Grandma and Grandpa Haacke.  I think McKay was proud too.


It was a great night.  We couldn't be prouder of McKay!