Lake Powell

The summer fun continues..  We went with Cheryl's family, Becca's family, Mary's family and we brought Doug's girls Catherine and Becca.  We had a great time, especially the kids who were pulled on the tubes or knee boards all day (thanks Paul and Mark).  I love the dramatic beauty and contrast of the landscape.  I also love sleeping under the stars that are so brilliant there.  I am not a water sport kind of person, I loved sitting on the smooth rock shoreline and watching the kids swim or just floating on a mat in the warm water.  On the first night Joseph asked if the bats suck human blood.  I guess he had a book at home that shows vampire bats sucking on a pig.  We had to explain that the bats at Lake Powell were nice bats and eat the bugs.  Paul set up the projector and we watched superman on top of the boat.  Paul also provided a great firework show each night.  Thanks Cheryl for great food and a fun trip!!!

Tennis camp--by Natalie

I went to BYU tennis camp with my cousin Madeline.  It was really fun.  I liked the 2 dances, all the boys, meeting people and playing tennis.  It was nice to spend more time with Madeline.  We had lots of good times together.
This is us before one of the dances.  We were asked to dance on all the slow dances.
This is me practicing my serve.  

Vacation pictures

Jake enjoying a ice cream cone and checking out the rattle snake by the upper pool. 
Paradise- Joseph learned to swim in this zero entry pool.
Happy swimmers!!!

Vacation pictures

Natalie in one of my favorite spots.

John getting some R&R

Josh enjoying some homemade pizza.  They had a cool pizza oven in which me made 12 pizzas to feed the crowd

Pirate Cove--more pictures

This is Joseph eating one of the many free soft serve ice cream cones.  Notice the pure joy in his eyes--I think he gets his love of food from his mother.
Caroline liked swinging on the rope swing and jumping from scary high places.
We called this the pirate cave.  Behind the grate in the cave there is a fish tank the kids love to go look at.

Happy Place!

Today was a major stress day so I thought I would blog about last week's vacation which was so relaxing and wonderful.  Maybe it will be my new "happy place" to think about when bad days come.  We had a great time with our children and our friends.  Our friends are related to the person who own this amazing vacation home/resort and who generously let us stay there.   The slides and pools were unbelievable and fun.  My kids loved the one that went down the mountain through a pirate ship.  My kids did daring things like going backwards or holding onto multiple friends feet and making a huge train while sliding down.  Joseph was diving down for treasures and swimming across the pool by the end of the trip.  I loved the hammocks, luxurious accommodations, the incredible view of lake Mead, and being with the people I love.  We even played a few great games of Settlers of Catan (board game).  It was wonderful to get away from everything and be in such a magical place. 

Fourth of July

The kids really liked the sumonan dancers and the big balloons in the parade.  We were down to just 3 kids. (Natalie was at tennis camp till the afternoon, and Josh had to work).  Later we had a barbaque with Cheryl and her family and then they went to the stadium of fire.  They had two extra tickets to the to the event which had been sold out for months.  Lucky Natalie and Caroline were able to go.  Mylie Cyrus (sp?) and Blue Man group were preforming before the fire works.  Caroline was so excited to see Mylie Cyrus.  Josh was working at BYU catering and  serving during a special dinner Mylie Cyrus and Blue Man group came to.  Josh thought Mylie was cute and was only a few feet away from her.  Good thing he didn't drop the tray!!!

Mountain Hike

More pictures from the hike.

Dad's Birthday!!

For John's birthday (July 3) we went up to Sundance ski resort and took the tram to the top of the mountain thinking it would be a relief from the hot temperature in the valley.  We took a short hike at the top and then went down and had a picnic by a stream.  We bought the two ride pass thinking it would be fun to go twice.  After lunch we went on the tram for the second time for the 50 minutes round trip.  This would have been wonderful but it was blazing hot (Joseph said, "it's freezing hot") and I forgot to bring sunscreen.  We felt like rotisserie chicken as we went up and down the mountain.  Our knees and arms were fried!!!  Joseph had fun squirting other tram riders with his squirt gun which they all enjoyed because of the heat.  This is wonderful to do in the fall when it is cooler.  I also saw they do full moon nightly rides--next time we will plan better.

My New Camera

My kids have been very patient of me constantly taking pictures of them while I try out my new camera.  I have read the quick start pamphlet.  I have watched the video instruction dvd twice and both times I have had a wonderful naps before it was over.  I am taking the 100 page instruction manual on our vacation tomorrow--I'm looking forward to many naps as I attempt to read it. :) 

Party at Cathys!

Cathy had a fun get together at her house.  Cathy let the kids into her costume collection and then proceeded to do the chicken dance.  Things are always fun when Cathy is around!!!

Fun Times At Aunt Cathy's house!!!