Lake Powell Trip

The day after the 4th of July we drove to Lake Powell for a week long trip with the Shields clan.
We spent the night Saturday and Sunday in the marina on the houseboat. We went to churhc in Page, went on a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam and swam, and boated around the marina.

All the kids were thrilled about the houseboat. Lizzie called Lake powell "north powell" and the house boat  she called a "boat house" She loved everything about it. She did get scared in the water a few times because she was terrified of seeing fish.

Sunday night the rest of the family arrived and we launched out of the marina early Monday morning. We headed to Last Chance canyon and found a terrific spot to park the boat for the week. We had shade on our bay until 10am every morning which was great for sleeping on the top of the boat.

The kids were in heaven swimming, going on the slide, tubing, wake boarding, knee boarding, water skiing, jumping off cliffs and off the houseboat, playing games, fishing, looking for lizards, riding on the boat, playing with cousins, hiking, eating junk food, riding the jet ski, paddleboarding etc....

Lizzie loved going on the tube.
Isaac loved tubing also and riding in the boat.
Emily liked going on the tube and she learned to knee board.
Taylor loved it all!
Tay learned to knee board, wakeboard, water ski and slolem ski on two days. He did great and was throughly exhausted every night. He definately has the love of boating now.

The weather was perfect all week. Not too hot and cooler in the evenings most nights. It rained all night on Tuesday, we all got drenched sleeping on the top of the boat.
I braided Derek's hair one day, his hair is awesome!

We had so much fun laughing and talking with everyone. It's a fun group and they kept is laughing!
We watched movies at night on the top with a projector. I didn't get any pictures though.

Dave and Monica left on Wednesday and they were nice enough to take Lizzie home with them. She was having a blast and really loved the lake. But it was much more relaxing and less worrisome with her not on the houseboat. Thank you so much to the Bauman's for taking her! We really owe you.

Lake Powell is so beautiful! The moon was full and big and we went on a boat ride one night at midnight. It was light as day in the canyon, it was fun!

It was a fantastic week at Lake Powell, full of good food, lots of fun, tired kids, and wonderful memories made.
Thanks to mom and dad for the terrific trip! We all loved it!

Driving home we stopped in Beaver at a yummy Mexican restaurant. It was the perfect way to end the trip!
We can't wait for next year.

This summer is just flying by so fast!  I really wish I could slow it down. The kids have been loving the new trampoline and spend endless hours jumping.

We spent a fun afternoon at Monica's house working the the 4th of July centerpieces for the Hawkins BBQ and party. Monica is too crafty and creative, she's the best! They turned out cute and the kids had fun making them!

We did fireworks with friends and neighbors the night before the 4th. Lizzie loved the fireworks, she wasn't scared at all.

Lizzie and her friends Hazel had a fun playdate one day. They swam, jumped on the tramp and had a tea party. They are hilarious together.

Swimsuits daily and endless popsicles are the theme for Lizzie's summer!

We went to a benefit night for Brian Connolly one night. Natalie and Richie were there too. It was a fun night full of good food, great music and lots of people!

Lizzie has been saying some funny things lately!
One day I was changing her diaper, she's still not potty trained! She looks at me and says "Thanks for being so brave mom, you're really brave for changing my stinky poopy diaper!"
I laughed out loud!
Also we were talking about her friends and naming a few of them I said how about Heath, he's nice.
She replied "I don't know about Heath, he's too short!"
She's a funny girl!

Friday was the 4th of July! It wasa  busy, fun, successful day.
We started the day by sleeping in until 8:30. We went to our neighborhood bike parade and breakfast. After we headed Springville to spend the day with Goofy Grandma and Grandpa.
We had a BBQ, did the slip n slide, had a water fight and watched a movie. It was a great day.
That evening we went to the Hawkins Party in Provo.
Here's the pictures from the day.

The party was awesome! We had dinner, treats, a raffle for a homemade quilt, snow cones, visiting with cousins and other family members, and lots and lots of fireworks. We got home around 11:30.  We were happy, and tired!
July is the best!

The kid and their friends have been very interested in the US World Cup games. They decorated their face and had a party to watch a game this week. They all chant "USA USA"

Emily and her friend, Kate did the best Art Camp this week. They painted, did sewing, clay, drawing, and made this adorable Fox puppet out of paper mache. She had a blast working on these projects every day. I am happy she had fun and came home with cool art.

More pictures from swimming last weekend, and the USA games.

On hot days when we don't go to the pool, we get out the slip n' slide! It's a favorite for all the kids and keeps everyone wet and cooled off. 

Lizzie and Isaac did their second session of swimming lessons this week. They both made lots of improvement  and are learning important swimming skills. They both learned to dive off of the diving board by the end of the week.

Lizzie especially is crazy in the water! She loves to go underwater and look around with her goggles one. She loves to jump or dive in as well.  She has lots of confidence in the water!

Selfies at swimming. Love Isaac's freckles.

Natalie is busy getting ready for her mission. She went through the Draper Temple Thursday night.  It was a great night and fun to spend time with everyone in the temple. She is leaving on Sept. 3rd.

Taylor had his first 11 year old scout camp out on Friday night. He packed a tent, mattress pad, sleeping bag, pillow, clothes etc.. all in this backpack and slept over Fri. night. He had a lot of fun- but came home tired and worn out. I can not believe he will be 12 in February! He is really growing up too fast. He's a funny, smart, hard working, helpful, musical boy. I am so happy to spend time with him when he's around (which is rare these days).

While Taylor was at scout camp I took the younger kids and their 3 friends to the Gateway Museum. It was a fun day and the kids all had a blast!

The kids had fun playing Doctor in the fake hospital. They also loved going in the hurricane simulator. it's their favorite thing at the museum. The wind gets up to 78 MPH. It's hilarious to watch them inside.

Isaac and Lizzie had a fun "Around the World" camp this week at our church. It was some girls in our ward and their moms who helped organize it. Each day they learned about a different country, they talked about the culture, made crafts, played games and had snacks. Lizzie made this mask and she wears it all the time now. Here she is drinking chocolate milk in her feather mask. She cracks me up!
 Summer is the best!