Spudman Again!

They did it again!! A 1 mile swim, a 25 mile bike ride, and a 6.2 mile run. And all in under 2 hours, 42 minutes. I am amazed at the stamina.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!

Lovin' LAKE POWELL

After planning and shopping for weeks in advance we, with a couple other families from our neighborhood found ourselves in a little part of paradise. The temperatures were 105+ (HOT!!) but in the middle of the week we were cooled by some massive rainstorms. The scenery is spectacular and I keep falling in love more and more with these enormous red rocks.
My favorite view had to be reached on jet skis. We rode into a small canyon that keeps becoming more and more narrow. At the end you have to get off the jet skis and swim through the canyon walls. Then you get to see a beautiful arch. It's amazing.
Kayli and Jake tried surfing for the first time and looked like Hawaii Five-O. What a great sport. I love it because the boat is only moving about 12 miles an hour...making for a soft impact when you fall.
The girls enjoyed making up skits and songs during the hottest part of the day.
Me and My Man Sara staying cool
Madi getting up on skis for the first time...
...check out the video

Every evening before dinner we would cruise out and find some cliffs to hike around and jump from.
Filling up the gas tanks before we're off to play.
Kayli shredding on the wakeboard - I love the background!
Derek tries the Air Chair - He makes it up
The whole family at Rainbow Bridge
Hanging out in the boat - Good times!

Jacob's arms were a little sore from holding up the arch.
Hats, Sunglasses, Life Jackets & Never Ending Smiles
Relaxing by cookie jar
Starting on the hike to Rainbow Bridge

Only in Lake Powell can you get caught in a monsoon rainstorm like this. Our friends family was actually trying to get back across Padre Bay when this storm rolled in. "If it weren't for the courage of the fearless crew...the minow would be lost." SOOO SCARY!!
The girls trying to keep cool in the shade.

All the teenagers and kids liked sleeping on top of the houseboat. Thank goodness, NO sleepwalkers this year. The entire roof was covered in mats and blankets. At night we would discover millions of stars and be able to see the the Milky Way so clear.
Jacob gets up his first try on the air chair. Way to go Jake!!
What do you think? Future Abercrombie model?
Act 1 of Talent Night
Happy Birthday to Lexi and Alli!! Just one day apart. Kim baked homemade angel food cake with strawberries and whip cream on top.
Derek enjoying an early morning ski...water of pure glass.

What a fantastic time!! The kids have mentioned over and over how much fun they have while at Lake Powell. Thanks Nilsons for a perfect family trip!!.

Summer is...

endless ice cream with cousinshiking to the top of Timpposing before getting in the waterjumping off a cliff with friends
taking trick shots with the camera (thanks Jake)
matching swimsuits
enjoying a Hawaiian Luau with neighbors
sharing ice cream off the dasher
hanging out in the boat
lounging on the lawn
acting crazy and immature
eating snowcones on cold cement

Another Teenager in the House

HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY - ALLISON!! We had to celebrate Alli's birthday a few weeks early because several of her friends would be out-of-town. The girls came at 6:00 and started with eating pizza and rootbeer. Next they jumped the fence and swam for two hours in the Anderson's pool. Thanks Lisa for letting them use your pool right before leaving for Canada. At 9:00 Jacob set up an outdoor movie on the back lawn. It was such a fun party!

Pool games and lots of laughing.Outdoor movie theatre...bring on the popcorn!

Happy 4th of July!!

My favorite holiday!!! I love it...the parades, the food, the fireworks, the colors, getting together with family and friends. We had a fabulous barbeque and a riot shooting off rockets and fireworks. Around 9:30 we headed over by Thanksgiving Point to see the BIG sky fireworks. The kids managed to light some sparklers while we waited.Grandma Karen and the youngest grandchild.
Some of the girls getting ready to watch home fireworks...
Baby Brooke and Baby Everett's First 4th of July...
Driving over to see the sky fireworks. Derek likes to get close enough to hear the BOOM!
Jacob & Jensen - the official firework lighters
Madi & Kelsey - SPARKLE and SHINE
Party On - Happy 4th of July Everyone!!