Lake Powell

Every June we got to Lake Powell with my mom and Jay and some of Jay's daughters and grandkids. It is such a great trip and we are spoiled to death. The houseboat we stayed on this year was brand new and it was beautiful. My mom went up with us early so we got to spend the first night in the boat, just us.







Jaymie and Brett brought a water trampoline. I had never seen one of these before! The kids (and adults) thought it was awesome. I can't help but feel like I'm eight again when I jump on a trampoline.


Hazel with Amalie and Victoria.



David brought some fireworks he got from work and put on an excellent show for us and the rest of the boats parked next to us. This was the girls' first time with sparklers.





I love having my kids in bathing suits all day long. It makes cleaning up after meals so easy! Just send them back into the water!


I really love this time with my mom. She is always such a great help with my kids and she really loves spending that time with them. Love it.


These boys were so much fun. They were the only ones that would go on the double water banana with me.








We had a great time! Thanks to mom and Jay and family for inviting us.

Father's Day

We spend Father's Day out on Lake Powell (I know, such a hard life), but before we left my mom's house, I wanted to get a picture of all three girls to send out to the dad's and grandpa's.
I soon realized that was a lot to ask...

Take One:
Hazel is not looking and Charlotte is picking her nose.


Take Two:
Charlotte's not looking.


Take Three:
Charlotte is looking but making a face.


Take Four:
Charlotte's is looking, but Hazel is not.


Take Five:
Charlotte is looking and smiling and Hazel is still not.


Take Six:
Success. Did you notice that the only consistently cooperative child was the baby?



And a side note, Eloise can officially do that cool trick where David holds her feet and moves her around while singing circus music. Love that.

wow. my house is messy. hm.

Bryce Canyon

I have to admit that this has been the best summer we've had...probably ever in our married life. We've been able to see more family and spend time with more friends than usual. We've driven all over the west and have seen a lot of new places. Little Eloise has been to more states in her little life than either one of our girls. We've been so blessed with a good car (with an expensive new engine--bah) that has taken us to all of these places. We've made so many good memories that I know I'll look back on this year for a long time and miss it. And it's only August!

Here's yet another fun trip we made the second week of June with our dear friends, the DeGraff's. (Thank you Lisa for these awesome photos!)

When we met the DeGraff's at their house, David decided that he REALLY wanted to squeeze them and all of their things into our car to make the drive more fun. SO, after about an hour of re-packing, he and Adam pulled it off. Poor Lisa had to climb into the very back and I couldn't even turn around to see her while we chatted. But at least we did get to chat during the drive!!


Adam and Lisa's little girl Macey stayed with her grandparents for the weekend.
She was missed!



Holy cute girls. They were gems on this long hike.

Lisa and I kept commenting on how great it felt to be away from the busyness of life and be outside in nature. It was so calming and seemed to put things back in perspective.
(This is the Queen Victoria Hoodoo)

Hazel got to check off a lot of animals on her "to see" list such as squirrels, deer, butterflies, and lizards.





Adam was kind enough to help carry Charlotte since her little legs didn't take her too far.









My hot hubby. I have no idea how he carried Hazel for so long. She's a tank.


And eventually Lisa took little Eloise to give my back a break as well.
What nice friends we have!













Thank goodness for switchbacks. This is when David really started to sweat with Hazel on his back. What a hike!







We had so much fun back at the camp while the girls slept. We played a lot of games and the weather was perfect.





When they woke up, we headed out for one more hike up to the mossy cave and waterfall.


Hazel providing a nice picture for those of us behind her...




Cute tooshies.




Little Ellie fell asleep on the walk back.

And of course that night we enjoyed some delicious s'mores...




Can you see how her shirt is stuck to itself?



What a relaxing and fun trip.
We love you Adam and Lisa!