There is so much to share about our Lake Powell trip this year--we had an amazing vacation filled with tons of fun activities and fun people to play with us! It turned out to be quite the memorable year for us because it was filled with so many "firsts": Caroline's very first time there, her first Sea doo ride, first banana ride for both of the kids, Bentley's first cliff jumping experience, his first time on the huge slide, and even his first try water-skiing even though it spooked him as soon as the skis were on and the boat engine running--then he wanted out...The kids also had their first "ride" on the tubes (playing on them behind the big houseboat), first LP hike with Daddio, and first "cloud-jumping" for Bentley. It was also our first year without Marshall since he is now in the midst of School of Infantry training with the Marines. That was very weird for me and I thought about him every time we played in the water and headed out on the boat for water sports--he was always ready for anything active and I missed his youthful energy.
And since I can't post all 150 of our fabulous pics, the following 100 or so will have to do :) Okay, okay--I will try to keep things simple but it is almost impossible when 1) we were in one of the most gorgeous places on earth. I
may be a little biased but the rich colors and panoramic views were simply stunning everywhere I looked all day long (fellow LP lovers know exactly what I mean :) 2) I have 2 of the most darling and silly kids I have ever met and I constantly photographed their funny faces, sweet poses and daring adventures. So, now that I have justified myself, I feel ready to bring on the pics:
2008=FIRST year for all 4 of us to be in Lake Powell together (first time I've had a
blue border show up around a picture too--hmm, wonder how I did that?!)
Big boys (i.e. Tye, Ben, Joe) cliff jumping
Baby boy Max cooing for the camera (notice doting Cares in the corner--she simply could not help herself from being right by the baby at all times)
First of many tube war wipe-outs (that Joseph sure plays to win--sending poor Ben right into the water)
Wow--my hubby is pretty flexible...when sheer centrifugal force takes over... (notice our houseboat in the background--we absolutely love it)
First of many tube rides for Cares and Beans
Cares and her driving/posing skills shining through
My little olympic gymnast in training
First cliff jump for Bentley!
First Lake Powell hike for both the kids
Grown-up 's only banana ride
Cutie pie Cares chillin' in the boat
Sharing popcicles--such loving siblings...
Bentley the fish! I could hardly keep him out of the water :)
Cares and Aunt Stacey
First banana ride for Beans and Cares
Inspecting baby Max and trying to get him to smile
With Grandma Bobbi when we first arrived
Classic LP sunset
Caroline's first sea-doo ride!
Putting the houseboat slide to good use (I think Bentley roped every aunt and uncle into going down the slide with him at one point or another!)
First time in the lake for tiny Max--he was very brave as long as he didn't have to feel too much water against his skin.
Oh, I could sit and reminisce about our trip for hours on end (that actually sounds ideal now that we are home and I am totally worn out from late nights playing games and watching movies and water-ski runs that worked my poor back and shoulders). What a wonderful week--how is it already over?!
With Joseph's sister and her family in town from North Carolina we needed something fantastic to celebrate our time together. Flori suggested a "family carnival" a few months back where each sibling would be in charge of a booth or activity. Everyone pulled together great ideas and
when we attended the carnival Monday evening it was a huge success--yay! Here's how we pulled it off (in case anyone needs a great idea for a family party with lots of kids and equally silly adults around to join in the fun!)
Activities:
2) Three-legged race & bean-bag toss relay
3) Penny toss into floating bowls for "penny prizes" (this is the one Joe and I ran so no time for pics)
5) Picture posing in silly farm cut-outs (can you spot my smiley Beans?)
