After a long road trip from Powell to Provo, we stopped in Payson at Elder Jake’s parent’s house. His family was like a chip off the old block, and they were as welcoming and gracious as Elder Jake ever was.
There was some horse riding.
Some Elder-Jake-skinned-a-raccoon-and-tanned-it-and-sent-it-home showings.
Lots of playing.
Some swinging across the living room.
And a little hunting.
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It was fun to see where Elder Jake came from, and report to his family how awesome he is.
This year at Powell, we did it houseboat style. It had its definite perks, and maybe a drawback or two. The main drawback was when Micah hurt his back on day two and was flat on his back the rest of the trip — in the baking sun. At that point, a hotel would have been great. Other than the hurt back — I had an absolute blast. It was pure bliss — a ton of my family, cousins galore, no crazy injuries besides the back (and the time Nonnie went under the water and ended up under the dock, and didn’t know which way was up– so she started to give up on life), and great weather in the high 90’s without storms.
So here is the trip in pictures:
The three happiest kids on earth during this trip.
They were completely self contained, and didn’t stop until their bodies literally gave out each night.
Dash — the world’s best traveler — driving the boat.
Micah trying out his new slalom ski.
Scout — faithfully putting on his life vest.
The little cruiser — who ate more sand than you can imagine.
And when the sand got old — peaches saved the day.
He ate these things to the nub.
A little entertainment by Trey.
Everyone was trying to get their fill of Jake before he left on his mission.
Cade won the award for biggest improvement. Cade waa always MIA until about 6 months ago. Now, he is everywhere — and especially where my kids are. They are OBSESSED with him.
Navy swam to the back of the houseboat, and was almost drowning. I didn’t understand why until I realized that she was bringing a huge bolder along. We kept telling her to drop it, but she was determined — so we had a great door stop for the trip.
The little angel who never complained once.
Nonnie had a permanent spot in the shade. And usually had a kid or two next to her.
Micah — and every other guy — was obsessed with wake surfing.
This girl was obsessed with making people laugh.
This boy was obsessed with licking his lips because he had more teeth coming in.
This boy was obsessed with meditating when things got crazy!
The kids got pretty excited about fishing every day — and were VERY successful.
Micah made this homemade pole for Icka to use.
And we found this net at the bottom of the lake — that we used a bunch.
Sand Hill was a really fun afternoon.
Until we took a dip and Nonnie didn’t want her picture taken.
This boy was just a cool dude the whole time.
And so were these three.
There were some great adventures to be had by all of the kids.
Micah was miserable by this point.
We stayed really clean with lake water.
We were constantly having fun.
But fell asleep on the flag holding job.
She was OUT!
So out — that she stayed asleep in the above position for about two hours.
This boy spent his “out of his life vest” time in the port a crib.
Again — thank goodness for the peaches and every other morsel of food that he ate.
Persuasion was in full force — and they had a seriously great last vacation together.
There was really good food.
Great company.
And great memories of the first day and a half when our dad sprayed in front of our houseboat — with a healthy back.
Until next year….
So I asked Scout what he expected me to put in his lunch for a sandwich. I know sandwiches aren’t required, but I am not going to be the mom that sends her kid to school with a thermos full of soup!
So as I tried to tell him that he should love peanut butter because it is just smashed peanuts — he wasn’t going for it.
So I grabbed a bunch of peanuts and made both school-aged children start de-shelling.
After removing the skins — we were ready to blend.
And after some taste testing, Scout was decently sold.
So come Kindergarten day 1 — PB&J’s will be on the menu.
Not too shabby.
Loving the shallots.
Hating the braided carrot.
Loving the soybeans.
Hating that I had to leave for 3 weeks while my garden was in full bloom.
Micah told me about some crazy place he went when he was young where they got to play in the mud and build stuff with real hammers/nails and saws. I almost didn’t believe the place ever existed. Well, it did, and is still around.
Of course I talked my cohort into going with me — and Nonnie…you are ALWAYS a trooper!
Just like Huck Finn, they got to paddle around on rafts.
Navy took the easy route and just took a ride from Scout.
Then it was off to the ropes course that Navy repeated over and over.
Then it was the mud/water slide.
And then I taught them how to hammer their own forts.
After which they practiced getting the nails in…
…and out.
This adventurous girl loved it.
This adventurous boy loved it.
And this adventurous baby will love it in about three years.
Until then, he had a grand old time gnawing on some pretzels.
Thank you again Nonnie.
Dashy is becoming a bit high maintenance. No matter where I am, he crawls right over to me and “uh uh uh”’s until I pick him up. I don’t mind one bit. But getting things done with him always in my arms is next to impossible. But I’ll take it while I can get it.
Here is a typical time I am on the computer for .2 seconds before he shows up with the cutest face on earth.
Bills/blogging/responsibilities can all wait.
I’ve got a baby to hold!
Scout came to coozie with me in bed during the night at 3 am. We both tossed and turned because it was so hot — and you know that we are tow lovers of the FREEZING COLD while we sleep. (We get that from my mom!) So by about 4:15, I finally turned to him and said, “You know what just opened? The donut store –should we go take a special date?” He was totally excited and hopped right up.
Since he sleeps in his underpants, I grabbed his blanket and we headed out.
It took a few minutes for him to wake up all the way, but when he did, he ordered up a warm glaze twist — exactly what I ordered when I was his age!
When we got home, he came up with the idea of sitting in our back yard and watching the stars. We had the best hour — just the two of us. And while we talked, he said the cutest things.
“Mom, it must be really interesting being a star.”
Mom, do you know what it sounds like when birds snore? TWEEEEET.”
And the cutest of them all….
“Mom, I want to do this every night with you.”
From one freckled nose to another — so do I.
It was just an afternoon with four boys swimming.
But the third boy had curiously long hair.
And showed up to the after-swimming-snack with pink on.
Something fishy was going on – good thing Spiderman was there to save the day!
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