LP 2011

Lake Powell was so great this year. We had a smaller crowd which made it a little more laid back and quiet. I was able to read a couple of books and everyone could ski, tube, board, chair, surf, or skim to their hearts content! It was relaxing and enjoyable....or course there are always those very TENSE Lake Powell moments that go hand in hand with every Lake Powell adventure.

TENSE MOMENTS:
-A bat flew into the kitchen one night...my brother and his friends were screaming like a bunch of girls....no worries though, Staci stepped up to the plate with net in hand and removed the tiny bat without delay.
-Another night at about midnight and huge breeze came up from no where and blew the entire houseboat off of the beach, tangled the ropes in the motors and suddenly we found ourselves with the engines in the sand and the front of the houseboat was where the back was SUPPOSED to be! It was very intense and the adrenaline was pumping. Luckily within an hour and a half we got everything straightened out. It was crazy! --On our way back to the marina to leave the small boat (that my dad rented because he didn't want to take HIS wakeboarding boat down to Powell) wouldn't go into gear. We were out floating in the channel for 2 hours while the guys fixed the engine. It's a really good thing my dad can fix ANYTHING. He is incredible.
-Landon tripped on a rock and smacked the back of his head. Blood was everywhere but he survived without stitches.

PROUD MOMENTS:
My tiny Parker boy got up on skis the first time he tried and got up on a wakeboard on his 3rd attempt! This mama was SCREAMING her head off! It was AMAZING! When this kid gets his mind wrapped around something nothing will get in his way! I'd post the video but my out of control screaming is quite embarassing.

Both Parker and Dallin swam and climbed the crack this year!

They also climbed the famous "Hole in the Rock" where the pioneers came down with their handcarts and oxen. It's a 3/4 mile and not one person died. Pretty amazing.

My brother finally landed his back flip he has been working on for some time. He has been able to throw tantrums for years but the back flip has eluded him until now! He is so much fun to watch!

I officially became the very FIRST FEMALE ever initiated at Lake Powell. This is HUGE people!

And I actually surfed without the rope this trip! Oh so fun! I had to make my California husband back at home proud!

We caught or first large mouth bass EVER at Lake Powell!

And of course there were MANY fun fun times. We went scorpion hunting, cliff jumping, boat riding, had our Hawaiian party night, played the 3rd annual Red Rock challenge, swam, and skied and boarded until the sun came down! We had or usual initiation night and the boys were thrilled to finally become OFFICIALLY initiated!

25 years of Lake Powell...it's hard to believe. We've been coming here since I was a tiny girl and some of my all time favorite memories have been on this lake. I love that my children get to have those same memories. It was a great trip! I missed my husband but at the same time I didn't want to come home! Nothing better than being in a beautiful place with the people you love! ☺

We're baaaaack!

Whoa. After a whirlwind 2 weeks we're finally home! I was SO excited to get back home to my husband. That last night before our final stretch of road I could hardly sleep because I was SO excited to see him. I'm cheesy and I know it. 2 weeks seems like forever to be apart. Unfortunately his trial wasn't dismissed so he was stuck at home while we were off playing in the 90 degree temps. Poor Nate was stuck here dealing with horrible weather...and that included an afternoon of SNOW. In JUNE?? SERIOUSLY??

Let's go back...WAAAAY back. Our first leg of the trip took us down to St. George. En route we stopped at Kolob Canyon where were immediately attacked by bugs as soon as we stepped out of the car. These crazy flies were all over us...in our hair and buzzing right in our ears. Gahh!

Needless to say we drove in, got out of the car, snapped this pic and ran back to the car slamming the doors behind us.

When we got to St. George we went swimming at the condo before getting ready to meet up with the Starnes fam to see the Little Mermaid.

The show was absolutely positively AWESOME! I want to go again it was that good! It had water and fire effects, flying, people zipping all around on wheels so it looked like they were swimming underwater. It was fun as always to hang out with Nate's family. I love this crazy family I married into. We have such a great time together.

The next morning EE and I started on our adventure down to the Grand Canyon. On the way we made a pit stop at the National Monument Pipe Springs. It is a place rich in American Indian and Mormon pioneer history. A natural spring comes up out of the ground and this water was a necessity for American Indians, Mormon pioneers, plants, animals, and others who depended on it in the dry harsh desert. We took a tour and did some worksheets so the boys could all became official "Junior Rangers." While we were there we met up with my uncle and his family as they were on their way to St. George. It was fun for the boys to see their cousins!

After our stop we continued up the mountains until we reached the glorious Grand Canyon! My Grandma worked there during her High School years cleaning cabins. It was fun to be there with her and relive some of her favorite memories. When we pulled into the parking lot Dallin says, "Hey Mom, can I just look at the canyon from the car?" I should have been clued in then that we were going to have a problem.
We had a delicious lunch overlooking the canyon walls and then we started hiking up the VERY narrow little paths to the incredible look outs.

Everything was going well until Dallin started getting nervous about how incredibly high up we were. He started complaining and whining and then he had a full blown melt down.

He cried and cried the entire time we were there. The other 2 boys loved it though. Its so funny how DIFFERENT each of my boys are.

It was very beautiful and majestic. It felt like we were on top of the world. I'm glad we went.....height fears and all. ☺

After the Grand Canyon we headed to the Kanab to stay the night. We stayed at this fun little lodge called Perry Lodge. Lots of famous people have stayed there over the years as many of the classic western movies were filmed down in Kanab.

Here is a pic of the little house we stayed in:

 And of course we had to cool off in the pool right in front of the house:

The next day we went over and toured some of the original movie sets:

Then we drove all the way back to Salt Lake.

I am SO done blogging for the day....this has taken FOREVER! I'll start working on the Lake Powell section of the trip tomorrow!

One more post for the road......

I know I know...I've already said goodbye.

 We've leaving tomorrow but I couldn't resist posting what we did this evening..........

♪♪ Happy Birthday to Jack

We had a party for our cat

We've turned into weird cat people

and that is a fact. ♪♪

The boys insisted we throw a party for our furry brother a few months ago. We have no idea how old the cat is or when he was born. We decided June 1st would be a great day for a birthday party..little did I know it would be on the day before we head out of town...a CRAZY day to say the least. SO...we whipped up a cake, made a hat, wrapped up some cat food and cat litter and turned the sprinklers on. A couple of friends heard the commotion and came over to join in the fun.

Easiest party ever.

This cat had NO IDEA what he was in for when he decided that he was going to bail on his original family and join ours. Hey....he chose us! Happy Birthday JACK! You're annoying, sweet, funny, furry, and sometimes a bit dumb. We love you!

Farewell.....for 2 weeks anyway.

What is wrong with that Staci girl? It's technically still MAY and her whole blog is decked out for the 4th of July already??

She doesn't REALLY have a cute coutdown set out (that her awesome friend made her becuase she knows her so well) to count down the days to the 4th? And she hasn't actually had it out for weeks now??

YES my friends....the 4th of July is coming quickly! It's my FAVORITE HOLIDAY and I can't WAIT!!!

You see, I am leaving in a couple of days and I won't be home for 2 full weeks. By the time I return, there will only be 18 days left until the holiday of food, family, fun, fireworks and freedom celebration! Squeeee!

So, where are we off to?

First we're heading down to St. George with the entire Starnes crew to attend Tuachan's production of The Little Mermaid:

Then we will continue on South down to behold the magestic Grand Canyon. Which I have NEVER been to! I'm SO excited to see it with my own eyes! I think the boys will really like it too.

Then we will pack our swim suits and join the family caravan down to our favorite Rock Family Reunion destination.....Good ol' Lake Powell!

2 weeks without my man seems like an eternity. In his words...."Well, someone has to pay for all this fun." I'm keeping my fingers crossed he'll be able to join us at Powell...I'm praying that his trial gets dismissed.

 So, no posts for awhile.I don't think I have ever gone 2 weeks without writing anything. I'm sure we'll have MUCH to report upon our return!!

Summer is FINALLY here!!! We're starting out with a bang....and a zillion hours driving in the car. ☺

Lemonade anyone?

The annual "Starnes boys and friends kick off summer vacation" LEMONADE STAND took place today. If there is any ONE positive thing to living on a street with WAY too many cars that drive by (and at speeds that just drive me INSANE) is that the kids were quite successful! Keep in mind that the cups were a steal at ten cents each!

They made $9.80!!!

But if you take out the cost for the cups, lemonade and ice. They really made a grand total of  $2.80!!!

A HUGE improvement from years past!!! This was the first year we actually MADE money! The other huge plus was that it kept the kids busy for hours this afternoon. ☺ Fun Saturday afternoon.