Lake Powell...it's about time!

Oh how I have missed you, Lake Powell!  The smells, the warm mornings, the lazy days on the beach, the skiing, and the memories...

Unlike other years, we decided to try our luck again with a trip in September instead of in the dead heat of summer.  And I hate to say it, but it was Ah-maz-ing!  Not only because of the company that we had but because of the weather!  The sand was cool in the mornings and never got so hot that you HAD to wear your flip flops everywhere you went.  It got cool in the evenings so a campfire was nice, and yet the water was warm and you enjoyed being in the sun.  This may just become the annual trip as long as we can do it - I know it'll get harder as the kids get older to pull them out of school so we'll enjoy it while we can!

The girls loved having the Gray and Aaron Dunyon cousins around and especially loved having Grandma and Grandpa come!  We were joined later in the week by Dave and his kids too!  The memories are precious and it was so fun to enjoy some lazy days of playing in the water, games on the beach, a drive up to rainbow bridge - not sure where those pictures are?  I know I have some somewhere....and ice cream at the Marina.  A mama couldn't be happier!

Haley and Kate

 Cole and Nate

 Me and my buddy, Max - i love this kid

 Grandma was always such a good sport to take the kids on the jet ski!  Nothing like a little Grandma time!

 Cole and Nate mastered the new "yellow boards."  Although, I think Cole preferred staying down and trying to go out of the wake.

 Cole, Grandma and Nate

 Kate, Grace and Megan

 Jared - after only having major back surgery 6 weeks ago was a trooper and although he couldn't wakeboard this year was happy to drive the kids and just sit on the beach.

 I love these little girls.  They truly are like sisters.

 Grace and Megan

 Megan, Carter, Nate and Sam

Carter had just had a rod put in his leg as well and had to be carried everywhere he went.  He was riding his bike in the woods in WA and fell right on it breaking his femur.  Aaron and Brooke were troopers to bring him and have a lazy boy chair for him to relax in, Kim brought games for him to play and we all tried to make it was fun as we could for him despite the fact that he couldn't put any weight on his leg.  Crazy part...only 2 days in and Aaron was called back for State Inspections on his building and had to leave Lake Powell.  He took Carter and Emma to Jenny's house in Vegas and Brooke and the 3 girls stayed to play the week with us.  Then he flew back and picked them up at the end of the week.  It was crazy how fast it all happened but we were grateful Brooke and the girls got to stay!

 Funny boy Max

 Grandma and Sam

Lucky for us, Sarah let Sam come with Grandma to Lake Powell this year!  We all loved having this cute boy around.  He has so much personality in such a little body!

And of course, what kind of a trip would it be if the kids didn't get to have communal bathing?

Grace and Sam

 Liz, Meg, Cole, Haley, Kate and Paige

These wacky pack of kids...I love them!

 And I love being able to spend time with my sisters...even if their faces don't show it!

She is always there for me and puts up with my weird ideas and shenanigans.  I couldn't imagine life without this sister of mine in my life!  And I'm so grateful I get to live by her and share these memories with her and her kiddos!

 And grateful for this brother of mine who takes my kids under his wings whenever he gets a chance.  He is so kind and understanding and accepting.  He gets their quirky personalities and we loved being able to live by them!  They just love Uncle Dave!

 And the girls, just love their cousin, Kevin.  He's a mini Dave and such a fun person to have around!  We are so glad he is willing to put up with these monkeys!

 And Paige, even though she hates getting her picture taken, had no choice this time!  I was able to sneak this one in while we were teaching her how to drive the boat and pull the tubes.  So crazy to think how fast she's growing up!

 

 And what would Lake Powell be without a nap or two on the boat.  I love this little boy and his easy going personality.  He goes with the flow, sleeps when he needs to, and doesn't mind cuddling with his mama.  He was so good the entire trip and loved being and doing whatever the big kids wanted to do.  Next year we'll get him on the tube but this year, he decided he just wanted to drive the boat.

 And before we knew it, a week had flown by and it was time to pack up and head home.  With no major incidents this year, I would say it was definitely a successful one!  We stayed until the very last minute possible, pulled off the lake and headed home.  Till next year, Powell!