Lake Powell cont

Clear morning. Sun rising. Put the cars aside cause it's a great time for some contemplation.

Waiting for everyone else to wake up?  Perhaps anxious for another seadoo ride? He was deep in thought about something.

Maybe he was wishing Poppy would hurry back home. He went to pick up Brooke from the marina. Lucky us!! She sure is alot of fun


They made it!

Fast forward a bit. The boys talked Ash into jumping off a mini cliff. You had to do a bit of running out so as to gain more distance between the rock and yourself.

Scotty

John and Jared. John shows the mark of where to jump.

There are alot of jumping action shots in this post. I was terribly excited to find the continuous shot feature on my camera. I like the beginning to end 'story' of the action.

Steph and John.

Court and Jared. Maybe you should hold on tighter, Court.....

...So that Pop Pop and Brenden don't run over your husband! Crazy lake drivers.

Uncle Scotty taking K Mae for a little stroll around the boat.

And Grandma putting Kyleigh to sleep. Grandma is good at her 'job'.

Just ask the grandkids.

Kyleigh's signature move when trying to say hi or get your attention.

Asha Paige

These guys are fun to have around cause they're always ready for a game. And they know so many of them.

Trent helping B get ready for some more outside playtime. Maybe another jetski ride? From the look on Brenden's face, it very well could be.

Shoot, I got everyone else, but this time I missed Scotty. You have to be reeeeeeeeal quick to be successful.

Brooke! Happy coincidence that we were on the lake the same week you planned a trip out here as well.

In the past, we've broken some tables during some of these games (spoons).  Always a good time.


Who knew cartoons could be so serious? Maybe Bugs was in the middle of 'besting' the bad guys.

Kyleigh grew

Again? The eyes say it all.

Jared understood the communication perfectly and happily obliged.

Later, Scott, Court, Jared, Trent, Brenden and I went on a seadoo ride into the slot canyons. I wish I could remember the name of the canyon we went to. It was a good one.
Scotty

Court. Couple months pregnant. Doing just fine.

Jared. Also doing just fine.

Court again.
Attempted to get as many action + beautiful landscape pictures as possible...but had to make sure it was safe when holding the camera out going 30 on the water.

Brenden helped Dad steer.

Great Family outing.

Right or left?

Left.

These canyon rides are one of the many highlights of the trip. So beautiful it makes for a good ride.

Going further and further into the canyon. Some of these go quite a ways in. But can change from year to year with the water level.

Brenden is an excellent driver.

Every so often, it's nice to stop and take a refreshing dip.


 Hey Scott, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Apparently Jared was.

First attempt was successful, so all the boys (above 4 years old) tried it out. The poor, dead tree.

Jared measuring to see how close Scotty is mid-air.

Jared is looking out for Scotty. Trying to avoid landing on him. Trent could almost have pulled a 'Western move' with the Jetski, but it was a tad too far. Scott, the lightest of them all, hits the water first.

These two rocks formed their own archipelago. Scott beat Jared this time, acting as our 'scout'.

Uh oh, does his Mom know this is happening? Shouldn't there be someone on the other side to catch him...just in case??

In Jared's hands, he was safe.

Court waving back to the men.

More Jumping???? We find a cliff, half a cliff, a dead tree and our first thought....Jumpability? Yep.

 Not for Scotty. He is a great illusionist. Got both boys to jump.

 Looks like they talked him into giving it another go. And they must have just blindly trusted that he would jump this time with no tricks cause neither Jared nor Trent are watching the sly guy.

Scott: hope this doesn't hurt too bad.
Jared: ahhhhhh...long way down!
Trent: I believe I can fly....

 I love it when the camera captures the raw emotions of the action. Technology these days.

The next day, it was time for a little jaunt across the sandstone. We ran into an ancient aborigine campfire.

Jared and Maddy climbing the sometimes slick rock. Next time we'll do a 'shoe check' on Squid to make sure she brings something other than flip flops that she carried most of the way.

Calm waters. 

Sundells houseboat in the left corner. This is the back end of our private cove.

Sunset sure sets fire to some of the more brilliant pieces of sandstone.

 Maddy and I sat the next one out while the boys scaled this sandstone wall.

Maddy, our little Pocahontas. 

This year's happy hiking crew. Last year we had a few others, but the only one with a valid excuse is Dad. He was cooking up our BBQ Ribs, and not just anyone can do it if you want them done right. We should have waited until after dinner so he could come. He enjoys these hikes. And probably would've made sure we had brought some water. It wasn't long, but I was thirsty by the time we heard the dinner bell....or my Dad's voice telling us Ribs were ready....and we promptly ran/slid back home.
Our boat on left. Sundell on right.

This was easy coming up. A bit heart stopping on the way down. The inclines/drops got steeper the further down you go. Maddy and I slid to jump into a few of the holes while the boys just ran back and forth into the holes. I got the hang of it after trusting my feet that running out and then back down and in at an angle into the next hole wouldn't make me slip. But, a beautiful, though short, hike.

 
Swimming, sliding, jumping, island tanning and cooling, back deck cooking, sand building/throwing, wakeboarding, tubing and possibly some fireworks....all took place right here.

Smoke from the ribs was probably beginning to rise about this time. Salad would be done. Beans with bacon and rolls. Any leftover pie from Houston's for dessert. 

 Better hurry home and eat.

Is it hard to understand why, out of all the various places we've vacationed, this is the one we are most faithful to return? 

Trent and I had no worries on our little hike. Who could miss their mom and dad when you have a cushion like this to lay down on (Or the 'female cushion' previously pictured). Thanks again for a most memorable trip. Can't wait for the grandkid # to double in size next year. More cousins to play with and build lasting friendships like their parents have done over the years with consistent Family Reunions.

.....But Poppy might run out of arm and belly room.

I think he'll manage somehow.