Lake Powell 2011

In June we took our now annual trip to Lake Powell. We went with Jake's sister Jill and her family. Rick has a boat so we went out tubing and a little bit of swimming. The water was a little cold. I loved hanging out and watching the kids play in the sand and water. Jake and I took the four youngest on a hike to the slot canyon. They loved it. The boys were doing "super jumps" off all the little cliffs and the girls were doing there very best to keep up. We took our dog Missy with us. We miss her very much. That is for a later post. I am doing my best to catch up on all our summer adventures, I have a few more posts to go! Then, I'll hope to stay caught up!

Mexican Riviera Crusie 2011

Shopping in Cabo San Lucas

Mini golf girls

On the deck

Formal night

Melanie and Robin

Laurie and Glade

Hanging out in the taco shop

Learning the art of towel folding

Jake and I went on a cruise for a week, with no children, but friends. We went right after the kids got out of school in May. We went with two couples in our ward who are good friends. It was so much fun. We all drove to California in Glade's truck and we were so excited to get on the boat. It was a week of relaxation, lots of food, dancing, karaoke, mini golf, and exploring. We spent two days in Cabo San Lucas and one day in Puerta Vallarta. In Cabo we spent the first day on the beach. The waves were kind of rough so not great for snorkeling but we swam a bit. There were these bright jellyfish all in the water and on the beach. I had never seen so many. Also, the bees were out in full force, I think they liked the scent of American sunscreen! The next day we went exploring the shops and did some shopping for our kids. They know when the cruise ship is in port so they were not willing to negotiate the prices too much. Jake and I got the best civiche from a guy selling it on the street out of his cooler. It was so good, we tried to get some the next day but he never showed up. I still think about it!

In Puerta Vallarta we had booked an excursion. It was the canopy adventure. We took a boat to the other side of the island. Then a jeep up to the top. Next they put us on mules and we rode tothe very top. After the mule ride I was so freaked out I was ready to just be done. I do not like heights at all. I had to be talked (forced) into this adventure. We went on about a dozen ziplines and rappels. The girl teaching us about the zipline looks and me and says "You look really nervous". I was in tears at that point. I did it though! It was so scary the first couple of runs, but then I started to have some fun. I am so glad I did it. Way out of my comfort zone!

We had such good dinners at night in the dining room and I got truly spoiled to eat in peace and not have to clean up anything for a week. It was the best to go with good friends!

Trek 2011

Men's pull with Jake in the front

Women's pull (Sammi is in the orange skirt)

Water break at the wagon

Sammi and Hannah

Us, Alicen, and Melanie and Robin (awesome Ma and Pas)

Laurie and Glade Smith (the best cooks and trek friends ever)

In March during spring break Sammi, Jake and I got to partcipate in the Trek. Jake and I were an Uncle and Aunt. It was the best experience and I loved every moment of it. We really got to spend a lot of time together hiking, talking and working together. I got to see him in a different light and I am so grateful to have him as my companion. Sammi was a trooper and she is so tough. She finished the womens pull and then ran back to help the other groups. I got to wash many heads of hair men, boys, and lots of young women. It was worth it just to get my fingernails clean. We slept out in the open on large tarps and it was so nice to climb in my sleeping bag each night, just exhausted. They had so many growing experiences for the youth but the adults came away with so much too. Just awesome, I would do it again in a second. So glad I got to experience it with Jake and Sammi.