Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Docked

The last couple of days in Lake Powell were filled with fun.

Because we didn't have a regular boat (only a houseboat and wave runners), we had to take the wave runners to the Bullfrog marina for ice and gasoline.  Here are these guys coming back from a trip.


After playing in the sand.

Garrett, Me, Erik, Gracie, Banxton, Mckenzie, Cache, Talmage

Erik made a waterworks line that when you poured water into it, it would zigzag back and forth back to  the lake.


I sculpted this very realistic looking crocodile (At least I thought so)

No one was afraid of Leonard, not even Talmage.



Jim found this shark hat on the beach.  It was perfect for Tal and did a good job of keeping him from getting sunburnt.

We definitely stayed hydrated.


Eventually we moved to another beach, which was more private, and a lot better for jumping (or being thrown) off the back of the houseboat.



I love how it looks like he is standing on water.


Poor Gracie got a good slap in the face on her first try, even after all of us begging her to try it and telling her it would be fun. Oops.


....and what is Talmage up to during all of this?


I love how you can see people laughing at him in the back ground..


That evening, after lots of sand and water playing, some of us a had a few sore crotches.



Garrett made another fire.  This one just happened to look like a demon dragon right?


Fire Dance


Another day.....another beautiful day.


We did a lot of fun wave running.  I didn't bring a crib for Tal on this trip, so the only way I could get him to fall asleep for naps was to take him on a wave runner ride and lull him to sleep.




Erik got some good reading in.  Especially in those peaceful moments.


Kenz and Cache got some good kissing in.  Especially in those romantic moments.


I got some good shots in.  Especially in those beautiful moments.


Talmage and Garrett got some good bonding time in.  Especially in those happy moments.



Overall, the trip was a success.  The kid was happy. Yes, he got very dirty, bruised, scraped, and chaffed, but it was worth it. 


Thanks Nana and Jim for a great trip!


Oh yeah! I almost forgot.  You can't really tell, but I finally got a tan after all that burning.


Moments before Cody and Grandma Steph picked Talmage and I up, we all bathed and got ourselves presentable for them.  We were all used to each others smells buy then, but we had no idea how we would smell  to the new comers.


After 3 almost 4 long weeks, we reunited with Cody.  It was close to Tal's nap time, so he barely noticed Daddy was with us again.  I was happy to see him though.


In the back ground you can see a storm coming.  good thing we left when we did, because the rest of my family got hit in a major storm while docking the houseboat and wave runners.  They all made it safely though, and even said it was fun jumping off the massive swelling waves in the runners.


Adieu Lake Powell. Thanks for not taking us down in any storms or flash floods while we stayed.  Thanks for not being too hot nor too cold. Thanks for not having too many people or tourists.  Thanks for having a plethora of good beaches.  Thanks for being beautiful.  We will miss you. 

Friday, September 23, 2011

Beached........

We loaded up the cars to maximum capacity and headed to Lake Powell.  My mother, Jim and brother Erik were there a few days before us getting the houseboat and wave runners ready.  Let me introduce the Lake Powell Gang.

Doc
Mama Evonne, the peacemaker and chef.  She was constantly helping someone whether it was making food or watching children. She was there to help.

Grumpy
Jim the engine master and commander.  Took care of the wave runners and made sure the houseboat ran for us.  Got severely sunburned, but didn't complain despite this grumpy face.

Sneezy
Erik the captain.  He drove most the time, found our beautiful spot and was content reading and enjoying the moment when it came (when he wasn't running the ship).

Happy
Ashley was just happy to be there with out her lil crawler, Ellie. Her two older kids basically entertained themselves.

Dopey

I was Dopey after so many trips and time changes.  Watching Talmage near water could make anyone Dopey right?

Pyro Maniac

Garrett the Pyro, started many fires, but was also a good babysitter.  He was cool, calm and collected the whole trip. 

Bashfuls
These two were.... well... starting a relationship so....ya cute couple.  Mckenzie and Cache what a pair.

Lil Happy

Banxton loved every minute of this trip except the end when Talmage threw a rock that landed on his finger and smashed it.

Lil Grumpy
Gracie was actually very happy most the time. This was after jumping off the houseboat roof, her face slapped the water.

Lil Poopey
Talmage pooped more on this trip than his entire life so far.

Lil Sleepy
Sage was good but slept a lot. It was hot with all her fur.

Lil Pukey
Poor Coco ate too many rocks and sand the first day, which caused her to become sick and pukey the rest of the trip.


Just some fun memories from the first day......

Garrett basically starting a huge desert fire in the canyon.


Erik enjoying his shave after a long hard and dirty day.

Talmage pooping in his swim diaper and my mother bathing him.



Talmage exploring on the rocks for the first time in Powell.

Floating

What his bum looked like the majority of the trip.

Running up and down the plank.

My favorite...... our first night and the view.