-Having lots of fun people on board.. My kids were total "cling-ons", especially to Doug and Jordan. Thanks to Grandma, Grandpa, Adam, Jess, Candice, Doug, Jenny, and Jordan for being such sweethearts to them. I don't know if you realize how much my kids adore you!
-FINALLY having Jake & Ashlee's kids there to play with, even if it was only for 1 day!
-Quincy figured out how to swim all by herself in her life jacket. She couldn't get enough of swimming in the lake...we think she must be a mermaid (or "mernaid" as she calls it). She thought she was so cool swimming & "washing" with all of her aunts & uncles/boyfriend/fiance.
She was really crabby Monday but after a good nappy in the cave and good night's sleep she was back to herself again. Still had her occasional "2" year old moments!
-Watching Grandpa ski, or try to ski...he would have been fine if the boat had more power. His determination was a great example to the kids - we have a saying in our family "Clarks aren't quitters" and he didn't quit. While he kept trying to get up we told the kids, "See, Grandpa isn't quitting because Clarks don't quit" and then Will said, "But he's not a Clark, he's a Judy."
The funny thing about this is when Will was just a little guy he called Grandma Judy "Grandpa Judy." So now we always call her Grandpa Judy. When Will made that comment we all laughed and realized that he really must have thought that their last names were "Judy". :oD
-Sambo pulled a 360 on the kneeboard without prompting- actually many times! Millie figuring out turns wakeboarding, Will kneeboarding like a champ, and Quinny tubing.
-Playing games - Fill or Bust, Uno, and Pinochle.
-Sam and I taking advantage of the morning smooth water to ski and wakeboard everyday.
-Grandma wearing her sexy bikini.
-The occasional toxic odor :)
I was a bit of a slacker taking pictures but those are cute enough. We anchored the houseboat up Lake Canyon where there was lots to hike and explore. The boys looked for hidden treasures, fished, and found tadpoles with Grandpa.
We look forward to next year...some folks think that it's not a place for little kids, but we can't imagine not taking them to Powell every year!
Capitol Reef:
So on Thursday eve we drove from Lake Powell straight to Capitol Reef. We met some friends there for the Capitol Reef Classic which is a 2 day cycling event. We towed my parents trailer and camped at Sunglow Camp Ground in Bicknell, Utah. I have to admit that after an exhausting day packing-up, hauling stuff, and preparing the houseboat in 100 degree weather, I was overwhelmed with the thought of camping. We all know how much work that is and how much dirt is involved. I just wanted a shower and my bed.
BUT, it didn't take long for my love of camping to kick-in and soon enough we were thrilled to be in the outdoors and especially in the cozy trailer. It's a perfect size for our family.
Sam's events included a time trial (his first), and a circuit race on Friday, which he won 1st place! He really is amazing and I am so proud of him and jealous of his natural talent. Between cheering him on, eating in small town joints, and exploring in HOTness (no shade), we managed to relax a bit in the evening with games and a super duper lotion massage from the kids. Quincy took 1 foot, Will took the other foot, Sam took the back, and Millie rubbed our arms. They were pretending that it was their business called "The 4 Clarks massage service." They said it was free to bike riders. That included me because I was able to get out on my bike for an hour just before dusk. Honestly, the massage felt REALLY GOOD. I will have to give the 4 Clarks some business often.
Saturday morning was a 52 mile race. We handed off a water bottle and chomps to Sam at the feed station then met him at the finish line. I can't even stand in the heat, let alone think about riding my bike fast in the heat. I don't know how they do it. Again he did awesome.
It was only noon so then we grabbed some lunch and headed to Capitol Reef National Park. We hiked up the creek to a waterfall where the water was deep enough for us to swim.
I know it looks dirty but it felt so good to cool off!
We felt ashamed that we live so close and hadn't been here before. It is really cool. Sometimes I feel like we take advantage of living in such a great state where there is so much to do and we don't take the time to visit. There were even tourists there from other countries!
Great trip, great fun.Well, this trip wraps-up 6 Clarks summer vacation marathon...we crammed 5 trips into 7 weeks. - WHEW! What a freaking blast! I still need to post about Snowbird.
Now to those lazy days of summer...
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