Gage turns 8!

Gage had a birthday, shout hooray! 

I love birthdays. 

Friday night we took him to Sushi up for his birthday dinner.

Saturday morning, the 13th, we cuddled in my bed and looked at pictures on my phone of when he was born and lots of baby pictures. Later that morning, he opened gifts. Finally 4 o’clock came and he had this party! (Thanks to Jenna for being my #1 helper! And Steve, a clue second!) 

We did 4 minute to win-it stations, (dance party, ping pong toss, shake it, and cheese ball shower caps)  painted pumpkins, and let the kids play ping pong, basketball, four square, or play in the yard. The last 45 min we ate pizza and cake, and Gage opened his gifts! 

Despite a chilly week, it was a BEAUTIFUL day! 

After the party, Steve and I ran out for dinner and groceries. After we got home, we (Me, Jenna, Trevor abd Gage) watched Edward Scissorhands. 

When the day came to a close, and it was bedtime, Gage thanked me for a great day! 

This is Trevor

“ I don’t know why I don’t hear about more girls having a crush on me. I’m the whole package... I am smart, handsome, and athletic!”

-Trevor age 9

On a Deserted island, what 3 items would you bring?

“A male and female pig, and a multipurpose tool.” 

188th semi annual general conference

This was a great and memorable General Conference. Very Christ center and made me want to be better! 

It was great to go with the big kids to the Sunday afternoon session. 12 temples were announced! 

Choir concert 9th grade

Accapella

My beautiful Jenna is on her 3rd year singing in the choir. 

Lake Powell in September

Blanding/Lake Powell

We had originally planned to go to Mount Rushmore in September, but plans changed around some church things, so we were left with the decision of what to do now that the weekend was freed up again. We hadn't been to Blanding in a while, and it is the best place to go in the Fall, so we decided to head down and see Steve's family.

I have been having the itch for over a year to play on Lake Powell with a boat and expose the kids to boating. I enjoyed boating when I was a young teen when we had a boat and would cruise the Ohio river and knee board and tube. I ran into 3 obstacles. 1. Steve was not interested in that type of boating (he does like fishing, but not water sports per se) 2. The kids are scared of boats. They are good in water and enjoy swimming, but all of them (aside from Zac) do not get excited when I talk about boating. 3. We don't have a boat. 

I am weird about my time off. Its PRECIOUS and limited so, by darn, we WILL do something fun and memorable. The evening before we left I had an idea that the kids may do well with a pontoon. They saw one last time we went fishing off the dock in Lake Powell (Halls Crossing Marina) and showed some interest. It's not too intimidating or speedy. I spent about 30 min trying to find a boat to rent and came up with some very pricey speed boat rentals. I left a message about renting a pontoon because I couldn't tell where this guy was located or see any prices. I essentially wrote off the idea  and went about the evening.The next morning Steve and I were getting some things together when I got a call about the pontoon. To my surprise, it was affordable and available for the weekend. The boat was in Utah Lake and we could pick it up and we could have it for the weekend, on our honor to only run it for 1 day to get the price he quoted.  WOW! So now I had a boat, but now I had to see what Steve thought. He said yes- mostly because he loves me and then had second thought when we went to pick it up because it was a beast! He still agreed though. We brought it to the house as we finished packing. When the kids got home from school, there was some trepidation, but no melt downs. Zac and Gage showed real excitement. The ride down, you could feel the boat behind us, but it was largely uneventful. 

We stopped and ate at El Charro in Moab and managed to find a place to park without trouble. Scot and Julene and Brandon met us in Moab for dinner. 

Friday we hung out in Blanding and Jenna had her first encounter with driving. She did pretty well. Scot, Steve, and I all took turns taking her out. 

This is Grandma Great's old white car than may have learned to drive in. 

Saturday we got up and were on the road to Lake Powell by 8:45 or so. Everything went off without a hiccup, even launching the beast. I am grateful Scot was there. It took the pressure off me to help with the trailer. (Heaven help us). The time on the water was awesome. The kids all enjoyed it and relaxed into riding the water in no time. To my surprise all wanted to tube, even Brandon went.  

Jenna and Uncle Brandon

Trev is not scared riding at the front of the boat!

Trev and Zac

Me and Jenns

Exploring Lake Powell

This is where we beached the boat for lunch

Gage and Zac

Brandon

It was a huge success! I am grateful to Steve for agreeing to my ideas. I am glad the kids had a positive experience with boating and got to see the beauty of Lake Powell like you can only do when you are on the water exploring.

Thanks to Scot and Julene who are also great hosts and ready to adventure with us!

Bird obsession

Gage learned to draw birds from you tube! I was quite proud and so was he! He decorated his room with his art.