Lake Powell in July

We love, love, love Lake Powell! It is one of our favorite vacations (along with Mexico, which is out of the question right now!). It is so fun and relaxing... without kids! It's not so relaxing with kids, but it is still so much fun. Brookie even had some happy moments toward the end of the week.

We spent the first half of the week with the Seaman's and the second half with Crane's. Both trips were fabulous because every member of the family was there. Scott was there a few days on each end of the week. Here is our week in pictures.

One of B's happy moments, playing with the checker piece. Love my dad's yawn in the background.

The boys were a little stir-crazy, so Jeff took them on an adventure to search for lizards. They found one and were all enamored. I think it's name was "rainbow princess Maria" or something silly like that.

Alisa loves spending time with her grandpa. Lately he has taken to having a candy stash on hand at the hardware store, so when we stop by he can slip her one. She adores him.

Tarah and Treston floatin' in the lake. I saw this floatie and knew this was a way to get Brookie to like the water. As long as mom is attached, she is [mostly] happy.

Lots of pulls on the sea wasp behind the wave runner. My dad obviously practices strict adherence to water craft safety ruled. nice open life jacket.

B is always happy with some yogurt. She makes a ROYAL mess of it.

The highlight of the week was this hilarious water fight. It started with Josh, Eth, and Jared in a private battle and ended in an all-out boy war. Even Ash and Liv joined in. Eth was pretty tough with those women's sunglasses on! It was hilarious to see my brothers become little boys again as they swam for safety, planned their attacks, and ruled the water.

My mom is one tough ironwoman. This is what happens when you try to lift the rope and go under it on the waverunner, but it snaps back at you. Ouch.

Jacqui fulfilling her need for speed.

While I detest the idea of the kids watching movies at the lake (just go out and play!), the break from two of the three kids was pretty nice. Jake would watch movies all day, whereas B won't watch them at all.

Pretty proud of this skier...up on the wakeboard.

Nice "do-rag" Treston.

So proud of this girl. First time on skiis. She rocked them.

My brothers are pretty funny together. They just revert back to their glory days. We had some hot latino moments on the boat.

Darin, Tarah, Treston getting wiggly.

Trey giving Josh a kiss through the window.

What a sweet girl.

Brave Amanda, chasing her two adorable, busy kids all week. Good thing we have two nieces who love babies.

Shelly and Darin, in a romantic moment of lathering up.

Flea and Tarah, chillin' in the shade.

Brookie didn't like these at first, then wanted on them over and over.

Eying Darin warily. This is so like her. Untrusting and suspicious of all who are not "mama."

Darin with a peace offering.

Nakey Brookie with aunt Shell.

Seaman time (which actually came first).

Brookie and Scott. Thank goodness for Luke's toys.

After church... zonked.

Water babies. They ask me at least weekly when we are going to return to Lake Powell.

This girl has quite a need for speed. She could spend all day on the tube.

Jake's classic "stop" signal. He was so funny. I think the tubes made him a little nervous. The stops were frequent, just to make sure he was in control.

Reading Nicholas Sparks "The Last Song" because who doesn't need a no-brainer at the Lake?

She hated the water. At first. Hated. We bathed her every night in it, still. By the end of the week, she had warmed up but man, is there anything this girl really does like right off the bat? Just her mama.

She looks all sweet and cuddly, but that's because she was trying to get out. Crying on dad's shoulder.

Grandma and Bethi

Luke all suited up. He was like a fish. A busy fish.

Plenty of digging in the sand.

Lots of naps

A happy moment. At first we tried to put them down for naps in the roasting hot tents on the beach. They woke up so, so sweaty. So we ended up putting them down for naps side by side in pack and plays. Luke just stood and watched Brookie roll and scream until they both got tired and fell asleep. It actually worked out just fine in the end.

Wow what a little video. Here's a snip of the latino dance party with the Crane boys and Jefe.