Lake Powell 2008...

we got home very late last night from Quinn's families annual Lake Powell trip.  we had so much fun & were sad to have to get back to ReAl LiFe!!!!  here are just a few of the highlights...

{becks & his cousin addison getting right into the water}

{as soon as we got settled- we got right onto the death tube}

{not much DeAtH going on here!}

{but still lots of FUN!}

{a little faster for these 2}

{becks & daddy loved going on the slide}

{becks & chi-chi were inseparable}

{the sunsets were BeAuTiFuL}

{avi loved the jet ski rides with daddy}

{we all got to see lots of avi's new smile}

{& hear tons of giggling with cousins}

{especially when daddy did SiLLy things like this!}

{tons of bright eyed smiles}

{becks, jaxson & wyatt on there way to Rainbow Bridge}

{everyone still smiling, even after a really long boat ride to get there}

{it was beautiful & totally worth it!}

{aunt markae was becks buddy}

{i never get sick of this smile!!!!}

{becks & jaxson still cheesing it!}

{and again... still not sick of it!}

{these 2 make each other laugh constantly}

{addie was a pro water skier}

{heather in the background cheering for jax- as he gets up on his very first try}

{there were falls...}

{but plenty of grins}

{a lot of showing off...}

{we had to take advantage of the skills & the sky-- Kaitlyn you're amazing!}

{while i still had the camera out from kaity, i caught the boys checking out a helicopter that was flying over... & i love this shot!}

{by the last morning the skies were not so clear}

{even thought it wasn't clear skied, it wouldn't be a true Lake Powell trip without a Lake Powell storm.}

Thanks Grandpa Mark for an amazing trip & more great family memories.  It was WoNdErFuL!!!

Nauvoo- Busy! But so, so great...

Like i said before, it was a trip... not a vacation! But it was so amazing & i wish we could have only stayed longer!!!! What an amazing place with so much history. i feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to see so many thing what form the history of me & my family. i feel like a stronger & even happier person because of the things we were able to see & do there. i might have exaggerated just a little about the amount of pictures. Even thought it wasn't a trillion, there were still way too many to post. these are just a few of my favorites. i will try to narrate the best i can.

{i love the A&B in this picture!!!  it was on the shuttle stop window & i couldn't help but capture it!}

{we didn't arrive in Nauvoo until later in the evening on the first night, so the next morning we started bright & early at the Blacksmith's}

{watching the demonstrations...}

{avi getting a little bored}

{making a horseshoe}

{just like they would have in pioneer times}

{outside the Blacksmith they had a few pastures... the kids of course loved the horses!}

{later that night we went to the pageant.  it was so spectacular & moving!}

{the next day we took the kids to "pioneer past times"...}

{they of course had a total blast.  playing & imagining...}

{just pretending to be pioneer children}

{they weren't the same toys that we play with now, but they we so fun!}

{becks cutie cousin Peyton.  the sweetest little pioneer you've ever seen!}

{later we went to the temple to take pictures.}

{after the temple we went to Carthage Jail...}

{it was such a humbling experience & one i will never forget!!!}

{we visited the grave sites.}

{& the homes.  i love this picture of Jaxson & i imagine that this is how everyone felt as the waited, no matter how long, to see the prophet.}

{later that evening we went back to the pre-pageant festivities.}

{beckham & peyton just wanted to dance... all night!!!}

{after we went to Annie's & got frozen custard... yep, she is definitely mine!}

{we got home to find this nasty creature on our house.  it makes you realize why the pioneers wore so many layers to keep these guys out!}

{it was because of this special lady... Quinn's mom, that this was all made possible.  thank you so much Donna, for a wonderful trip to such a special place.}

{we will never forget it!!!!!!}

it's a trip... Not a vacation!

brought my computer with me to Nauvoo. I don't know what I was thinking!!! With this crazy busy schedule, this is all I have time for right now. I promise I will update soon with, of course, a trillion pictures!