Heaven on Earth

Ah.. what can I say? While this shot probably says it all, I will share with you just how wonderful Lake Powell was this trip. Of course it's long - I always take more pictures than is necessary, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!

This is our boat. Of course, I didn't think about taking one while it was IN the water, but here she is after the trip.

Lake Powell is heaven on earth for me for many reasons. One of the greater ones is that you can wake up like this every day and it doesn't matter.

Two, you can spend all day in the water on one of these floaties. I definitely recommend one to everyone. This is my sister Heather and I

My cousins Karson and Micah with Chris. They don't quite look so pretty...

Probably because they were bracing themselves for the intruder coming their way! (My dad)

There are endless things to do at Powell. Here is my bro-in-law Jeff with my niece Cessna on the wave runner. Cessna loves it, and wants to go faster than is probably good for her. On a later trip with my aunt Margo, they were taking it slow - after all, the girl is only five years old - and she says to Margo, "Margo, did you know - that if you hit the gas on this, it can get you where  you want to go?"

This is a homemade ramp designed to jump off the top of the boat. You can see Karson's legs if you look closely.

Here he is in mid-air

And of course, wakeboarding. Here are a few shots of the boys.

Chris

And a graceful shot

Walter

Karson

The next shots are some strange ones... the boys take whatever they have and decide to get crazy. Here they are, being dragged - by the rope, behind the boat.... this just doesn't quite appeal to me, but they had fun, and it was fun to watch. 

Walter

Karson

And the good old two skis... this is my mom.

Next: Enter - Molecule. The molecule is what everyone looks forward too. It is the epitomy of unsafe... and we love it! We pile as many people as we can on, everyone grabs a handle, and hopes they don't die. Looks innocent enough here, but enjoy the action below.

The girl run, commonly known as "the princess run."

Next are the boys. They weigh slightly more than the girls, so at first they weren't seem to be going very fast, even with the boat at full speed.

But it got faster as more and more people fell off... and they go as far as standing up - with the only thing to hold onto being each other. I was on this run... too much fun.

Trying to stand... and being squished in the process

You're in for a wild ride when you decide to jump on the molecule - case in point with this picture. My uncle Marin's face (in the front) says it all... while my dad is literally holding on for dear life on the left.

Having a blast

All of the extreme sports and playing makes everyone tired - here is Heather and Lance taking a little snoozer.

Mmmm... Breakfast time! Heather, Cessna and Lance

Cheese!

Look what uncle Chris did to me! I have chest hair! And quite uneven chest hair at that... just like his :)

My dad and his sister Pixie

Aww....

Me and Heather - we miss you, Holly, as always!

Lance and Heather

My cousin Maddie and I

Cessna

Chris

Daniella, Cessna and I on the speedboat

And of course... the traditional Lake Powell dance party (required by my mom each trip)

Uncle Marina and Dad doing their Blues Brothers routine. I have a video of it, but it's too dark to see!

And the girls' pedicure and facial party. :)

We had a blast. Below are some videos for those who are still reading this and are interested! 

Here is a small idea of how fast the molecule can go. I think my dad falls off in this one?

Here is one of Chris running and jumping off the homemade ramp

One of Karson jumping

This is another crazy boy thing... Karson and Chris jumping off the speedboat backwards

One of Chris Wakeboarding. Please keep in mind that it's difficult to keep the camera steady when you are filming from the back of a speedboat.

And last but not least, this is for my nephew Robby. He is obsessed with the alphabet, and he will love this. We love and miss you, Robby!

Birthdays

My brother TJ and I started a tradition years ago - It was actually TJ that began the fun on my 18th birthday when I tried entering my room, finding TJ there, telling me to get out. A few minutes later, he carried several armfuls of packages downstairs, all covered in newspaper, where I waited to receive my "gifts."

I tore open the first present, and there was my half-full water bottle from my room. Next, a few CDs. Next, my stereo. Then some shoes - mine, of course, but that one did have a five dollar bill. There were many more that followed, but Needless to say, everyone in the room was in hysterics, including TJ. I can honestly say that was one of my favorite birthdays, solely for that purpose. I'm not sure I had ever laughed so hard in my life - the kind that has you bent over trying to hold your stomach together, where it hurts so bad you feel like it will fall apart.

Since that birthday, the gifts have escalated into who can give a "better" (or worse) gift. I wrapped up his car the following year, and he proceeded to wrap up my room - oh yes, newspaper on the walls, bed, mirror... my room was lost underneath it all. I wrapped his drumset up the following year, and we were running out of things to "give" to each other... until TJ decided to get the D.I. involved. The gift giving has escalated into giving each other crap from the D.I. or random things that nobody wants. While on my mission, I would keep random things I found in the street - including some dirty barbie legs, an old radio and ties that elders would leave for us sisters to clean up when we were doubled into their area. I think it goes without saying that he appreciated that one.

TJ turned 29 this year, and I decided to wrap up something special... and here is a picture of her before he opened it.

So here he is, opening his daughter Daytona!

Happy Birthday, Teej! Love ya!

My Favorite

Courtney and Gev did my favorite dance last night. I think the story behind it is cool too, so I included it:

I also really liked Chelsie and Mark, particularly this dance.

Enjoy!

Self Explanatory...

MySpace Countdown Clocks

Now just to get through tomorrow...

The Snake!

Last weekend was our annual Snake River trip. Because I can't say it as well as our great friend and guide, Matt Baker, he said (quote from his blog) "We usually run the Snake and 4000 CFS (cubic feet per second) and when we arrived, it was raging at 21,300. The trip usually takes us about 21/2 to 3 hours. This year, 70 minutes." (Thank you, Matt.)

Let me translate. It was five times as fast, at least 3 times as high, and probably twice as cold. Not to mention the fact that it is July, and there is still snow run off! We had a great time. Here are some highlights and fun pictures:

The raging river

Some of the boys in action during lunch counter, the class four rapid this year (five huge hits)

Almost hidden behind the first hit

Paddling through...

One of the most fun parts about the river, and one of the scariest, is the fact that you can't control what the river does. You can try to work your way through the waves, controlling the boat in the direction you want it to go (thanks again Matt, for being a great guide as always), but once you hit those rapids, you are just along for the ride. Below is an example. 

Celebrating after great hits on lunch counter

Watching the rapids from lunch counter - notice the beautiful scenery. I love it up there!

(left to right: Zee, Me, Dad, Daytona and April)

Me and Chris back at camp

Daytona stuffing her face with a marshmallow

Chris and Daytona

Cam and April (friends of ours that we drove up with) in Jackson Hole

Chris and I under the famous antler arches in Jackson

Anyone who knows my mom knows that she is in shape. She has, in fact, done push-ups and sit-ups EVERY DAY since I believe she was 12 years old. She's very tone, and she's not afraid to show it. For example, she loves competing in competitions. In this case, push-up contests. She challenged our friend Cam to a push-up contest.... and she lost.... but only by eight. She wasn't too happy about it.

Here's Cam. He got 71.

And here is my mom... oh yes, they are guy push-ups. She is anything but a wimp (when it comes to most things, but most of all when it comes to push-ups). She worked up a sweat and managed 63 push-ups. I've seen her do more, but I'm always impressed. I can maybe do 20 girl push-ups in a row on a good day. I'm 25. This woman is 48. She's my hero :)

Cam and April sitting at the campfire

Me with my parents

We had a blast this trip. I always wish we had more time at the river. Not only are the rapids great, but camping is always fun, especially with my parents. I couldn't ask for better. Love you, mom and dad!

Thanks again Matt, for a great trip. Yes, we liked the campground better this year, and we should never come without those outhouses again. It was perfect!

Alphabet Tag

A-ATTACHED OR SINGLE? Attached. I'll be married two years in October.

B-BEST FRIEND - Christopher Lewis

C-CAKE OR PIE - Depends on my mood. Love Chocolate cake with white frosting and pumpkin pie is my favorite!

D-DAY OF CHOICE - Saturday. I love sleeping in.

E-ESSENTIAL ITEM - C.O. Bigelow lip gloss from Bath and Body Works

F-FAVORITE COLOR - Red and Brown

G-GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT - Serving my mission

H-HOBBIES - Playing the violin

I-INDULGENCES - pedicures

J-JANUARY OR JULY - For sure July!

K-KIDS - None

L-LIFE IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT - My husband and family

M-MARRIAGE DATE - October 20, 2006

N-NUMBER OF SIBLINGS - Two sisters, two brothers

O-ORANGES OR APPLES - Neither

P-PHOBIAS OR FEARS - Anything haunted or scary

Q-QUOTES - Two of my favorite: 

1. The Lord does not ask our ability or inability, only our availability. And once you prove your dependability, he will take care of your capability. -Neal A. Maxwell

2. You should love your enemies. You're the one that made them.

R-REASON TO SMILE - When Chris tells me he loves me

S-SEASON - Summer and Fall. I love swimming, camping and Lake Powell in the summer, and I love the colors in the fall.

T-TAG – Nuria, because I love reading her blog :)

U-UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME - I have a ten-inch scar across my stomach (some people do know that)

V-VERY FAVORITE STORE - H&M and Forever Young Shoes

W-WORST HABIT - I get grumpy in the mornings, and I put myself down quite a bit

X-X-RAY OR ULTRASOUND - Ultrasounds are better, right?

Y-YOUR FAVORITE JUNK FOOD - Currently... Vanilla Wafers. Ice cream. York Peppermint Patties. Snickerdoodles. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Yeah, I can't choose just one.

Z-ZODIAC - Libra

Obsession

Obsession: "The domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc." 

Last season, Jenny and I watched So You Think You Can Dance together and fell in love - in particularly, with Sabra and Neil. Our love grew deeper for them after watching this dance:

We had said that if SYTYCD came to Utah on tour, we'd make T-shirts and go. We were more than disappointed when they didn't come, and were tempted to fly out to Denver which was the closest city they were in.

I decided for Jenny's birthday that I would make those shirts we had talked about. They turned out better than I thought they would, and I couldn't wait to give it to her. Needless to say, she loved it - and wore it with pride, as I did mine, last night for the show.

Here's the shirt

Here we are, showing it off!

We're so cool! :)

Last night, however, we were slightly disappointed with the show. The dances weren't quite as great for me, but Katee and Josh did the best - I love their chemistry together, and I love Mia Michael's choreography!

The more I watch Twitch and Kherrington's dance from last night, the more I like it, too. Or... do I just like his body? Hmmmm....

I'm anxious to see who will leave. There are a few I just love, and definitely some that the show could do without. I have found that most of you enjoy the favorite video for the week, so I will continue to post at least that. Then maybe you can all fall in love with the show too. :)