Be it ever so humble...: Lake Powell 2014

There is nothing quite like the beauty of Lake Powell. It takes my breath away every time I see it and leaves me taking countless pictures of the red rock cliffs with blue sky background.

This year the Smith family generously invited us again to join them on this epic trip. We were ecstatic. It turned out to be an awesome trip (even though the wind the first two days was nothing to brag about. If you stepped outside the houseboat you were immediately sand blasted. Talk about exfoliation!) But we all worked together to get the boat anchored safely (Bonnie even grabbed a shovel to dig the anchors! Go Bonnie!!) and managed to have a great vacation.

This year on the boat were us, Chase and Brianne Smith, Karen Smith, Kevin and Lisa Foster and their 4 kids (Cam and Aaron's buddy from high school) and Jocelyn and her 4 kids (Tom couldn't make it because he had scout camp the same week, and as YM president, duty called)

We built sand castles, kayaked, climb rocks, jumped from the houseboat top, and hiked to an arch. We had dance parties and ate and ate and ate. What a trip!

Had to post a picture of these AMAZING doughnuts. If you are ever in St. George, "Fractured Prune" is the place to be!

Here is a picture of our caravan, as we headed to the lake.

With the wind a blowin, we opted to stay in the boat and watch a show.

Jocelyn, Bonnie and I all went for a swim! (it's all about the swim cap ladies)

Little Amelie going for a swim

Ella became good friends with Parker Foster.

Getting all the toy set up. (Yes, Aaron owns ALL the toys and the houseboat. I told you this trip was epic!)

Enjoying the sunshine together. I love this girl!

Aaron brought a "fly board" to try out. It is this amazing (and expensive) contraption that you hook to the jet stream of a water craft. From there, the jet stream propels you up in the air where you can hover above the water. Pretty wild! Cam tried it (above) and Josh even gave it a go (below). Studs!

The kiddy pool atop the boat was a favorite for these little tots.

Beautiful red rock.

The kids loved to play cards as well!

Here are Amelie and Ruby. They were playing "pretend." Ruby was even shaving her legs with a plastic shell. Love these girls!

They actually got along on this trip! Yeah!

Here are the crew of kids. Five families and lots of kids. What a fun bunch!

Boating to "Rainbow Bridge."

What a beautiful arch! (Josh opted out of our little hike)

Aaron found this rock, right on the service. So we all stood on it and it looked like we were floating on the water.

Josh jumping from the houseboat. It was a good 30 feet up. Crazy kid!

Jocelyn (above) and Josh (below) trying out the wakeboard.

Bonnie wanted me to take a picture of "her man." And below, she took a selfie with Tivoly.

Cameron trying out the surf

Josh took this funky photo

The Rubinator!!

The girls and I decided to take a kayak and go fishing. (i am not naked, I promise)

A picture of the MASSIVE houseboat. Each family had their own room and own bathroom. NUTS!

Ella and Parker going Kayaking.

We finally busted out the knee board and took some rides. Dax was first up.

Next Amelie wanted to try, so I held onto the back to provide some stability.

Ella tried it too!

And since I was already out there, I gave it a go.

Cam was able to take the girls for some watercraft rides, while the boys preferred tube rides. The faster the better!

Once the kids were tucked in their sleeping bags up top, Cam, Aaron and Kevin would tell the kids one "bed time story" from their adventures growing up together. Everything from failed zip-lines to dry-ice bombs to building forts from stolen lumber. The kids LOVED the stories, so much in fact, that the dads had all the kids raise their right arm and pledge, "I will never do the things that are told to me in these stories."

After the kids fell asleep, the adults would head downstairs and stay up late talking. Good times!