Lake Powell 2011!!!

Family Vacation... July 2011...Lake Powell!

I {HEART}Lake Powell!  No secret there.  I look forward to this vacation all year long!  It never can come soon enough and it never last long enough.  I could stay easily for 10-12 days.  7 days isn't enough!  It goes by way too fast.  Especially considering our 15 hour driving time to get there.

The drive....I looked at the map of Cali, Nevada & Utah.  Last time we followed the GPS route and went down the 5, up to Vegas and over to Lake Powell.  Well I hate that drive because you almost drive a "U."  I wanted a more direct route.  So the best route I could see goes through Yosemite Park and across Nevada through no where land, down to Mesquite and then up to St George where we were staying the night.  We hit a little slow down before Yosemite...following all the travelers there.  And then we drove through the park ($20 fee).  Eric fell asleep right away.  The first half of the park was totally burned from a fire.  Their flyer said they need to burn the trees in order for them to reproduce.  Well that didn't make for breathtaking views. So I drove and Eric slept.  There was a couple of nice views but nothing worth the drive through again.  There was a lake that was beautiful and then it was cool to see people rock climbing up the cliffs...but besides that...it was a waste.  I think it would be different if we were going to camp and hike to the waterfalls.  Then it would be worth it.  Not worth the drive through, though.

But then we hit the fun part...I called it the Rollarcoaster Road.  It was on Hwy 120 in California.  It was totally wavy, felt like you were on a ride at an amusement park and it was FREE!  It was crazy at times. I totally had to slow down.  The wheels of the car left the road a couple of times and I knew I had to slow down.  There were scary times though that made me yell in excitement...you would go up a steep hill and immediately go down but you couldn't see where you were going until you got to the top and then immediately started to go down. Eric even thought it was crazy.  I was totally yelling and freaking out..it was crazy scary fun! Then for the next 200 miles we were in "no where" land. We stopped at the one city for lunch and gas.  Good thing Cooper is the best baby in the world in the car!  The road was crazy straight...I clocked one of the straight stretches and it was 15 miles long...it was one straight away after another.  Eric had fun driving them as well...I think our car may be capable of  reaching 140mph!  Not saying we went that fast...I just think it probably could reach it!  We made it to St. George after 13.5 hours in the car.



Sample view


















Sunday we finished the drive to Powell. It was only 2.5 hrs..easy drive!

We finally made it and had a great week on the lake.  The weather was perfect...90's all except for one day in the low 80's.  (Normally it's in the 100's)  We had a great time eating, visiting, playing games, swimming, relaxing, wakeboarding, knee boarding, lots of tubing and napping.  The best vacation in the world!
  


Cooper wasn't a big fan of his life jacket but he tolerated it.

  


Sleeping baby on the boat



Monday Night Dance!  We had over 300 glowsticks and had a great time dancing. 

And to top it off... the houseboat across from us set off huge, beautiful fireworks. It was perfect!







Brooklyn learned how to make cupcakes in Utah so she made some with Grandma.



Cooper fell asleep on Daddy...his first time doing this.  Eric loved it!





Daddy doing tricks.  He almost had this one.

Brooklyn and Grandma cross-stitched this bib for Cooper.  Cute and lots of work for a baby to spit up food on!



Cooper had fruit loops for the first time (thanks to daddy).  He loved them so much that he would eat them right from my mouth. It was cute. My first kisses from Cooper.




He got it!

Lake Powell is my HAPPY place! I LOVE IT and already can't wait for next year!
....
The drive home...all in one shot!  Mapquest said it would be 15 hrs of driving time.  So we figured it would be 18 with Cooper.  Again we went the discovery route and went through Nevada again but a different way.  We went through Ely, NV and then up to Reno and then over.  It took us 15 hours but that is stopping 3 times with Cooper and once was for an hour or more for dinner.  So we saved time and miles! I was happy.

....

My one mistake...leaving my nice camera home this year.  Normally I take it..which is always a risk while boating, but it is SOOO worth the photos.  My handheld camera this year was a disappointment and I didn't even care to take pictures because most were over exposed because it was so bright and the camera wouldn't let me fix it and they were blurry.  I honestly didn't take it because I knew that Cooper was going to need more attention on the boat so I didn't want to worry about my camera as well. I SOOOO missed it though. Next year I will take it for sure! I took so many more pictures of the kids tubing and having fun but the pictures just look too bad to post! 

A fun day at the Park with friends!

While Brooklyn spent a month in Utah with Grandma, I took Easton to Santa Rosa to spend an afternoon with some good friends. We went to Howarth Park.  It was a perfect day, not too hot. It was supper crowded for a Wednesday. But we had a great time.  The kids had a great time. Easton loved it. So much to do!  It was great fun and we didn't even do everything and we were 3 hours. It is one big park.  I had a great time visiting with Jessica.  Win Win

Cooper's first time going down a slide!

On the train ride!

Coopers first time swinging...he loved it!

It was a great park!  Next time we want to rent a boat and explore the lake.

The Date!

Clue #9 I've Protected you throughout the years through hot and cold, through rain and snow. I've helped you keep your job and your church callings.  Who am I?

The VAN!  Easy. I like the easy ones!

Clue #10 I hate kids, they squish, smash and tromp all over me.  I save them from harm and they don't even say thank you. Hint: Millet, 2007

Ok..bugs, carpet, grass...nope...wood chips.  And Millet is our friends maiden name and 2007 is the year they were married.  Kind of hard!  So we dropped the kids off at the Britton's and my clue was in their wood chips.  Thank you Brianne for not making it a hard find!  Rich tried to throw me off and asked Eric if he told me about "Chucky cheese" yet.  I am glad he was just kidding.  A date night there wouldn't be too romantic!  With this clue he also have me a cute key chain that has a big silver "M."

Clue #11  It is a place of fun and laughing glee- a child's utopia.

Again..please don't be chucky cheese!  Jk.  It was our local toy store...Funtopia.  I had to go inside and ask for my next clue.  It was a bunch of letters to unscramble.

Perry's Deli!  (Local Deli)

Inside Perry's I had to find the last clue.  Eric said we were in a hurry so he pointed to the clue-a train on the counter.  Eric also gave me a note pad and cute necklace with this clue.

Our final destination.... Napa Valley Wine Train!  And we were off...

NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN

Dinner Car on the Wine Train!  They serve you a 4 course dinner.  Fancy!

Sorbet between salad and main course.

Between Cars!

Our view from the Dessert Car.

They even brought us special Anniversary Truffles..yummy!

The train ride was 3 hours and went from Napa to St. Helena and back to Napa.  We had a nice time visiting and enjoying the beautiful views of all the wineries. 

I've decided to make a bucket list for things I would like to do in Northern Cali...Wine Train can now be checked off! 

Happy 10th Eric!  Thanks for the week of fun!

More fun clues...

Clue #6-2 I'm at home both in the air and the sea. Hints: Yellow, Slidel

From the movie (Sweet Home Alabama) of course!  (Eric gave me an another hint..it was from the movie...then I got it immediately)  Picture was taken while watching the movie!

Clue #7 I toss and turn through seemingly endless trials. I pass through them for my own good. They smooth out my weaknesses to make me strong.

This one took some thinking...first thought was my bed/mattress..then maybe the boat..still nothing.  Eric said it was in the house and downstairs.  Then I got it...the rock spinner.

Ok NOW...where is the washer??? It can't be inside, right?

 "Eric I found it...IT"S NOT INSIDE, IS IT?" His reply.."It makes MEMORIES."  Oh GREAT!

"REALLY!!!!" GROSS... 















Luckily... Eric said I could use the hose. Thank Goodness.

Found it! 

Clue #8 I push, pull, tighten and stretch.  I create modesty and beauty. What am I?

First thought...Bra!  Eric laughed when he saw me looking in my bra drawer.  It didn't take me long though...sewing machine!  It was hidden in the secret compartment.  This one was easy!

Waiting for the next clue....

The Hunt Continues...

Clue #4 Douce Casa 1,12,1,2,1,13,1

This one stumped me...I knew Casa was "House/Home"  I looked up Douce in Spanish and it said "quiet." Which didn't really make sense with House.  And the numbers...I didn't even know where to start.  Kara figured it out for me (Thanks darling) The numbers spelt "Alabama."  And the first thing that pops into my head.... My FAVORITE movie EVER...SWEET HOME ALABAMA!  I {HEART}it! By the way...Douce means "Sweet" in French.

I found the DVD and the next code, 109.  Which brought me to the next clue...

Clue #5 So I can kiss you anytime I want.

Easy!  This quote is said two times in the movie..once at the beginning as kids and once at the end. I love this quote!  So cute.  Now I just had to find the numerical reference.  I watched the clips today and wrote down the times the quotes were said.  Got it! Answer... Movie time 1:24

Clue #6-1 So I can kiss you anytime I want.

 The best part of the whole movie!!!!!  Answer...Movie Time. 1:40:18

Clue #6-2 I'm at home both in the air and the sea. Hints: Yellow, Slidel

???? Any ideas...send them my way. 

Our 10th Year Anniversary....

{10 YEARS}  It has gone by so fast. I remember our wedding day as if it was yesterday...I still feel very young...I am not old enough to be married 10 years already! 

We decided last year to switch every year who was in charge of our anniversary. (Stole the idea from some friends) I did it last year...so this year is Eric's turn...Lucky boy!  I originally said I would like to get a diamond band for my wedding ring, since I never got one.  Well..that wasn't going to happen..they are way more expensive than I thought and I couldn't find one that even looked good next to my ring.  I wish we had bought it at the same time from our jeweler.  He had a band that matched perfectly....well they are out of business now.  So that wish went down the drain. 

Eric called me last week and asked me if I wanted an IPhone or an IPad for our anniversary.  Don't get me wrong, I would love either of those...but they each have a negative...I don't want to pay extra monthly for the Internet/web plan with the IPhone and I think the IPads are way over prices. They are worth $400, not $600 plus.  So I just couldn't let him do that.  I want an IPhone but with no Internet plan.  Someday I am sure the IPad will be more reasonable.

I really feel like an Anniversary should be something romantic and not about a GIFT. And about spending time together to celebrate our special day.  So I gave Eric the challenge of doing something ROMANTIC. That is what I REALLY wanted.  I know he can be romantic, not saying he likes to be..but I know it is possible.  And when he is...I LOVE it!  I am a girly girl who wants to spoiled by LOVE!  

On Friday, Eric called me from work and told me that we are going to do something special this Saturday Night!  I was excited!  He was really planning something.  

So Monday Morning, I woke up and found a hand written note on the mirror. It said...

June 11th

Only one day away until we've reached 10 years together.  Amazing & Miraculous to say the least.  This week begins with clues that will lead you to the final prize at the end of the week.  one or more daily clues will need to be solved in order to make it to your final destination. Good luck, Love Eric

PS. Your journey will begin where you work the most. 

Just the note brought a tear to my eye.  It meant a lot to me that he took time to do something special for me.

This washer was with the note.  Cute!

I found my first clue on my computer..yes I work/play/explore/waste a lot of time on here. 

This is what the clue said...

The concept of Ying Yang is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn.  Opposites thus only in relation to each other. 

My Love,

It seems at times that we are like water and oil.  It is a fact true that we are opposites in many ways, interconnected in the vows of marriage.  Bond together by the forces above.  Only able to exist and become great when we are together.

Turn on "A walk to remember" scene 20 only. 

Clue #1 I sacrifice myself for the great good.  I daily rid the world of filth. I protect you from disease and sickness. You'll find your next clue inside of me.

I looked in SO many places, the vitamin container, Lysol wipes, garbage can, cleaning products...anywhere I could think of. I even asked many friends to help me out. And even on facebook.  I thought about soap and a friend had mentioned it again and I had noticed Eric had changed ours in our bathroom.  I looked around it but didn't see a piece of paper.  Well the clue did say.."inside of me." So I finally found the clue.

I then had to enter the code I found on an Excel Spreadsheet and it gave me the next clue...creative huh?

Clue #2  The next clue is address 186.

I looked in the phone book, my address book (but I don't have 186 addresses in there..I did count though), our ward list, the address to the Manti Temple where we were married.  Eric gave me a hint, "It's a location at home."  I found it outside in front of my flower bed.  Someday we will reglue those tiles.

Clue #3 The third first breath taken is where you'll find me.

This one was alittle easier...well of course it had to do with Cooper's Birth.  His first breath was taken Nov 24th, at 12:20am or 00:20am.  But those didn't work...so I had to think a little harder and I figured out that it had to have been the hospital room number. Come on...how am I suppose to remember that?  I was busy pushing and having a baby.  I found it on my hospital bracelet though...its a good thing we keep those little memories.

Clue #4 Douce Casa 1,12,1,2,1,13,1

Stay Tuned...This is fun!  At least for me! 

PS..Today was our actual anniversary.  I surprised Eric with lunch at work...with his favorite from Tings, Green Curry.  He loved it! Happy Anniversary Babe!

Love this moment...

I {HEART} BABIES+MIRRORS!

I LOVE it when babies discover themselves in a mirror..Precious!

ANOTHER HAPPY NOTE:  COOPER SAID "MAMA, MAMA" for the first time tonight. {7-12-10...on our 10th year wedding anniversary...good day}  He was standing up holding onto a chair and didn't dare to let go.  I was in the kitchen and he said "Mama, Mama" and I peeked around the corner and he had the biggest smile on his face..like he knew it worked and I was coming to get him.  It was so sweet and it made my day!  Just the way he said it..I know he meant it for ME! 

He has said "Dada" a couple of times...still not sure if he knows what he is saying...but for Daddy's sake...we'll just say he does.:)