Lake Powell

Last weekend we took a kid-free trip to Lake Powell with my best friend from high school, Jen, and her husband Justin. True to form with every road trip we have ever taken, Tony and I wanted to kill each other before we even got in the car. Eventually we both managed to relax and enjoy the almost 7 hour drive to the lake, even though at times it seemed that we were on a road to nowhere...

This Is About The Time That We Would Have Run Out Of Gas Had We Not Packed Gas

After arriving in Halls Crossing, UT, we were greeted by a huge windy storm front that almost knocked us off the dock as we were trying to cart our goods to the houseboat. I was really hoping that this was not a sign that we had made the gods of the lake mad in some way, considering we were about to board a boat with 4 people we had never met before for the next 4 days. It could make for a LONG weekend.

The storm passed, Jen and Justin arrived after baring the brunt of 2 flat tires, and the festivities were underway. It was one long first night...
The following morning we awoke and tried to be good. You know, coffee, water, shower, food. That didn't last long. Before I knew it we were picking up right where we left off the night before. And that is the way it remained for the next 3 days.

Thank God For Boat Beverages Being Served At 7am

Ditto

Experienced boaters Jen and Justin showed us what wakeboarding was all about. They made it look easy, while Tony and I made it look really, really hard. I got my butt kicked by that lake and I have the bruises to prove it! I look like I was in a high speed car accident and my arms have never been so sore!

I Prefer This Seat On The Boat

As Hank Williams Jr. so cleverly sung, "the hangovers hurt more than they used to." I would add to that by saying "next time I will show some self control." But then again, what fun is that? Hell, it was worth it!

Our Very Own Jay-Z Video

Absolutely Breathtaking! We Will See You Again!

Conquering Colorado

July 5, 2012 I began my exploration of a Colorado lifestyle. Could I do it alone? Could I survive the long days and very dark nights? Would one of us die? The answer turned out to be yes...and no!

Our trip began great. The kids and I arrived with Tonka on a Thursday evening, unpacked and went to bed. I was so exhausted from packing and driving that I didn't have time to be scared of the dark. We woke up Friday morning and I strapped shoes on everyone's feet and we headed up the mountain. We had fun, looked for cool rocks and found what I told them to be "airplane parts." I don't know what it really was but they wouldn't stop asking and it was the coolest explanation that I could come up with.

Saturday we headed to the Colorado Alligator Farm for their annual Eggfest. We bought gator chow, fed alligators with names like Elvis Presley and King Kong and even got to see some giant tortoises "wrestling." Funny...they wrestle just like giant humans do. Or so I've been told.

After Seeing This Sign I Asked If They Needed Any Year-Round Help On The Farm

BW - Before Wrestling

Saturday night I took the kids to their very first rodeo. They saw mutin bustin and bull riding. AJ decided that he wanted to be a cowboy with a horse and a hat when he grows up. Cienna decided that rodeos smell but the rainbow was pretty.

Sunday was a go to the park, go on timeout, go for a walk, go on timeout kinda day.

Monday Cienna went into Del Norte with her friend Skylar for a day camp for kids. AJ and I had a chance to do some mother-son bonding by the river. He is so cute when he is doing something outdoors with all of my undivided attention!

God He Is Just Like His Father

Tuesday we ventured out to the Great Sands National Park just outside of Alamosa. We had high hopes that it would be a day of great fun and excitement. Instead what we found was 100 degree heat, sleds that don't slide on sand and a 2 year old that completely melts down when he doesn't want to walk anymore. I think I was crying by the time we made it back to the car.

This Is What Happens When You Tell A 5 Year Old and A 2 Year Old To Say "Cheese"

Wednesday. We all spent the day on timeout.

Thursday we went for a hike around Big Meadows lake and looked for ducks to feed. We walked for 3 hours and didn't see one damn duck. AJ decided he didn't want to walk anymore. I begged someone to carry me. This was the beginning of the end.

Friday. After being awoke for the last 3 days by being punched in the face by AJ I decided that I could no longer do it alone. I needed to remind AJ that he had a father and that his father was more than just a voice on the phone threatening bodily injury if he wasn't nice to his mom and sister. I threw in the towel and drove home.

Not quite the 2 weeks that I had planned but hey...that is why it was a trial run. Next year I am going to bring more rope and duct tape.