Lake Powell Round 2

This year, I went to Lake Powell 3 times. Once with family and friends, once with just a few family members and once with friends-with still a few family members. This time we over on August 11th and came back August 15th. We went with Karen, Chase, Brianne, Taylor, Taylor's friend, Garrett and our little family. It was pretty chill and relaxing all while having a good time.

The first night we got to the dock the kids were introduced to Guitar Hero. They loved it and played it throughout the whole trip.

Madi and Porter rockin' it.

Chase and Brianne cheering the rockers on!

Aaron, Tay and Garrett trying to get the boat to stay where it belongs.

Brayd was SO big to walk in the water without us holding on to him. He did learn an even better trick on this trip also....

I just think it's so cute with all the kids in the lake with the boat.

Cute Boys getting the horseshoe court all ready.

My Baby in action.

Yes, Aaron and Chase did win this game against Tay and Garrett.

The boys decided to play a little horseshoes, so Brianne and I got in on the action.

It was fun!

When at Lake Powell my feet get so dry and cracked. So, every night I have Aaron rub lotion on my feet. This time the kids wanted in on the action!!

My so cute little man! I guess he didn't need his feet rubbed with lotion.

My beautiful Madi!

My crazy boys, Porter and Brayd.

Chase and Aaron got out there together and it was rather entertaining!

This was on their way down....

See!

Just Chillin' in the water.

This was Brayd's other trick he learned...He learned that he could float with his life-jacket on, that he wouldn't sink! Just one more reminder that my baby is getting so big:(

Not quite sure why I took this picture, but I did!

Chase and Aaron are just a little competitive.

Aaron and Madi "bonding".

Taylor being such a good uncle and entertaining.

Ry and Brayd swimming together.

Madi with her two Buds for the trip.

Yep, too big!

Please Brayd, just stay little enough to always sit on my lap.

My baby getting ready to pull his mom up! Have I ever mentioned how much I love that this boy is capable of ANYTHING!!

Grandma Smith ready to ski...

Brayd still watching Grandma. She got up but had crappy water.

I love "brother"pictures.

So Cute!!

Whoa....doing such a good job!

What is with the random numbers?

I do not know.

Brayd loved Garrett and I think the feelings were mutual.

This takes serious concentration.

Garrett doing such a good job at entertaining-as always.

Every time they would crash they would have to talk about it of course.

Madi and Brianne.

This is such a beautiful picture of the cliffs at Lake Powell.

The boys aren't bad to look at either:)

When Aaron, Chase and Tay were satisfied with their experiences on the surf board they decided to throw Garrett in the mix. This is how they spent their time.

?

Porter and Ry are at the top and Madi is on her way down.

Like I said before....This trip was very relaxing. The kids had a great time and I heard several times they LOVE Lake Powell.

Thanks for buying a houseboat Baby!!

Once Again.....

As our life continues to make changes, we move yet again. This time we are going to Las Vegas!!We are as happy as can be for more family strengthening experiences! Aaron and I have been down to Vegas about 5 time now to try to find a house. Well, it's not working out so hot! We have found a rental so we have a place to stay but I don't think it is where we will stay for too long, we want to find a place to stay for a while.....We will see if that is in the cards for us. I have a hard time believing that will happen for us anytime soon.

The first time we went down we took Ry and Brayd with us. At about 11 o'clock p.m. we got hungry and realized we didn't have any toothpaste. So, we went to the store...

The kids were all ready for bed so Aaron loaded them up on himself.

With his eyes covered.

I took a picture:)

By the time we got home our babies were so tired.

They slept good!

My Awesome Kids!

Our life seems to be getting crazier by the minute. My incredibly adventurous and spontaneous husband keeps throwing new ideas of vacations and moving happenings at me and it did me in!

Last Tuesday night I got back to St. George from looking around for a place to live in Vegas while Aaron drove to Idaho. I just was not feeling good at all. I was discouraged, disappointed and just tired of not being able to make a decision on a place to live. My throat started hurting on Wednesday night and by Thursday evening I was bedridden with my 4 kids taking care of me.

I had been hanging out with my sisters and just thought I caught the "bug". When Porter asked what was for dinner I told him he needed to make himself some dinner. He made ramen noodles for everyone. He was so excited!! The kids got to watch t.v. ALL NIGHT! At about 10 o'clock the kids got themselves ready for bed. Madi brushed Brayd's teeth and said an article of faith and Porter prayed. Just before the prayer I was assigning out jobs when Porter came and asked me where the 12 FREE Butterfingers go. He said he was going to make the kitchen look "nice". My Porter is such a good boy:)! My dad came over just after that and said the kitchen looked so nice that he felt obligated to put away the mess he had made-that mess was finding me the right medicine.

Somehow I got through the night and was feeling a bit better by morning. I can't remember the last time I spent ALL DAY in bed. This day I did. Bud brought me some ice cream and diagnosed me with Strep Throat. I didn't believe her. Then, I went to the instacare and THEY diagnosed me with Strep Throat. I believed them.

I am now on the mend and feel one hundred gazillion times better! I am very thankful for my health and am happy that I am as healthy as I am. One thing I did realize through this is that my babies are such good helpers and really are compassionate. I found out Porter likes it when I'm sick because he gets to watch shows all day and Madi told me to just not think about it and it won't hurt so bad! Thanks Babies....

Payne Family Reunion

We have gone to our fair share of family reunions this year! This last weekend was the Payne reunion in Liberty. I do have to admit though, it's been great to spend time with family that we don't see very often.

Aaron's mom put on her family reunion this year and we had a great time!

Brayd eating a marshmallow that is WAY too big for his mouth.

Madi and Ashley.

Ry and Porter in grandma's trailer.

Uncle Curt was such a good sport to hang with my boys...

Fixing grandma's generator-they did get it to work.

Hooking it on the Curt's truck and bringing it to the fire pit.

A good portion of the group playing 4-square

Aaron and Madi after playing lots of 4-square.

Ry, Brayd, playing hop-scotch, and Parker staying busy together.

Madi and Aaron's cousin, Emily.

Just being girls:)

Starting the kids off with their art project.

All the kids with their art skills at work.

Madi's artwork.

Porter's creation.

Ry liked mixing all his colors then coloring on the tablecloth.

Brayd just liked to mix his colors on his plate.

Grandpa put on a sawdust find. Complete with candy and money.

The kids had a great time!

Ry, Brayd and Parker. Boys being Boys!

A family game of "ultimate frisbee"

Family Reunions are very fun and I'm happy I could be a part of this one....