Lake Powell! August 2015

Before Stephanie Ruth's graduation ceremony for the U of U's Nursing Program, we took her to Ruth's Diner to celebrate.  Matt and Ben were there too.

We are so proud of her accomplishment.  She was offered three jobs at Primary Children's Hospital and one as a full-time nurse with the team of  ENT doctors that she has been working part-time for.   Her choice was the Children's Unit at Primary Children's because that will give her the widest range of nursing experience.

On the way to Lake Powell, we stopped in Beaver for lunch.  Some of us were adventurous and decided to try Beaver Taco.  The less adventurous went across the street to Burger King.  The food at Beaver Taco was excellent and at a great price.  Here, Grace, Ben and Stephanie are taking a selfie with their churros to send to the Burger King group "rubbing in" the fact that they missed out!

 Our first night or two is usually spent in Wahweap Bay as it's close to the Marina.  The scenery may not be as beautiful as "up river" but there are a couple of easy hikes that we like to do.


One of them is Wahweap Windows.  You have to watch for lizards, ant hills and a possible rattlesnake on the way, but the reward is worth it every time.

The first part of the week was spent with the Guajardo family from Chile.  They came with us two years ago and it was great to have them go with us again.  

Alejandro and Rodrigo enjoying the view.  

Stephanie, Ximena and Grace doing scripture study with some Spanish translation going on.

Ben and Rodrigo share a special bond.  Sunday afternoon was a great time to study, relax and...

take a nap!

The trip "up river" to Padre Bay takes about 2 1/2 hours.  The scenery is spectacular.  I never grow tired of it!

Ben with two of his special ladies, Grace and Becca.

Camping in a new spot takes some effort for the men, who have to set four anchors securely.  Paul and Matt working on one in the hot sun.

It's a team effort.  This is the 3rd camping spot and the favorite as we have our own private cove.

Exploring the slot canyon near the houseboat.

 Christian and Ximena fixed us a fabulous Chilean dinner that was probably the most labor intensive meal prepared on the houseboat ever!  They rolled out dough to make bread to go with the home-made guacamole and salsa.  In the dough is butternut squash puree that was cooked on the stove.  Ben is serenading the chefs to keep things moving along.
 
Hiking the slick rock to see the weathering pits. Capt'n Matt is on the left and in the middle are the Folsoms, a great family from our ward who have become great Lake Powell buddies.  

Our August weather was cooler than normal which was nice, and a bit stormy at times. 

Even though cell phone coverage is pretty spotty in Padre Bay, Stephanie received a call from Primary Children's Hospital and did an interview from this very spot.

Theresa knew how to wrap each of us around her little finger.  What a cutie!

Even Paul performed some grandfatherly duties to help her build a sand castle.

Kids make it extra fun.  We love having kids at Lake Powell!

Mid-week, the Guajardos, Ben and Grace left for home and Dan Folsom, Brent, Pam, Mikele and her boyfriend Seth joined us.  Here we are at the beginning of our hike up West Canyon.  Paul is trying to spook us with a fish skeleton.

 We took the motorboats up as far into the canyon as we could.

 Then we got out and waded.

 Lots of little critters along the way.  Brent used his skills that he learned as a boy and caught this cute little frog.

 There was water all of the way up with lots of tadpoles.

 Lots of mud too!

 Brent and Paul checking out one of the weeping walls.

Cliff jumping...ya gotta do it when you're at Lake Powell.  I opted to photograph this time.

Paul and I slept on the front deck.  He had a supply of towels ready to keep him warm.

 Most everyone slept up top.  There's not a better place for star gazing.

 Pam had her own sleeping quarters that were quite comfy.

 Mark and Angela slept in their boat, which didn't seem the most comfortable, but they claimed that it wasn't "that bad".  I have my doubts. 

 Brent rented a paddle board that was fun to try.  Becca is making it look easy.

 We all tried it, and all fell in eventually.  It's inevitable, but lots of fun if you don't mind getting wet.

Water ballet?

This is the life!

I've not mastered a water sport, although I do a two ski run every trip, just to prove that I can.  My children all ski and wake board well.  They've had a lot of practice through the years.  Here's Becca.

 A Hoodoo, just a short hike up from the houseboat...taller than Brent!

It was great getting to know Seth, who soon after the trip became Mikele's fiance. :)

Pam kept us "ship shape".  Aye Aye Captain!

It was great having my two sibs, Brent and Pam, along for a fun time at Lake Powell.

Another great trip to Lake Powell!

Dear Family,                                                                                                    August 31st, 20th birthday!

We had a great week. We were so excited to be able to go to the temple with Tyler Hughes for his first time to do baptisms. We were able to be witnesses in the temple, which was really cool. He absolutely loved it. He did 16 names, and he was so happy afterwards. He told us again on Sunday that he had an awesome experience and can't wait to go back. He told us that he wishes more people in the ward had recommends, and he doesn't know why more people don't go. Other than that, we had some good lessons this week, and we are teaching a member the lessons to help her prepare for her mission, and to give Elder George practice. The 12 week program has been going well, and I have enjoyed being with Elder George. We get along really well. The temple trip was probably the highlight, but we did have a good week. 

I was able to get my contacts today, even though we had to go clear out to Omaha. Sister Gardner, my Mission mom, met us there, so I could order contacts, and she bought me a huge birthday cake. We ate lunch with some of my friends from the Rapid City mission, so that was good too. I got the package, thank you for the presents, they were awesome. The tie tack and the ties and the iron rod keychain are probably my favorite. And I'm excited about the granola too, thanks!  Elder Sorensen, my last comp just sent me some pictures of him standing outside our house, so that was pretty funny to see. Hope you all have a super awesome week! 

2015 Days of 47!

This is my 7th year as an Adviser to the Days of 47 Royalty.  What a privilege it is for me to associate with such amazing women who represent their pioneer heritage so well.  I love being a part of celebrating the pioneers, who sacrificed so much to create a Zion in the Salt Lake valley and throughout the West.  Here the 2015 Royalty are making friends at the Murray City Parade, one of seven parades that they participated in.

The kids love 'em, the mascots love 'em, everyone does!  Kaitlin, Madeline and Christina truly wore their crowns well.  It's a busy summer and year as they attend about 50 events, speaking at many of them.

July 4th "Liberty Days" at "This Is the Place Heritage Park".  They were near winners in the Watermelon Contest and did their pioneer ancestors proud by getting their faces watermelon "dirty"...no hands!

Christina and Kailin "going at it"!

Queen Madeline Field.  All three were returned missionaries this year!

We ran into the Jackson family...all 10 of them!  They were there to support their oldest sister who was in pioneer dress playing the fiddle.  Grace, on my left, is currently dating lucky Ben.

Just before a TV interview with Brooke and Brittany Graham on Fox News 13.  They did a great job!

On July 18th, the Youth Parade is held with wonderful floats sponsored by some of the Primaries in the valley.  It is one of the largest youth parades in the nation with some 5,000 children participating.  It's always a treat for the Royalty to meet the General Primary Presidency.

Right after the Youth Parade, a Family Festival is held in Washington Square, the city block with the City County Building.  The Royalty had a booth and were kept busy meeting their fans, mostly girls who are in awe of these friendly princesses.  Judy Binns on the right is my partner as the other Adviser to the Royalty.  She is so fun to work with and keeps us all "on our toes".  We missed Christina this day as she was at a family wedding.

The Float Preview Party is held for two days, just before the big Parade on the 24th.  It's held in the Sandy Expo Center and the hall is filled with floats.  It's amazing to see them up close and be able to view the detail and creativity of each float.

The dragon on this float was spectacular, but I loved the family "forging" together to fight off the "dragons" that they may face.

The figures on this float were so life-like and beautiful and depict the "Miracle of the Quails" pioneer story.

Here we are at the Bountiful Parade.  One perk for me is to be able to drive some cool cars such as this jeep.

July 24th Sunrise Service starting  at 7:00 am, following a late night at the Rodeo, but well worth getting up for. This is always such an inspiring devotional of music and word dedicated to a pioneer theme.  The speakers this year were friends I grew up with in the Valley View 1st ward, Dale and Ruth Lybbert Renlund.  So fun to see them!

This year new gowns came with the float.  Our Queens did look queenly!

After the Parade we attended the Open House at the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum.  In the glass case are the original dresses and hats worn by the Days of 47 Royalty at the Centennial celebration in 1947.

We couldn't resist this cute little cowgirl just before the Rodeo.  The Rodeo is held for five nights at the Energy Solutions Arena.

While Kaitlin and Christina did some street contacting and PR with the Rodeo protesters...

Maddie rode the Mechanical bull.  She told them to crank up the speed and buck her off within 20 seconds.  She was a crowd pleaser for sure!

Ben and Grace with some of her family.  The Rodeo is a favorite event for the Royalty.  They wear some great western wear, are introduced in royal fashion during the intermission and get to meet great new people, many of which are some of the General Authorities of the Church.

The Royalty are friendly and outgoing and the cowboys are never too far away.

Elder Sam Clark, a member of the Seventy, is a great friend and Host to the Royalty.  Each night at the Rodeo he takes them to meet any of the Church leaders who are in attendance, as well as Governor Herbert and family.  Sadly, this is the third year that President Monson hasn't felt well enough to greet them.    

Adding to the Days of 47 celebration was perhaps the best event -  Mom's 90th Birthday!!  I am proud to be her daughter and a descendant, through her, of Icelandic and Canadian pioneers.  Mom exemplifies so many pioneer virtues and traits.  She has a strong testimony of the Gospel and is an example of honesty and integrity, righteousness, virtue and love for others.  She strives daily to be more Christ-like and I believe that she soon may be translated.  I love you Mom!  Thanks for all of your nurturing, love and support through the many years of our lives.