FATHER'S DAY AND LAKE POWELL BABY!

Ah, blissful Lake Powell... but I am getting ahead of myself.  The perfect week started with a perfect day.  Father's Day!  Griff and I have been blessed with the most incredible fathers.  And every time Father's Day rolls around I feel so grateful for both of them.  My own dad is a kindred spirit, and I just cherish my time with him.  This year we were leaving for LP Father's Day evening, so we spent the day at my Dad's house.  My mom, Brittany, and I made Griff and my Dad a super yummy breakfast.  Then we went to church with him.  Since my parents are moving this week, it was kind of sad to know that that was the last time I would go to the ward I grew up in.  I was grateful I got to see all my wonderful teachers, leaders, and mentors one last time.  My husband is the best baby's daddy in the world... and he got a little robbed this father's day, but I did make him a steak dinner the Sunday after we got home.  And I think I still owe him a back rub? So maybe he did ok after all. :)

This picture was taken outside my homeward before we left.  L to R: Brittany, Dad, Mindy, Griff, and Baby Jack.

Then we were off for a week of relaxation in the sunny land of LAKE POWELL!!!   (We celebrated Randy later in the week... not such a bad thing to have Father's Day in LP.)  We got off to a rocky start... our friend, Greg, got hit by a drunk driver on the way down.  Luckily only his trailer was injured.  Then the generator and toilet (Drat) were giving us problems.  But by Tuesday, everything was in order and the rest of the week was fabulous.  Our days were filled with wakeboarding, tubing, skiing, the air chair, playing games, relaxing in the water, enjoying campfires at night... and eating lots of good food.  We're so grateful to Cindy and Randy for hosting such a great week on their houseboat every year.  We just love it!  And believe it or not, Jack was a champ down there... took his naps like he should, ate awesome, and he even sprouted his first tooth!   

THe Caribean Island was Cindy's Mother's Day gift... relaxation at it's finest. ;)

Jack and Anika.  

Who would have known that Laffy Taffys would make such great toys. :)

...or water bottles?  (This is how we kept JMac occupied while we played games...)

Mindy Lou

Jack with Aunt Nelly

Jack and Daddy on the boat.

Brook, Cassidee, and McKenzie on the tube.

Cassidee and McKenzie

Mindy and Griff

BUNCO!  Griff and I both won for high scores.  Vegas here we come! :)

Brett and Porter surfing.  I hope Jack is just like this little boy... he is so happy and up to try anything.

Griff getting the hang of surfing. :)

Daddy and Jack sporting their shades. 

Grandpa and Chet relaxing in the sun.

Jack's first tube ride!

Jack and Anika.  Can't wait for these two to be old enough to play together!

Grandma and Jack in the outfit she gave him for Easter.

Cindy bought this little pool for the kids to play in.  Such a great idea!  Here is Kara, Jack, and Griff enjoying a "dip" in the kiddie pool. 

Erin came to visit... like a month ago. :)

My little sister, Erin, came to visit in June.  Since life has been so crazy this past month, I never got around to posting any pictures of her visit.  But we had SO much fun with her while she was here.  Erin and I shared a room when we were young and stayed close all our lives.  I hate that she lives so far away, but I sure do love it when she visits.  We packed in all sorts of fun things... 

Farm Days at Thanksgiving Point:

Bridger

Benjamin

Brittany and Gabe.  I love how Gabe is so interested in this goat's ear. :)

Erin with Cannon.  This goat was so funny.  He gave Cannon a little nuzzle here. 

I was so busy taking pictures of everyone else that I forgot to take any pictures of me and Jack.  Britt took this one of Eliza and I with Nali after we got home. 

Hogle Zoo: 

Jack and me in front of the carousel while we waited for the rain to blow over.

I loved this picture of Brittany looking at one of the exhibits with the boys.  

Bridger and Me.  I guess the Tiger loves the rain.  One of zookeepers told us that he always paces around like this when it is raining.  We all loved watching him!

Melanie, Bridger and Cannon on the carousel.  A little damp from the rain, but undaunted. :)

Erin and Eliza in front of the monkey cage.  Eliza loved the monkeys.  

Tracy Aviary:

These beautiful peacocks were strutting around showing off.  I had never seen one that close before.  It was super cool.

Here we are looking at the Flamingos.  

Brittany volunteered at one of the bird shows and this bird landed right on her arm.  So cool!

Gabe and Wesley loved shaking this chain.  Aren't their smiles adorable?

... and this is how Jack enjoyed the Aviary.  Poor kid.  Stuck in his stroller the whole time. Although, he didn't seem to mind. 

The little kids loved watching all the fun birds.  And I have to admit, the big people really enjoyed themselves, too.  I can't believe I have lived in Utah this long and not been to the Tracy Aviary.  It was SO fun.  Definitely worth the trip.

After the Tracy Aviary, we met a bunch of our cousins for lunch at the Liberty Park.  It ended up being a pretty good group.