Lake Powell Scares

Powell was exciting this year... we almost died.  Okay, that might be a little dramatic but here is the story.  We decided to park the boat in complete shade this year... however, in order to get shade all day you have to park under an over hang.  It was really nice to have the shade on the boat!  That all changed on the third night when it started to rain in the middle of the night.  We all got up and hurried to cover ourselves with tarps so that we could stay dry.  Finally we all laid back down to sleep again.  As soon as we all started to settle back down the water hit the boat.  As it turns out, our overhang was a waterfall for flash floods.  We were stuck under a 300 ft waterfall trying to save everything.  When the boys got into the ski boat they were up to their knees in water.  It's a wonder the boat didn't end up at the bottom of the lake.  We were also able to get the house boat off the wall and over to a safe spot.  It's really scary to move like that with no light but we were able to do it.  The poor kids were so freaked out.  I think my nephew thought that he was going to die!  It was quite the trip!  The next day was spent trying to get the mud out of the boats.  It was crazy!  A trip for the books!

On a better note... we really enjoyed this trip!  I was able to teach all the kids to knee board.  Some liked it better than others... Ryan was really upset as soon as we got going and just kept signaling the boat to stop! You can see the worry in her eyes in the picture I posted. However, she was so brave and really got wet this year!  She was jumping in off the deck of the boat and house boat!  Normally she wont even get her face wet!  Nice!

Mac did well on the knee board too.  At first I had to drag with him, but after that he was up on his own board!  What a cool kid!  He loved swimming around and going on boat rides.

All in all, we had a really great trip and are excited to go back with the Park side of the family in just another few days!

Jared's Utra Trail Run

Let me take one second and brag for Jared--because you all know he wont do it himself!  This weekend Jared complete the Logan Peek Trail Run!  This counts as an Ultra Marathon because it was 28 Miles of horrible awfulness.  He basically power hiked up and around Logan Peek and then Ran back down.  Pretty terrible if you ask me.  He was able to do it quicker than he had hoped and finished in 6.31.00 roughly.  So good Job Jared!  You're one amazing athlete.  Unfortunately we were only able to be at the finish so we only go the finishing pictures, but he looked strong and happy at the end so that's really good.  Oh and as a perk they did a raffle and he won a really nice pair of trail running shoes!  So that made the entire trip worth it right there!

Another Graduation

Now that Ryan is done with school too we can officially start our summer!  This little girl made us really proud.  She did everything she needed to in order to finish Kindergarten!  She did really great in all areas and she is a very well behaved student!  It was fun to see her sing in the end of the year program!  Good job Ryan We are so proud of you!!

 Some of Ryan and her friend Kirtland on the left in purple and Lillith in the blue on the Right.

                                                                   Mrs. Howard

Another One Bites The Dust

I know there are some who think that these toothless smiles are cute but I am a little squeamish about it all.  However, this little girl lost another one!  This time it's the top front one!  Yuck... and also congrats little girl!  Love you! 

Mac's Graduation

It's probably note worthy to say that Mac finished his first of three years of preschool.  I know that is silly but we decided to put him in early to give him something to work towards.  He has done really well.  I would send him to Kindergarten earlier but his birthday is on the dead line and I think he will do a little better if I hold him till he is older.  This way he will be the oldest in the grade and not the youngest.  Any way, he did his graduation program and I was really proud of him!  He sang all his songs and did his parts as asked!  What a great kid!  I am so proud of this kid.  He learned a lot and as you can see below... his muscles have grown too!

Oh Mac!

Just yesterday Ryan came in to where I was getting ready for the day and informed me that Mac was very upset.  Just as she said this, Mac walked in crying the saddest cry I had seen for a long time.  When I asked why he was so sad Ryan told me it was because he found out that he is the youngest in our family.  (My first thought was... I wonder where he got that idea... RYAN!)  As I rubbed his back and he hugged my leg sobbing I came up with a stroke of genius.  I said, "Mac, who is the youngest boy in our family?"  He of course said in a very sad sob "me."

"Who is the oldest boy?"

 "Jared."

 I corrected him by telling him that parents didn't count, only kids count.  "Who is the oldest Boy kid?"
This time he responded with wonder "me." (you could all but see the light bulb go off!)

"Who is the oldest girl kid in the family?"

(In his sad voice again) "Ryan."

"And who is the youngest girl kid in our family?"

(this time he is just in shock with what he has found out) "Ryan."
(Ryan has also caught on to the reasoning I have used and is looking a little surprised at this point too.)

"See Mac, you and Ryan are both the oldest and the youngest!  That's nothing to be sad about!"

It worked, Mac put that sorrow behind him and moved on... at least I thought... it was only about 20 mins later that I heard the sad weeping again.  This time I went to him in the kitchen to see just what would cause this young boy to cry so sadly.

"What's wrong Mac?"

"I wish you and dad were gone and would never come back."  As you can imagine, I was a little taken back by this comment.  There is no reason he should wish me away, we were having such a good day.

"Why would you want me and Daddy to be gone forever?"

"So that I could eat all my treats whenever I wanted."  Now I was catching on.  He had been begging me for days to eat the enormous chocolate and peanut butter bunny that he had gotten for Easter.  Each time he asked I had to say no because of the amount of candy and sugar that he had already eaten that day.

"So you are telling me that you want me to pack my bags and leave today so that you can eat your candy?"

"Yes."

"And you will never see me again... EVER, but you will be able to eat your treats as much as you want."

"Yes."

"Ok, well, I guess I'll go pack my things and go then.  I'll never see you again if I go though."  At this point he walk up to me and gives me the most tender hug, tells me how much he loves me, and waits for me to go pack my things!  I was shocked, he loves me deeply, but is willing to trade me for candy!  I had to tell him that without parents no one could take him to the store for treats.  No one could buy the treats.  No one could pay the bills for him to stay in the house where he could eat his treats.  After that, and only after all that, he realized that parents are a necessary EVIL!

Turtle in a half shell

Those of you who know McCallum will not be surprised to see him dressed as a ninja turtle.  Here is Mac in his new favorite costume that his daddy wore as a young child.  If you know Mac you know that the blue ninja turtle is his favorite and why.  If you don't, let me catch you up to speed.  The blue Ninja Turtle is the best not because he is Leonardo, or because blue is the best color on a turtle in a half shell.  No, Leo is the best ninja turtle because his weapon of choice.  If you know your turtles and you know Mac, well, then you know what I mean.  If not... Mac likes Leo best because he always carries two swords in his back!  Its the only way to go when your job is to protect the world from bad guys! 

Also, just to share a quick laugh, Mac was having a hard time eating his lunch this past week.  He was getting really distracted by pretty much everything around him!  So, finally after asking and asking and asking Mac to go finish his food Jared finally laid down the law!  Jared said in a firm, yet kind tone "Mac, get up to the table right now and finish your food right now!"  To which Mac raised his hand to salute his dad and replied, "aye aye captain."  We laughed pretty good!  But the best part was... he ate his food!!