lake powell... nice friends and me

Years ago Eva took dance at a little studio near our house.  She danced with a few adorable girls and while they danced, us moms chatted.  The studio closed but we kept in touch.  Sometimes we have playdates so the little girls can play.  Sometimes we go to a late show so the big girls can play.  

These nice, cute moms happen to be generous, too.  And that is why we got to take the trip in the first place.

I have never claimed to be "with it" so it may be silly to say that I am totally out of it.  I had no idea that people surfed behind boats these days.  It was awesome.  

"Beach Barbie" surfing behind their boat.  It was so fun to watch.  

I knew about wake boarding.  But obviously not as much as these guys.

Michelle braving the cold water.  I think screaming made the water warmer.

Michelle's photogenic family.

(Michelle, I will get these to you as soon as I stop being lazy).

This crack was one of the best parts.  We climbed up into this long space.   We ended up in this huge crack.  The walls went up so far.  I'm not doing it justice.  I'll just say it was awesome.

This is my first time at Texas Hold 'em.  Karl and I were the last two in.  I always have beginners luck.  Then, as soon as I learn the rules and start thinking, I totally lose.  Just the way it goes.

The last day I finally braved the water.  Surfing is a lot more gentle than wake boarding (and a billion times more gentle than Flowrider!).  The falls are easy (as I demonstrated many times) and that is why I dared do it in my expecting state.  Don't judge, I promise I was really careful. 

I wish I would have taken more photos of the everyday stuff.  Like the wrestling matches or dinners or the girls playing or the kids all lined up in their sleeping bags.  Because those were some of the most memorable.  But since my memory seems to be going, I wish I had the photos to ensure those memories last.  

Lake Powell, recorded.  

(unless I end up recording the thimble story, the one that makes me chuckle every time I think about it).

memories of a great man and bravery

See this little house?  This house holds many memories for so many people.  Many many people.  The man of this house had (including spouses) 185 descendants.  

On Presidents day, Karl got the word that his grandpa was not doing very well so we hopped in the car and drove up for a visit.

Though he seemed so different than we were used to, physically, he was definitely the same in spirit.  Giving hugs, making everyone feel welcome, and joking like he always did. 

"The ride in the ambulance was so bumpy that when we got there I told the driver, 'You did great job, I think you only missed two bumps.'"

Can you believe that?  In pain, in an ambulance, and he is still making people laugh.

After our visit (and goodbyes) we went out to the backyard to visit the horses.  

The kids.

This sequence cracked me up.  The kids getting ready to jump.  Eva, being Eva hesitates and things the landing over.  Samuel goes for it and takes off.

So, then you might say he is so daring, right?  The way he jumps around so fearlessly.  The way he ways whatever is on his mind.  

But then look at him feed the horse.  He was so afraid.  He wouldn't get close enough so the horses had to strain.  Karl pushed him forward and look at his face.  So funny the way his eyes are slammed shut.

Eva had no problem feeding the horses, though.

She was very brave.  Even though that horse only had one eye.

Karl has convinced the kids that they want to live on a farm.  Me?  We can't even take care of our little 1/4 of an acre or our few (now dead) plants.  We can't handle a farm.  

So Samuel says to Karl, "I want to live on a farm.  I will feed the horses and you will clean up the poop.  Oh, wait, that will freak me out.  Eva will feed the horses.  But what will I do?"

He finally decided he will feed the chickens. 

So, I think both kids are brave.  In their own way.  Samuel feels safest if he is the biggest, fastest, or loudest.  Otherwise he is a total scaredy cat.  Though Eva isn't quick to jump off high places, she is so much braver in other ways.  

kristi

I am sick of the China posts.  They are starting to all feel the same.  Went here, ate yummy food, saw a funny sign, repeat, repeat, repeat... I am still not done.  One day I will finish.  Just because I feel compelled to.  I am sure there is a name for such a problem.  In the mean time...

This is Kristi.

She is great.  Greater than great.

She had a birthday while I was in China.  I hope it was good.  If I was a better friend, I would know.

She has been my friend for over 20 years.  Yep, over 20.  When I first met her she was grounded and couldn't leave her front porch.  Yep, grounded.  That is how long we have been friends. 

Now I am kind of wondering, "Kristi did something wrong?  Why would SHE be grounded?"

She is everything I am not and wish I was.  But then I know we have so much in common because we keep laughing at the same things.  Sometimes long after the joke is over.   And then we laugh because we are still laughing.

 

We look so happy in this photo because we just had a fabulous meal together full of great friends and great conversation.  Come to think of it, we have had many a fabulous meal together.  Dating back to the days that we thought Taco Bell and Subway were about as fabulous as they get.  We are much wiser now in our meal choices.  This one was at the Tin Angel.  SO good.  I will post about the meal... someday.  Some people are skinny because they are not food lovers.  Kristi, is a food lover AND she is so so so skinny (which is why I had to debate with my superficial self on whether or not it was a good idea to post a photo with me standing next to her).  Isn't that awesome?  I love eating with food lovers, even if they are hollywood skinny.   I love Kristi.  

Getting all sentimental

My mom just showed us these pictures. It is her. I really love these pictures.

I don't love how foreign it feels to me. I don't love how even more foreign it must feel to my kids. It makes me all teary. Sometimes ideas float in my head about how I can make this less foreign, but then the day to day stuff takes priority. I mean, I drive a Toyota.  Eva has Hello Kitty sheets.  We eat a lot of Japanese food.  Maybe I can start making peace signs every time I pose for a picture.  I know I have way bigger worries in my life. But I just don't like how this part of me is kind of just slipping away. I thought I would teach my kids Japanese (along with a bajillion other things I thought I would teach them), but sometimes it feels like they don't even listen to me in one language.  So why throw in another?  And doing something about it, well, that would be adding just another thing to my list of not-done-yets...