If only we could find a boat...

After Mo and I got back from Lake Powell we agreed that it would be a really good idea to get a boat for our family. The problem is that we are having such a hard time finding a good boat for a good price- the market for used boats is crazy. We are watching KSL like hawks- I probably check for boats every 20 minutes all day long. Because we don't have a boat of our own we are thankful for our friends the Davies who invited us to go with them. Last night we went to Willard Bay and had a really fun time. It was Benton's first time on a boat. He really didn't like his life jacket and he didn't like sitting in anyones arms(like always). But, he liked standing up in the boat and he loved swimming in the water. Willard Bay is not the cleanest of places but at least the water is warm. Jackson had so much fun- we had to buy him a new life jacket so that Benton could use his old one and he loved it. He loved being in the boat and holding the flag, and he had a lot of fun in the tube with his dad and friend Kate. He loved making the hand gestures thumb up to go faster and thumb down to go slower. I can't think of a better family fun activity than boating and I hope that we can find a boat soon because this summer is quickly disapearing.

7 years later with 2 kids in tow...

Before Mo and I got married and had kids we used to have lots of outdoor adventures. One of the things that we did was to hike to the top of Mount Timpanogas. We haven't been back since until Friday when we decided to take our kids on a hike up to the cave. So, with the kids in their packs on our backs we headed up what Mo told me was an easy quarter mile hike- wrong! A very steep 1 1/2 miles would have been correct. Although it was a tough climb the cave was totally worth it. I went once when I was a kid but I didn't remember how cool it was. Jackson really liked it too, and Benton was better than I thought he would be. As long as we were on the move he was okay- because he is walking now(just started this week) he doesn't want to be in anyones arms for very long. Jackson had lots of questions for the park ranger... Does batman live in here? Are there skeleton bones? What are those rocks called? Is this another cave? The park ranger was really nice and he let Jackson help him turn on the lights by blowing like he was blowing candles on a cake. When we got to the part in the cave where he turned off all of the lights and there was no light- none- not even a little, he made a joke about if we wanted the lights to come back on we should raise our hands. When he turned the lights on Jackson was standing there so cute holding his little hand up as high and straight as he could raise it. It was a really fun day and even though our outdoor adventures are different I am so thankful that we have our boys to share them with.

Lake Powell 2009

Mo and I just got back from our second annual Beckstrom Lake Powell trip. It was so much fun and I am so glad that we got to go again this year (thanks April, mom, and dad for watching our kids). The weather was not great but good enough to go out in the boat every morning until early afternoon when it got windy. We played hard, stayed up late, and ate some fabulous food. It was a totally relaxing much needed vacation.

Benton turns 1!

I am so busy today getting ready to go to Lake Powell but I cannot let one more day go by without posting about Benton turning 1. I can't believe he is already 1. The time has passed so quickly. He is such a special boy and I am so thankful that I am blessed to be able to raise him as my son. He is so friendly and happy and he loves to play. He also loves trying to keep up with Jackson. He isn't walking by himself yet but he walks all around the furniture and he can stand alone without having to hold onto anything. At 1 here are some of the things he loves... He loves toothbrushes. He is always crawling to the toothbrush drawer to play. He also loves the toothpaste if someone forgets to put the lid back on. He loves swinging on the swingset in his baby swing and going down the slide. He loves the water and taking baths and showers. He loves to play chase with Jackson or anything with Jackson. He also loves to be upside down. He loves playing outside...It makes him so sad when Jackson goes outside to play and he can't go. He loves cars and trucks and he even makes little noises when he pushes them around. He loves books. He also still really loves good food (of course he does if he is my son). We celebrated his birthday with a big party on Sunday. All of our family and the Listers came. We grilled hamburgers, had cake and ice cream, and then Benton opened his presents. He really enjoyed opening his presents and he got a lot of really cute things. I am so thankful for great family and friends that we could celebrate with. Benton we love you. Happy Birthday.