Wyland gets the super glue.

So literally as I am sat here at the computer trying to catch up my blog from Lake Powell I hear a crash and boom. Right next to me where Jackson and Wyland were playing together Wyland has fallen off the little kid chair and sliced open his eyebrow! This is so dejavu. Jackson sliced open the exact same eyebrow around the same age, perhaps a little older. So off we go to urgent care. He was a good sport about it, didn't cry too much when it happened. It wasn't gushing blood or anything like most head wounds do. But it was looking kind of "meaty" if you know what I mean. Once we arrived at Urgent Care they debated about whether to send him up to Primary Children's. The advantage to Primary Children's apparently would have been that they could sedate him so that we would sit still while they gave him stitches. He's such a good baby I wasn't convinced that sedation would be necessary. So we stayed at Urgent Care with the option of either stitches or super glue. When Jackson had done his they used super glue and it hardly scarred at all. The Doctor said that the scar would be about the same. Only complication with super glue was because it was on his eye some could drip in his eye and it would be stuck closed for a little while. I didn't foresee that happening so super glue it was. He was such a good boy. Well okay, he cried the whole time, but didn't scream.

The wound.

Application of Super Glue. They wrapped him in a blanket rather than the papoose. So I sat on the table and held his body still. The nurse held his head still. The doctor applied the glue.
Jackson was fascinated watching as they worked.

Almost done buddy!
All glued up. Looks pretty good.
Jackson checking out the procedure table.

We survived and left with a sucker.
The scene of the crime. Wyland tipped off the red chair and I believe caught his eyebrow on the AC return vent that was on the opposite wall.

Wordless Wednesday

Lake Powell, Day Four

Our last and final day at Lake Powell we squeezed one more morning of fun in. There was debate about whether to take the boat back out but it was such a beautiful day and we couldn't end our trip on the bad note of the day before. So out we went.

Wyland checking out Grandpa's boat.

It's easiest to throw all the kids into the boat while we get ready.Can always count on Zarley for a funny face!
Jeramie getting more confident on his wakeboard.

As was I.
Then we headed to the pool for one more splash.
Mike and Dad.

Zarley and Grandma, bathing beauties.
Me and my kiddies.
I love this picture! Jackson is SUCH a poser.

Until next year Lake Powell! Thanks for the fun.

Lake Powell, Day Three

So on our third day in Lake Powell we decided it would be fun to pile into the boat and head over to see Rainbow Bridge. Only Mike and his kids had been there before. We debated at length about whether some people should stay behind. It was about an hours boat ride away and with all of us on the boat we were really stretched to the max with seating and weight limits. In the end we decided to go for it. It was a pretty drive out there and the kids enjoyed the "fast" ride on the boat. It's interesting because as you go down into the channel that the Bridge is at the end of it gets VERY narrow at some points, as you can see below.

When we docked the boat we could see these HUGE fish at the front end. We fed them a little bread and the kids enjoyed watching them. They were SO big.
Here we are preparing for the hike up.

First glance at Rainbow Bridge
Cheesey family picture in front!
Isn't it so pretty!
When we got up to the top there was a Park Ranger talking about the history of the Bridge.

A tiny spot of shade with the Ranger.
Park Ranger came out and sprayed the cement with some water. We could then see a dinosaur print! I think that Baylee was the most impressed with this.
After climbing back down we piled back into the boat in search of a good spot to stop for lunch. We did find a little cove and here are Mike and Evan debating about the safety of jumping from up there into the water. It's a funny picture and they DID jump as much as we all told them not to be stupid!

The kids had a little swim as well.

What you don't see in any of these pictures was the scariness that proceeded after lunch. We stopped for ice cream at the marina on our way back to Wahweep and were told as we finished eating that we had better hurry back because they had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and were recommending that all boats get off the lake. So we began our drive back to the dock as quickly as we could. Well we didn't get very far before coming to our left hand turn into the channel we needed and you couldn't see anything. It was SO stormy looking and dusty. After a moment of debate we decided it would be better to go find a small alcove where we could get a little shelter from the elements and wait it out a little bit. So we began by just all staying in the boat while the wind picked up and it sent small little waves into where we were. It seemed to be getting a little bit worse and I do believe someone was smiling on us from above because the alcove we chose to seek shelter in actually had a small patch of SANDY beach. In the end we decided to beach the boat and get everyone out. This patch of beach was literally just big enough for the boat. The kids didn't really have any clue that we were not in a good situation. Mum and Rachel tried some antics with a small game of charades. After about half an hour on the beach with the ladies taking care of the kids, and the men securing the boat in all directions we decided enough storm had passed that it would be a good idea to try and make a run for it. While we had been there we had watched a houseboat going in circles further out in the water waiting it out some. This houseboat had since left so we went for it too. Let me just tell you it was a very terrifying hour drive back to the dock. We never actually took in any water over the top of the boat. However we ALL had our life jackets on to be safe. At the time I really wasn't concerned for myself, what scared me was my children. I knew if it were just me I was a strong enough swimmer that with my life jacket I could make it to shore. But I wasn't confident that I could do that for my kids. How do you choose which one to take yourself? Which one to entrust in someone else? It would take TWO people to maneuver Baylee. Fortunately we in the end caught up to two more boats and rode in the wake of the second (as it was doing in the wake of the first). Mike made this suggestion and it worked REALLY REALLY well. The amount we were being tossed about reduced significantly and we could maintain a decent speed. We saw one boat that was tossed on the side of the shore with someone on the beach that was clearly hurt (they had emergency attention with them). Within sight of the dock we passed another boat, probably slightly smaller than our own that was sinking in the water. I will tell you that's a very eerie and disturbing sight! Knowing what we just went through to get back these people had not been as lucky. We heard the later that day that a houseboat had actually overturned as well in that weather. We were very fortunate in the end to make it back safe and sound. Thanks to the smart decisions of my Dad and Mike. Good boat driving Dad!! Thank you for bringing my family to safety.

This served as a reminder that as much fun as boating is and we get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. It is also dangerous. I think we have about one scary experience a year. With each one we know what to do differently in the future. That's definitely the scary thing about being on such a BIG lake, you can't get off of it nearly as quickly as we can at somewhere like Jordanelle. Congrats to us adults that kept our cool in this scary experience. I don't believe the kids had ANY idea that we were not in a good situation.

Lake Powell, Day Two

While we were getting the boat ready to drop in the water last night the boys noticed that the boat was really dirty on the front. After careful evaluation by many men it was determined that Mike's truck had some sort of leak on the back end. Since we were quite a way from home it made sense to run it into town (Page, AZ) and have it looked at. Fingers were crossed that it wasn't anything serious. So while Mike and Jeramie headed into Page with the babies the rest of us dropped into the lake. It was a beautiful morning! Mike had brought with him a knee board and a surf board. I had knee boarded about 15 years ago and didn't have a good experience. Evan decided he could figure it out for himself. With a multitude of suggestions from myself and Rachel who had done it before as well as my Dad who suggested what logically made sense. Off he went. Rachel had a go at the knee board as well but it was slightly different than what she had used in the past and she had a hard time getting up.

Evan on the knee board.

Dad on the wakeboard.
Baylee just enjoying the sun.

Here we are at lunch time hanging out by the trailer.
CLASSIC "Coppertone Girl" moment!
Jackson and Owen having fun.

Jackson seeing if he can pick up his brother.
After lunch we headed to the pool. The kids LOVED the pool.
This is the view from the pool. Literally overlooks Lake Powell.

Baylee and Grandma playing in the pool.
Evan and his wife to be...
Lot's of Howard's and Howard-Kramer's hanging by the pool.
Me and my margarita, Wyland and his bottle.
After hanging by the pool some of us headed out on the boat. Here's Mike showing us all how to surf. I didn't think it looked very safe! (but I'm a chicken)

Xavier watching his dad.

Evan of course got up on his first try. (show off!!!!)
Jeramie wasn't so lucky .. now you see him ..
... now you don't! Where'd he go??

It was great fun out there. We stayed until the sun was going down.
Jeramie wakeboard .. what a great picture!
Jeramie catching air.

Doesn't he just look SO happy!
My cute hubby.