Amazing Mother Nature

We got to see something incredible while at Lake Powell. We were on the houseboat in a cove. Across from us we could hear some rocks falling off into the lake. I went up on top and watched as rock after rock fell. Then a big one came down--maybe the size of our table. I was calling out to everyone down below to check it out when, all of a sudden, a HUGE piece of the rock cliff actually split off and came crashing down. It was over 100 feet high and probably over 40 feet wide. I bet it was 15-20 feet in depth. It looked just like a glacier calving.

I fumbled for my camera and got a very small video clip, but it did not catch the actual crash or the aftermath of the huge waves that came at us!

Bob thought fast and ran out to untie the boat (otherwise it probably would have swamped it or slammed it into the houseboat, causing major damage). He jumped in and got it facing the correct way into the waves. He remembers looking for the houseboat while in a wave and not being able to see it due to the waves, even though he was right by us.

We all ran inside and shut the doors. It gave the houseboat a good ride, but did not do any damage, thankfully!

Afterwards, a couple of fishermen who were nearby came driving over in their boat to see if we were okay. They had their lifejackets on all crooked because they were in such a hurry to get them on.

It was absolutely amazing and awesome! How many people get to see something like this in their lives? How long had that rock cliff been intact before crashing down? How many other walls have that coming?

Fun at Powell!

We had a great time in Lake Powell with our neighbors, the Tolleys and the Christensens. The only drawback was chasing three year old Zack around the houseboat the whole time! We kept him under watchful eye 24/7 even though he always wore his life jacket.
We got some fun waterskiing, wakeboarding and surfing in. Tanner landed a 180* on his wakeboard. He's getting really good and it feels strange to have more fun watching him than doing it myself!

We went on a fun hike and saw some Indian ruins. One night we projected the movie Nemo onto the rock wall and had a huge movie. Other boats and waverunners came into our cove to check it out.

We had a great time and are very blessed to have great neighbors and friends here. Many thanks to them for inviting us on this fun vacation!

Oh, Rats!

What have we done now?

One day we went to the petstore to check out turtles. Come to find out, they carry salmonella and not too great an idea for small children. So I happen to ask, "what's another idea for a good pet for kids?"

Next thing we know, we have two rats added to our family. Apparantly they are highly intelligent, personable and make great pets. Who would have thought? NOT Bob, that's for sure!

It's a little freaky actually. It's hard to get past the fact that they are, indeed, rats. But they ARE "fancy rats" which makes all the difference...hmmm...

So, I think they are actually kind of cute. Liz named hers "Roxy". She's the tan one. Tanner named his "Crimson" (go Utes!) and she's gray and white.

I actually find myself going up to Tanner's room during the day to check them out and see how they're doing.

Anyone want to volunteer to rat-sit while we go on vacation next week?? :)

First Timer

My goodness--I'm trying to catch up to the current times...I'm sure anyone who knows me is thinking, "good luck!!"
We got a new camera (finally) and I figured I'd try to figure it all out at once--camera and blogging. Not that I think anyone but us will be interested, but it's a good incentive for me to keep current on what's going on in our little family. I'm hoping to actually journal this way--since I don't do it very well the other way.
Now if I can just figure out how to get pictures on here...and if I can figure out how to get back here to add another entry...we'll be in good shape!