lake powell with the whole family.

lake powell!

right now, we are in lake powell heaven.

{source}

ever since i was born, i have spent a little time each summer in this beautiful place with family.  i have memories of learning to water ski, cliff-jumping, tubing, going on day trips in the speedboat, exploring, and swimming in the beautiful lake.  once when i was little, a storm rapidly came on, and i remember riding in the speedboat on treacherous waves, curled up underneath a towel while my aunt held me, as we raced back to the marina for safety.  for some reason, even the most precarious situations in lake powell become some of my fondest memories.  it's a magical place, i tell you. and i'm so excited that i got to share it {as it seriously is a part of me} with john last summer- and that, despite the teasing from my uncles- he stuck with me, and we will get to share it again this week.  we are excited to see what craziness will ensue over the next few days! {there are 35 of us, after all}, and i'm sure- if given the choice, i would choose to live in lake powell.

summer memories

{lake powell}

thanks to uncle gary, who took most of these photos!

sam, who can be a total stinker sometimes, 

has a way of making our family feel so happy.

i couldn't resist.

ah!  so much fun.  i could live there.

{island park}

my first trip to island park! with john, lizzy, pordie, ryan, and janessa.

one of the many floats down the snake river.

i now love island park {almost} just as much as john does.

{and my girls}

janessa's eye peeking through:  priceless.

trek was fun, but i ate peanut butter.  THAT won't ever happen again.  

this summer was fun because john and i got to share our favorite places in the whole world with each-other.

mine: lake powell.

his:  island park.

thinking back on it, i don't think i have ever had a more fun and exciting summer.  

we spent 6 days in lake powell,

we spent at least 5 weekends in island park.

we got engaged.

i went to havasupai and on pioneer trek {john wasn't happy to have me gone}

all in all, i am currently in the happiest time imaginable - hands down.  

don't you just love life?