Lake Powell

During the second week of the Potato Harvest break we got to have an amazing time at Lake Powell (this was the trip we scored last fall at our wards auction that raised money for the youth) --I can't believe I haven't visited lake Powell before now, we had a blast!

The drive down was gorgeous with all of the fall leaves both Sardine Canyon & SF Canyon were so beautiful.

The lake was spectacular and the weather was in the low 80's the whole week.  We loved our little 'home away from home'!

 The kids lived in the sand & water.

The Slide off the houseboat was a big hit!

{LeGrand was trying to be a 'stud' and go down the slide on his feet, instead he got himself hurt!}

We spent countless hours on the ski boat (I even learned to wake board, wahoo!)

 {Laex rocked the kneeboard!}

 {Loa also rocked the kneeboard, with daddy!  She was quite the trickster, standing up and riding on LeGrand's Shoulders! --she LOVED it and through a serious fit when we made her quit so others could have a turn!}

We went on hikes

Partied at our Mexican Fiesta!

We also got to do some Lake Powell sightseeing, riding wave runners, tubing, paddle boarding, laying in the sun, playing games, golfing on the beach, roasting marshmallows & hot dogs & watching movies.

We even had a group set up a homemade waterslide/launcher next to us that we all tried out --it was quite the rush!

We had such a great time with the Simmons & are so grateful for their generosity!

(On day three of the trip we had a little hic-up when Bart ran the ski boat over a huge rock --the lake is so low right now that it's hard to know where they all are-- put the boat out of commission but we had two wave runners so it didn't slow down our fun :)! )

Exploring

We also love to spend time and Soda Springs plant, it is so pretty & peaceful there - it's our favorite picnic spot!  The lake is really low right now so our last picnic also involved lots of fun exploring of area's that are usually covered in lots of water!

Visiting Dad at work

One of the conveniences of living here in Grace is that LeGrand's work is only a couple of minutes away.  We get him home for lunch with us nearly every day, he leaves for work around 6:50AM and is home around 3:45pm (before Laex even gets home from school).  I sure love all the extra time we get to be together!  Laex had two weeks off the end of September for Potato Harvest & the weather was nice so we decided one day we would take a walk and visit LeGrand at work, the view and hike down the hill was amazing then we hung out for a bit and when LeGrand got off for lunch he hiked back up the hill with us!

Homecoming!

I remember Homecoming as a High Schooler -it was always a fun event!  Here in Grace, Homecoming involves the whole town!!  We had a blast at the parade, where once again the kids gathered enough candy to last a lifetime.

Then we enjoyed a good game of Grace Grizzly football (actually we only made it to half time -kids were done!)  They only play 8 man football here in Grace, LeGrand thought it was interesting ---I on the other hand don't watch enough football to really be able to tell the difference :)

During half time the honored the State Champion Grace Track Team of 1958! (The ONLY time they've taken state in Track)  On the Team was Phil Johnson, former Coach for  & assistant coach for 23 years of the Utah Jazz - LeGrand was pumped to get a photo with him!

It was a fun small town Friday Night :)

Never forget!

September 11th has become quite the date around our house.  Not only is it a day that we remember those who sacrificed all, but it was also the date we packed up and moved to Grace! 
I was living in NJ during 9/11 and like most people will never foreget the things I saw, felt, heard & experienced during the tragic events and weeks to follow but I am truley grateful for the experiences that helped me gain a stronger appreciation for our service people!  My experiences were 1st hand, and I'm so grateful that I was there to see New York City following those events but also to visit the majestic twin towers before they fell.

 (All of these photos are taken in Hoboken park across the Hudson from NYC, if it were day time in the last photo you could see the same view as the top two, in place of the towers was a large amount of smoke)

 (Ground Zero)

On this September 11th I'm celebrating as we have officially survived a year in Grace, ID! :)  The things I have learned and continue to learn from being here are experiences I know I will always cherish.  I thought I'd never make it this long, ha ha!  I know our time here isn't forever and I'm learning to love this place because when the day does come to leave, I know I'll miss it!

Vernal Visit & Family Reunion 2012

 My Little Sis left August 30th for NYC to be a nanny for a year --it brings back such strong feelings & memories for me as it was 11 years ago that I was headed to do the same thing, this will be such a great adventure for her!  We were already heading Vernal way for the family reunion that weekend so we extended a couple days to show up in time to see her before she left. (of course I didn't get any pic's) 

 The kids love Grammie & Papa's -- they could live on the swingset!  

They had a blast playing with cousins and enjoying Papa's new 'Toy'

Labor Day weekend always brings great fun at the Hoopes Family reunion.  Once again the reunion was held in Whiterocks, UT at the old 'homestead'.  We had a Sports theme and Dad's family was assigned 'Basketball'- we had a great time crafting, eating, laughing, playing, swinging & bonding.  LeGrand, the kids & I bunked with Trev & Ramey in their new camper- it was a fun time!

 (see those fun 'Hoopes' basketball jerseys!)

 (Once again the kids couldn't get enough of Uncle Stan's Horse Walker turned Ultimate Swing!)

 (The second day we sported these halarious t-shirts that read, 'Stop Staring at my Balls'- ha ha)

(These two are such 'Frienemies'!)

(Wild game of Flag Football!)

Uncle Stan's Buffalo visited us a few times in camp!