To Mike

So I am not one of those people that talks about how they have the most amazing best husband in all the land because I think it is silly. Everyone wants needs expects different things from their spouse so who is to say whose is the best?

However I can say that I have the hardest working spouse that I know. Mike works ridiculous hours and he works hard and does a great job and he does it all for his family and I know that I don't tell him enough how much I appreciate him for that. about a month ago Mike was rewarded with employee of the quarter at his place of employment. I just wanted to take a moment and tell him how proud of him I am and how happy I am that he is finally getting the acknowledgement that he so deserves.

Mike and I are going through a real hard time right now and our future is uncertain. I am not an easy person to live with and I appreciate him for putting up with me for the last 10 yrs. I have been in other relationships which is no secret, I thought that I loved other people or that other people loved me but not until Mike came into my life did I realize what real love felt like. He has loved me more than anyone ever has in my whole life and I have been so lucky. I won't say he has been the best husband ever and God and everyone knows that I haven't been the best wife ever but we have made it through a lot. No matter what happens I just want Mike to know that I love him and appreciate all he has done for me in our life together.

Love always,

Amber

Lake Powell 2011

Well we made what is now our annual pilgrimage down to lake Powell. We kind of wrapped three trips all into one. Amber and I try and get away alone with the kids each year just our family and we had the White Family trip and finally the Howard family trip all wrapped into one trip. I think it went pretty well to be honest.

The mini Howard trip:

Well we planned on heading out right after I got home from work. I got off early in hopes of getting a head start down there did not work as planned but we still left in a good timely manner. The White family trip was at Bullfrog which its actually been a few years since we have gone there it was a nice experience. It was nice to see lake powell filling up again as well. After getting on the road a little late we did arrive and get the boat in the water and what seemed like forever to find a spot. The spot was not that great but lake powell has changed a lot with the water levels so there was very limited spots. We did find a nice cove to go to. The only problem with the spot was the stupid ledges that would appear out of nowhere. I think we all kicked a rock a few times. Not the best idea. But we got settled in and got to spend a little bit of time in the water before dinner. We were limited with space so we were going with simple tin foil dinners both nights. We struggled a bit with the chicken but we nailed the steak. We had all of Saturday to send by ourselves we did some rock jumping and got some good family time.

White Trip

We meet the rest of the Whites at the docks on Sunday although it was very nice to spend some alone time with just our kids it’s always good to spend time with our outer family as well. You always hear people complain about their in-laws but I got very lucky with mine it seems I was excited to have everyone join us. Most of Ambers family feel the same about lake Powell as we do so it’s nice to share that excitement with them. We loaded up the house boat and it seemed to take FOREVER! But we did get it loaded and on the road so to speak they decided to go with a spot that was closer to the Mariana and so Amber and I went back to our spot to pull down our tent. (Sorry for abandoning our kids on the house boat) But we took down our tent and got back to the house boat to start our second leg of the trip. We had some good times. Survivor lake Powell, The rope slide, me in a speedo, painted nails. It was a great time. Best time of the second leg had to be watching my mother in-law getting up on skis for the first time in years. I am not overly sentimental person but seeing Kathryn go through what she went through lose a leg and still not let that hold her back from skiing was a very amazing moment I was so happy I got to be there and experience that. She is one of the most caring, brave, loving determined women I know. Great Job she hiked a mountain, skied and lived life again it was great.













Howard Extended
The final leg of our trip we pulled out the boat in Bullfrog and drove down to Page. My parents camp at Wahweap. Which is still lake Powell just a different experience. Its nice to be able to swim at the pool. The kids like the clear water. Its great to be able to shower and get cleaned up and still experience Lake Powell. We got the world famous Dave Howard camping breakfast in a mini version. We got there kind of late on Friday got there and set up camp and had some dinner and went for a late night swim at the pool. The pool is usually freezing balls cold but this time it was not actually that bad. Went back to camp and went to bed. We got up the next day and took the kids to the pool while the adults got to take the boat out and start there Lake Powell vacation. Baylee meet some new friends she always seems to. And then Amber and I got to get out on the lake for some evening wakeboarding. When I picture lake Powell in my head its at dusk and its still warm and the water is flat as a board. Some of the best wakeboarding out there. And the last day we got some afternoon tubing and then the weather turned south so we showered and went to another Howard family tradition the Mexican food. And we headed home.

I absolutely love lake Powell. When people tell you to picture your happy place that’s what I picture. I love sleeping on the house boat roof and the starts damn there is a million of them out there. Love the random conversations with people. Rock jumping seeing my little girl jump off the high rock. Seeing Owen getting the courage to go off rocks too. Watching X-man’s now famous cannon balls and going down the slide. Winter growing up so fast. Now she is driving the boat while we loaded it. Listening to Amber as she discovers our retirement plan. Camping with my mom and Dad and getting to eat the Howard camping breakfast. Zarley was so excited to show my mom how she can swim. Watching Kathryn hike the Indian ruins. Just spending some time with family and friends. It was all family but I consider them all friends. Oh and pink nails Can’t wait for next year.

I just want to know who drank all the damn drinks? Oh the kids that’s right. I suggest they don’t drink as much next time.

Peace out Bitches