Grandma's Vacation

Every year on the second Friday of June we embark on our annual family Lake Powell Trip.  We are able to go for a week and spend quality time on our houseboat where we own week #23 which is always the second week in June.  I love it!!  Jeff likes it!! The greatest thing about it is that all my kids will try anything in their power to be able to go with us.  This is by far the best money we have ever spent.  As far as I'm concerned it is the greatest family vacation.  You are together, I mean really together as you crowd everyone into the kitchen for prayer, meals and interaction.  There are no cell phones, unless you drive the boat out for miles.  No friends dropping by, no outside influences.  If the TV is on it is showing a movie that you personally chose to bring.
I will be the first to admit that I was a little concerned about this years trip.  We were planning to take all 7 grandchildren.  That is 7 children under the age of 5.  Our little Clara did decide to stay home with her other grandma which was a very wise choice because she is a very precocious 1 year old who runs instead of walks.  We ended up with 14 of our 17 family members with us.  Kevin and Jessi couldn't come so it was a vacation for our three married kids and families and then 3 of our family friends.
It was a remarkable trip!!  Very different from the trips when all our kids were older, but so fun to see each individual family interact and play with their own children.  The little cousins got along incredibly well for being in such close quarters.
We had a fantastic spot with a large beach which is so rare anymore at Lake Powell so the kids were outside playing in the water for hours.
They all became quite avid fisherman.  Our houseboat was surrounded with Carp and Blue Gill.
All the kids tried their skill at kayaking with their parents.
AND most importantly Grandma got some great quality Grandma-Time with each of the kids.

I feel so blessed that we all returned safely.  I know I silently prayed most of every night thanking the Lord for keeping everyone safe that day and pleading for His watchful eye to protect us the next day.