Lake Powell as a family of 4!

Mike “Dad” Anderson here, I’m going to guest-write a portion of the family blog.

This portion is called, How I tricked my wife into going to Lake Powell.  I’m sure that if a critic wrote a piece about my story it would contain the words “selfish Husband” and “classless manipulator” intermixed with pinkeye, sunburn, and wind.  Fortunately (for me), no one will read or critique this, and therefore I can call history as I choose.

Accordingly this portion is now renamed, How I saved Lake Powell, my family, and America: The true story of Mike Anderson. #amazingfather.  I don’t even know if you can hashtag the title of a book, but I did it.  Innovated.

The Setting: Logan Utah.  The Players: Mike, Meg, Owen, and Mason.  Context: They had decided not to go to Lake Powell.

We had decided not to go to Lake Powell with the Anderson side of the family.  Meg was worried about the amount of work that 2 kids would be, and with my track record of disappearing any time a boat and a Pepsi were involved, she had good reason to be.  I went with Owen to put the new life jackets away but Owen wanted to put his on.  He is cute, and I like him wearing a jacket, so I slid him in it and sent him downstairs to see his Mom. 

Fast forward 3 hours, I fell asleep putting the kids to bed.  Meg woke me up and said she wanted to go to Powell.  I tried half-heartedly to convince her that we shouldn’t go, but she, like always, wins every argument that I don’t want to fight.

Armed with the satisfaction of winning and showered with a million promises that Dad would watch kids in a hawk-like fashion; Megan prepared everything for Powell.  I’m always amazed at what she can do when she wants something. 

We got to bed at 3am that night, but had to make it to Bullfrog by noon.

Owen had pinkeye, so we drugged him up, and we drove the 7 hour drive, (from Logan, not the regular 5 from Salt Lake.)  Not hard drives considering my kids have done the haul from Moscow ID to UT on more than one occasion, but I had no soda.  None.  2 months sober.  And Megan, tired from the packing frenzy, slept whenever she could crash.

I got to Powell grumpired.  That’s when you are so tired you are grumpy, not a grumpy vampire.  Although it would make sense because when you are grumpired you tend to infect those around you with your sourness.  Done.  Grumpired is now so tired that you are a grumpy vampire.

I was the Dracula of the Grumpires. My only weakness, my kids loving Powell.  Owen went off the big slide and wore his lifejacket the whole time.  Mason rolled around on the beach and ate sand.  (Nicholas Cage: “You ate what?”) My brothers and sisters helped us so much that it was much easier this year to be at Powell.  Even more helpful were the nieces and nephews, who were ready and willing to lend us a hand.  I would tell you everything about it, but the pictures say more than I can.

Riding on the tube with Owen was so fun. Even more fun was driving the boat with him.

It was kind of fitting that we were in Powell 2 days after the 10^th anniversary of Dr. Bob Anderson (Grandpa’s) Death-day.  That’s where he would have wanted us to be.  More than anywhere in the world Lake Powell reminds me of family, and what it means to me.  For 3-5 days you are in a state of forced friendship with everyone on that boat.  You can’t escape them, you fight and make up with them, and you make memories with them that hold you over the long winter months.  I love that.  I loved being a kid riding the boat back at sunset, everyone in a heap in the bow.  I loved even more sitting on my own Dads lap as he let me drive us back from the day-trips we had.  I miss the old Polo shirts he would wear at Powell, the neon 80’s watersocks, the Australian hat with one side buttoned up, and the graveyard of Pepsi cans behind his seat.

He was also always tomato red burnt.

Now I get to be the Dad.  I will forever be grateful for my own brother letting me drive the boat home with my own Son on my lap.  Hopefully he one day will remember me by the bandana I wear, or the extremely effeminate sunglasses I have.  But I hope even more that my kids, my nieces and nephews, and my family will remember the feeling of what a family is, and remember to keep that eternal perspective.

I am glad we made the decision to go down.  It is always a wonderful time.

Oh, and I thwarted terrorist plots.  That’s how I saved America.

#Masonisstillshittingsand.

Mike Anderson 

Let the record show that is was Michael job to post the pics of lake Powell. That's why its about three months late and i'm in charge now...  Hahahah love you Mikey!!!

Just happy to be alive! Even if its a hundred degrees and we're stuck on a bout!

Owen away's wants to do what ever the big kid are doing. The first time he went down like a champ! But the second time scared him just a little bit... But he's still the bravest 2 year old I know!

love these faces!

He wanted to try the lime so I let him.

He wasn't to impressed... But it made for some adorable pictures!

Beached Pirate!

How you survive Lake Powell with an 8 month old.

Michael is always making up fun activities for the kids down in Lake Powell. One of my faves was them jumping off the side of the bout one by one into Michael's arms.

Sweet Noah looking out for his cousin. I love this picture because it shows just how much these cousins love each other.

Bout rids save the day for the little ones in Lake Powell.

Just takin a little swim while the big kids go on an adventure.  Best part about this pic is the photo bomb from uncle Kelsey.

   

Just splash-en and eating sand!

Tub ride with mom and dad!

This kid was so happy to drive the bout! 

About 10 seconds into it he was out like a light!

Driving with dad! At this point our kids were so exhausted they didn't know what was up or down..

Sleepy eye's is a sign of a successful trip!

School in Utah.

So much has changed in the last six months.  I thought we had the next three years all figured out. I knew where we would be living and the friends we would have. But I’m learning very quickly that life never really slows down.  I’m sure there will be many more changes as life goes on.  Being close to family definitely helps.  There’s always someone we can go hang out with (bug) in the middle of the day when we need some new scenery or when we have run out of activities.  Not to mention all the stores and play lands we can go to. On the other hand we find ourselves back in the real world where people have money and houses. And five more kids than us… Not to mention we are in a new ward trying to make new friends.  I feel like we just did this. And while I knew we would only know our friends in Moscow for a short time.  I did realize just how short it would really be.  The hard thing is I feel like I’m starting over in a way.  But the nice thing is that we aren't alone this time. And we already have a lot of friends. So it does make adjusting to life a lot easier. 

Michael is working and going to school this year which makes for some very long days for both of us.  Luckily Matt and Shannon take pity on us and invite us to dinner at least once or twice a week if not more!  It really helps out on day when we don’t see mike till around 8 o’clock at night.  Michael gets to come home early twice a week.  And by early I mean 6 or 7 depended on his work load.  When he finally gets home at night we spend some time as a family and play with the kids.  Then we throw them in bed and Mike leave again to go work out.  He is working so hard and I think we both can agree that we are very exhausted…

Mason turns one this week and I’m freaking out!!!

It’s the weirdest thin.  I’m no longer the mother of a toddler and a new born.  But a kid and toddler!!! Mason is walking like crazy.  He totally understands things that I say.  For example when I tell him to sit down in the bath he totally listens to me.  Well sort of… he stands right back up.  But I’ll still give him an A for effort!!! He is so strong and is definitely growing quicker than Owen did. He already fits in all of the shoes Owen wore last year. He tries to mimic things I say like dad, mom and has quickly learned the word NO form Owen…  Owen and Mason are hilarious together.  They reseal and laugh at each other about 50% of the time.  20% of the time Owen is taking toys away from Mason and yelling NO NO Mason! The rest of the day they’re eating or sleeping which gives me a little piece of my mind back…

Owen is talking so well know and can tell me just about anything he wants.  This includes where he would like go that day.  What he would like to eat and the clothes he wants to wear etc.…  He always wants to wear a button up shirt with a tie just like dad.  Oh and he thinks Michael goes to the park all day long.  So he asks me if he can go to the park about 20 times before we even hit 9am. He always wants to go to Ian’s house and still asks for Johnny on a daily. That always makes me want to cry…  I love the way he talks and how he phrases things always makes me laugh.  Some of my most resent favorites are when I heard him scalding Mason.  Mason kept taking the iPad away from Owen.  And Owen was getting so frustrated.  All of the sudden I see Owen turn around point his figure right at Mase and say NO NO Mason! YOU BIG STINK-EN TROUBLE! I was dying! I couldn't believe how much he was actually absorbing from our previous conversation ha ha!  Some other fun thing are the way he says caterpillar which sounds something like cap..a..lilili..arrrr.  the same thing happens when he says crocodile and Popsicle.  These two crack me up!!

Owen reward for going potty in the toilet. Getting to play in the sink! Whatever works I guess... 

Cousin love! Bo is such a cute sister / cousin. she is always loving them and helping out.

Mia's face cracks me up in the pic!

Pure joy!

This kid finds hats where ever we go. This hate was luckily a close family friend of ours.

He always wants to be doing what ever the big kids are doing. At least he can hold his own. Most of the time anyways...

Just hangin while the big kids jump.

More cousin love!

Mason just wants to be apart of all the fun. 

Bath time at aunt Ami's

I have no words for how adorable these to little stinkers are.

Good morning!

Mason trying to play hide and seek.

Evening walk with dad! 

Who needs pants or shoes in the summer...

The county fair!!!! 

Mason's is just happy to be apart of the fun.

But he was quickly kicked out tub because Owen and Leanna CARZY!!!

This pic makes me laugh every time!

No Shoes... no pants...no problems!

We have a home!!!!!

Owen is always walking around the house with his sword in his shirt. I drives me crazy because it stretches out the neck of his shirt. But it is still pretty cute.

Family train day. Michael takes tracks to school and Owen asks everyday if he can go on daddies train.

One day we went to the park just for fun and I started taking pictures. And they were turning out so cute that it turned into a little photo shoot!

Oh my heck these two are soooo yummy!!!! 

Mary Kay.

Yep! It true, I’m selling Mary Kay.  I totally never thought I would do this. I’m surprised at how supportive people have been in helping me get started. And have forgotten how much I love to sell.  It’s still really hard with two kids. And I’m still learning how to manage my time.  But I have big planes and can’t wait to take to the next level.  I love that I can still be with me kids find ways to help our family out with school and such.  Since we started our family and had these two beautiful babies I've learned so much about myself.  One thing that tends to stand out to me is that I've developed a little bit of separation anxiety when it comes to my children….

But that’s why this is so perfect for me.  I can sell when there asleep or when Mike is home.  I can pick the time and place.  And go as fast or as slow as needed.  It’s definitely a challenge figuring out how to make it work with two kids and no husband most of the time. Also making sure that my kids are still getting everything they need as far as activities, friends, making sure their minds are still being exercised with lots of reading and learning.  I know that may sound funny to many of you. But I really love those moments when there excited to sit with me and read play or just use their imagination.  Plus I suffer from mother’s guilt… I’m sure many of you are familiar with this concept.  But I tend to worry about them every day! At the end of the day when they’re both all cuddled up in bed. I find myself walking through my and worrying if they had, felt and got everything they needed that day.

Needless to say this is going to be a very interesting new chapter in our lives and I’m so grateful for all the love and support that my family and friends have shown me.