Heaven on Earth... aka Lake Powell with the Fam

Lake Powell is my all-time favorite place in the world. There's no other place on earth like it. There's just a magic there you can't find anywhere else. Whenever I'm there I feel completely at home and at peace. 

How can you not fall in love with a place with these views?

Photo Credit: Spencer- the sunrise

Photo Credit: Tiffany- sunset after a storm
(Hope you don't mind I put these pictures on my blog too. I just absolutely LOVE them..)

We usually go once in June, and then again in August. Well this summer we didn't go until last week. I've been itching all summer to get down there! But it was more than well worth the wait. My entire family headed down, something that hasn't happened in over 2 years. (Tiffany had never even been down with the O'Gwins!) It was SO MUCH FUN having everyone together 24/7 for an entire week. 

*Note: No one, and I mean no one, looks great at Lake Powell. If you do- you're not experiencing Lake Powell properly. So no judging on how we look in the pictures.

If you look closely, you'll see that Matt and the kids are doing friendship bracelets. This was a common activity on the trip. The kids loved making them!!

A huge phenomenon that swept the Jackman Clan this trip was Sudoku. That's a Sudoku book in Tiffany's hands. She, Mike, Stacy & Chris, Matt, & my Dad were all obsessed.

I feel this accurately depicts how Kylie was during the trip- glued to her mom's lap! She did NOT want anyone else to help her & never wanted to be separated from her mommy. But she sure is a cutie!!

Sorry Matt- but it's too funny & cute of the kids to not include.

Tiff was so cute with the kids. She brought down all these projects to do with them throughout the week. The kids loved it! They made these cool sponge balls, sock puppets, noodle artwork, watercolors, etc.

I can't get over how cute she is!! I love her hair too- it was like this the entire trip. 

Lake Powell buddies! We're raising the next generation right- indoctrinating them to love Lake Powell!!!

One of the best things at Lake Powell? Being so hot you think you're literally melting and then jumping into the lake, being instantly cooled down. Love it.

Photo Credit: Spencer

Photo Credit: Spencer
Stacy & Chris found this cool spot on the lake- as you can see, there's a shallow spot which creates a pool in the middle of the lake. In the picture above this, you can see how the rock rises to create a cool place to go cliff jumping. 

Photo Credit: Tiffany
The kids were OBSESSED with going down the slide & jumping off the houseboat. They did it over & over & over & over again all day long. The kids kept count, and apparently some went down over 200 times. Crazy!

Makai's face kills me! So cute!!

This happens a lot. Having fun is tiring.

Above 2 pictures: Eating lunch at Antelope Point Marina & watching the Olympics.

They enjoyed lots of games of horseshoe each night once the sun went down.

Lots of games were played throughout the trip. Gave us enough time to dry off & get hot again so we could jump back in the water!

This is typically where the kids sat in the boat. Don't worry, they had lots more fun than what's depicted on Jaden's face. ;)

One day we decided to pack a lunch, and then head out sight-seeing up some canyons before we found a shady spot for lunch.

Other activities not pictured:

- Watching movies & having a "popcorn party" with ice-cream

- Celebrating Kylie's birthday with My Little Pony cupcakes

- Chris, Mike, & Spencer eating Jelly Beans flavored "rotten eggs", "moldy cheese", "vomit", "baby wipes", "pencil shavings", & "dog food" --> makes for excellent entertainment!!

- Aly & Jaden learning how to wakeboard

- Reading my book on the back of the houseboat, watching the sunset.

- Jet-Ski rides

- A fire & making s'mores 

- Looking at the stars- we saw so many cool shooting stars one night. That's one of my all time favorite things about Lake Powell... looking at the stars at night. So breathtakingly gorgeous. 

It was a fantastic trip that went by WAY TO FAST!! I'm sad it's over, but already looking forward to the next family Lake Powell trip!

I Am His Daughter

...song sung by Nicole Sheahan

Check It Out

So I had a draft saved of all the fun things that have been happening while the O'Gwin's are in town. Well once I accidentally pushed "Publish", and then quickly reverted it back to a draft. However, apparently once you re-publish the post, it goes right back to the spot that it was originally posted. Since that is several posts back and I want everyone to see what we've been up to- I'm posting a link to that post for you to check out if you so desire: When O'Gwin's Come To Visit

I Love to See the Temple

I went through the temple and received my endowment on Saturday, July 28. I have been trying to imagine what that day would be like for my entire life. It was a much anticipated event- so much so that during the experience I thought to myself once, "I can't believe this is finally happening. I'm finally here!" It was a little surreal to finally be inside, learning more about the Gospel and making covenants with my Heavenly Father. 

I chose the Jordan River Temple because it is the temple I've grown up with. In my house at the top of the stairs is a round window that looks right onto the temple. When I was a little girl, as my dad carried me up to go to bed, he would stop at the window and I would say, "Goodnight temple." It's the temple I've done baptisms for the dead in, the temple I've seen lit up at night as I've driven home from various places. I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Jordan River Temple.

Those in attendance included: Mom, Dad, Stacy & Chris, Laura & Mike, Matt, Spencer & Tiffany, Taunie & Scotty, McKinzi & Tom, Coral & Doug. The only people I wished could've been there but weren't were Ralph & Julie. But it was awesome and meant so much to me to have every member of my immediate family in attendance- especially Stacy & Chris since they live away. 

It was also special to me to have my mom as my escort. Not only is she my best friend, but she's my biggest example of how important the temple should be in my life, and how high of a priority regular temple attendance should be. (I mean after all- she attends the temple 4 days a week herself!) Thanks Mom for your incredible testimony and example. 

While the experience was different than I imagined (there's no way anyone could accurately imagine what going through the temple is going to be like until they've experienced it for themselves), it didn't bother or weird me out. I just tried to take it all in and feel the spirit. I have faith that while I may not understand, Heavenly Father does- and He's in control. So if the temple is a necessary part of His plan, then I trust in all that goes on in the temple. I know I will be immensely blessed from the keeping the covenants I made and regular attendance. I look forward to returning again and again, learning something new each and every time.

The temple truly is a holy place, a place of love and beauty. I am honored I am found worthy to enter the house of the Lord. That fact alone is evidence of how much He loves His children. I love this Gospel.

Pioneer Day aka... My Birthday

I'm officially 22 years old. So far- doesn't feel much different than 21 years old. On my birthday I spent some time reflecting to myself all that's happened in my 22 years of life- all that I've accomplished and overcome. All the great experiences I have had, which now make for some great memories. I also thought a little of all the hard times I've endured. I came to a firm conclusion that all the good far more than outweighs the hard times. Life is hard, but it is also really good. Fantastic even. 

I was blessed to celebrate my birthday exactly how I wanted- spent with my family. It started with the traditional singing of "Happy Birthday" at midnight, this year from my mom and Stacy. It just wouldn't feel right if this didn't happen. Thanks Mom and Stacy for staying up just to sing to me!

During the actual day I went out to lunch with Stacy at Winger's. It was super yummy and fun to spend some time with Stacy one-on-one for a bit.

My nieces and nephews (minus Makai & Kylie). I got this picture sent to my phone from my sister. I think it's super cute- and kinda funny at the same time (what's up with Camren's face?!). Love it.

That night we met at the Jordan Ridge Park and everyone brought there dinner. The kids were able to play on the playground while the adults played some volleyball. (Laura and I made for some great cheerleaders- and keeping an eye on the kiddos!) 

Super blurry sorry, I was way zoomed in on my Iphone. So in case you can't see very well- it's my dad with Kylie and Kate on the swings. Mike and Camren are there as well.

Stacy, Spencer, Aly, Tiffany, Matt, Mom, Jaden, & Bre ... and eventually Mike playing volleyball.
(Jaden, Bre, and Mike not pictured) 

A silly, but cute, picture of Makai playing in the dirt. I think she was actually eating it at one point. But what kid doesn't?

After the park it was back to the house for s'mores in the fire pit, some fireworks for the kids, and an outside showing of The Sandlot. Good times!! 

Kylie with the parachute she caught from one of the fireworks.

Tank Wars... it was intense.

Me, Stacy, Kylie, Jaden, Bre, Matt, Aly, Dad, Kate, Analise (Also present but not in the picture- Spencer, Tiffany, Mom, Laura, Mike, Camren, Makai)

It was a great birthday, and I feel incredibly blessed with all I've been given thus far in my life. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. I'm also interested in where I'll be when the next 22 years have come and gone. If I've learned anything from the past 22 years- it's that it'll be an interesting ride!

Oh... and Happy Pioneer Day to everyone else! I hope it was a fantastic day filled with lots of celebrations! 

Bountiful 24th of July Parade & Calvin's Gravesite

My family decided to go to the Bountiful 24th of July Parade because they were having the 2,000 Stripling Warriors. Since Spence and Tiff live in Bountiful we thought we'd make a whole night out of it and start with a BBQ and a visit to Calvin's gravesite afterwards.

Makai sure loves her corn!

The kiddos (minus Kate, Kylie, & Makai) sitting to watch the parade.

Stacy enjoying the parade festivities.

Kylie watching a float coming down the street 

while enjoying an otter pop in the heat.   

Tiffany, Laura, & Makai. Aren't they pretty?!

Matt was a bum and told everyone not to smile for this picture.  However Bre and Mike didn't listen and as for Laura- she's just being her normal crazy self. :)

Photo Credit- Facebook. Amazing shot isn't it?

2,000 Stripling Warriors. It was awesome to see; but sad to look at the young men and know that the original Stripling Warriors really were that young.

Calvin's grave with all the cousin's pinwheels around it.

All the grandkids. We all love you Calvin! 

My Grandpa's grave is only a few yards away from Calvin's, 

so we visited that while we were at the cemetery. 

Paige's Wedding

One of my best friends got married on July 14th. I was one of her bridesmaids. While it was a long day (weddings always are, aren't they?), it was also a really great day and I was so honored and grateful to be a part of it all. Her and her husband have been dating off and on ever since the summer before 9th grade. This wedding was a long time coming. ;) I hope they're so happy together and I wish them all the best!

My talented sister, Laura, did my hair and make-up for the wedding. This was her trick to prevent getting make-up all over my WHITE shirt. While effective, it looks hilarious. At least, it does to the 2 of us...

We've been friends since elementary school! I love her!! I can't believe she's a married woman now! 

I just had to include this picture because I thought her hair was GORGEOUS! Sure wish I knew how to do this- or that my hair was long enough for someone to do it on my hair. Alas- I'll just admire hers...