Lake Powell 2013

Our traditional family vacation gets bigger and bigger every year..and by that I mean we keep adding more people..next year there will be 3 more boys to add to the chaos and I tell my dad we need another houseboat :) to accommodate all of us..23 people on one boat can get pretty crazy..but somehow we make it work and we have the best time..

could seashells be any more entertaining...

cutest boat captain ever..and don't be jeal of the mauve carpet..totally in style :)

I had to add this shot..because could you die at her..seriously this is my 10 year old. When i was 10..lets just say there was a lot more chubs and less cute bootie...I am scared for all the boys who will be a knockin'.

We come up with lots of our own ingenious entertainment..like a homemade waterslide

Cool moves down the boat slide...

And we even had a cheerleading camp...(I am convinced Rob was a cheerleader in his previous life :)

And after 33 years and 5 kids, sometimes you gotta toot your own horn and admit you still got it. So, ya..this mama still gots it! Forget wakeboarding and lets get to the real deal..slaloming..

And with the sun, sand and six days in it, we get our fill...but if you ask the kids, it's never enough time. They ask to go back almost daily.

And lets just preface this pic with..if you are coming to the lake with us..leave the make-up and hair brushes at home..cuz this ain't no beauty pageant! Just bring sunglasses..cuz putting those babies on at least makes you feel semi-cute!

And I'm not done yet..just a few more pics...

someone decided to half try skinny dipping..and who could blame her..not like soggy diapers and swimmies are comf city

We start 'em young ..this is Sophie's second year skiing and this year she got up all by her lonesome. 6 years old!

Connor mastered the wakeboard and even went in and out of the wake behind the boat

Annie, Ellie & Roo

And that is how we role Christensen style at the Lake...

Totally "That Mom"

I always hated when my mom used to dress my sisters and i all alike..like roll my eyes, shake my head in despair kind of annoyance...and yet...wait for it...

Chloe was being a matching hater and did NOT want her pic taken

Shheeeeesh! That karma's not lettin nothin get by her..But honestly, in my matchy-matchy defense..could you die of matching cuteness? And seriously..for $7 a piece at the Downeast tent sale..how could I go wrong? Four dresses for under 30 bucks..that deserves an award of some sort. And ps..ellie totally rolled her eyes at me for all the matching going around..I guess age 10 is the matching max limit..but was a good sport (and secretly might have liked it)

Everybody needs a little R&R

If you didn't know, it's a scientific fact that everyone needs a little break from life and kids and routine...and this lucky girl and her sexy, hot hubby got just that. We are calling it our Anniversary since we didn't even get around to dinner on the real date last month. But let me tell you...it was sooooo worth the wait. No kids, or work, or dishes or cleaning..just 4 days of pure bliss and relaxation..and yes..yes you should be jealous ;)


We started with a little trip to the Stratosphere in Vegas..where this old lady rode the Big Shot and stayed up til 3 am...totally felt it the next day.

Then we hit the road to Cali..stopping in Primm to ride the Buffalo Bill roller coaster (I know... are we 12 or what?)

And if there is anything bigger than boys and baseball..I have yet to find it..(well I may have one clue :) but I'll just let you all guess what that is..and if your mind is in the gutter then you are headed in the right direction. But back on track with baseball..these 3 boys were giddy with excitement and worried that we weren't gonna make it to the game 3 hours early. Angels vs.Yankees

And other than the heat and the $6 drink Nate bought (#hehatesspendingmoney)..the game was a success.


                                                   We walked around the harbor

Took lots of pictures

                                             And I even got some hair extensions for the night...

And  you can't go to CA without a trip to the beach...and to Nicks restaurant (thanks to Scottie..a local who gave us the 411 on where to go and what beaches to hit up..)

can't believe I got a pose outta this one..#hemightdiewhenheseesiputthisontheblog

We ended with a walk along the pier and dinner with the best hamburger Nate has ever eaten.

And it was a bitter pill to swallow heading back to the real world..where I have to be a grown up again and take care of the 5 kiddos and pay bills and do laundry..but I tell ya..having these breaks from life which are too few and far between make the real life possible to endure..am I right? So here's to a fab trip with some great friends and lots of good laughs #biggestfakebuttweeversawinvegas  #ididn'tkillusdrivinginthecity #nastynastiesgoin'oninthecarnexttous #thosearesomelonghashtags #let'sdoitagain