Good Times at Powell-Well for the Most Part...

The entire Murphy Crew was finally able to all go to Lake Powell together. It was the first year the every family could go. We had such a great time being together and cousins playing 16 hours a day straight. So much fun bonding together with all my siblings, parents, nieces, & nephews. Unfortunately however, we had a few turns for the worse...First poor Jackson cut his ankle open after accidently kicking the switch-blade on the boat and had to go into Page for stiches and couldn't get his foot wet for the rest of the week. But such a tough1 kid with such a great attitude! Second and worst of all, my brother-in-law Steve & 10 year-old nephew Max were working on a wave runner and it blew up on them. They both had to be life-flighted to Maricopa Burn Unit in Phoenix for treatment where they stayed for the next 3 nights. But after many prayers and blessings, they were able to come home. Unfortunately they still have a long recovery & pain ahead of them. But so far no skin grafting will be needed and they both have great new hair buzzes. We are definately so greatful it wasn't worse then it was & truely witnessed some miracles take place. And we're so thankful to all our great friends and ward members for all their concern & prayers. People have been so thoughtful and we hope they know how much we've appreciated them. So now that we're home we'll have to get geared up for next year! My Mother says, "I don't think so." But we'll covince her!:-)We started the vacation with a couple days in St. George for some rest & relaxation before all the craziness began in Lake Powell. This is Jessica, Porter, and Jacob.
Night swimming in the marina...Jessica, Jonah, Kate, Max,
Nick, Savannah, and Porter all surrounding Pappy!
Kenzie,Savannah, Jonah, Kate, Porter, Nick, and Maxwell
Jessi & Coop- the deputies around our beach.

Max, Payton, Jessi, Jackson, and Savannah

Taylor, Nick, and McKenzieMallory brought all her hair stuff and they spent one of the nightsgiving the boys new hair styles. Hot stuff I tell ya!
This is where Kaleb slept. Just a big enough crack to catch us checking on him and enough to not go back to sleep.

Rainbow Bridge Arch

So cool!

This is how we finished a long day in the sun on a beautiful boat ride!

Ride em' cowboy. It was Cooper's & Bo's birthdays while we were there and Coop got this cowboy hat. Kaleb kept stealing it and would run around jumping on everyone. Goof ball. I guess we know what to get him for Christmas.

Hanging out on the beach.

Surfin' USA

Fire Dancing and glow sticks.The kids loved playing around with the glow sticks and once they were done, the big kids learned to melt them and then fling all the juice inside all over eachother. Soon enough no more sticks just glow-kids.
If a kid can get messy, there's nothing better than a sucker to keep them busy!

Jessica's first Wake Surfing lesson. Thanks to Steve, she was able to try it out. A bit nervous but since Steve's a good enough surfer, she never had to crash into the water. He surfed right up onto the boat and handed her to us and then just kept on surfing. So cute. Thanks Steve!!!

Here are a few pictures of my nephew Max. The picture above was before he was taken into the marina. Rhett, Angie, and Jess took them all in on the ski boat. They had called ahead to ask for an ambulance to meet them and once they arrived the came upon 6 police cars that had blocked off anyone from coming into the ramp, 2 ambulances, and a helicopter. They lifeflighted Max to Flagstaff, AZ and took Steve by ambulance to Page, AZ. Neither place was able to assist them and so they were both flewn to Pheonix and met up there. At one point they were going to intubate Steve for fear he had inhaled the flames and place him on life support for possibly 3 days, but once in Pheonix they decided they didn't have to. Thank goodness Steve put up a good fight. They both sustained deep second degree burns all over their arms and faces which will need to be scrubbed and cleaned for much time to come. While they were there they were able to meet Christian & Stephanie Nielsen who were involed in a place crash last summer and received severe burns. Our hearts go out to them and their family members as we were able to feel just a tiny glimps of what they have gone through over the past year. They and their family (The Clark's) were so cute and supportive. Her mom, Mrs. Clark was there to great my sister who lives near her, & her brother & wife, Andrew & Megan were there to greet my parents & us and we pulled into our driveways. Such a wonderful family and my sister Stacy says that the experience of meeting Christian & Stephanie was such a neat thing and told us all what precious people they are. We were thankful to them for offering their help and taking the time to visit Max, Steve, & Stacy in the hospital and are greatful again to all the friends and family who have been calling to check in & for their prayers. We definately saw proof of answered prayers and are so greatful that Steve & Max are doing so well.

Such a trooper!