Dear Ehlert Family!!

All Im saying is, kindness dont have no boundries.

from: The Help

by: Kathryn Stockett

I always feel inadequate when trying to express my gratitude to you for sharing your Lake Powell experience with me and my family!!

But here is my best shot at articulation.

First, I fully realize that you 'gifted' the Stephensons a few extra days on that sparkling, wonderous lake. We know that you could have packed up and headed home to your bug free, air conditioned home after already having spent a week out there! Instead you girded up your loins, put on your happy faces and turned your boat “out to sea” again...just for us!! Thank you for being so generous and for being such amazing host's!

Each one of you dear Ehlerts lend such a great flavor to the Lake Powell experience.

Handsome Matt...you seemed happy to keep the little kiddies entertained (which is a new side of you I never knew was there!! so cool!!) You answered silly questions from young and old and always pointed us in the right direction to a good time!! What a perfect 1^st mate you are to your good dad!

Sweet worry-wart Becca! Oh how I love you! Before this trip I would never have guessed that you'd be the one to loose sleep over a stray green pool noodle floating away in the dark. And I will be ever grateful to you for sharing your craftiness with such patience with young and old alike!! I have cool bracelets to prove your skill in teaching...as do 10 yr old boys and girls!! Impressive Becca!! Keep smiling that beautiful smile of yours...and for petes sake...DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!!

Beautiful Stephenie...whom I also love and adore. You are a dear friend not only to Anna, but to me as well! Your sense of humor, quick wit and brilliance always lift those around you!! Your such a good sport and always so willing join in and make something FUN!!! Its delightful to visit with you and to watch you grow into the most amazing, charming lady!! I wonder what tales you'll be telling us next year on the lake?! Cant wait!!!

Dan the growing man! What a fine fellow you are!! Such a good sport...no one can ruffle your fine feathers...even when you were referred to as 'Ben' throughout the voyage. What a dashing fig're you struck in your captains shirt..the picture perfect 2^nd mate to your dad. And I understand you play a wicked game of monopoly as well!

Dearest Cathy! Cruise Director extrodinare!!! (Julie McCoy has nothing on you!) You have having a good time down to a science!! Feeding the masses- deliciously , leading by example and jumping from the upper deck, practicing patience and calm until its an art form. Maybe we too might some day be just like you!!! Dan must have learned from you how to not get ones buns in a ruffle!!

Lastly but not leastly there is Captain Paul-

How does one go about explaining the skills and aptitudes of the master of the ship!? I've seen him in action in other years...and have always been amazed at his prowess. This year I learned some new things about our fearless leader.

First: Anchors set by Paul...set with precision...thus we are confident we wont find ourselves somewhere where we dont want to be in the morning.

Next...a “professional hiking guide” can fall back and follow ones captain to magical places in the moon light and be much the better for it. Oh my oh my the hike and the moonlight was stupendous! Our tour of Antelope canyon via ski boat...beyond blissful!

Captain Paul..chief of smooth running!

Ski boat for skiing, and tubing and exploring. Check.

Jet ski's – smooooooth going. Check (Though the man of all trades had to figure out how to get sticks and debris unstuck from the 'guts' a few times.) In my heaven we are all getting around on jet ski's!!! yes sir eee!!!

Who knew that the only enticement to get our busy captain to set a spell would be the movie Meet the Robinsons!!!??? go figure. He sat there and almost giggled with the rest of us while sucking on a otter pop!!

Yep...Paul is the sailor extrodiniare..with his trusty and beautiful wife as cruise director at his side. Nobody does a better job of docking a 90ft houseboat to a 150 foot dock that is teaming with activity and chaos than Paul. I watched others try and almost fail, and then we watched Paul with wonder when he made it look like slicing butter with a hot knife. Impressive!

Thank you for a glorious time dear Eherts!

And you should know...I have water spots on my sun glasses; spots that were acquired as I sped across the bay on that last afternoon on your jet ski...spots that I dont want to remove, for they are a great reminder of those euphoric three days on the lake with all of you!!!

Bless you!!!

Thank you!!!

Love you all!!!