Morgan with Grandma Payne last 4th of July.

Many thanks to Grandma Payne who has diligently served and loved all of us as long as she as known us. How long is that I wonder? Think of the many vacations we enjoyed because of Grandma Jaynann and Grandpa Dean - Haystack Rock and Canon Beach. The Beach in Washington with all of the huge trees washed up on shore. Aspen Grove, Estes Park, and on and on! How about all of the Sunday dinners that we didn't bring anything but ourselves to. Wow - we will be forever in her debt. I am so grateful for Jaynann Morgan Payne, mother of 12 and grandmother to who knows how many!

This is the last picture that we had taken all together so at Bear Lake we are going to do another one. Everyone be thinking of a great pose and something we can all wear that matches or at least doesn't clash

The summer is winding down and I just don't want it to. I am not ready to be scheduled and tied down to school and car pools and such. This summer has been wonderful and we have received some great blessings. The trip to San Diego was just so amazing. I needed the beach and the breeze and just sleeping in a different bed for a week. It was marvelous to be with Josh, Adrienne and Ellee and Andrea and Tim and their children! We only wish it could have been everyone. But I think we have to take what ever opportunities come our way. Life could be short and we would have waited until just that perfect time to get away - which never comes. There is no perfect time. There will always be things that need to be done and you will never have just the perfect amount of money. So we must take every opportunity that we can to make memories with our children. Just a quick overnight camping trip brings smiles to little peoples faces. Ben made that point when he was here and would take Morgan on an outing and bring great joy to Morgs. He was always ready to enjoy an adventure with him. Taking time to eat outside together or go on a bike ride is a real treat to kids when their parents join them. The key is to be all together. Mom, Dad and kids. Now that our family has grown we will just have to take those that can go when they can go and GO! I think that life will be more challenging in the next few years and we will need to make our own inexpensive fun. I want to enjoy every minute because you never know what lies ahead.

Next topic is reading the scriptures. You all know that I am not the greatest when it comes to being consistent at anything except well maybe being inconsistent! But I want to challenge all of us (myself included) to read the scriptures daily. Even if it is 3 or 4 verses. Just opening the book brings the Spirit into our hearts and homes. We need that influence to help us avoid evil for our children and ourselves. We will have a family night up at Bear Lake to celebrate all those who read everyday from now until then. Keira, Collin and Chase are good readers and Morgs too so get busy. I have the Book of Mormon DVD for Drew and the little ones. (Morgan actually loves to watch it) Just having it on while they play with toys will be a benefit. Well family I just want you to know how much I love you and how much I love Dad. Of all the people I know - Dad has made a lot of changes in order to be a better person. He has had plenty of reason to be annoyed with me in the last little while, but he has just made the decision not to get "bugged" - (what good would it do anyway?=) So Dad's be like Dad and take control of the anger button. Just turn it off and don't let it come on - for any reason. There is nothing to be angry about. If something needs to be worked out just keep your cool so that the Spirit will hang around long enough to help you - otherwise you are on your own and that is just too hard. Thanks for letting me ramble on my blog. Love Mom