Summer Time-

WOW! Time has flown and I can't believe that I have let a month go by. I figure that since I have no time to scrapbook any more I had better keep up with this and then publish and create a book so that I will have some memories of our years-I don't know where the time goes; but it sure does fly.

I am going to try and update this as much as I can so I will add in some photos and entries and back date them where they go. I have June and July to do. So I am hoping I can catch up and summarize these and get it all done tonight. I am not a person of few words, so I'm going to try really hard to just go quickly.

We have had a good July. Seems like the days just go and go and even though we aren't going all over and traveling we keep busy and life is daily. I have been really busy with different projects and often feel bad that I have been busy and the kids have just done whatever they want during the day. I have been working on a project for the school district and also busy with Young Women's and Girls Camp. In some ways, it might be nice to have the summer done and get back into a regular schedule. Whatever that might be.

We had the Payne's from Farmington, NM here the first part of June (when the water damage happened) and haven't posted the fun stuff we did with them. Ash went to EFY with David and his friend Brian and Joanne and her boys stayed here. We took them to do a few fun activities and then we shopped too! I get to go and take Joanne around to all the awesome Home Decor stores in the area and find some deals myself. We did the frame on the wall while she was here and am so glad we did! It would have never happened if she wasn't here.

Then, for the 4th of July, we went to Boise and stayed at my dad's house. We got to see some friends from Las Vegas that have moved up there, also with the last name of Payne, and they blessed their baby that weekend so it worked out perfect. It had been a long time since we had seen them and it was fun to hang out with them. We took the kids and went to the water park in Meridian. Christian and Emily came-Ashleigh was in Oregon at a fun camp with Natalie Stevens (friends in Park City). Had a great time! We went to the Boise downtown parade and then watched the fireworks in Meridian by the race track-speedway. They were a great show. We just relaxed and enjoyed the time together and away from all the hectic home life-recovering from 2 small floods. I say-floods-and in all reality we were extremely lucky because they were only each about an inch deep of water and maybe not even that much. We were very fortunate that we found both of them soon after they happened and were able to get them taken care of without a ton of work. It wasn't very fun during the whole mess; but looking at what happened to all the people in the midwest we can say that we are so very blessed and grateful that our home wasn't taken by feet of water and all damage was fixable. Emily's room is STILL being worked on-ridiculous as that is-workers are so unreliable and don't always do what they say they will.

We picked up Ashleigh on the 12th from Oregon-she flew home. Had a fabulous time. Wants to go back every summer now. Emily got done with her camp at USU on the 11th and she also can't wait for it come again next summer. Christian is headed to scout camp next week and then we should be done with camps this summer. Oops-forgot about girls camp-how could that be-I am going crazy working on crafty things for it. That is Aug. 12-15th.

We have just been trying to get a few things around the house done and keeping up with a half acre of grass is a chore in itself. Never would have guessed that grass would be such a chore. Weeding, cutting, trimming, brown spots, sprinklers need fixing, etc...poor Nef is in the yard more than he would like and it has been muggy and hot here. Not like Vegas; but still not fun to be out in until 8 or 9 p.m. We should have done way more concrete and a lot less green!!! We never seem to get it right-always learning the hard way. That's our life story-my family will tell you that!!!

Nef and I just celebrated 17 years together also! Time does fly-I can't even remember half of it and the kids are growing up so dang fast. I miss those simple, quiet days. I do enjoy the fact that I have no diapers, potty training, etc. but there is aways a trade in there. Hum-which would I take-attitude or gratitude-Never had them talk back in those early years, no teasing, or annoying each other. So I guess it will always be something. Got to like each stage for what it is. They are definitely good kids and I can't really complain. I have been very blessed with 3 good, healthy, happy kids for the most part. Life is good with them around and I can't imagine it any other way. Thanks Nef for the first 17 years and I know we'll have another 17 to look forward too!!!

OK-I'm going to post pic's in order and back date them to fit so know that there will be entries back to the first of June.
I'm going to try and be better and not get this behind again.