Fall Cutting at Payne Acres

Last week our pasture got its autumn mowing. We were eating dinner when we looked out the window and saw the perfect lighting for a photo op. I love all of the little bales of grass lined up tidy in our field --- add the kids and you have the perfect quilt. Mow does rhyme with sew. And I have been trying to do more of the latter these days!

19 Years and Counting

On August 10th, Rich and I celebrated our 19th Anniversary. One of our favorite backup plans for when we can't make it out on "the day" is to have a romantic dinner under the willow tree. Kate helped me decorate and then played our waitress. Kate and Jeff made the paper butterflies hanging under the tree and the table decorations, which were beautiful! The only distraction of the evening was the monkey who kept appearing to spy on us. He was mostly dropping it to sip the sparkling apple cider and taste the homemade key lime pie. We don't mind monkeys too much, especially the ones with curly hair. The waitress:

The monkey:

Coming Soon...

I have more summer photos coming. We took a trip to Alaska, and I will post those soon. In July, I needed to make more space on my computer and accidentally deleted all of my photos on my computer. My recycle bin was turned off, and so I lost everything. After the initial shock and some tears (me, not Rich), we began the process of recovering and restoring.

Stake Handcart Trek: Wyoming, July 2010

In July, Rich, Ryan and I spent some vacation days in Wyoming...on our Stake's temple trip via Wyoming. It was a great experience, and I have uploaded a few shots from the trail.

Ryan after his mud spa treatment. See, this really was vacationing with a purpose!

At Sixth's Crossing, Rich and I did our own river crossing re-enactment. Uh, doesn't he look like he is about to bust a gut. I tried really hard to be light for the entire picture.

Ryan with some of his "handcart family." (Right to left: Ryan, Daniel, Dallen, Megan.)

This is the handcart family that we played Aunt and Uncle to. They were a great group of kids. I mean real troopers. It was hot and dusty, coupled with very little sleep and too many peanut butter sandwiches and squencher. If you look really close, you will see Kate's penny doll, Hattie. She came along on the trip, since Kate couldn't. We posed Hattie in different parts of the trip. It was fun. I think there is a story in there somewhere.

Catch Up

I have been meaning to put this picture up of Ryan. He played tennis for the local middle school and had a great time. He qualified for the A Team and played in the District Tournament in May, taking 3rd in his bracket. He loves to play tennis for fun, and this is his first time competing in a sport. He was a real gentleman on the court and had FUN at every match -- even when the wind was blowing at 35 miles an hour. Ah, spring tennis in Idaho!

Hello Spring!

It's spring again at Payne Acres! We spent Saturdays in February and March in the orchard pruning the trees and now we get to sit back and enjoy the blossoms. It won't be long before we are back in the orchard thinning fruit and chasing off the naughty robins who invade our cherry trees.

In March, we had to say goodbye to a good friend who loved to be in the orchard with us. We sure miss our dog, Yogi! But we now have a new responsibility...6 orphaned kittens to feed. It has been a lot bigger job than I anticipated. I have new respect for any mammal that gives birth to anything that comes in multiples! It's a good thing kittens grow so fast! Would anyone like to adopt a kitten -- cute, cuddley, hand-fed!

A Good Year

This year has been a truly great and blessed one. We have added another member to our family -- Emily! Aside from always wanting another daughter -- there are many perks that I have discovered in adding a child through marriage.

1. I didn't have to go through another pregnancy;

2. She has already been through puberty; and

3. She comes with a college degree!

Emily also has the sweetest personality and takes great care of Brandon. Kate always wanted a sister, too! I hope you all enjoy the Christmas season, and have time to enjoy the wonderful blessing of being part of a family.

Another Quilt Off the Frame...

Happy day! I finally finished Jeff's "Chicken Linen" quilt. After much collecting of fabric (the most fun part) and cutting, sewing, and all the rest...the quilt has made it onto his bed. This has been about a 2 year project, not including the collecting time. Now, to the rest of the unfinished projects that were more fun to start than finish!

A Visit to Our Nation's Capital

On September 11th, we left Idaho on a jet plane to visit our Nation's Capital. We actually were able to spend 8 days in Washington, D.C.; and Rich's itinerary didn't leave much undone. We saw just about every national site -- along with a few other memorable moments riding on D.C.'s metro system. Despite all of the security checks; long days of walking; security checks; and more security checks we had an excellent and well-planned trip.Here are the kids in front of the Lincoln Memorial. (Sunday, Sept. 13th 2009.)

Walking across the bridge from Arlington Cemetery toward the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. (Sunday, Sept. 13th 2009.)

Touring the Capitol Building. (Sept. 12th, 2009.)

A day spent at George Washington's Virginia home, Mt. Vernon.

Jeff in front of the Washington Monument. (Weds., Sept. 16th, 2009.)

Here we are in front of the White House. We were able to get a tour of the White House, thanks to our trusty Senator, Sen. Crapo, and his efficient staff. They only show a few rooms and then escort you out the front door. We did have the "privilege" of seeing the family dog out for his morning walk, escorted by his very own Secret Service Agent. Very glamorous!

Here we are with my Great Aunt Ruth who lives in Maryland. She is so fun! We went to lunch and she was the first to blow off her straw wrapper at the kids. Of course, my kids followed suit. Rich and I were definitely the oldest people at the table!

And They'll Live Happily Ever After...

Brandon and Emily were married on April 18, 2009. It was a lovely ceremony, performed by Rich, and they were and are so happy together. We couldn't ask for a more lovely daughter-in-law. Now Kate has a sister and she's very happy about that.

Making the Most of Ski Season

We have had the most wonderful time skiing this year -- even taking time to go as our P.E. credit on Fridays in February! The views from Bogus Basin have been spectacular, and it seems that each time we have gone we have had a wonderfully sunny day. And even though our truck broke down in the ski lodge parking lot this past Friday, we were blessed to be able to have our truck towed home (YEAH for TRIPLE A); and catch a ride with some friends who were skiing, too. (Thanks Matt and Kristie!) LIFE IS GOOD...just see for yourself...

Jeff zooms down the hill!

Jeff and Ryan skiing at Bogus Basin.

Kate practicing some skills for Dad.

Brandon and Emily's Engagement Announcement

This is Brandon and Emily's engagement photo. Their wedding is planned for April 18th in Hermiston, Oregon. Congratulations!

Since November....

Brandon and Emily came for a visit in January and we enjoyed spending time with them.

Christmas morning 2008.

Unveiling "THE PRECIOUS"
Our 1972 TV was now requiring a "boot-up sequence" when you turned it on...not to mention that whole DTV thing. Rich liked the idea of going "off the grid."
Ryan builds off "quaint" for a big score against Grandma Donna. (December 2008.)

Grandma Donna visited for Thanksgiving and she and the kids played LOTS of board games, including this 4 hour game of Monopoly. I'm pretty sure that she never played a 4 hour board game with her own kids -- I guess that's what being a grandma is all about!

Life as Usual...

In school this past week, we were studying The Golden Age of China and decided to learn to use chopsticks for fun. We rigged up some "training wheels" for the sticks -- which helped some. Kate had so much soy sauce on her rice, she got frustrated with the chopsticks and begged to use a fork. Ryan kept saying, "You won't get an 'A' on your project if you use a fork." Kate loves to get A's, so she found an alternative.

Ryan does it like a pro...not a grain left! A+ for the day!

The evaluation of the Chopsticks 101 Class:

"I think I know why Chinese people are so small!"

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I was finally able to get a picture of Kate on her new birthday bicycle. She looks so cute on it and I love the white basket -- that was Dad's addition. I thought she still needed a little girl one -- you know the plastic ones with pink flowers all over!

Good Day, Sunshine!

We finally got outside on a nice day last week to capture a few shots of the kids before all of the flowers and leaves are gone. I've learned how important it is to make the opportunity to take pictures. Next spring they will look so different, esp. that pre-teen kid -- ahem, Ryan! Our camera is acting up a little bit, so these aren't the best. I told the kids we may have to try again this week -- they were not amused.

Birthday Girl!

Kate had her 9th birthday on the 9th of November! She got a real "big girl" bike -- one that should take her to college and beyond! (It was rainy today, so we'll try and post a picture on Monday.) We are so proud of this bright and sweet girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY K-A-T-E!

Atomic Cookies

We are studying Chemistry this year in school -- and the kids had a chance to make "atomic cookies." We weren't quite sure what element Jeff created, but let's just say it was loaded with protons and electrons and it tasted REALLY great!

Rich & Deanne, Halloween 2008

Halloween 2008

Here we are wearing this year's costumes. We had fun dressing up together and doing something a little different. We can't believe how creative people were at our ward party. We are going to be thinking about our costume ideas a lot sooner next time!