So I am a little behind in the Guinn going- ons only because there was so much going on. I tried to enjoy every moment of having the kids home from school. I love having them home, and at the end of every summer I can be heard lamenting the same thing as school approaches, "it just wasn't enough time!" Where does it go? I heard sister Sherri Dew at a stake women's conference today say that earthly life is only 3 minutes and 27 seconds of total life including pre-mortal life and eternal life. Everybody laughed, but I just knew she was right. I am glad that I stopped everything and spent time with my family. We went to the beach, swimming most days and sometimes twice, spent the night with cousins before their big move to TN, had parties, went to Bear Lake, had basketball and soccer games, dance recitals, went to movies, saw old friends, celebrated lots of birthdays and a 20 year anniversary, went to legoland, spent time at favorite parks, had lots of camps, and we did not work very much which I am OK with since we work really hard most of the year. Now we are off to a start of a great school year with Davin entering his senior year and Brody beginning his formal education in kindergarten (we went back and forth on this like you wouldn't believe because his bday isn't 'til August, but in the end we started him). I so enjoyed the first day when the last child got home - I found us all sitting around the kitchen chatting in turn sharing our first day experiences with the people that matter. Our family motto for this year is Learn, Work, Serve, Endure! I sure hope we can live up to it.

These brothers REALLY love each other - I hope it stays that way!

Kellen got his second big boy haircut :). He wouldn't smile for the camera though.


Emmie participates in her first dance recital. It was a thrilling experience for her and for us. She took one jazz class and for next year maybe jazz and ballet.

This picture is from the dress-rehearsal because no photography was allowed during the actual show.

Here we are before the show. Emmie was in the opening dance number and in her jazz routine.

Lucky us, Nana and Grandpa got to come!!!!! We went to IN-and-OUT for shakes after the show.

Big sis, Josie Kate, wouldn't have missed it. A big thanks to Davin for watching Kellen at home because he definitely would not have made it through the 3 hour long show!!!!!

Brody turns five!!!! I can't believe my little boy is big. It goes back to that time thing I was talking about earlier. Happy Birthday to one amazing kid. You make your mama smile everyday with the things you say and the way you throw out your quick intense affection to those in your close circle. Your smart, your kind, your handsome - don't ever forget it. I think five is going to be a very good year for you!

Thanks for sharing your pinata with Kellen.

I can't believe we have two leftys in the family.

It sure was fun to have your party and the going away party for the cousins at Nana's house!

Thanks Josie and Perry for making the cake. Brody loovveeeddd it!

What would summer be without a new slip and slide? Everyone loves it except Brad - he doesn't love the way it kills the grass every year.

Did I mention that I decided to do a couple of home projects while I had helpers to entertain Mr. Kellen. This is the downstairs office. It was yellow walls with dark wood and beige seat covers, and now it is Tranquility blue walls with ivory antiqued wood and new fabric to coordinate on the seats. It was a lot of work, especially the sanding, but the results made it worth it.

Josie and Emmie got involved by painting the two extra chairs white, and then I covered them to match their bedspreads. I also sanded and painted some old bunk beds for the little boys room that came from my sister.

Here are the first day of school pictures. I am so sad I didn't take any of Davin and Perry. They just left before my brain was working. Everyone was a mix of nerves and excitement.

Kindergarten here I come.

I am not sure if 3rd grade is ready for Emmie:)

On a sad note, there are no pictures of BYU basketball camp or Davin's high adventure trip off the coast of Santa Barbara. There are pictures of Perry and Josie at girls camp and legoland, but they are on Perry's camera. There are no pictures of our 20 year anniversary - I believe Brad was on business in Houston and by the time he got home I wasn't thinking take pictures. There are also pictures of BYU soccer camp for Perry and Cal Baptist soccer camp for Josie, but they are on different cameras.

Let me conclude this monster post with comments on being married for 20 years. This was a big one for me because I have now been married for half of my life. What I know is that I found someone I could work through this life with which is the most important thing you can find. It helps that I was madly attracted to the guy and that I still love being wrapped up in his arms. We try our best to be a team, and although this needs fine tuning often, it works. My neighbor asked, "do you have problems?" I told her that the only issues we really have center around running a household so I just try to remember that. Keep it in perspective and always remember the grass is not greener on the other side - just water and fertilize your own! Our love is solid, sometimes passionate, sometimes mellow, but it is constant and has been for over 20 years now, and I am hoping for at least 50 more!!!!!