At the Lake

Donevan & Christine did a lot to entertain us while we were in Idaho, but near the top on everyone's list at the end of the week was tubing at the lake.     We driopped everyone off at a floating dock in the middle of the lake.  Gary & Donevan inflated the huge water trampoline and the kids had a blast playing on it while others went out on the boat.   Donevan's death defying tube rides are the stuff of legend.  It was too rough to ski, but that figured perfectly into his plan.  Gary, Brook & I went on the tube together and had some awesome wipe-outs.  

It was windy and we lost a few chairs into the lake  - including one holding Suzanne's phone and camera.  Brooke jumped in to save them.  On several different occasions.  Her best save of the day came when Donevan pushed her into the lake and she managed to keep Christine's Coke above her head out of the water.  This girl's got skills! 

  D.J.  drives the boat.  
 Taylor, Brooke & Grace brave death on one of Uncle Donevan's famous tube rides
  Taylor and Jackie O.  ...er... Debbie
  Brooke had to do all the dirty work - she even took D.J. and Gemma for their first tube rides.   
  Playing on the tube

  

Independence Day 2009

We took a trip out west to see Gary's sisters and their families over the 4th.  They showed us a great time and the kids got to spend some time with their cousins out west (including Brooke who is at BYU Idaho for college).   Idaho Falls has an amazing fireworks show and a fun city parade on the 4th.  This was our 3rd year and it lived up to the hype (mostly coming from Donevan).  :-)  

  Cousins at the zoo
  Gary & his little sister, Christine
  Mom & Dad Payne watch the parade... and the grandkids watching the parade
  Grace FINALLY found someone who wants to match her outfit (to Sam's relief).  Grace and her cousin Ashleigh pose in their 4th of July digs.
  Donevan, Rodrigo, & Gary sport the red, white & blue.

Gary & Donevan ran in the Firecracker 5K early the morning after we arrived.  They each PRed and did great in the race.  Way to go, guys!   

  D. J. and Gemma celebrate a happy "Philippian American Friendship Day"  (how they celebrate the 4th of July in the Philippines, we learned from our bro-in-law and resident expert on all things Philippino in the Payne family).
  Emma shows off her patriotism
  Brooke poses with Taylor & Gemma
  They've still got it!
  The end (and a happy ending for Sam, who really adores his cousin, Caitley).