Dear family,

This is our last week of summer break!  Kind of scary--I hope we're ready
for another school session.  I guess summer couldn't last forever! 

Stephen has a few pages left on Walking Through Egypt, and then he'll read
Sea Wolf over the next 5 days!  The kids have always wanted to
procrastinate summer reading for school, but this has been the worst!  I've
had fun reading a fiction book with him for a change.  Stephen had the most
fun this summer.  He had a week canoe trip, and then our family reunion.
(He says it should last 2 weeks next time!)  Then he went to EFY.  He had a
really great time.  He came home really excited to go on a mission and
study the scriptutes.  A parent's dream!!

Dan is home as of about 3 weeks ago.  He will always have the drive to be
free and on his own, but for now he is being patient knowing that there are
definate benefits to being home, like food, transportation, and a real bed!
 He has a lot to offer the family too, so we are glad he's here.  He has
decided to go to a county supported alternative school where he will be
able to graduate this year, if he can keep up withe the demanding school
day.  He'll go from 8am to 4pm!  He has a nice girlfriend.  She comes over
from time to time and Dan goes over there a lot!

Sarah finished her summer work schedule last week.  She truly loves doing
day camp.  She had to be at the Y every week day morning at 7am!  Then
she'd come home sweaty and dirty about 5:30.   She'd clean up and be off
with one of her friends or to insititute.  She and I went on a mother
daughter campout last weekend.  About 50 women and kids were there--it was
a great activity for everyone. 

John has 2 more weeks of work before going to BYU.  He is practicing the
trumpet most mornings in preparation for marching band.  He did a cool
thing yesterday!  He boxed up a tie that Joe gave him that Joe used on his
mission, and sent it to Kyle.  He gave Kyle instructions to pass it on to
the next person who went on a mission.  What a neat legacy you started in
the family Joe!  John is starting to interact with girls a little more.

Jim attended the scout camp a couple of weeks ago.  He does a good job of
supporting the scout program in the ward.  He's spent many hours now with a
friend from his radio club trying to get a radio to work that can
communicate across the world.  It was given to him.  He is finding though
that he needs to invest in a better antennae and speaker for it!  He has
been at his company long enough to have 4 weeks of vacation now!  Yippee!!

I'm looking forward to CES conference in 2 weeks.  I always come home not
wanting to turn on the tv or radio because I don't want to lose the great
feeling I get from the spirit after being in such a spiritual setting for a
week.  Seminary will start on the 20th of August.  I also got the new
kitchen counter top I've been saving for.  I am REALLY happy with it.  The
other one had "warped" along the seams worse and worse each year.  My goal
was to paint the ceilings on the main level of the house and I completed
that too--so I have had a good summer!

I hope to hear from everyone else!  Love you all--

LeeAnn