Wild things at the zoo (the animals were fun too)

The 2012 Olympic Team

Before I get to our zoo experience I have to give a shout out to some of the most amazing women around. These are just a few (about half) of our awesome basketball group that plays every Tuesday and Thursday.  I am so grateful for Tiffany who kept on me for months to join them over 2 years ago. I love these women so much and if ever I am not able to make it to basketball I miss them more than I can imagine. They are all incredible, and not only at basketball! And since I missed my chance to tell Ginger how much she meant to me, I want all you girls to know that I love you all so much and I am blessed to know each and every one of you. We try to get together once a month outside of basketball for brunch and thank you to Julie being our hostess this month, its always fun to talk when we're not so out of breath.

Santa Barbara Zoo

We went to the zoo this saturday with our very good friends the Nilsons. We have known them for so long, since Spencer and Tyler were 9 months old. Since then we've had our Mason and Alex, as well as our Riley and Brad. (oops I broke the cycle) And now Julie is 3 weeks away from her 4th boy! She is more than welcome to break the cycle for me there. We used to live just down the street from each other, we both moved a few years ago, and now we are about 30 minutes away. But we still keep in pretty close contact, not only for me and her but also for our boys who always have the best time together. Labor day weekend seems to always be our weekend together. We started the tradition a few years back with camping at the lake and there have been many fun adventures since. Here's a few shots from our latest.

My mother in law always comments that she thinks its funny Julie and I are such good friends because we are so different. This is true, she is the sweetest person you will ever meet, so I am just grateful that she puts up with me. Thanks Julie you are the best!

Welcome to the next 18-20 years of your life.

Mason started kindergarten and Spencer first grade today, sad right? For me the saddest part is that this is what they will be doing for the next 2 decades. I feel for them, the crap that they will have to deal with and go through, why wish that on anyone. But for now K, and 1st are exciting for them so why spoil it. It was crazy to me this morning making a lunch for Spencer, he always eats lunch with me, however he of course was thrilled. He is in a 1st grade-2nd grade split so I'm a little worried, what are those big 2nd graders going to be teaching my man. Mason on the other hand only wanted to make sure that he got a treat for his snack, he has his priorities. I think he will have a great time in kindergarten and know that he will love Ms. Oliver, and she wont be able to resist loving him!

And for all of those out there, like me, who keep losing another kid to the public (or private) school systems, this songs for you!

Things that make me happy. (in no particular order)

CheapER gas prices-

Now I realize that $3.93 is no bargain, however I went to fill up my tank the other day and the pump stopped at $94.38. Usually for me the pump stops at either $75 or $100 depending on the gas stations limit. (I did get up to $120 once at Costco) So it took me a minute to figure out that I had just filled my tank for under $100. This was a magical moment.

The fall line-up-

I hate to admit it to all of you, as well as myself, but I am a sitcom junkie, I am so excited for September when all my favorite shows return again. In my defense I ride on my recumbent bike about 5 times a week and the only thing that gets me through the hour ride is a good show to watch. I have already checked out the websites and I am pretty sure there will be plenty to keep me riding! 

Kids who behave when it really counts-

Darren had to sit up on the stand today in church because the bishop was by himself, so I had the kids all by myself. I positioned myself between a couple of good friends to help me when I had to take Riley out. But after we made it through sacrament with no incident the bishop got up to the podium and said, "President Payne and I were having a good laugh because usually by now he has had to take Riley out at least twice, but neither of us has heard a word from her today. So maybe we will have to keep Darren up here more often." After I gave him the over-my-dead-body look I had a good laugh with the rest of the ward, and gave my kids an extra kiss for behaving when it really counts.

Oldies music-

If any of you know my Dad you know that I was raised on oldies music, and I still love it. (Hence the new playlist, just some of my fav's) I really do think that oldies music is what helped me pass my drivers exam, let me explain. I am a terrible parallel parker, still can't do it, my driving teacher also knew I couldn't do it. But every time we were out on the road driving with him he had the oldies station on. It became a game for him to see if I could name the song and the artist, I was rather impressive I must say. So when the driving test came and I totally bombed the parallel parking part, he told me that he would pass me but suggested that I not parallel park for a while, I listened and still don't. So I would like to attribute my drivers license to oldies music, may you live on forever.

These are just a few of the small things that make everyday an adventure for Laura Payne.

Consolation

Well I'm sure you will all be sad to know that Janet and I lost first place by half a game, and the trophy's were pretty cool this year too. Oh well, I imagine there are more important things than winning bowling trophy's (I'm still trying to figure out what) and I love it all the same. Janet and I always have the best time together, I will miss her so much next season as she goes off to nursing school, ah how quickly they grow.  But I have been fortunate enough to recruit another wonderful friend to play with me. And so another great season begins.

I had to throw this next picture in because it struck me as funny that even with this huge group of kids, this is not even half of the grandkids in Darren's family. So double the amount of kids in this picture and you will have an idea of the mass chaos when the whole family actually gets together. Its pretty rare that we actually get all 9 Camp/Payne kids together but when we do just imagine the raucous party that ensues. You gotta love big families right?

Well, it is now days until school starts up again, and the kids are so excited. What I'm not really sure of is if they are excited because of school or because the summer is over and that means they can play wii again. I decided last April that we were going to take a hiatus from the wii this summer, I figured there has to be better things to do with our summer right? I refuse to believe we bought a house with a yard for nothing.  And so ever since I hid the wii games Mason has been asking, "Mom, when is summer going to be over?" He has not however been pining away the last few months, they have been forced to find other things to do, and I think they have had a good time. So at the surface I may seem to be the worlds meanest mom, and although sometimes I DO deserve that title, I think a video game free summer has been a tradition I may keep in the years to come. SSHH, dont tell my kids, they may never look forward to summers again. Ah mmooomm!

The anticipation is killing me.

How on earth can I sleep tonight when there are bowling results to be found out tomorrow? I tell you what, a geek I may be, but this is exciting stuff! My partner and I were in the lead last week but I had to bowl by myself and finished before anyone else, so I don't know how everyone did. I will be honest, I don't think we will get it, again, but my anticipation will not be stayed. And truthfully its not about the money, last season we came in 2nd by one game and got .60c less than the first place team, no, for me its all about the trophy! When Darren bagged his 40lb Dorado in Mexico he decided to have it stuffed, I very sweetly told him that I would rather not have it in my house. (It is the ugliest fish) But I will tell you this much, I am dying to have a bowling trophy sitting right above the fireplace. It would be the perfect addition to my home decor, I have been decorating around the possibility. So as I lay restlessly in bed this night, I will be wondering, is bowling something worth praying for? No, I suppose not, so instead I will dream a dream of my name on a little plaque on a golden statue of a little bowling person shining brightly on my mantle. Can you see it too?

We had our ward camp out this weekend and I love ward camp outs. Of course it doesnt hurt that we camp at a beach up near Santa Barbara. It is so beautiful, and Im sorry to the rest of you but we have the best ward ever. Even Riley has her best buddy Cambria!
All the kids stayed up way too late, ate way too much junk and got way too dirty, and that right there is the recipe for an awesome camp out. However Spencer on the way home said to me "Mom, I had a lot of fun camping and all, but I really love my bed." Its nice to know that wherever we go there's still no place like home!

Mason on the other hand only came by to see us when it was time to eat. He and his best buddy Tanner couldn't take time out of their play schedule for anything less.
A good friend of ours brought a Zodiak and took all the kids cruising around the ocean. Me and a few of the girls also got a chance to go for a spin. What do 4 women out in the middle of the ocean do for fun.....dare each other to jump out, and yes, I took the dare. The water was very cold and salty, and I had trouble getting back in. It does not help when you cant stop laughing. (I got pulled out of my swimsuit and gave the little fishies a show)  Ah good times.
Riley was such a trooper, she slept through the night and the trains, she mooched food off of just about the whole ward (we've taught her well), and she was covered from head to toe in dirt. And boy, a day like that can really wear a girl out. Its just a good thing no one can put Riley to sleep better than dad! She is such a daddy's girl, my only consolation is that she still calls him mama. 
So another great end of the summer adventure for the Payne's, one more weekend and the kids are back to school. Im still not quite sure what I will do with both of my boys gone for parts of everyday. Oh, dont let me fool you, I have plenty of stuff to keep me busy; the house, my books, RILEY, young womens, bowling, basketball, RILEY, laundry, blogging, RILEY. Plus we still have a fun Labor Day weekend trip to Legoland planned! And we are talking about taking the waverunners out this weekend so if anyone is interested in a trip to the lake, give me a holler. Otherwise we'll talk to you next blog post!

The beach, the pool and other great things!

Wow did we have fun this last week! A little crazy for mom but so great. Three of Darren's siblings came into town this last week from Georgia, Oregon, and Michigan. It was so great to see them all and have Sherrie and her kids stay with us. We got everyone together as much as we could in the form of swimming, going to Zuma (our favorite local beach), or just hanging with the kids. I personally have a serious love-hate relationship with the beach. It is great to just let the kids play, play, play all day and they are so worn out by the end of the day it makes for an easy evening. But my hate for the beach is that it is so SANDY. My kids are so gross when we are done that it is all I can do to let them in the car. And as you can see, Riley loves to eat it and that always makes for a fun little surprise in the days that follow! ;-) But in the END there is nothing quite like it. (pun totally intended)!

Another fun day trip we took was to the Skirball Center in LA. They have this great exhibit called Noah's Ark that is totally hands on for the kids. What a blast, and not one grain of sand. You can play on everything, touch everything, climb all over, and make a picture to take home. A great way to waste a day.

But in the end who can beat a day at the pool! Its the best entertainment there is and my kids love to swim so everybody wins.

All in all this was such a fun week and I speak the truth when I tell you absolutely nothing else got done around here, the house is a mess, no one has any clean clothes, there have been very few home cooked meals, and I don't know when the last time my kids had a real bath. Ahhh a mothers work is never done, especially when the mother doesn't do it. But its summer right?!?!