Our Beautiful Family!

The extended reunion we've had the last several weeks with our children and their families (see here) is finally, yet happily, drawing to a close. We were all (except Colin) once again together for the last 2009 performance of the Hill Cumorah Pageant on Saturday evening, July 18, and on, Sunday afternoon, we were ALL together for a delightful few hours, during which--thanks to Rob's fancy camera, tripod, and a remote control--we pulled off the rare feat of a family portrait in our back yard:

For those who don't know our family well, the front row consists of my elder son Robert, his wife Sheila, my dear wife Melany, our dog Frank (with a dog biscuit in his mouth), and Melany's sister Melinda. In the back row are my son-in-law Jonathan, my daughter Donna, my younger son Colin, and some old geezer who stumbled out of the woods (otherwise known as me). It's an informal portrait, to be sure, but reflects our slightly crazy, laid-back style.

Words can't express how blessed I am to have such a beautiful family--good children, marvelous children-in-law, and the sweet, patient wife whose love is at the center of it all!

Donna and Jonathan head back to Idaho tomorrow morning. How wonderful it's been to have them here with us! We wish all of our children Godspeed, and all the joy there is!