A full week with Vera Lyn

I am sorry to say that the past week has been very full for me, and the kids, but I only have pictures of me and Vera Lyn and we have done a couple of things without kids (which was nice in its own way.)

Last weekend was my 20^th high School reunion in Long Beach, CA. Knowing a number of my good friends were going to be there I decided to go down and took Vera Lyn with me. We toured Hollywood Saturday morning. Hung out with old LDS high school buddies and swim team buddies Saturday afternoon and then went to the reunion Saturday night. It was great to reconnect with everyone.

Sunday we went to a mentor and friend’s home coming, Craig and Lonna Ward, returning from Panama as mission president. It was great to see even more old friends and acquaintances there. We had a great family dinner at my Dad and Pam’s Sunday night with Deanna and Danielle’s families and then went and walked along the beach (oh how I miss the beach.)

Then this past week, Wed through Saturday, we went to WY, the Jackson area, and camping with Vera Lyn’s siblings and parents. It was a ton of fun, totally disconnected, hanging out, fishing, motorbike riding all in a most beautiful setting. Thanks to all who helped watch and take care of the two sets of kids.

Mixed in between all that has been work, a Stake softball tournament, including me running the young men’s portion. Cam got to participate in his first Young Men’s sports event playing softball with the Briarwood Ward team. Cam is also doing band camp right now, learning percussion, mainly the snare drum and bell kit (xylophone).

The few posts below will be photos of the two trips.


Our cute plane at the cozy Long Beach Airport.
Hollywood Blvd.

Me with Harrison Ford's Star on the Hollywood walk of fame.

 

 

Us at the Famous Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Me with the Star Wars foot prints (R2D2, C3PO and Darth Vader) 

 

Hollywood sign in the background. 

Lunch, chicken wraps, at the green earth cafe in Hollywood.

  

Temple and Beach

While in Long Beach, Vera Lyn and I also stopped by the Los Angeles Temple and took a nice stroll along Seal Beach at night. The water was so warm and inviting, man I miss the beach.
   

 

 

 

 

 

20th High School Reunion

It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since I was a Long Beach Poly High School Jackrabbit and walked across the stage to receive my diploma, but that is what the calendar says. Vera Lyn and I went down to Long Beach and went to the reunion and visited with several close friends while we where there.

Here I am with David Ward and Nathan Dinsbach, great LDS friends since as long as I can remember.

Nat, Dave, Bob Woodard, Brent Napton and I, more of the LDS crew.

Had the special treat of seeing my brother Brandon.

Brandon, Me, Amy Ward, Wanda Price, Nick Ward, Lori Ward and Julie Napton

Bob, Nick, Charlie Gray, Me and Nat

Here are a bunch of my swim buddies, Page Murphy Hertzberg, Brooke McDonald Farb, Katie Zinn, Tim Wells, Ryan Elmore, Dave Ward, Josh Bennett, Gabe Irwin, Ethan Lynn and I.

Camping 2

Look at this beautiful sunset we captured one night.
 

We had two very very brave deer constantly around our camp site. They would often be within 15 to 20 feet of us.

 

We did some shotgun shooting. My brother Richard would be very disaapointed, I was 0 for 15 :(

 

 

 

Camping with Ericksons

We went camping outside of Jackson, WY with 7 of the 12 children in Vera Lyn's family, along with their spouses and her parents. Such beautiful peaceful country. Green valley, cute river (Grey's river) running down the middle, wildlife and pine trees all around, fishing and of course great company. Vera Lyn's family is wonderful, very friendly, open, fun and spiritual.

One day we went on about a 6 hour motorcycle ride, up to an abandoned coal mine, then way up in the hills. By the end we were hot and dusty so we cooled/rinsed off in a creek.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Family Reunion at Snow Bird

For the Black Family reunion this year we all met, less the Detroit tied Randalls :(, at Snow Bird ski resort for some winter fun ... No there was no snow, but plenty of activities and fun. It was a beautiful day at 85 degrees at 8,000 feet up in Little Cottonwood Canyon. We took an ariel tram ride to the peak, 11,000 feet, did an Alpine slide, trampoline jumping, rock wall climbing, ropes course, zip line flying just to name a few. Great times with great company.