Wonderful reunion in Utah

Laura turned 6!

We had a pre-reunion gathering at Carl and Velvet's. We celebrated Laura's and Velvet's birthdays.

On the roof of the conference center

We toured the conference center, temple square, and the church history museum.

Laura and Sydney at the nursery

Curtis in the bunk of a sailing ship

Sheryl and I got to do a sealing session at the Oquirrh Mountain temple, which was a special experience.

The last reunion of the descendants of Neil and Ruby Fugal was held at the Heber Valley Camp where Don and Lois are missionaries. Everyone came except their missionary grandson and our granddaughter, Stephanie's family.

I am sure Neil and Ruby were pleased we got together--that they are aware of our doings and are nudging us on in the right direction.

Thanks to Lois' organization, there was a lot of good food. We ate at a large pavilion. There was only one flaw. Gail got sick and had to go home part way through. But her family stayed!

We slept in cabins. We sighted moose several times.

We had firesides both nights. Eldon opened with "The Cremation of Sam McGee." There were songs and skits and "The Schoop Scovil" by Ken. Brenda sang a beautiful song to close. Alan read a clever poem he had written. Jo's dad gave a presentation about the spirit of the mountain.

The confidence courses were popular. There was a large swing and a zip line.

Robin on the swing

Pam encouraging Erik

Maia

Sydney

Laura flying

Curtis climbing to the zipline

Jonathan zipping

Emily climbing

There were low courses too that were fun and took cooperation.

Each confidence course had a sand box for the little kids to play in.

Kate

We also spent some time at the lake.

Jessica and her parents

It was an amazing get-together. We felt re-united! I love it that my kids and grand kids all get along so well.

Sam and Robin getting the stickers out

Our last day in San Diego

We went to the world famous zoo. We rode on the buses and sky rail to minimize the walking. We saw koalas, pandas, camels, elephants, bears, giraffes, hippos, rhinoceros and much much more.  It's an amazing zoo.

In the evening we went to supper at the Dixons. Craig was Eldon's counselor. He met his future wife, Yolanda, when he was serving a mission in Mexico.  He was a mathematics teacher in high school. When Elder Robbins met them he was impressed, particularly with her missionary spirit and Spanish background. He told Eldon to recommend him as a mission president. Eldon dragged his feet on that worried that interrupting his teaching career would be a hardship. But finally Elder Robbins insisted so we did the paper work for recommending him. We were happy to learn that even though his contract was discontinued while he was gone, when he got home he was re-hired! There were many miracles while they were in Mexico of meeting people he'd baptized on his first mission, and meeting people his son had baptized. 

Sunny Sunday in San Diego

I'd forgotten how sunny it is here. We went to church in the Santee 1st Ward because it was closest to the campground. Many recognized us. In Sunday School Eldon introduced us as past missionaries but someone spoke up and said "past mission president!" They asked him to bear his testimony in Priesthood. Sister Littlefield who worked in the office was there. She started working there as a new widow and it helped give her purpose in life. She's still volunteering there!

We drove up to the temple which is closed. They are refinishing the exterior. It didn't look like itself!