Air Force Academy 40th Reunion

I went to my college reunion last month at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado.  It was fun to see the old sights where I went to school for 4 years and also some of my good friends.

 Me with Rich Masse on the terazzo at the Air Force Academy.  Rich was my best friend there.  We went through our Doolie year together, were roommates at times, and stayed friends throughout the four years.  I was glad he came also and we got to hang out during the reunion.

 On Thursday I flew in to Denver and caught a bus down to Colorado Springs to the hotel.  We had registration and a reception there that first night.

 On Friday we got to tour around the campus.  This is the main cadet area which surrounds a grassy field and terrazzo.  In the evening we had a Class Banquet.

 The cadet chapel is the most well known landmark.  We attended a memorial there for our classmates who have passed away.

 This is the dorm where I lived for the upper class three years, Sijon Hall.  My squadron was at the back of the third floor.

 I was in 39th Squadron.  We even got to go inside.  You had to live in the dorms all four years and you weren't allowed to have cars until your Senior year.  You did get to be pretty good friends with your squadron classmates.

 My first year, Doolie Year, I was in Evil Eight Squadron in Vandenberg Hall.

 This shows the air gardens.  The building in the background is Mitchell Hall where we ate our meals.

 Inside Mitchell Hall.  Each table seated 10 cadets.  You typically had three or four Doolies at the table to serve the upperclassmen.

 This shows the cadet gymnasium and beyond that the cadet field house.

 The cadets were doing combat field exercise training. 

This is Fairchild Hall which was the academic building where all of our classes were and the cadet library.  I majored in Astronautical Engineering.

 On Saturday we got to attend a football games.  At the start of each game several squads of cadets march into the stadium.

 Air Force was playing the University of Nevada Las Vegas.  It was terrible the first half and they were behind 3 to 30.  But the second half they caught up and won the game 34 to 30.  It was an exciting game and I had fun wandering around the stadium.

 They even have female cheer leaders now.

 The Air Force mascot is a falcon.  He performed at half time but this time flew off and didn't take the lure.  He came back though and I got a picture of him down behind the bleachers.

The final event Saturday was squadron dinners. The 39th Squadron met at a pizza restaurant in Colorado Springs.  Me with Mike Levenhagen, Jimbo Welshans, Randy Martinez, Flip Feeley, Mark Cochran, Kurk Taylor, Ron Stich, Jim Ilse, and Jeff Remington.

I had a good time at the reunion.  It was a unique and great experience going to college at the Academy.

Halloween 2017

We had a fun time at Halloween yesterday.  We decorated the front porch and the inside of the house some, and had 37 Trick-or-Treaters come by.

 The highlight of the day was when Andrew, Mallory, and Spencer came to the door.  They showed us their costumes and got candy and stayed for ice cream cone cup cakes and a game of Othello.

 We also got to see some of our other children and grandchildren via the Internet.  Here's some pictures in the order we saw them.  Jonathan had the best costume of all.

 Penelope, Tucker, Leon, Doranda, Calista, Scarlett, and Bob in Japan.

Joslyn, Dorian, Kim, and Isaac in Minnesota.

 Jacob, Jonathan, and Hannah in Utah.

Elliott, Christian, Ethan, Asher, Julia, and Agnes in Idaho.

Also Great-great-grandpa in Arizona.  I'll add more pictures if we see any more from other family members on the Internet.  Halloween is fun.

Caleb's Birthday and Halloween

Caleb had a birthday last week and turned 24.

 We had a celebration for Caleb.  Talitha came over and also Malachi with Layne, Andrew, Mallory and Spencer.

 We had a great dinner that Caleb had made before and coached Mom on how to make.  Baked chicken breasts covered with crunchy chips and sour cream sauce, and lettuce and tomato.  Also crab dip, fruit salad, potato casserole and punch.

 The cake was absolutely delicious - chocolate cake with raspberry filling, raspberries on top, and hard chocolate all around the outside.

 The cake was so good, with ice cream on top.

 We've been getting ready for Halloween.  Pumpkin Head man is back, and he brought a pet spider with him this year.

 One evening we went to a pumpkin patch with Malachi and his family.

 Mallory and Andrew by a corn maze.

 Spencer with the pumpkins.

 Malachi photo bombing a picture.

 Also I found some older pictures that never got posted of us making waffle treats between sessions of General Conference.

 Here's Spencer, each person got to pick out their own toppings.

 Mallory seems pleased with her waffle creation.

 Talitha knows how to make a good one.

Caleb's takes the prize for the most artistic.

Andrew's Birthday

We went to a party to celebrate Andrew's birthday at his home last week.  Caleb and Talitha also came.  We also went to the Primary Program at his ward, Silver Creek Ward, and saw Andrew, Mallory, and Spencer say their parts and sing.  Spencer especially seemed to really enjoy singing and stood right in front and sang his heart out.

 Andrew turned eleven years old.  We had a fun time at his birthday celebration.

He's growing up fast and is turning into a fine young man.

Happy Birthday Andrew.  We love you and are happy you are our grandson.

Happy 94th Birthday

We made a trip to Arizona and stayed for over a week visiting our parents in Mesa and Apache Junction.  We also saw Tianna down there.

 Loren Swift turned 94.  Happy birthday Dad.

 We went to see a World War II movie, "Dunkirk," on one day and went to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner on another Day.  They have this tradition there where you ride on this saddle and the waitresses sing a happy birthday song.  It was great to be there with him on his birthday.

 Jacquelyn, her mom, and Tianna.  We got to visit, play cards with her, and we also saw Duane, Conni, Cathi and Lydia.

There's a missionary we knew in the Philippines that is now serving a mission in Mesa, Arizona and will be done in one week.  We went out to lunch with her and the Rogers.  The Rogers also served with us in the Philippines.    Here you see the Sister Missionary (taking the group selfie), her companion, Brother Rogers, then on the other row, me, Jacquelyn, Sister Rogers, and one of her daughters.  We went to the Cheesecake Factory.

Doranda and family leave for Japan

On Sunday morning we took Doranda and her family to the airport.  Saturday was our last full day before they left for Japan.

 Scarlett playing with baby sister Calista, who seems to like rattles.

 We went to the Puyallup Fair and Leon rode a sheep in the Mutton Busten races.  He didn't last very long but he was very brave and he tried it.  Way to ride em Leon.

 Scarlett and Leon got to meet Spiderman and have a face to face conversation.

 Spiderman gave Tucker a few pointers on how to shoot webbing at the bad guys.

Here they are at SeaTac Airport about to head out for Japan.  Goodbye Doranda, Bob, Tucker, Penelope, Scarlett, Leon and Calista.  We are going to miss you all.