James and Carolyn Ritchie Family

Aspen Grove - The 81 members of the Leon and Elda Family Reunion of 2006

Pictured above is Grandma Elda Ritchie and 80 of 81 members of the Leon and Elda Family (Chad Parker, Michelle's husband was missing on picture day). Grandma Elda chose to take her family to Aspen Grove. She has only two sons, Keith and Jim, who had six and eight children respectively and those fourteen grandchildren have each married and each have children of their own - Keith and Vera's six have 21 so far and Jim and CArolyn's eight have 27 with two more on the way they know about. All are living, none have been lost, all 81 are very active in the church, all fourteen grandchildren have been sealed in the temple, over 100 years of full time missionary work have been honorably accomplished by the children and grandchildren - all are gainfully employed and making contribtions in their professional and community worlds.

The James and Carolyn Ritchie family of sixteen children and spouses and twenty seven grandchildren with two 'heavy with child' as they stand in place - we predict another fourteen more before the crew completes their family expansion for an estimated 61 total when completed - if we can keep them all missioned, temple married, educated and productive in both their professions and the gospel we will have completed our earthly Miracle and will die happy.

The Keith and Vera Ritchie family of six children and six spouses together with their 21 grandchildren - again all happily married, educated, missioned and extremely actice in both the gospel and life. Can't make as close of predictions about the future as I can about our own but I'm sure this clan has not completed their numbers and will continue to grow and bless the lives of many as they cross paths with so many. They are scattered with some in Utah while they also bless the states of Michigan, Florida and Washington.

Aspen Grove Family BONEFIDE Pictures

Everyone came 'dressed' in their BONEFIDE shirts. The word came from some 'dumb' movie but the concept and principle seemed to fit - Bonefide stands for authentic, real, sincere and as the week progressed the idea that we as a family needed to live up to the image of being 'the real thing' or Bonefide. It became a great 'AUTHENTIC' theme for our family during the week. You will note that the James and CArolyn slide does not show up - we were so busy taking others that we forgot about getting a single of us - so you will have to wait until 2008 when we return for the Patriarch and Matriarch Pictures.

The Charles and M'Recia Clawson family from Las Vegas, Nevada

The Chad and Michelle Parker Family out of St.George, Utah (Chad was missing on the Bonefide Picture day so their family is shown with their Orlando outfits on)

The Rob and Wendy Heywood Family out of Heber City,Utah

The Ryan and Jessica Ritchie family out of Heber City, Utah

The Paul and Angela Ritchie Family out of Heber City, Utah

The Curt and Adrienne Clyde Family out of Heber City, Utah

The Tyler and Emily Ritchie Family out of Las Vegas, Nevada

The Jonathan and Eliza Ritchie Family out of Las Vegas, Nevada

Aspen Grove Part II

Grandma Elda had held off having Christmas because we were still in AFrica and they had planned this summer Ritchie Reunion so she decided to have Christmas in July at AspenGrove. She brought in a Princess to be Santa Claus and she handed out all the presents, one for each of her 52 great grandchildren and also one for each of her 14 grandchildren couples and also for Keith and Vera and me and Carolyn...the princess - and Grandma were both big hits with everyone.

Brigham Clawson and Bryson waiting his turn at the dunking machine...

Some of the grandkids at one of the lodges...

some of the Ritchie kids and cousins in the middle of some of the field games with the incredible view of Mount Timpanogas in the background.

Me, looking up at this formidable mountain as we began our ascent...we didn't get to the top (never intended to) but enjoyed a great walk and sweaty effort.

Aspen Grove in the far off valley as we began our descent of our trek...

Curt showing off the Ropes Course...most of the family were successful with this adventure.

some of the painted faces following their morning arts and crafts...

some happy faces with Grandma Carolyn

Fourth of July in Good 'ol Heber Valley

It's been quite a few years since we enjoyed the Fourth of July at home. It began with a chuckwagon breakfast in Midway where we also listened to Elder Jeff Holland pep us up with some patriotic words.

We took Mother for a ride up over Wolf Creek and stopped at the Japanese monument marking the spot where a Japanese airplane had crashed many decades earlier - a favorite story telling point for grandma recounting her many adventures growing up and coming to this area where her family herded many of their sheep.

Wolf Creek wildflowers were in full bloom at the same time as snow piles still dotted the landscape.

Wolf Creek Pass...one of mother's favorite spots and a favorite 'ride' over some of the summer holidays...

a beautiful fishing lake along our way...

The day ended at Ryan and Paul's houses where we had a wonderful dinner and campfire waiting for the famous Memorial Hill fireworks.

some of the family waiting for the dutch ovens to 'do their thing'...nice to have a 'Woodbadge' graduate along to make sure the cobbler was cooked just right.

Grandma Elda's New Home

Grandma Elda moved into her new home at the age of 86. It is adjacent to both Ryan's and Paul's homes and makes a wonderful large back yard for her posterity to play in while they visit.

Amazing to watch a crew of six 'neighbors from the South' lay nearly an acre of sod in a few hours - knowhow and equipment make the difference - doesn't hurt to know how to work.

40th Anniversary

WE celebrated our 40th wedding anniversay in Salt Lake City on July 8. We had a free Marriott coupon so we spent the night and enjoyed the church sites including Temple Square, lunch at The Beehive House, and in spite of all the kidding and encouragment we came home 'virtuous and of good report' - maybe even praiseworthy.

The Salt Lake Temple was closed so we rode out to the Jordon River temple and enjoyed a session and had many wonderful 'revelations' while we were there regarding some family opportunities and needs.

This beauty took a chance on me 40 years ago and eight incredible children and nearly 29 brilliant grandchildren later things have been pretty good for both of us. She followed me over eighteen home moves living eight years in California, three in Virginia, two in the South Pacific, four in Africa and several 'layovers' in Utah inbetween adventures. She has been a real trooper and more people than some believe I keep bringing along my daughter instead of my wife - she has 'aged' very well - hope we have at least another twenty before most of the 'body parts' stop moving.

20 Year Virginia Roanoke Mission Reunion - 1986 - 2006

150 (plus or minus a few) of the world's finest missionaries got together for a 20th year anniversay of their missionary service in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. We held the Reunion at the now famous, Heber Girl's Camp fifteen miles East of Heber City. The setting couldn't have been better, the weather was beautiful, the facilities were near perfect. Twenty years is a long time and lots of things have changed - mostly for the better. Nearly 1,500 children have been born to this prolific group of church leaders and a whole bunch of them came with their parents to the reunion. Some had traveled from as far away as Virginia, Pennslyvania, Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and even Vernal. It was ana incredible experience.

Some of the nearly 500 who, who during the day, crowded into the Pavillion and surrounding space to be with us for this historic gathering. At least twenty have passed on since our mission days, most of them senior couples but also sprinked among the list were a few who were way too young, like Elders Eggen, Schmidt and Tustison as well as Sisters Kasteler and Edwards. Elder Lynn Searle had just passed away two days before the Reunion. Sitting among us were church leaders of every calling. Nearly all were actively building Zion not only by 'creating' the next righteous generation but also training those being produced by others.

Summer Baseball is nearly a full time activity...

Sydney, Sam and Heath enjoy being at the field...and being buddies...

Sam making the umpire know of his consternation over the call...

Heath thinks he ought to be on the mound...maybe next year...

Garrett putting one over the fence...well, almost...

Bryson and Garrett waiting their turn at bat...

Caden taking a full swing - he's lookin' like an all star this year...

Kylie's smile is the home run...

Meagan's praying for a good game...

These few pictures are just a sample of the summer games being played by the Ritchie grandkids...between Baseball, Soccer and LaCrosse we could be on the field full time if we could fit it in...

Rulon and LaPreale Orton Reunion

The Orton mother and children...Carolyn, Grant, Grandma, Shirley Ann, Willis and Cynthia

Heber Valley in her glory

From our back porch to the East

Towards the West - it doesn't get much better than this...been a lot of places on this beautiful earth but this is pretty hard to beat.

Memorial Day 2006 Part 2

The Heber Cemetary in full glory...with Mt. Timpanogas as a background, it would be hard to find a more beautiful spot on the planet...The final resting place of most of my heroes, including my Dad...

Resting on my fathers headstone are some of my favorite women friends...Adrienne, Grandma Orton, Carolyn and Grandma Ritchie...

Memorial Week 2006

Memorial Day in Heber Cemetary with our two mothers, Curt and Adrienne with Trevor and Heath along with Ed and Nina Clyde.

The Orton brothers and sisters at dinner with Grandma Orton at a historical meeting where the children are planning a twenty year adventure...each year, using a trust account created by Grandma and Grandpa Orton, the children and spouses will plan a 'get a way' to enjoy 'growing old together' and keep this family together - a great idea by this Matriarical Grandmother...