They're here!

Last Monday Evening Becki and Quinley arrived at the Mormon Battalion Site and we had a great time together.  Becki flew into Long Beach, rented a car and drove down to San Diego to visit us for a few days.  Quinley promptly charmed us all, smiling at everyone, talking up a storm (ok, maybe not quite talking - more like babbling), and making friends with everyone she saw.  The beach was one of Becki and Quinley's favorite places to visit.  Becki loved the tour and was fascinated with the presentation and said it was amazing.  What we found to be amazing was how much Quinley had grown and changed in 5 months and how much we enjoyed visiting with Becki.

Becki and Quinley arrived in June

Quinley discovers sand at the ocean

flowers at the temple

I wonder how it will taste?

Becki,  Quinley and Grandpa

Some of the Snyman family from history

Grandmother Eleanor and her mother Emma

Grandmother Eleanor's father William Hyde

Grandmother's younger brother Herbert

Grandmother Eleanor when she graduated from High School

My Father, Jack Snyman

Catching up on 50 years

    It's hard to believe that it has been 50 years since I have seen my cousin Brian.  We are the only two left in our families.  We talked about family history and tried to figure it all out.  But it will take a lot of time to figure out our interesting Grandmother's life story.  Brian let me have copies of some of my ancestors.  It makes them come to life when we can see what they looked like.  We are working to piece together the lives of some of the Snyman's in our family tree.  It's like putting together a mysterious jigsaw puzzle - and we find it fascinating.  It's especially exciting to reconnect with those who are apart of our family after so many years - and to find how much we still have in common.

My cousin Brian

Brian and his wife Cindy at their home in Wrightwood

Blooming Yucca Plants on the way to Wrightwood

Family and Friends came in May

     It was good to see Lynn and Villa for a short visit.  We caught up on our families lives and added to the list of things that could possibly go wrong with these aging bodies.  Actually, we felt pretty young and chipper as we climbed around the Midway and went through the Mormon Battalion.  The more we learn of the Battalion members and of their devotion, service, sacrifice and faith, the more we realize how fortunate we are to be here.  We get to serve with 22 sister missionaries and 3 other couples.  Our directors, Elder and Sister Evans do a remarkable job of keeping us all ready to serve those who come to the Mormon Battalion.  Their devotion to their calling helps all of us try to do more each day.
     Carl, Geri, LaMar and Marilyn made the trip to California, too.  After seeing all they could in a few days of San Diego, they said their favorite part was going through the Battalion.  As you are able to view the production, it touches your heart to experience some of the challenges that those 500 members of the Battalion had in getting to San Diego in 1846.  They went through days without food or water; sickness with little to alleviate or help it; and always the need to press forward.  We love being able to show others what it might have been like to be a member of the Mormon Battalion.  We loved seeing our family and friends and taking them on this 2000 mile journey.

Villa and Lynn ---- Carl and Marilyn