Land of the Setting Sun

California Love!  Reuniting with old friends, spending time with family, swimming and enjoying our nation's aeronautic and military history. 

 

Happy Anniversary Lind and Larry.  Thank you for your examples
throughout the years and for being such good (and tolerant) neighbors!

 

Fortunately for us, the day we were scheduled to arrive in California was the same day that a celebration was planned for Linda and Larry Pratt's 50th Anniversary.  Not only was it a special night to celebrate their love, planned by their amazing 3 daughters, but it was an opportunity for us to reconnect and reunite with so many life long friends from our days in Chino, in the III Ward and on Larkspur Lane. 

 

We saw and visited with so many people that were and are so important to my youth and adolescence.  I just know there were some I missed, which makes me sad.  It was a great night to reflect on the blessings I've had in my life.  As I often do, I find myself realizing just how wonderful it was to grow up where I did around the people I did.  In my mind, my friends, neighborhood, ward and town are legendary.  It must not be just my imagination as the party proved to bring together so many people that feel the same way.  I am truly the most blessed man and that most definitely includes my time as a boy and young man in Chino.   

 

Jane and Leah partying it up at the Avocado House. 

Mom and Grandma with lifelong friends, Pam and Dan.  It's always
good to see Pam and Dan.

Our friend, Clayton Westphal's band provided the entertainment and their drummer let
Leah and Grace take a turn at killing the guests eardrums. 

Of course, it was good to be with family too. 
Jim, Madyson, Hailey and Samantha.

L to R:  Emily, Katie, April, Me, Jim and Scott

 

Larkspur Lane had its share of amazing people.  The Vittorios, Romes, Greens, Durhams, Fellbaums, Smiths, Siaosis, Torgersons, Hansens and more.  But the Pratts were a big part of our lives.  They had 3 girls all roughly the same age as us 3 boys in the Trosper household.  We lived two doors down, went to the same church and grew up together. They were like our Sisters.  It has always pained me that we hadn't remained as close as I would have preferred after we all went our separate ways and were doing our own things, but I've always realized how important they were in my life and I was excited to see them all again.  Hopefully, time has allowed them to forget the less attractive characteristics of my youth.  Hopefully they feel the same way about me as I know me and my brothers feel about them.  Thanks, Apie, Katie and Emily for putting together such a fun party for your awesome parents.  (By the way, Katie told me she would kill me if I posted this picture online, so if I end up mysteriously dead, question her first!)

Leah loves her cousins, Grace and Jane. 

Jim with Spacey Stacey Smith.  Our neighbor directly to the West.  I'd say she
put up with a lot from us boys, but she got us back ten fold by making us put
up with Greg!  ;)

My 2nd pair of parents, Deana and Rudy Valderrama!  I love these two.

Dancing with my Mama.  Ain't she the greatest?!

Newlywed Game

April volunteered Sarah and I for the Newlywed game, played with Larry and Linda who were married for 50 years and April's son and daughter-in-law who had been married for 50 days or something like that.  Sarah and I had played in the Newlywed games several other times and have always lost terribly.  The questions were perfect and so were our answers.  We won!  Finally!  It was a fun time and we all had some good laughs.  

Ernie Gravell gave a toast to the couple.

Emily, Madyson, Hailey and Samantha

Sarah and Dax chowing down on some dessert.

The couple celebrating 50 years came in last place in the Newlywed game.
 

Emily Pratt.  I only knew her as a child, but I was able to get to know her better this night.
She is a riot! 

 

Uncle Scott and Aunt Cynthia put in a pool this Spring.  What a fun time we had.  We went swimming nearly every day.  Trospers are indeed half fish.  Leah and Dax and all of their cousins were born for the water. 

 

Aunt Cynthia helping Dax fly.

Jane, ready for lift off!

Leah and Sarah chillin' and relaxin' in the cool water.

Lucas slip slidin' away!

Her name is appropriate as Grace gracefully slides into the pool.



Not so graceful.

Then there was the epic splash contest where points were awarded for the largest splash and highest splash, followed by the contest for the most stylish jump.  



Leah cliff jumping

LOOK OUT BELOW!!!!! 
How can that large body not get the largest splash...I don't know, but it didn't.

All washed up.

Leah Lou, you've been cleared for take off.

Madyson and Grandma

Dax demonstrating the proper nose plugging form for extreme water entry.

Scooter going for style points



I was a flop.

Chris proving that he was the only physically fit dude in the bunch. 
Show off.  ;)

Dax showing the improper nose holding form for extreme water entry.

Lucas is fearless. 

I may get killed for posting this pic. 

He can't kill me if I post this pic of me, right?

The biggest splash went to Jimmy.  The highest splash went to Chris.
The style points went to Scott and I received the "We're just happy you didn't
die while trying" award. 

A few water fights broke out.  Here is Grandma and Grandma-Grandma
shooting the water cannon from the safety of their hot tub fortress.

Jane taking time for a photo op.

 

All smiles from us!  I think those goggles were too small for me.

Hailey and Chris...

Then a chicken fight broke out!

Hailey celebrating her victory over a girl less than half her age and weight. 

Grandma Leslie had some crafts lined up for all the kids.  Dream boxes. 

Leah managed to make time for the iPad while on vacation. 

These two are best buds. It's so fun to watch Dax and Lucas together. 

While in So Cal, we made our way over to the Chino Airport.  Sadly, we didn't get to eat at Flo's Diner, but we did visit the Planes of Fame museum.  

Lucas, Dax and Dusty Crophopper

 

 

Thanks, Scott, Cynthia, Grace, Jane and Lucas for being such wonderful hosts.  We had fun.  It was such a blast to be with family and friends and all.  This wasn't all we did though.  Stay tuned for part two of our California trip.  It was worthy of it's own blog entry.