Hey everyone! I have arrived home to a humid but much cooler San Diego. All is well. I just wanted to let everyone know that I have put all the pictures I have from my camera on ofoto. Most are of the Stinchfield grandkids (as I noticed when looking through) but if anyone wants me to email them to their email just let me know. I think I sent it already to all the kids in the stinch family. The reunion was great!! Thanks Lexi SOOO MUCH for putting everything together!!! It was fabulous! I miss everyone already and I can't wait for the next one! Love you all!

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Marnie

Ok, after reading my blog, you figure out which game is which. Not too hard. Thanks Marnie for the pics!

! Things are winding up here on a bang. It has been very busy since the new staff arrived at the start of the summer, which is the normal transition period for Korea. I am a little behind that curve and thus have to deal with all the sillies trying to reinvent the wheel. And, reading new blurbs from my unit in Germany, it looks like the fall will be a pretty busy time there as well. No rest for the weary. I am beginning to question my endurance for this Army stuff.

However, I was able to get some great boardgame time in this weekend. My friend introduced me to a guy named Tom Vasel who is pretty much a board game fanatic and a regular reviewer of all games. He runs a site called The Dice Tower . You can see on the front page how many games he has; that is just one side of a big room full of them. Anyway, he lives about 2 minutes from post. He and his wife have 4 little girls and are teachers at an International Christian School here. Well, we had a bunch of guys together all day yesterday and played some fantastic board games. It was great having a guy who had such a collection, and knew what was good to play. For the record, he is given most these games by the companies for free because his reviews are pretty influential in the community. We played some incredible games, that I know everyone in the family would enjoy. So, I thought I would share, in order from the best for the whole family to more niche type, but I think everyone would enjoy them all. I provided links to the games with the titles, in case you are interested. Or, you can just play them when you visit us in Europe!

1. Cleopatra: Exceptionally well designed game. Hard to explain, but in this game you compete to build pieces of Cleopatra's palace. You earn talents for building pieces. The most talents wins. But there is a huge risk/reward structure created by "corruption" pieces which allow players to get ahead at the cost of earning corruption. The other players' amount of corruption is hidden and the kicker is that the person with the most corruption automatically loses at the end of the game. So, it is a clever balancing act. I think the whole family would love it. Taylor and up could figure this one out. Plays to an hour long max, so it has a nice tight finish unlike some games that keep going....Cataan anyone?

2. Nexus Ops: The box doesn't look like much, but this game is a gem. It is very simple. Works great as a 2, 3, or 4 player game. We played it with 3. Taylor and up could figure this out easily. And, it definitely appeals to boys. The ultimate small sci-fi- wargame. Kind of a cross between a simplified Cataan, Starcraft, and Axis and Allies. Games only last 30-45 minutes and once again, a nice defined ending (seeing a theme here?)

3. Wallenstein: This is a German game. A rethemed english version will be released in September called Shogun. This is the best board game I have ever played. It takes longer than Cleopatra, but still has a well defined ending. Think a much better Risk. Read Tom Vasel's review linked under the title for an explanation. The best thing: Combat is resolved by throwing the competing armies down a pachinko-like tower. The more that come out on your side wins! And some of those dudes don't fall and hang out in the tower for surprises on later battles. Definitely more for adults because although it isn't too complex, it isn't simple either. 4 players minimum to be fun.

4. Conquest of Pangea: This one has been poorly reviewed compared to the others, but we really had fun with it. The problem is that it is not intuitive and took several turns before we knew what the heck was going on. We all liked it and thought it was weird that anyone would dislike the game. Because of the difficulty, this is another adult game. It is a conquest game where the continents break off periodically during the game, making it more difficult to conquer territories over water.

5. Lord of the Rings: the Confrontation. A simple 2 player game like Stratego with significant twists. Games are short. Pretty much everyone likes this game that plays it. Isaac and up would be the level of this one.

Those were what I played. I saw a ton more that I am waiting to play. Tom Vasel highly recommends Days of Wonder games (they made Cleopatra and I have also played Ticket to Ride PC version which is fantastic, though I would rather play the board game. Memoir 44 also looks amazing to me) All the guys said great things about Shadows Over Camelot for a great group game.

I think when it comes down to it, as much as I like computer games, I would rather play a board game anyday. The social aspect and the substantive feel of actual game pieces just make it more fulfilling. I wish we all had the time and locations to get together and play. But, at least with some of these recommendations, you in Washington can get together and have some fun. And, if you ever come to Germany, I think there will be a few games we will be able to pull out of the game closet.

Mike

Thursday brought out the boat. We let people choose one hour increments and take their families out for tubing, skiing, cruising or wake boarding. I believe the hits of the day were cruising and tubing. I did manage to talk the boat guys into renting me a Sea Doo Wake Runner for about 4 hours at the end of the day. My interest was trying out what was supposed to be a vehicle made specifically for pulling skiers, wake boarders and tubes. My 240lbs (maybe 230 by now), observer Max's 140 or so and pulling Tom's 170 or so put too much stress (let me digress, MY 240 lbs put the stress) on the PWC. We were able to get them both up and running when they tried skiing but the pull on them and the difficulty getting them up told me this isn't the craft for that particular duty. When I was replaced by Tracy (sp?) things went much better...still, I was not impressed. For the purpose of darting about and just having a two man or three man scoot across the lake....I really liked it. But, for its designed purpose..I'll give it only one star. My only regret is that I didn't jump on this long ago and rent the wave runner for the whole week. The boat is fun for family activity but the waverunner for outright "need for speed" attitudes of the older crowd and some of the younger..is the answer.

PWC and boat out of the water around 1800, then home. The Stinchy crown had a sit down park-like dinner on the grounds of the lodge. The temperature had dropped and the sun was dropping low on the horizon, so the setting was very nice. It was really park-like right behind the lodge on their beautiful grounds. Before total darkness set in the majority hit the pool. We have some film clips of that event.

After dark, a bon fire brought the whole family together out behind the lodge with smors and expert star gazers, with an occasional satellite crossing.

Late into the night came a slide show of the reunion provided by Lexi and Martha. It was great to look back over the week. We really have to get a full CD of all the photos taken (or DVD) so everyone can remember the unique venue that this was. Board games finished the night.....oh, and mom seems to have recovered from her misery.

Off to bed and more to follow. This is Friday morning; no one else is up so off it goes to anyone interested. Sad to see people making their way off to their homes, knowing the next is a long four years away. Dad

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marnie

Got a good one. Dave

-
Marnie

Had a very nice day today. Feeling better. Lazed around during the morning, socializing and just enjoying the company. This afternoon we drove up into the canyon North of Eden and Liberty for a day in the park. Popsicle races, balloon toss, kick ball, horse rides and wagon ended the park stay with most of the family attending. We went back to freshen up for a 6pm Texas BBQ at the lodge. Wonderful. I ate and enjoyed and ate some more.

Tonight at 8:30pm we has a Duker Jeopardy game that Brian put together. Very well done with members from each of the three families; Fred, Sam and Kate sitting with 3 generations of contestants. In the end, Fred Duker's family won by 700 pointe.

Then, it hit. Mom started with what appears to be a combo migraine and what I had for two and a half days. She is miserable, in bed and not interested in talking to anyone.

I feel so sorry for her as I know what she has started into and what she has ahead of her.

She and I were to go out on the rented boat at 9am together but I think I may be alone on this one.

Most of the family are headed to the movie, I think the Joseph Smith and the Restoration at the old Hotel Utah.

So, that ends another day of this wonderful reunion. Some are headed home; some are already gone. We're just fortunate we still ahve a few more days to enjoy some great stories and meet people new to us. This crowd is really growing. Dad

The problem with this WiFi is that the broadband is a narrowband and has a very difficult time uploading anything. Not a very open system. Sorry. We'll continue to try to upload but are having a difficult time with it. Marnie and I are both trying to get them to you............Dad

[bitter sarcasm]Thanks so much! Thanks for covering for Dad while he was down and getting all those pics uploaded from the reunion![/bitter sarcasm]

Okay, I know that I missed a day, but for good reason. The day started off well; slow to rise, wonderful rest the night before; good breakfast. Spent the morning just sitting with relatives we haven't had time to speak with for a time..Some wonderful discussions. About 1100, we (the 3rd generation) drove up Dick and Martha's beautiful home for the most wonderful meal. If you are ever invited there for a meal, don't miss it. Your taste buds will be overwhelmed. So, after about 3 hours we returned home to the lodge to rest up and look forward to our next appointment; pictures. Well, about two hours into the wait, I grabbed a piece of chicken from a plastic box that I purchased two days prior at Smith's. I had been snacking on pieces since I purchased them, so thought nothing of them. Off we go for pictures at 5pm.

About 6pm, my upper torso, around high in my stomach began to hurt and I felt nausea. I thought it might be due to not drinking enough water. There were still photos to take but I had to wave them off. I just had to go to my room.. About 5 mins into my room, I headed for the bathroom and let the oral expulsion begin.

Honestly, after the first episode I went to my bed and laid down. Not more than 15 mins later, off I went for round two. To shorten the story, this occurred every 15 mins for the next 7 hours. About 5 hours into it, my body decided that it would find another avenue to expel this toxin from my body. That part I will not describe; I will let your personal experience relate to that part.

So, at 2am all was quiet on the Northern and Southern front/back.

I was able to sleep to 5 am and then felt I had some ability to get up and start my menu of forcing water down to avoid dehydration.

Around 7:30 am I got a small bowl of cereal and more water. I didn't eat lunch. It is currently 3:30pm and I am on my first solid food since my small breakfast; rice pudding and more water.

I feel weak but am quite able to function. I decided not to go to the Lagoon with the family. Mom, in her good nature, stayed home with me and got me my rice pudding, bananas and more water.

So that gives you a graphic glimpse into my Day Three and half of Day Four.

Mom and I are at computers, me doing this blog and she doing bills.

She is a wonderful companion. Oh by the way, she is going back to Anne's with me on Saturday then she will stay and I will continue to home on Sunday. She says she will stay until the next Thursday night, assuming Anne has Andrew on Monday or earlier.

So, I am signing off so I can dig into my cup of rice pudding and MORE water.

Love you all, miss you three who cannot be here (or is that four)? Dad :)

Hmmm, day started with a group of people going off to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast at the new conference center. Some stayed home to read, swim, sports, etc.

I had planned to go to church but as I went to my closet I realized I forgot to bring a white shirt. I had everything else. So, I spent the day reading the Ensign.

There was a great video presentation by Lexi tonight. Unfortunately I missed it but I did get to go down to SLC to pick up Marnie and bring her back. She and I watched the video in our room tonight..wonderful!

Lots of gaming tonight, X box, Settlers in Baton, cards...........then off to bed.

Tomorrow brings more activity and reunion. Missing you who are not here, Mike, Anne and Peter. Really missed.

Love you all, Dad

So Comicon is just about over...I think we may be stopping down there before me and Nicole hit the airport this afternoon so she can buy a lightsaber! It was a blast and I have lots of stories and pictures if any of you are interested in hearing about them. I am looking forward to seeing those of you that are in Eden tonight! This week is a much needed vacay for me! 'Twill be fun! See you soon! I miss those of you who are there or aren't there yet!


Marnie