Summer Fun

I am currently sitting on a plane bound for Florida.  I'm on my way to a journalism seminar at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg. A grant paid for the entire conference and although I can't say much now, I will definitely blog about it when it's over. 


I'm using an iPad to write this and it took 15 minutes to type that first paragraph. If there are errors in this post, you have been warned. Also...this flight has wifi and I just won a free inflight internet session on the "welcome" page. Problem is I can't log onto my email to claim the prize without paying for a session...so thus the purpose of the prize is defeated.  (note: I am posting this from the hotel) 


This summer has been super busy...and it's about to get busier. Why? Because Erica and I are going to Australia!! We are so excited! I served my LDS mission in Queensland and can't wait to go back. We are going to visit Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, and Cairns. Erica has been studying up on fun things to do and she's convinced me to scuba dive with her at the Great Barrier Reef! We leave in about a month. 

Wind damage at The Diamond ballpark

The roof of a house sitting on top of power lines.

In other news...You've probably heard about the crazy storms we've been having. Within six days we had two tornadoes and a massive wind storm. Of course I was sent all over town chasing down the damage.  










Between one storm and another, we attended two of my co-workers wedding. Daryl and Rasheema jumped the broom and it was a beautiful ceremony and fun reception! 

The happy couple!

With our good buddy Ronnie.

With the most famous man in Richmond - Mr. Juan Conde.

Erica and I had a great 4th of July. After a fun BBQ at Aunt Chrissie's, we visited the outlet stores to stock up on eBay inventory (profits since Sept: nearly $5000). 

We ended the day with Kristen, Kyle, and fireworks at the Flying Squirrels baseball game...where it was 95 degrees, 100% humidity, and no breeze. 

They know me all too well at the Diamond.

Did we tell you that Erica started a garden on our back deck? We bought a mini pool and planted lettuce, snap peas, cucumber, flowers, and tomatoes. The plants are started to shoot up...we just hope the heat doesn't kill them. 

So, there you have it.  Our summer so far.


Before I sign off, here's a report I did last week that will make you smile. Both of these families live at my apartment complex and I think you'll find their story is incredible.