admin – Page 61 – David & LaReita Berky

Ammon’s kindergarten graduation

Mrs Eckhart, James, Ammon, Anthony, Jacob, Ben, Sam – all but James had Mrs. Eckhart as their kindergarten teacher

The boys back in their old kindergarten room

Anthony had his unique 2020 graduation today. It was a drive-by graduation. We drove up to the platform, Anthony hopped out walked across the stage, received his diploma, posed for pictures and hopped back into the car.

Video of Anthony receiving his diploma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ry7j2K-hg#t=1h11m18s (about 15 seconds of Anthony)

Pictures:

Anthony wanted to drive the Impala but the whole family couldn’t fit in – one car/grad limit – so we rented a trailer.

Anthony in the passenger’s seat ready to hop out and receive his diploma

Posing next to the new monument purchased for the school by the class of 2020

Celebration lunch at an all-you-can eat sushi restaurant

Anthony’s Seminary Graduation

The graduation “procession” was held by driving our cars to one of the church buildings in our neighborhood and having Bishop Layne Slack had Anthony his Seminary Graduation Diploma through the van window. The whole family was in the van and we did a Berky Van Waggle while in the processional line.

Anthony the Graduate

Anthony Berky joins the graduating class of 2020. One of the most unusual years for high school graduates with the cessation of classes for the 2nd half of the year due to the COVID-19 virus.

Anthony finished his high school career with classes in welding and furniture design – some of his favorite classes. He was unable to finish some of his projects for those classes but is looking forward to finishing a great looking bookshelf.

2020 Mens Chorous – Anthony in back left

Ammon’s Book about his Mom

Ammon wrote a book about his Mom and how he perceives her. Most of the boys have done this assignment over the years but this is the first time we recorded mom’s first reading and her reactions.

Random pictures

New chicks, Mom picked out a variety (5/13/2020)

The Larson elementary school teachers do a vehicle parade for the students to mark the end of the school year (5/18/2020)

Ammon stops to smell the roses (5/26/2020)

Mom and Dad shopping for a new chair for Dad (5/27/2020)

He’s Back!

James had a dream a while ago that he arrived home and there was no one to meet him at the airport. His flight arrived 30 minutes early this morning and there was no one there to meet him. We got there about 30 minutes after he arrived. We were suppose to meet him on the 2nd level of the short term parking garage at the Salt Lake airport, but we couldn’t get the van on to the 2nd level because of the bike racks on the roof. So we had to park on level 1 and get out and go up the stairs to level 2 to meet him.

The reunion was very joyous and his mom cried. He was surprised to see how much his brothers had grown and got a long hug from Ammon. We told James that we were going to help him get used to non-missionary life by picking up some chicks on the way home. We stopped by the farm (which is also a petting zoo) but the chicks were not ready. We petted the animals, held baby bunnies and fed baby goats. Then drove home.

The boys had fun showing James all the changes in Spanish Fork over the past two years, and more fun showing off all the changes in our house over the years – new deck, wood floor in the living room, hall bathroom remodel, new carpet on the stairs and in the upstairs bedroom, newly painted upstairs bedroom, new Lazy-boy chairs in the basement, and Julles game closet. Julles worked from home today so she could greet James when he arrived.

LaReita also had a sign company put up a huge sign in the front yard. Tonight we’ll play some games as a family, then have dinner. At 7pm the ward youth are going to do a drive-by to welcome James home.

Picking James up at the SLC airport – took a few minutes for us to get the van into the parking garage to just the right spot

Stopped at a petting zoo to pick up some new chicks – just what James wanted to do his first day back

Remodeling the Bunk House

After 20+ years we decided to remodel the boys bedroom, we call it the “bunk house”. We replaced the original carpet in the room and on on the stairs. Also replaced the carpet on the stairs going down to the basement.

Sam and Ammon help put the electrical covers on.

[Season Finale!] 2 Years later

Wow. It’s really here. I can’t believe it. My last Email. Technically I could do one more, but I’m probably gonna be packing most of next Monday. The 2 years I’ve spent in Oregon serving the Lord have been the best 2 years not just of my life, but for my life.

I have been able to see other people change and come to accept Jesus Christ, and I’ve been able to see myself change, and I have been able to come closer to Christ. No greater lesson could be learned. 2 Nephi 9:17 Talks about the graciousness and glory of God! How wonderful, if you haven’t felt or thought about that this week, I invite you to. Take some time, do some pondering. Find where you have felt of God’s love for you. John 3:16 also testifies of this.

Well, I would love to say and tell more, but words can’t quite express what I wish too. Also I’m hungry and looking at this Chipotle gift card (Thanks Mom!) See ya in a week.

Ya Boi,

Elder James Berky

Author: admin

Ammon’s 6th birthday