August was a mighty big month for the Ritchie's

The two superstars of the month are Cole Richard Ritchie (who 'dropped' in on the 24th of the month, at the hefty poundage of nearly 9 big ones) and Chase James Ritchie, his brother (born 6 February of this year) who was sealed to his family on the 13th in the Salt Lake Temple.
The official picture of Cole Richard Ritchie born on 24th August - the youngest of four small children - the oldest won't be four until Christmas Day - so if you want to enjoy changing diapers, drop into Cole's house and take your pick - they guarantee to always have one 'ripe, and ready for harvest'.
Jessica, the mother of the youngest Ritchie crop, celebrated her birthday on the 8th - and is seen here with her crew, Jackson, Madison and her husband, Ryan who is holding Chase at the Salt Lake Temple where Chase was just sealed to his family, only eleven days before his little brother, Cole was born - (the superstar of the month - see above). Busy and exciting month for this family.
This picture does not totally represent the raving beauties these three young ladies have become (and it is a few years old) but the only photo we have on file here in the jungles of Africa, so they will have to live with it until they send me better or more updated 'shots'. Two of these future Miss America's had birthdays during the month, McKinzie's (right) turned over double digits (10) on the 3rd, and Allie (the oldest Ritchie grandchild) in the middle, offically became a teenager (13) and wanted to know if she could borrow the car. She also became an offical missionary letter writer with her own email account and has flooded cyberspace with letters, quizzes, questions and other salient information composed in every font size and writing style which has made her missionaries very happy campers. (By the way Allie, it's your turn...). McKinzie has been busy his summer with moving to St. George with her family and starting in a brand new school, a school that just opened its doors this year. Kylie, the other star of the picture, is part of the show but not celebrating a birthday this month. More on her during her month of celebration.
Jonathan's 24th birthday was on 23 August. They too, have had a very busy month. They are seen here with President and Sister Gunnell, the Accra Ghana Temple president and matron, and brightening the photo is Eliza, Jonathan's beautiful and vivacious wife. They visited us in West Africa in June. Jonathan just graduated from BYU, accepted employment in Las Vegas, bought a home and moved to that warm and exploding city - all within a few short weeks. Hope he stopped long enough to eat his birthday cake.
Robert Tyler Ritchie, in his fine attire and beautified by his bride, Emily, also increased his age (28) on the 25th. He too has had a busy summer. In early Spring a special bug 'found' him, and nearly 'done him in'...he survived with good medicine, a great bedside nurse (Emily) and temples literally all over the world with his name lying on their alters. He also graduated from University, accepted employment - also in Las Vegas - bought a home and as we speak is unloading his few belongings in their first home. Katelyn, pictured above and below, is seen at her best - and her most curious. She celebrated her 1st birthday on the 26th, just one day after her father, Tyler pictured above. She is one of four grandchildren who have been born (and therefore unseen in living color) since we came back to Africa on this second tour of duty.

Savannah, a beauty and a brain, is celebrating her 10th birthday on the 29th of this month. She has been a good writer to her grandparents and has always lived to make her parents and grandparents very proud. She is most competitive and enjoys the Blue Ribbons of life - recently breaking some running records at the local country fair with her race ready legs. Can't wait to cheer her, her brothers and cousins as they run again next year.