MY LIFE FROM LAKE ALMANOR AND BEYOND

Saturday, January 06, 2018

Hardy Family in Park City

Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas with the Hardys, 2017

On Christmas Eve four families came over and each had children of about the same ages!!! James cooked prime rib and Camber had lots of delicious veggies plus there was lots of salads and desserts. On Christmas Day the missionaries came over and these are a mix of pictures that were taken.

There was lots of presents on Christmas morning for every one!!! Including me!!!!

Yea for Jimmy.

Matching pajamas and the missionaries in Santa wear!

A welcoming Christmas at the Hardys for sure!

It was fun watching the four families interact but no picture of me again!!

Monday, December 18, 2017

Christmas Card 2017

As I end my 84th year I am happy to have another Christmas season to enjoy the story of the birth of the Savior to the World, with all the lights, the music, the gift giving, the Christmas trees, the parties, the movies and the list goes on and on. The first Christmas I remember was in a small white house in Glendive, Montana when I was about 4. We walked to the Congregational Church for a Christmas Eve service and then back home, probably in the snow. We had no car and not much money or possessions but we had five and soon six in the family and there was always lots of love and fun as we shared the wonder of life and Christmas together.

The thing I know this year is that I probably cannot tell accurately enough to brag about my children (3) and their children(15) and their children(8) but I do know that the family that started out as Richard and I in a small apartment in east San Diego in 1959 is now spread out in 15 households, from sea to sea, in various places, with various number of members in the household, and doing many different jobs and education, as they all experience the marvels of life, with its ups and downs and joys and sorrows and Christmas’s together or, sadly, sometimes far away from home. I feel their love and see their beauty as I talk to them on my smart phone, get a text from them or spot them on Instagram, Facebook or wherever they choose to shine.

The only one new to enter this big world was darling Charli, daughter of Amy and Joe. And no one left this year… and we are all missing Richard and John, who are probably living a more exciting life than we can imagine in their heavenly realm!

Another thing I can tell you is that gathering 2017 pictures for this Christmas letter took some time. They are not all in my camera and computer anymore. And I did have to use one picture from 2015 because some of us avoid picture taking all together.

This winter I will be with the family of James and Camber and spend Christmas at their home 15036 El Camino Reale, Del Mar, CA 92014, for those of you who still send cards (I love them). I will be back home in Lake Almanor by April. I am so lucky to have family in sunny places. And since all three of my children and some of my grandchildren live within 20 minutes of each other…think of the possibilities! Life is Good!

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I am so grateful to still be sharing this wonderful life with you at Christmas time in 2017!

Eden's School Party

Maria's Family

In Asheville

In Birdrock

In Asheville

Friday, December 15, 2017

Both Graduated from BYU Idaho!

How time flies!!! Both Tanner and Marissa are graduating from BYU Idaho this week and family will be in attendance!! Marissa is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Tanner is graduating in Pre Med Exercise Physiology!! Congrats to this super couple. In July they move on to the Air Force in Des Moines, Iowa where Tanner will be get his Medical Degree through the Air Force!!!

Being Awarded Her Masters!

Melissa is being awarded her Master's in Accountancy Degree this week in North Carolina where she works in administration at a North Carolina college in Asheville. Several family members will be in attendance!! Congratulations to Melissa!! And here she is!