A Whirlwind of Family Events

Last year was a marathon year. Sandi and I both worked full time jobs. As a school teacher her job is more like a job and a half and I averaged well over 50 hours each week. Sandi took time out to have major abdominal surgery in the fall. That covers the mundane day to day stuff.

Starla spread her wings and flew into a a place of her own with some other young women about five miles away. She is going to college, holding down a job at the Target Store and doing very well. Heather is finishing high school this year doing core classes on line and going to the high school for a couple of electives and swim team. Of course one of the electives is playing Cello in the orchestra. To add to the excitement of our lives we got some traveling in nearly every month and have more planned.



In May we went to Silverdale, Washington to help Sara and Shawn welcome home Thomas Dale. It shouldn't be much travel because it is only 20 miles to Silverdale. Since the Puget Sound is in the way it is about 65 miles by road or 10 miles by road with a 1 hour ferry boat ride. We usually drive over and ride the ferry back. Tommy is doing well and is a fun guy to watch as he discovers what is going on around him. He cut his first tooth this week.

These photos are not in chronological order.

Sandi and I flew to Salt lake City for a weekend in September to attend the baptism of Eric's 8 year old daughter Emalee. She was baptised by her Grandpa Ron. What a sweet young lady with a shy smile.We spent time with Eric and Ed and flew home so Sandi could start teaching school the next day.

In August Sandi and I flew to Boise where 8 year old Emalisa was Baptised by her father Ken. Emalisa welcomed us with hugs and later when we went target shooting she showed me how to shoot her single shot .22. Ken is Cindi's husband. We had a couple of days to visit, look around Boise and found time to attend the Boise Temple with Cindi.

October was when Sandi couldn't get off work so I Flew to Oklahoma City to see Julie and Ryan. Ryan is 12 years old and is the man of the family. He qualified to receive the Aaronic priesthood & become a Deacon in the Church. I was pleased that he asked me to perform those ordinances. During the week while Julie and Ryan were at school, I rented a car and drove to Arkansas and visited my brother Dave and his family. His daughter, Elizabeth, had her 10th birthday party while I was there. I got back to Oklahoma in time for the weekend and went on a boy scout camp-out at a big camporee with Ryan.

November was pretty quiet and ended with Sara, Shawn, and their four kids and Tracy at our house for Thanksgiving. That has developed into an annual event that I enjoy.

About a week later we traveled to Sara and Shawn's side of the Sound to attend 8 year old Caleb's Baptism. Afterward we has some sweet treats and hung around the church for a while, then caught the ferry home.
Ed's little girl Madison was born in November and lives near Salt Lake. We haven't been able to travel over to see her yet, mostly due to work schedules etc. That trip is in the planning stages.
In December Jessie and Aliena received Orrin. We were delayed a little in our travel plans because he was born the day before Sandi's surgery and she needed a few weeks to get well enough to travel. We drove to the Oregon coast and found a little cottage for rent overlooking the beach. Sandi was well enough by then for a couple of walks on the beach and we were treated to dinner at The Black Fish Cafe where Jesse works. The cottage was very quiet and relaxing. However, Sandi spent most of her time holding Orrin.
Another trip to Boise has jumped onto our agenda. We want to go see Sara Jane. She was recently born to Cindi and Ken. It is hard to snuggle a picture like you can a grand baby. Maybe we can combine trips and travel to Boise and Salt Lake and see both babies on the same trip.