A Year Well Spent

So..... as this year comes to a close, I need to express my gratitude for a good one.

It began with Randy and I celebrating our 3oth anniversary January 8. We celebrated by going on a Medditerrainean cruise in May/June. It was a wonderful trip with my best friend.



Big milestones for each of my kids.....



Tony graduated from BYU in April. He and Erika moved back to paradise, where he began working for Randy before starting graduate school at the New School of Architecture in S.D. in the fall. It's GREAT to have them close by!!!!



Jessica and Clint were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Owen, on Sept. 25. He is a special addition to our family!!!! They also live close by, in Carmel Valley. We love seeing them often!!!



Mique turned 30 Nov. 3. (I can't believe I'm old enough to have a child that age!) She celebrated many ways, one being the surprise party that Josh and I planned with the help of other family. I think she liked her b'day.



We had a wonderful Christmas. It began in late Nov. as my bf's and I went to dinner for our annual gift exchange. Good food, great friends. I'm one lucky lady!!! The fun continued as I put on our ward Christmas breakfast. (My last activity as chairman of the committee. Yippee!!!) It was very stressful (just ask anyone around me including Randy Lang!!!) But with some help, a good time was had by all. My Randy was my right hand man, my biggest support, and even dressed as "Elf" to ensure a good party. That night was his annual office party at Donovan's. We left stuffed! I also spent time with my card playing/ temple going great friends, exchanging gifts and wonderful friendship! We went to brunch at the Nuckols the Saturday before Christmas and sang in their annual carrol sing along. That night we went to the Platts for a potluck and visited with more dear friends.



It was our turn to host the annual Alder family Christmas eve dinner. I made more trips to Costco in the 2 weeks leading up to the dinner than I had all year! Lisa and Greg and kids arrived Sunday night, and others started coming the next morning. With a T time of noon, we got the boys (and Cindy)off, and began preparations in earnest for dinner. We had a very nice Christmas eve, except that Scott and Teresa and boys were unable to join us as Teresa's dad was ill and needed their attention. We missed them and all the others who couldn't join us.

Here is a cute picture of 3 handsome cousins!!!

The next day Mique, Josh , and kids drove down. It took Julia bout 5 minutes to find the 2 new cars we had gotten to keep here to play with when they visit. They were a big hit!! A mini golf cart and a push peddle Benz. (When I saw the Benz in a catalogue I had to have it!!!) We opened presents and had a good time. The presents were all awesome this year. Very thoughtful. Many homemade. Mique found a set of Hall mixing bowls that match the other things I have collected. She made Randy a beautiful family tree that's on canvas. Tony and Erika gave me a beautiful shell votive holder, and Randy a movie he'd asked for. Jessica and fam had come over Friday night before they left to spend christmas with the Ericksons and we exchanged gifts then. They gave me some adorable blocks with the pictures of the grandkids, and Randy a different family tree. It was a special Christmas.

Kids having fun driving.......................................

Randy and I have been able to spend some time together. He works so hard that it's a treat to be home relaxing. We had planned to join Janet as she retired, but got to the airport and our flight was delayed because the flight crew didn't show up. (I have never heard of such a thing!!!) So we just went home to another quiet day.

Tonight we plan on spending time with former neighbors that we don't see often enough. We are so blessed to have a great family and have the best friends. We appreciate each person so much! I am so grateful to a Heavenly Father who has showered gifts on my and those I love. I'm grateful to an Older Brother who's birth we just celebrated. His gift of the gospel and especially the atonement can never be repaid. I hope this year I can be more like Him.

May the coming year be as good as the last!!!