Here is the letter we will send with our Christmas cards:
Merry Christmas from Paula and Tom!
We received two new grandchildren during 2008, and we recognize the hand of the Lord in their safe arrival. We also had four grandchildren start kindergarten. Nothing gives us greater joy than to see our children nurture our grandchildren. This year has been challenging with two of our children trying to sell homes during our nation’s current financial downturn. We were asked by our president-elect during the campaign if we were better off than we were four years ago. Of course, we are better off, with too many blessings to count – but we, like most people, are worse off financially. Money isn’t everything.
Here is a brief summary of our family:
Melissa and Michael Ford (http://www.m4dfamily.blogspot.com/) live in Salt Lake City with Thomas (14), Joshua (10), Benjamin (8) and Jack (6). They purchased a new home in the neighborhood of their dreams, but they need to sell their old home before they can make the changes and updates that the new home requires. Michael works doing legal defense. Melissa is a full time caregiver and Primary president, and she won her first election to public office. Benjamin was baptized in February, and Thomas had a successful football season leading the East High School Bantams to the conference championship. Joshua leads his soccer team in goals, and Jack started kindergarten. Melissa’s youngest started school!
Mindy and Coray Christensen (http://corayandmindy.blogspot.com/) live in Highland, Utah with Jonathan (10), Abby (8), Will (5), and Sarah (2). Coray works for the company that purchased his software business. Mindy ran her first triathlon. We are proud of her accomplishment. Jonathan scored many touchdowns on his Lone Peak football team. Abby was baptized in May! Will started kindergarten. Sarah warms her grandparents’ hearts.
In May, Brian and Natalie (http://www.littlenan.blogspot.com/) were blessed to have Greta join Elsa (6) and Ava (4). They live in Indianapolis, but Brian started working for Novian, a medical device company based in Chicago. They are trying to sell their home so they can relocate. In the meantime Brian commutes to Chicago and has become an expert in breast cancer because Novian’s technology promises to remove breast tumors without surgery. Elsa started kindergarten, and Ava learned to water ski!
Melanie and Jeff Conley (http://familyconley.blogspot.com/) moved to Colorado Springs with Andrew (7), Elizabeth (5) and Anna (3). Melanie gave birth to Eden, our 19th grandchild, in September. Jeff started his own small business accounting firm, and teaches early morning seminary. Melanie home schools Andrew and chauffeurs everyone to their various classes and games. Andrew returned to his piano studies, Elizabeth started kindergarten and can do 11 pull-ups at gymnastics! Anna started her first pre-school class.
Michelle and Hans Egbert (http://michelleandhans.blogspot.com/ ) live in Colorado Springs with Ashley (6), Katelyn (4), Justin (2), and Mia (1). Hans’s new dental practice is growing well, and Michelle balances family management with her biking, running and other fitness hobbies. Ashley is the best artist in the first grade, Katelyn does gymnastics. Justin wants a red truck like Grandpa’s. Mia learned how to walk.
Paula and Tom continue to work and play while we serve our family of 19 grandchildren. We try to visit them often, and we enjoy travel with friends and family including a long trip to China in October and November.
We loving hearing from you, we wish you all a joyous Christmas season and a prosperous New Year!
For the third (or fourth?) year we held Granny's traditional Christmas Eve breakfast at Melissa's ward building. The Fords did all the set up and much of the clean up. We had a good turn out. As usual I bought too much stuff for pancakes and we came home with a ton of buttermilk. LaRue and Louise turn 78 years old in February. None of Louise's children or grandchildren came, but all of LaRue's came except for Julie (She lives in Chicago.). Laurel and Kim and their children and grandchildren were there; Janet and her daughter Lisa and grandson Jesse came. (Jason lives in Seattle.) Fred and Andrean were in Florida with Jackson. Bill was sick, but Kandace came with all her children and grandchildren (a first).
We had eleven grandchildren overnight for a Christmas slumber party. We toured the neighborhood in the back of the truck to see the lights, we played basketball and other games at the church, we had a great dinner, Christmas stories and a Christmas movie. Santa came for a visit. The grandchildren went to sleep way too late, making for miserable children during the rest of the holidays, I think.
