Some of my favorite photos of the kids...

Looking Back on 2008

Well once again here I am reflecting on the past year. For 20 years I’ve written an annual holiday letter and sent it out to friends and family with a Christmas card. In an effort to go a little “greener” this year, I have decided to try a new medium for my annual holiday missive. Not only can I add video and photos; you can respond with comments if you like.

So here is a brief reflection on 2008…


In February I moved from my little 460 sq. ft. duplex into a real house again. It’s a great little place in one of Grants Pass’ oldest neighborhoods; on a tree-lined street within walking distance of downtown. Built in the early ‘20’s, the house has wonderful high ceilings, hardwood moldings, a claw-footed tub, and an old icebox built into the kitchen cabinets. Upstairs I have a crafting room for scrapbooking and quilting, and a guest room for visitors. I love having space to spread out again.

On March 28th, we added a new member of our family, Aubrey Elizabeth. Her arrival was celebrated by her sisters, Carly and Natalie; brother Ryan; and proud parents, Amanda and Wes. Great Granny Barbara and I made the drive to meet her the following week.

In April, Wes was offered a position as a manager for the new premier restaurant in Redding called “Rivers.” Rivers is a beautiful ultra-modern restaurant that sets up on the bluffs overlooking the Sacramento River. The food is great, the atmosphere elegant, and you’ll find Wes there most evenings. Stop by and say hello if you are in Redding.


I am fortunate to have the summer months off work and spent this summer making some short trips around Northern California and Oregon. Over the July 4th holiday weekend I took Carly (6) and Ryan (4) camping at Patrick’s Point State Park on the California Coast. We had a great time going to the beach, flying kites, and playing around the campground with the other campers.

Later in July, Natalie (3) came up for a visit to grandma’s house. We spent much of time exploring city parks, watering my garden, or playing in the wading pool in my backyard.

Emily and I took a nostalgic trip to Portland in early August. We explored our old neighborhoods, schools, and favorite restaurants, visited family, and located the Ramona Quimby statue at Laurelhurst Park. For those of you unfamiliar with Ramona, she is a beloved character in the children’s books written by Beverly Cleary, who grew up in the Portland area. Emily, an elementary school librarian, read and loved the Romana books as young girl.

Other fun spots we hit while in Portland included the Saturday Market, IKEA store, and Hannah Andersson Outlet. I love Portland and too much time had passed since my last visit. It was fun spending time with Emily and reconnecting with family in Portland.

On Labor Day weekend, I brought Carly up to Grants Pass for a few days. We went to the circus with Granny Barbara and Carly got to ride an elephant and a pony. However, she preferred the elephant ride, because the pony ride was too “bumpy.”

In October, I went down to Redding to spend my first Halloween with the grandkids. It was also the first time in awhile that I spent with Amanda on her birthday. The kids looked cute dressed up in their costumes. Amanda’s church has an event called “Trunk or Treat” where all the families come to the church and decorate their car trunks and then the children go from car to car trick or treating. I was looking forward to witnessing this event – but it rained and they had to move the whole thing inside the church. So the families set up in the classrooms and the kids went from door to door inside the church to get their candy. Wes took time off from work and joined us. He entered his chili in the chili cook-off and won first prize! Everyone raved about his cornbread too.

Emily and Ben came up to Grants Pass for Thanksgiving. I cooked the Thanksgiving turkey dinner for the first time in years. Mom joined us for dinner and we played Bananagrams most of the evening. The next morning I got up at 4:45 to trek off to Fred Meyer to buy a new LCD/HD TV and was back in bed by 6 am. Emily and Ben had to get back to Redding so they headed home later that morning.

Work keeps me quite busy. We have had budget cuts and lost one employee this year, so the rest of us are picking up the slack. I taught a parenting class this fall, it was great fun and I hope to do another one next fall. This spring I will be providing a training series for providers working with infants, toddlers, and their families… so I don’t expect things to slow down a lot until summer. We have two weeks off for spring break (another result of the budget cuts) so I am hoping to bring Ryan up for a few days. It is his turn to come to grandma’s house. He wrote me a letter that said he wants to go to the park; I think he may be referring to Riverside Park as I have taken both of his sisters already and he has heard about the tractors and the ducks. So we have a date!

So there it is… my first post. Hopefully I will have some interesting things to share throughout the coming year. Stay tuned! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Peaceful New Year!