Since all the newspapers and magazines are doing 2010 reviews, I thought I might as well give you some highlights from The Oregonians' year.
January started off great with a visit from granddaughter Julia, looking fabulous as usual.
Our daughter Julie started creating and selling
beautiful hand-made jewelry. Here's just one example. Check out her website at JolieJules.
We took the plunge and bought a blue ray player, then upgraded our satellite service to high definition. If I can't hear very well, at least we can watch a sharper picture
In February, strange things started showing up in our mail, like hair curlers and coffe makers. Yup. Some
so and so managed to rip our visa number from the internet,to the tune of several hundred dollars. Fortunately, we had notified Visa and got things changed in time, so there was no charge to us.
Sometimes you get lucky.
Andrew was in town for a quick trip and came by to see us. Always a treat.
March marked a big turning point in my life. I fell asleep watching the Academy Awards and didn't even re-wind after it had been recorded. Things just aren't the same without Bogy, the Duke, and all those other giants.
Daughter Barb held her annual Easter Egg hunt, fun for everyone, whether finding eggs or taking pictures.
For our ward Easter program in April, I was asked to be the speaker. Our very good choir did a wonderful job.
(So this picture doesn't look like me. "Try to see it under lights.")
In May all available members of the extended families got together at Gecko's to celebrate grandson Tony's passing his comps. We welcomed him to the glorious world of ABDs.
For Mother's Day, we got a call from our missionary grandson, Russell, way off in the Philippines. He wasn't able to reach his Mom right away, so he called us. Now I ask you, isn't that one of the nicest things that could happen in our year?
In June, we watched grandaughter Emma graduate from pre-school. Ceremony was held at the historic Draper Theatre to a good crowd of exceptionally proud parents and other relatives.
We had a great Father's Day dinner with Denny, Joe and Emma. Followed by ice box dessert made by the best IBD maker west of the Mississipppi.
Julia was in town again on business and this time was able to stay long enough for us to take her to see many of her cousins (great-cousins?)
We all had a great time.
Our 15th great-grandchild, Carly June. was born July 2. Big brother and sister and grandfather seen here admiring her.
No pictures, but July also brought us a visit from my cousins Afton and Enid and Enid's grandson Jeffrey.
Also a spur-of-the-moment trip up Little Cottonwood Canyon with Barb and Dennis, where Tony, Cindy, Angie, Forrest and children were just finishing up their picnic.
July also found us in Vancouver, Washington, for a good visit with Julie and Tom, including a drive up to the Visitors' Center at Mt. St. Helens. Boy, you can't beat the air of the Pacific Northwest, especially at that altitude.
Again, no pictures, but Andrew, Andrea and their three good looking children were in town and dropped by to see us.
Alas, in August, Angie and Forrest moved to Minnesota. And they had the nerve to take Ethan, Elise, Jonas and Wyatt with them.
September brought the publishing of Tony's third book, "How".
Another good seller for Deseret Books.
One of my home teaching families found out that a book a friend of hers had recommended, "I'm Not Perfect..." was written by our grandson, so she ordered fifteen copies as Christmas presents for her family. Tony was gracious enough to sign all fifteen copies for her.
In October my nephew Jim, wife Helen and son Michael, who live in Oregon City, were in town and came to see us. Jim was the one who sealed Denise and Joe at the Portland Temple way back in 1996.
Grandson Russell returned from his mission in the Philippines, speaking Tagalog fluently and with a strong testimony. All of his immediate family were in Vancouver to welcome him home. Those of us in Utah were there in spirit.
In November Barb and Dennis drove us up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton. Fall colors were beautiful and so was the lake.
In November great-grandaughter Jane was baptized. Much family and much food helped her remember the occasion.
Also in November, we got a sneak preview of Denise accompanying their stake choir for stake conference. Thrilling arrangements, well rendered, beautifully accompanied.
Another highlight of November was our trip back home to La Grande where we were together with all three of our daughters, a couple of sons-in-law and two of our grandchildren. It was during this visit that we learned that granddaughter Julia is expecting her first child in June. With Tony and Cindy looking forward to "Calvin J" (?) in January, that will bring us our 16th and 17th great-grandchild. How blessed can we be?
In December daughter Barbara got her very first pair of organ shoes, after being advised by many that she really shouldn't be playing in her stocking feet.
(See, I told you this blog was going to be about highlights.)
On a loftier note, we attended the Christmas program in Denny's ward. Joe was narrator, Denise accompanied the choir. Emma was a perfect little lady throughout.
Christmas Eve was enjoyed with many family members at Barb's and Dennis'.
Christmas afternoon we went to Denny's and Joe's where Emma helped us open some Christmas presents. We really had three Christmases this year: To Barb's Christmas Eve, here in our condo Christmas morning and to Denny's later that day. Thrice blessed, to say the least.
We were married on December 27, which is too soon after Christmas to feel like celebrating. So we waited ----until December 28, when we went to the Market Street Grill and Oyster Bar for our 59th anniversary.
No, that's not us, but I'd be willing to bet it's the same booth we were seated in.
Great dinner; delicious HagenDaz carmel ice cream.
Well, there's our year in review. I can't believe this took three drafts and all day to put together.
I'm sure we've failed to mention some other very nice things that came our way this past year, so if any of you want to add via comments, soyez le bien venue.
I first became aware of Anne Hathaway when she played the high school sweetheart of the young Elder Groberg and I've liked her ever since. For that reason I say "Don't blame Anne for the disastrous 83rd Academy Awards." I taped it, started watching it the day after, fell asleep half way through, and have still to get around to watching the rest of it. 
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