While in Fresno,

Steve asked me to go for a drive.

It was deliberate, and planned.

He took me to the church building on Cedar and Bullard, the one my father and his father both worked on. The same building where we performed road shows and dance festivals and gave Sunday talks. The place I was baptized, and later, would hang around after mutual, to accidentally run into him. The building where his band played for dance after dance after dance.


He took my hand and led me into the cultural hall. We walked across the oak floor that I watched my father help lay, when I was 8 years old.

He led me to a spot, took my hands, looked into my eyes . . . . then said,

"It was right here. On New Years Eve 1969, I walked into this room and scanned the dance floor; you were standing right here, on this spot, talking to two guys. You were wearing a brown stripe satin dress and I liked your hair and you looked so pretty. . . . . I wanted to get to know you better. "

I wanted to get to know him better too. We had been on one date together (December 19th to be exact) and I was so nervous on that date that I didn't know if it went well or not, because I had never been on a date before. I did know one thing; I liked him, even if he took me out in an old blue electrician truck and didn't open the door for me. He did take me to a movie (Charlie) and then to Foster's Freeze for a hot fudge sundae, then he drove me down Belmont avenue so I could see what it meant to "cruise the main" (which is properly done on main street, but all we had was Belmont) and he made me laugh.

He got sick the next day, then his family went out of town for the holidays, so by the time the New Year's Eve dance rolled around, it had been 12 days since our date and I had not heard from him. I was convinced that I had ruined the date, and along with it, any chance of ever talking to him again.

My good mother came to the rescue. As Secretary for the LDS Institute, she knew all of the young singles and she invited them over to our house for a party after the dance. It was 1:00 am and I thought she was pretty cool. She must have planned ahead, because she served chips and dip and soda, three things we never had on hand. It was at that party that Steve and I did some flagrant flirting that led to his call the next day. . . .


. . . . . Steve and I stood on that spot and hugged for several minutes and he told me how much he loves me and how happy he is that he came to that dance, 40 years ago.

Since that night in 1969, we have called New Year's Eve our real anniversary

Happy 40th Anniversary to us

Happy New Year to you

Fun with Ella and Addie

Today we enjoyed our traditional train ride with the girls
(Preston wasn't feeling well, we missed having him with us):


The girls wore the Christmas hats I made them.

Papa and Addie waiting for the train

all aboard!





Brittany, looking spiffy

the girls love exploring the trails around the Japanese Tea Garden





I am always worried the girls will fall into the water
because this bridge has no hand rails.
(apparently, not worried enough to keep me from leaving them while I take this picture)

While editing this post, I showed Addie this picture, she said, "don't fall in the water".

Addie was so proud of her leaf

Another perfect day!

Partyin' Yuan Style

Brittany's husband, Ili, is a very interesting guy.
In addition to flying 707's (as an Air Force Navigator)
and living an international life,
(born in Taiwan, raised in Australia, then moved to Chicago),

he's a great cook!

He treated us to a delicious Asian meal of
Pork Fried Rice, Adobo Chicken, and Sticky Rice.







For dessert, he showed us how they party Down Under.

Tim Tams are a favorite Australian cookie.





When you use a Tim Tam as a straw to drink hot cocoa,

it is known as a Tim Tam Slam

(demo by Zach)

Here we all are slammin' down dessert and having a great time!








thank you, Brit and Ili for a deeeelish dinner and dessert

. . . and the perfect break from leftover turkey :)

Christmas Day 2009

We always have a family Christmas Program;
everyone contributes something of their choice.


Chrissy and Zach led us in a group song, "Must Be Santa"





Brittany and Ili told a fun story about Mrs Claus





Chloe wrote and illustrated a doggie Christmas story





Mike, Marci and family sang Feliz Navidad . . . . in Spanish!





I read a felt book Christmas Story . . . . Ella and Addie helped illustrate





Steve closed the program with a beautiful guitar rendition of Silent Night.

He also played it in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday and Chloe gave her first talk.
It was really special to have our entire family in attendance.




Then we opened presents!

Ella likes her doggie hat . . . . and she looks so cute in it!

I was given this photo of Addie for Christmas . . . isn' it wonderful?

(I feel a painting inspiration comin' on)

Ella, Preston, and Addie in the hats I made them