Talk about a slow year...maybe it's just me that's getting slower. At least slower to get to the keyboard to post happenings in my life. Oh wait, there hasn't been a lot going on with the COVID pandemic raging about, but I've still been able to take a few pictures. And, I want to remember some important events in the years to come.
I can't believe it's been since August that I last posted, but here goes...and I'm hoping my memory holds.
I had forgotten in a previous post, to share these gardening pictures of me and my grandson, Truman Peterson.
This year's gardening was a "yard/basketball court" experiment. When my normal gardening spot became unavailable mid growing, we moved all plants to our yard, and some to the neighbors. I can't say that I would do this again. I think plants in the ground do better than plants in pots.
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| Me and Truman watering the tomatoes |
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| Truman on the backyard swing |
I had a long-time childhood friend that was in a care center, and I decided to pay her a visit. It was a tender mercy as that was the last time I would see her in this life. We sang in a trio together for many years and had such great experiences together. I will miss you, Judy Backman Marsh.
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| Visiting Judy during Covid times |
We also did a little bit of canning. Jana had some apples she wasn't going to use, so Alisa and I decided to make applesauce. I'm not sure we were too successful as it turned out to be the firmest sauce I've ever made.
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| Me and Alisa in the process with some help from Brett |
Service still goes on, but with the additions of masks. An assignment took me to the church for some cleaning.
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| Cleaning crew |
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| Me and the Howard girls cleaning the church |
I was finally able to travel a little, and headed to Arizona and then on to California. It was such a relief to be able to visit family in person.
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| Kiefer and August and me at their soccer game |
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| Sue and me at the twins' soccer game |
On to California: the weather was perfect, the company fine, sandy beach, Crystal Cove one of our favorites, lots of tennis, who could ask for anything more? Rob and Tamsen took a little side trip to Portland, Oregon in the middle of our stay. They were able to go with Burke (Elder Peterson now, serving a mission in Salem, Oregon) to the temple and the children and I managed just fine! Whew! Thanks to a lot of good meals pre-prepared by Tamsen.
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| Tosh at Crystal Cove |
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| Hewitt |
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| Liv |
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| Tosh and Hewitt, great waves for surfing |
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| Truman, Liv and Rob doing some castle building |
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| Tamsen enjoying the California sunshine |
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| Me, Rob, Tosh, Hewitt playing some nighttime tennis |
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| The sunshine is bright for Truman and Liv |
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| Truman with the pool hawk, keeping other birds away |
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| Truman and me with the hawk |
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| What are you eating, Truman? |
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| Tamsen and Rob with Burke at Portland Temple |
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| Burke with some of his fellow missionaries |
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| Playing in the sand at Newport Coast Villas |
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| Truman, me and a little Lundell |
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| Last day at the beach, Tosh, me, Truman, Hewitt and Liv |
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Tamsen, Tosh, Hewitt, me, Liv, Rob and Truman
A lovely dinner in the outdoors |
Back home in Provo, things are getting more exciting as we await the upcoming birth of another grandchild. A few of my friends held an "outdoor" baby shower for Alisa who was due December 9th. We were concerned that that late in October it might be cold, so we served hot chocolate and donuts.
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| Some of the friends who came to the shower |
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| Alisa and I on the deck where she opened her gifts |
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| Alisa favored everyone with a musical number |
My neighbor from across the street took this picture of the large, full harvest moon over my house.
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| 3222 Apache Lane fully lit up |
I'm not too good at "selfies" but wanted to remember finally seeing a good friend after months of isolation. We did both social distancing and wore masks, but did take one picture sans mask.
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| Judy Christensen and me at Liberty Park |
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| Grateful for my walking friends, Shirley and Maxine |
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Tennis friends enjoying dinner before a Christmas musical
at the Covey, Eloise, Kathy, Karen, Anna, Tim and Patcee,
Turf and Juana, Rae Ann, me and Joyce |
Finally, it's baby time. Daniel Brett Larsen arrives on December 9th, his due date at 2:12 a.m. Hooray! Mom and baby did so well. What a wonderful Christmas present.
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| Daniel Brett Larsen, 7# 14 oz. 20-1/2" long What a cutie! |
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| Baby Daniel with his mother, Alisa |
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| My first visit to see Daniel, not even a day old |
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Daniel has first car ride and arrives at Grandma's
on December 10th |
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| Daniel with his Elf hat. We called him Danielf |
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Truman drew this picture of baby Daniel with
his two older brothers, Josef and Lukas |
A couple of days after Daniel was born, I went walking with my friends. Because of snowy, icy roads, we made a trip to the Mall. We also saw a fun crossing guard on our way home. Every day, just before Christmas, she costumes up as some Christmas song and has the children (and passing people) guess who she represents. Clever girl!
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| Keeping my distance from Shirley and Maxine |
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| Crossing guard as Hark the Herald Angels Sing |
Celebrating the holidays with our new baby has been wonderful.
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| My Christmas card |
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| Daniel's first bath |
Christmas finally arrives and we're excited to celebrate the season with our own little baby straight from Heaven.
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| Our beautiful tree and unwrapped presents |
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Presents opened and best present of all underneath
his first Christmas present |
I was also able to visit a couple of friends who I have not seen personally in months. I have missed them!
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| Mary Gail Worsley Plothow, friend since 1966 |
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| Another selfie gone astray |
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| Carl and Joanne Byers, friends for 45 years |
This has been an interesting year. Can't say I'm sorry to see it coming to an end. I have hope and faith that 2021 will be a better year...at least more opportunity to see friends and family. As I said in my Christmas letter. "I'm grateful for my many blessings. I'm grateful for a loving God and for his Son, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at this time of year. They give us hope for 2021. Thank you for your love and friendship. It means the world to me".
