Happy 13th!!

A lovely day - clear and breezy and blue skies - a perfect way to start a life together!!

 

And now this little girl is a missionary in Russia - and this "big" girl is a mom of 4!!

 

Beginnings are the best - and reflecting on them brings joy!!

Happy day to both of you - may the years keep getting better and better!!

Happy 49th!

I'm pretty sure that 49 years ago when I posed with my sisters and friends, I wasn't thinking 49 years ahead!!

 

And there are a finite number of photos from our wedding - less than a dozen I think! But it hasn't stopped us from having a wonderful 49 years together!!

Getting married at Christmas time can have drawbacks - my mom and sister-in-law were pretty chagrined that I'd complicated their holidays.

But when you are celebrating your anniversary, the world is full of lights and bells and music and it feels like the whole world is celebrating with you!

Happy 49 years to us!!

Happy Birthday Harry!

This is close to how Harry looked when I met him at BYU.  I've often wished picture taking had been more common - but we've gotten along fine I guess without photographic evidence of years gone by!

 

He sent me this photo while he was on his mission and it was the only one I had - so I treasured it!

 

And here we are 10 or so years ago.  Maybe photographic evidence is over-rated!!

At any rate - happy 72nd birthday to the man I love - and have happily shared my life with for a lot of years.

Pineapple upside down cake #49 is in the oven as we speak!

 

Happy 26th!!

Happy 26th Anniversary to Bonny and Bruce.

 

Such a happy day!!

Here's to many more wonderful anniversaries!!  Love you both!

Oops - out of order!

I totally thought I'd done a birthday post on Mary - but apparently I didn't!  Mary's birthday was on the 9th, so I'm tardy!

I remember Mary's birth - mainly because I am pretty sure it was when Alice and I went to Helen and Grandpa Clayton's house to stay when she was born.

And there had been a burglary - and I recall seeing the muddy footprints under the window at Grandpa's house.

I thought it was pretty exciting.  I guess I was too young to be frightened!!

Mary - and Charlie - are the two Claytons who have no baby pictures of them.  Times were tough and photos were just not high on the agenda.  The youngest photo of Mary is in a group photo where Richard is the baby.

Mary is a wonderful sister - very loving and so willing to serve.  We could all learn a lot from her.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful sister like Mary!

Happy Birthday Bobby!

The day is almost over, but I still have time!!  Happy Birthday today to my brother Bobby.  One of the things I love about Bobby is that he is totally willing to be called Bobby!!

He is number 9 in the countdown - and sometimes seems more like a nephew than a brother - because he really grew up without me there.  A hazard in large families - a hazard for the older siblings anyway!

Bobby is a fine man - a good husband, father, and grandfather.  He's a good son too - and often came to visit Mom and help her out. He has a lovely wife and great kids.

And I can totally remember him in this bassinet - Mom often put it out on the patio so he could get his vitamin D!  I recall her return home from the hospital - just in time for Christmas.  I was old enough to know about Santa - but I still had some concerns.

It was a Merry Christmas though - how can it not be with a new baby??