The holiday season is a very special time--a time to reflect on the past and give thanks for all our blessings. One of those blessings is our rich heritage and the delightful relatives that come with it. This year as we have computerized our genealogy we have become acquainted with ancestors of great strength and integrity, ancestors from poverty, ancestors from royalty, ancestors with leadership ability and ancestors of humble faith.
We have also had the opportunity of visiting with many of our living relatives and this is always special. Janet's mother sent us a tape relating her parents' coming to America and the first 20 years of her life in Utah. This is a real treasure.
Others have shared books with us about Richard's lineage into the royalty of Europe and this had been fun. This year Janet has worked on updating the Larson and Ekenberg lines. Richard's lines go all the way back to the days of the Normans so is overwhelming, we just gather the information in the computer and look at it. Janet would love to hear from anyone actively working in research on any line.
Our own family has been growing as Maria and Mark added their fourth, a little boy, on November 13th. Mitch Khamsin Valko. The Valkos have middle names that are cars, sports cars I think! This makes eight grandchildren to visit our home and these are the most fun kind of relatives!
Martin's daughter Susan and her husband John and two children have moved to Rancho Bernardo and the Diedes' (my sister Carole's daughter) have been living next door in Escondido for the past few years so we have quite a group of cousins.
Linda and Gary should finish orthodontic schooling in June and hopefully move to California near us. John is still at Peat Marwick but now lives in West Los Angeles. Jimmy is finishing at the Y but also works for American Business Seminars and does insurance with Northwestern. He's making money!!!!!
We would like to thank all of our relatives for their association and influence on the Hardy Family over the years and wish each and everyone a warm and wondrous Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!
Some Life Moments from this Past Year
February, 1990...Janet said-- "Our Help-U-Sell office got a Pinnacle Award for highest volume in all of Help-U-Sell, but as Richard says, if you can get an award for highest volume and still not be able to make it, that is scary. Thank heaven, I have about 3 closings next week which will pay our bills again. I am continually tossing between "work harder" and "give it up" mentality. Jimmy asked me how much I had saved for retirement and I said, "You are my retirement, Jimmy."
February 1990...Janet said-- "Last night I picked up all of Maria's kids and had Meagan, too, and they all stayed overnight. At round 1:30 AM Melissa woke up and we spent 2 and 1/2 hours of going to bed and getting up, etc. and I was so tired. Finally at 4 A M Richard called Maria and she came over and got Melissa to sleep and then slept for awhile. When I awoke Maria had cleaned the whole house, it was such a mess. She has tremendous energy and zeal."
February 1990...Janet said--"We went to watch Michael's soccer game--it was so funny--those kids are so little and not really aggressive at all--especially Michael--when he didn't want to play anymore he just closed his eyes and wandered around in circles."
February 1990...Janet said---"Meagan has a super dance teacher and Meagan is really looking great. They have a huge recital in June and have already ordered the costumes and are working on the dance. It is quite an event in the community and only happens every two years. There are about 3 or 4 dance teachers and many classes a week--luckily she has been able to go on Saturday but if she gets too good she may have to go during the week. John pays for the lessons and costumes."
May 1990...My Mother (living in Orem) wrote, "I thought Jimmy was a delivery boy, so when I really looked and saw a big handsome boy with a beautiful vase of flowers and a couple of balloons I was really surprised. We had a nice visit, I was glad Jeanne got home while he was here. Just for fun I asked if he was in the movies yet, we all got a laugh when he said, "Funny you should ask, I have a few pictures, I'll go get them." Mom said, "After seeing the pictures, I hope he does get some work at modeling, etc. Someone must be interested in him and his good looks."
Mother's Day 1990...My Mother wrote, "I have many happy memories due to a great family, a kind and thoughtful Father for you children, and a sweet and loving husband for me. He surely provided for us well, much better than I ever expected, we were very blessed, and lucky, too.
"I thank you for all you have done for me and for the sweet memories, you were my baby for a long time."
May 1990...My Mother wrote, "Dave and Dorothy gave me the new book of the life of David O. McKay written by his oldest son David. We lived near the McKays in Ogden and they lived in the 4th Ward as we did. And when I was going to Weber, a church school there, he often came to visit and talk at our Devotionals and we all loved him, he was young and handsome. I danced with his son Llewelyn and went to church with his daughter Lou Jean and taught the little boys. Sometimes he would walk Lou Jean and I to Mutual. Their young mother was beautiful and the Apostle not often home. They were a lovely family and I started reading the book right away."
"Your cards and letters were appreciated and it seemed my family all have the same feeling about our happy home. You were not that troublesome and I loved you all."
Update: The Fuquas moving from Texas to live in a house in Dinuba that Richard has available.
Spring 1990...My Sister Carole had many mini miracles in their very tedious drive of all their possessions from Texas to California--this is just one: "Finally sailed into San Diego on Empty again, spent the night and day and night with sister Janet and then on to Dinubba, arriving on Empty again. My sister had given me her Exxon credit card and every Exxon did not have Diesel fuel. Finally found a Chevron that took Exxon so we gassed up and then piled on hot dogs, drinks etc but as we were paying someone said, "Oh, we don't take Exxon cards with the grey border." Carole says, "Well, do you want to siphon all the gas out and let us bunk here until someone comes with money?" The girl said, "Let's just pretend we didn't notice the grey border and I'm not going to add the food in either."
Christmas...
This Christmas everyone was home for Christmas! Pulsiphers spent part of the time in El Cajon and part of the time with us. Maria and Mark had Mitch blessed on Sunday! Jimmy was home also. We went to Maria's and Mark's ward and then had a birthday party for Kristi at our house. We had swiss steak and mashed potatoes and broccoli and everything got eaten. Linda made the cake in the shape of a snowman!
This Christmas everyone was home for Christmas! Pulsiphers spent part of the time in El Cajon and part of the time with us. Maria and Mark had Mitch blessed on Sunday! Jimmy was home also. We went to Maria's and Mark's ward and then had a birthday party for Kristi at our house. We had swiss steak and mashed potatoes and broccoli and everything got eaten. Linda made the cake in the shape of a snowman!
Wednesday the 19th we had the office party but we did not have a good attendance. If I had known it would be like that we could have saved some money. I should have asked them all to bring something then they have to come. It was good anyway and HUS paid some of the costs!
We sent cards to some of our borrowers and lenders...I spent too much for Christmas but enjoyed doing it but since I don't have the money it is not good. I think next year we should set a limit on the gifts and really stick to it. Meagan said she would like to get lots of small presents rather than one big one. I'm sure everyone would agree. For dinner we had ham and several salads and hot potato dish and veggie dish, different than usual. I made Hootch and Fudge to give away plus 2 batches of pumpkin bread, but I ate too much. Next year I do not want to spend time and money making all that candy because we eat too much. Pecan candy rolls that Price Club had made nice gifts and the pistachio nuts except they are too heavy to mail. I sent all of our family something, but it is too expensive.
Christmas Eve was really nice. And I love the darling pictures. We had the program first, more organized than usual. Wish we had some pre taped music to sing with though. After eating we had the children give their songs and poems in the mike and then had the presents. No one ate much dessert. But we surely ate a lot of candy. Jennifer's spinach dip was especially good, she uses Knorr Spinach Dip Mix.
I love Christmas and I love our family!!
