News for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Meagan Coming!, 1986

We have been having some interesting Meetings with Compufund, we have a franchise with them and Choice Mortgage.  I think it will be good for us and they appear to be doing better than they were when we were Jones.

Another lender invited me (one of six from San Diego) to a meeting to introduce a new loan.  They said they like working with me because we bring nice clean loans and we are honest!

We have moved the loan business upstairs and it is fixed up really very nice.  It is so much better organized and neat and quiet.  Isaac B works with me as loan agent.  He also was at La Jolla Newport.  He is a Mexican Jew and has a son 19 and a girl 15.  He is very pleasant to work with and says the Jews have a fun religion with lots of celebrations.  Isaac has a darling 5 year old and he takes him to Jewish school.  He says he does not want to dedicate Willie to God.  He was joking but he means he is too adorable to give to anybody, even God, I guess. 

We sent Jimmy a package with 25 presents, not expensive and mostly edible.  It is supposed to be for him to open one a day till Christmas

Richard closed quite a few deals this week so was feeling good.  He is taking vitamins too and I do think it helps us.

My brother Dave and his wife Dorothy took Mary (wife of my brother who died) on a trip through the New England states and they had a wonderful tune.  Mary said they saw Mom in Utah and that she has gained 10 pounds and looks better than ever.  She does appear to be happy there.

Meagan is flying down next Monday for Thanksgiving and we are going to Disneyland Thursday and have our turkey dinner Friday night.  John will be going with us and I think the Fuquas and Maria, Mark and Michael.

I guess John will be going to Park City with us for Christmas, too. Yea!

We have our Christmas shopping done and the Ward is having a Christmas party at our house on the 13th.  We will have our house decorated by then and we leave for Park City on the 20th.

      

Christmas Card 1988 and Big Move to Rancho Bernardo

No time for photos this year,  We made the big move from La Jolla!!!

After 18 years we left La Jolla and the big house near the sea,
Settled in suburban Rancho Bernardo where the "old folks" tend to be.
The sun shines more and the population is less,
The living is low key and--hopefully, less stress.
However, we still drive into our office each day.
And sell houses and loans to bring home the pay!
We started over in our business just three years ago.
So we won't see retirement for a long time, you know.

Richard had to have bypass surgery last spring,
But thankfully recouped and was soon ready for anything.
In the middle of moving and with work, too.
It was a difficult time but the children helped us through.
Maria and Mark did more than we can tell,
Carried on in the business and did it very well.
Jimmy came home when we called and left all his fun,
Gave up his studies and such till the moving was done.

Craig and Kristi in Chicago in 88

Linda and Gary Pulsipher and their children,t00,
Still, live in Chicago till dental school's through.
Our trip this year was Thanksgiving with them--
Chicago was warm and the trip was a gem!
Played with Kristi and Craig in the neighborhood park
And from Sears Tower saw the lights of Chicago after dark!

The Valkos (Maria and Mark) live in Poway, just down the way,
So we have fun with Matthew and Michael often when they come to play.

John, the CPA is still with Pear, Marwick and Main
And he lives on the coast in El Segundo, not far by train!
His daughter Meagan comes on weekends to RB
To visit us and the clubhouse--swimming you see.

Jimmy is busy schooling in Business at the "Y"
Still loves skiing and girls and is a popular guy!
We're thankful so much for these children we love,
And the five special grandchildren sent from heaven above.

Christmas will be in our new home this year--
Not in shape for skiing at Park City, we fear--
But we're well and thankful for our new little place,
Come over and see us, we still have extra space!

Now to you and yours and your family so fine,
We wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in 1989!

Pictures of our house in La Jolla before it was sold.

Christmas Card 1989, New Grandbabies, Gary Graduates, the Deides are here

Grandchildren Christmas 1989

The good news is...
     We gained two new granddaughters this year, Melissa to Maria and Mark in Poway and Amy to  Linda and Gary in Chicago!

Melissa in Poway

Amy in Chicago

The bad news is...

     We do not get to see Linda and Gary's Kristi, Craig, and Amy near enough.  

The good news is...

    Gary graduated from   dental school this year and is going on to orthodontic school--Congratulations, Gary!!!

The good news is...
     Janet had a special trip with granddaughter Kristi across the state of Illinois from Chicago to  Nauvoo, Illinois.  We saw the roots of Mormon history we had previously only read about.  It was delightful!

The bad news is...
     The wind blows like crazy in Illinois and the Mississippi really is muddy but the grass is very green and the farms are the neatest I have ever seen!

Karoke was fun for Meagan

The good news is...
     Richard and I had a wonderful summer trip with granddaughter Meagan to the Anderson Family cabin in Silvergate, Montana.  We met sons John and Jimmy there and did hiking, fishing, and horseback riding and just enjoyed the quiet mountain beauty.

The bad news is...
     It took about half of our vacation just driving back and forth from California--but we saw Yellowstone Park through the eyes of a nine year old and that was neat!

The bad news is..Janet has too much to juggle to do anything too well

  but continues to get more courses on the complicated mortgage business.

The good news is...
     The whole extended family was together for about one day at Big Bear Lake.  We really enjoyed getting all the grandchildren together so they can become friends.

Craig and Kristi in Chicago

The bad news is...
     It gets harder and harder to gather the troops---John is a manager with Peat, Marwick, and Main in Los Angeles: Jimmy is finishing his last year at BYU; and the Pulsiphers (Linda, Gary, and children) have two more years in Chicago.  That leaves the Valkos (Maria, Mark and children) in nearby Poway, Jennifer and Meagan in La Jolla and Richard and I in Rancho Bernardo. (This latter group see each other weekly which we really enjoy).

Jennifer sets the table in our new dining room

The good news is...
     Richard has recouped well from his 1988 bypass and is back to working his 12 hour days.  He has 20 people working in Help-U-Sell offices now so that is great but keeps him jumping.

Kristi has a party in Chicago

The bad news is...
     Richard has regained all his weight and we are both in great need of shaping up and we never seem to take time for ourselves.

The good news is...
      We love our home in Rancho Bernardo--much more than we had imagined.  It is light and airy and just the right size.

Meagan is Mary this Christmas

The bad new is...
       With working everyday at Choice Mortgage and Help-U-Sell there is never enough time for grandchildren, gardening, and just being home!

The good news is...
      We all wish you a Merry Christmas and a most Wonderful New Year in 1990.

Matt and Craig are the Shepherds

The bad news is...
       We miss seeing all our old friends and don't see our family and relatives enough and there's too little time for new friends!  But if any of you are on the slopes in Park City after Christmas or in the Salt Lake Genealogy Library after New Years, look for us, we'll be there and remember 18391 Camberwell Lane is just off 1-15!

Come see us in Rancho Bernardo!

Christmas Dinner in Our New Home

The Deides came for Christmas, too

Mike likes the Karoke, too

Matt is not the baby anymore.

Matt has such cute expressions.

Christmas Card 1990 and Life Moments from the Year

 

   
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!  

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!!

Christmas 1991

It's December 25th and all is quiet at the Hardys--so Janet can tell you what the year has been for her family.

 James graduated from Brigham Young University and is now on his own--looking for a new seminar company to work for or something else exciting while he is still single and fancy free!  He is still living in Provo but talks about Australia and other romantic places!  He brought a new girl home a for the "California Test" and her name is Camber Carlston from Mission Viejo!

John is Senior Manager at Peat, Marwick and Main in Los Angeles and is working most of the time but manages to get a few good hikes in at Yosemite or the Sierras.  Meagan, his daughter, and Jessica, his girlfriend, have backpacks now, too, and can try and keep up with him.  Even Janet and Richard accompanied them to the base of a mountain and waited till they came back down!!!

Maria and Mark Valko and their four children moved to Troy, Michigan this fall and we miss them so much.  Mark is working in air conditioning back there and Maria has given up the office work with us and been more creative with making and selling 40 Christmas wreaths and numerous angels before Christmas. Mitch is now walking along the furniture and loves to climb the stairs.  Michael is reading amazingly well and should probably be in a special reading group for the more advanced.  

For Halloween they paraded through Birmingham and got donuts and cider!!  Michael was Dracula,  Matthew was a pirate,  Melissa was a clown and Mitch was a bunny!  Forgot the camera so no pix.

Mark wrote and thanked us for helping get the house sold and loading up for the big move.  We hated to see them go but they feel it is the right thing to do right now.  Life is hard.      Linda and Gary Pulsipher returned to San Diego after graduating in orthodontics and are living in El Cajon with their four children while getting started in a new practice.  Linda keeps the books for Choice Mortgage in between tending the newest "Kelly" just four months old.

Janet and Richard continue to work hard in the mortgage and real estate business.  The low rates have kept Janet busy with refinancing her clients while Richard has been preoccupied with building homes in Tulare and Bakersfield, Ca.  The computer has changed Janet's life dramatically!!!!

 We enjoyed seeing Janet's relatives last New Year's and Richard's in August and October of this year.  It is such a joy to see all of the niece's and nephew's with their own families.

If this news sounds vaguely familiar it's because we do the same thing every year--work and take a winter vacation at Park City and work and take a summer vacation at Big Bear Lake--in between we cope--and are thankful for the enjoyment we have from our four children and nine grandchildren.

May your new year be bright and joyful in 1992 and may the whole world make a little more sense than it did this year!!!

Pictures from Years Past

Christmas Card 1992--James and Camber Wed

The big news of the year was the marriage of James, our youngest, to Camber Carlston of Mission Viejo.  They were married in the Los Angeles Temple and have settled in San Diego.  James is working in the mortgage business with Janet and Richard and Camber is working for a medical company and hoping to finish her education.

Linda and Gary were able to take a dream vacation to Hawaii this year and leave all four of their children behind with babysitters (James and Camber).  Gary Pulsipher is doing well as an orthodontist, working in both El Cajon and La Jolla.  Linda is the bookkeeper for Choice Mortgage as well as a very busy mother.

Maria and Mark Valko are back in California (hurray!)  Mark is working in construction and they have a new home in Tulare, CA--a nice little town near the Sequoia forest, south of Fresno.  Mark is working on getting his contractor's license and although California is a tough market right now, they are keeping very busy.  We love having them and their four children so much closer!

John took a month from his job as Senior Manager at Peat, Marwick, and Main (an accounting company in LA) and traveled throughout eastern Europe this fall.  Besides this he had numerous other hiking adventures to the High Sierras and Nevada this year.  Meagan has also gone on several weekend treks to the Sierras and is an excellent hiker.  They will be at Park City as usual for their Christmas skiing.  John's girlfriend Jessica is also getting in the skiing scene and did very well at Park West last year.  Meagan is in 7th grade at Muirlands in La Jolla and will be moving to San Francisco next summer when her mother Jennifer marries.  We will really miss them both very much.

We had another Vida and Merlin Hardy reunion at Torrey Pines Beach this year and Richard and his brother Martin had most of their children and grandchildren--next year we are hoping to get all of Scott's children and grandchildren to join us also.

Except for the same old problems we are managing to keep our heads above water and our feet moving and are just very grateful for the blessings of a loving family, good health, the gospel and warm beds at night.

Christmas Card and Events of 1993

We, Janet and Richard, continue to live at 18391 Camberwell Lane in San Diego, CA 92128 and continue to work in our business Choice Mortgage, but the rest of the family has moved around this year!

John and Jessica Hardy have purchased a condo in Pasadena.  John is now the Tax Director for Countrywide Funding in Pasadena.  Meagan Hardy (13) lives in La Jolla, CA 92037 with her mother and new stepfather.

 Linda and Gary Pulsipher have moved to El Cajon, CA 92020.  Gary is an orthodontist in El Cajon and La Jolla.  Their children are Kristi(10), Craig (7), Amy(4), Kelly(2), and Tanner(3.5 months).

 Maria and Mark Valko have moved to Tehachapi, CA 93561.  Mark is building homes in Tulare and Bakersfield, CA.  Their children are Michael(8), Matthew(6), Melissa(4), and Mitch(3).

       

James and Camber Hardy have moved to La Jolla, CA 92037.  Camber is a Title Rep for United Title and James is an agent for Worldwide Marketing and Choice Mortgage.

Highlights of the year were:

...Janet stayed with her mother in Orem, Utah for 10 days in the summer, Her mother is 91 years old.

...John's exciting new job with one of the largest mortgage banker's in the country!  John buys a home in Pasadena.

...San Diego Temple Open House and Dedication.

...Richard Hardy Family Reunion in May at Big Bear Lake.

...John and Jessica are married in July.

...Tanner Pulsipher is born the fifth child to Linda and Gary in August.

...Merlin and Vida Hardy Family Reunion at Torrey Pines Beach in August.

...Meagan's mother marries in August.

...Michael is baptized in Tulare in September.

...Maria and Mark move into a new home and city in October.

...James and Camber move to the beach in October.

...Linda and Gary move to a larger home with a view and swimming pool in November.

Everyone is blessed with good health and we have been delighted to be able to all live near enough that we can see each other more often this past year.  We are grateful for all our friends and family and wish for all of you in 1994 a very happy New Year!  Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!
  

A Ski Vacation at Park City!

Some pictures from past and present Christmas's at Park City.