Evan and Valerie's Engagement

 This past weekend, following on the heels of the birth of a beautiful granddaughter, we had an engagement also.  Evan asked Valerie to marry him.  He knew that she wanted to be proposed to at sunset so he picked a place where they used to play when they were in kindergarten.  Dear friend, Lisa, set up the most beautiful table on the hillside overlooking Los Angeles, complete with French pastries, brie cheese, and sparkling cider.  Thank you Lisa for making this so lovely for them.

 James and Steve waited behind a fence that had been covered with some material to hide them, and took pictures of the event.

 Valerie had no idea that she was going to be proposed to this weekend.  We all worked so hard to keep it a secret from her.  Evan had told her that he wouldn't talk with her father until March about their getting married, and a proposal would come some time after that.

 Some time alone - kind of - with James and Steve still shooting pictures.

 Then Valerie said that she wanted to take some pictures of it all with her phone - but in this picture, Evan said "Look behind us - it is being recorded very well."

 Evan had contacted Valerie's sisters, Jen, Julie and Jessica to find out what kind of ring Valerie wanted and what her ring size was - and they all did a great job keeping it a secret from her.

 Finally, they were able to sit down and enjoy the moment - and watch sunset -

 but not before doing a jumping picture!

Congratulations to you both. . .what a fun proposal for all involved!

Christmas Activities

 We took the grandkids to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at the city Christmas party and tree lighting.

 As Mayor this year, Margaret flipped the switch to turn on the lights of the city Christmas tree.  The grandkids all helped me, as did other children.

 One of the best Christmas parties ever is done by a neighbor of ours who is a food stylist. . .and she and her family do an incredible job.  The dessert table is a sight to behold.

 It was a beautiful night to sit outside and enjoy the company of family and friends.

 The grandkids could hardly believe the wonderful treats at the dessert table.

 Clowning around at the Christmas party.

 When we are at this incredible Christmas party, Santa comes to our house and leaves new pajamas for the little children.

 A few days later, Brad and I flew up to Salt Lake City for the Christmas concert at Temple Square. Tom Brokaw was the narrator, and the singing and dancing were spectacular at the Conference Center.

 Valerie, Evan, Brad and I standing outside of the Conference Center after the concert.

 Another activity was taking treats out to some neighbors as we went Christmas caroling to their houses.

 On our trip to Utah, Pat Johnson - Steve's mom - had us over for dinner and then we went on a Christmas light cruise on Utah Lake and the Provo River.

 Uncle Evan came home for Christmas and helped to tuck the little kids in at night.

 It was such a treat to have Merril and Sharon, Dan's parents, with us for Christmas.  Charlene and Ed joined us for Sunday night family dinner also.

 Uncle Ian gave the girls a pony ride.

 Another Christmas activity was to go to Reyna's Posada with Merril and Sharon.  They enjoyed this  new cultural experience.

 Everybody slept under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa Claus to come.

 Another activity was to go look at the lights in Hastings Ranch and the Balian Mansion in Pasadena.

 One of Gavin and Uncle's favorite activities at Christmas is to set up Uncle's LGB train in the living room.  They spent many hours playing with it.

 Pretty soon it was Christmas Day and there were plenty of beautiful gifts to be opened.

 Then it was time for a wonderful Christmas brunch over a Lisa and Larry's house.

 Christmas dinner was at Jim and Sue's house in Redlands.  Here are the four Ferguson children.

 Here are all of us right after a great Christmas dinner.

The cousins all enjoyed their Christmas dinner.