Favorite Things of 2008 purists be warned..the movie and music from"across the universe"..I think it is better than the original Brits.. Kundalini yoga beats a therapist any day ..the green planet channel and BBC in America ..creamy amaretto at subzero ..being able to send Denver to Waterford..Not drowning in Tibble Fork Reservoir ( keep watching you back Kendra-villainous laughter )..the "John Adams" miniseries-Thomas Jefferson was perfect.. Finally getting to Mackinaw Island and not being disappointed at all, thanks Kevin!..Ruth's Diner up the canyon ( no, wait that is a re-find )Being amazed at the beauty and spirit that exhist at Harpers Ferry..How hard it is to be released from Young Womens..

Harrison is sleeping like the cat,under the Christmas Tree.

Daughter of Haggrad straightens her hair..one of her many "doos"

The snow just keeps falling and falling and falling.

Lingering Favorites Lake Tahoe..Sundance..perfect summer nights in Utah...a snowy christmas in Alpine..Anthony Bourdain..driving my mini..the boys baseball games..being with Preston..sleeping in (which can mean 8 o'clock )..bookstores..being with Kerriann at s camp... Rainstorms...Chelsi and Ashley screaming "Bobalin"-makes me feel loved...

Hank and Winston..my shadows.. this photo is for you Sue!!

Totally fun picture Kevin got for me this summer.

Books of 2008 ( ones I finished , because I am a snob and they have to be outstanding to finish ).."The Zoo Keepers Wife".."Farewell My Subaru".."The Secret Life of Bees" (reread ).. "The Road".."Living like Ed".."Harvest for Hope".." The Twentieth Wife".."On s Mountain"

Our Year in Pictures

Dallin got into the uncle role quite easily. Not only can he pack the baby around,he can incorporate yoga moves smoothly into the routine.

Kelly and Harrison riding the inner tubes.

Good Morning Boys!!

Harrison, Denver and Lake Tahoe. Bliss.

I love to see Porter smile. It is so genuine. He doesn't smile at Counterywide..sad."The Office" makes him smile, so does wakeboarding, german shepherd puppies, expensive fast cars and of course, Preston and Devin. Don't even get him singing "Mama Mia" songs-his big smile would break his face ( or something like that!)

This is the house I grew up in . We drove by and it was empty ( in transition to sell.) We built the house in 1960 and moved out in 1973 . The next and only other owner died this past summer.Unbelivably they hadn't changed a Thing in the house,and since it was empty it was like walking back into my childhood. I loved every minute of the experience. I wish everyone could be that lucky ( and that generally isn't the way things go for me!!)
Woodside, California



Ah, this is my little . Kerriann is my buddy. I took the three darling daughters ( plus Preston who is a given ) out to cousin Courtney's wedding in Portola Valley.That is where this picture is taken. She is an incredible aunt-just ask the big guy there. But wait, this just in, K-Ann was named "student of the week" at her high school out of thousands of kids ( well,maybe a couple of thousands.) Whatever, this is big stuff to her Ma. I have waited 10 years for a Haycock kidlet to get up on that marquee and if you don't think that I am going to take her pic in front of that sign when her name comes up on it-then you don't know me very well. In fact, check back on this blog later. Way to go little sister!





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A rare photo of Devin these days without the little guy in her arms.Isn't she beautiful?! No, she is Not named after Devin Shepherd..she is just a sweet concoction of Deb and Kevin. Perfect little mom,precious daughter. A true blessing to have her live close by us.

Obviously we are not going in chronological order. This was at Kelly and Bo's wedding on the 4th of January. A very happy day for us!! The family took a vote when we got the pictures back...and no more Casper-the-Ghost winter weddings. I think ..June ( but not this coming one!) in Hawaii!!

Kelly was a gorgeous bride. Bo was cute. They were high school sweethearts He went to Brazil to serve a mission. Kelly went to the BYU and a few months down in Brazil to work in an orphanage.When he returned two years later, older, wiser and-if possible -even more cute..they decided to get married. Who can stop this progress? Who would want to?

And then, in the middle of the year ( see, no rhyme or reason to this order ) Dallin went and graduated from High School.Yes, Virginia there Is a Santa Claus!! Look at his face , that is pure,unadulterated JOY. This was a huge cause for celebration!! Onward and upward big guy. We all love you like crazy!

Devin put this picture on here.I hadn't seen it and I loved it immediately. It captures our family's mood at Lake Tahoe. One of my favorite places on earth. Notice my brand new son- isn't he darling?! No, not baby Preston-that is my new grandson. My new son Bo..he came to us on January 4th of this year ( and best of all I didn't have to labor over this guy!) Plainly, you can see that he is special. Bo is a "keeper". He makes Kelly smile and makes me laugh. How lucky are we to get two great sons ( Porter joined us in 2005..more on him later ) because I know that it doesn't always work that way!! I would have hand-picked these guys..wait, maybe I will take the credit for that. And I am definitely choosing a gal for Dalboy, he struggles in this area ( except Sally..more on her later..kidding.)