YEAR IN REVIEW

Since I am starting this late in the year, I would like to highlight some of the events that have shaped our lives in the past year.

ISRAEL:

The New Year found us with our granddaughter, Jade, in Israel (well actually, Jordan that day), touring with Roy and Carol Christensen along with Gary, Su, and Shelby Hadley.

I really did ride a camel. Alan took this from the back of his camel!

With Jade at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem

MAX IS BORN ON JANUARY 6, 2007:

While we were still in Israel, Maxwell John Dickson was born to Lindsay and Sam in Raleigh, NC. Luckily, Lindsay had her wonderful mother to help for the first weeks. I got to go and help shortly after returning to the U.S. New Baby Max with Reed

Proud parents on the day of Max's blessing

Ashley joined us for Max's blessing in March

JESSICA IS BAPTIZED IN FEBRUARY:

Jessie turned 8 the end of December but waited for the first weekend in February to be baptized when so many people could be with her to celebrate.

Isn't she pretty in her white dress?


KATE IS BORN ON MAY 3rd:

Lindsey delivered Kate Lindsey Tobler on her planned date, right on schedule. Her family was thrilled with another beautiful, sweet little girl--as good as all the other Tobler babies. I flew up to help for a week.

Kate at home, 5 days old

Papa joined us after a few days and also participated in that fateful round-up.

The Toblers on Kate's blessing day in July.

ALAN 'S ILLNESS:

Alan returned to California after the round-up and the following morning drove himself to the Emergency room in severe pain. After six long days in pain, Dr. Patel finally diagnosed a twisted intestine and performed surgery. On life supports for a week and in ICU for 11 days, Alan pulled through and actually recovered much more quickly than the doctor thought he would. It took several months and another surgery to remove infection before he felt mostly back to normal. It was a terrible experience filled with wonderful people and inspiring events. We learned many things, but mostly that we are grateful to a loving Father in Heaven who hears and answers prayers and saw fit to leave Alan with us.


Alan with Dr. Patel about to be discharged,finally, on the day before his birthday. Notice he still is retaining fluid. He lost about 25 more pounds after returning home.

CHARLIE AND SAM ARE BORN ON JULY 8th:

Sunny did a great job carrying and delivering healthy baby boys. Sunny and Steve named them Charles Stewart Wright and Samual McConkie Wright (such strong names). Though they were about 4 weeks early, they were big and thriving and ready to come home on schedule. Unfortunately, when she needed me most, I could not come to help until the boys were almost three weeks old due to Alan's long recuperation and the second surgery he had to have. Luckily, she had a great husband, a wonderful mother-in-law, a good ward, and many friends and family willing to help out. She still needed my help when I got there, too.


Sunny titled this picture "Night & Day" with Sam on the left and Charlie on the right, because they are very different little boys in looks and in personality. Isn't it wonderful? We came up in September for their blessing. What a wonderful occasion, too!
The whole family ready in time to take a picture before Sacrament Meeting and the blessings.

GRAND CAMP:

Luckily Alan was feeling well enough for us to reschedule "Grand Camp" for August. It was one of the best things we did this year. All our grandchildren older than 6 (except Jade who was starting UVSU that week) came for a long weekend. We went to Magic Mountain, the beach, back to the house and neighborhood their parents grew up in, horseback riding,the Marine Institute in Dana Point, and swimming every chance we got. We had a great time together and even learned a few things. It will definitely be an annual tradition if we can pull it off each year!

Here they are on the big toy at LaMadera Elementary School.

All of us in front of the Pilgrim at Dana Point.

OUR TRIP TO BOSTON IN OCTOBER:

We try to get to Boston and Raleigh at least once a year to see our kids. It took us until October to get to Boston. We had a wonderful time with Ashley, Todd, Toby & Ben. We went to the Children's Museum, leaf peeping in New Hampshire, to the LL Bean original stores in Freeport Maine, apple picking outside of Boston and watched Conference over the internet. It is so fun to be with this cute family.

Hiking the trail in New Hampshire. Now why did we bring that stroller?

Here is Ashley with the boys on the tram we took to see the beautiful fall colored hills below.

Alan and I with Toby and Ben on their front porch before we left.

We have had many other memorable visits, good times, and important events this year, but too many to try to include them after the fact. Now it is time to move on with what is happening now.