Twenty Eight

TWENTY EIGHT

This is a tiny cross-stitch memento given to us by Juleen Clift on our wedding day twenty eight years ago yesterday. So much has happened since that glorious day at the Oakland Temple where our friends and family gathered to celebrate our happiness with us. Since then we have stacked up volumes of pictures which serve to remind us of some of the highlights. So much to choose from, so little time....! Enjoy the pictures and reminisce a bit with us.

In this snapshot we are about to begin our engagement party at the Peery's home. Doug gave me the most beautiful orchid I had ever seen.

My parents Lucile and Howard Hoffman, Doug's mother Viola McConochie, my sister Judy and her husband Fred Twede

were among our relatives who joined us for the marriage.

Dear friends were also there: Mimi Peery, Candace Osborne, Sue Jacobsen, Margarite Wheelwright, and Sheila Brand.

Sheila and Mike graciously offered their home for the open house. It was a perfect setting and I will always remember their kindness. I was floating

on a cloud that night.

Doug always says you can't hurry a hug. He is very spontaneous and affectionate, a true friend and wonderful husband.

He treated me as an equal partner from the first day, and has made me laugh every day.

Todd was serving a mission in Chile when we were married, but he returned in September, one month later, in time to attend our sealing in the Jordon temple on Oct. 1st. I was very excited to have him there.

Becca had just turned six. This is our Open House in Roseville, Ca. where we moved to the home that Doug had built.

Craig, 18, had a newthree-piece suit for the occasion--and for his mission. No doubt he turned a few female faces in his young crowd.

Deborah looked much too grown-up, I thought, for a

spunky 15-year-old (- -nearly 16, she liked to remind me.)

Grandma Viola and Liz are visiting during the openhouse with Ben McIntyre of our Roseville ward. He owned a huge turkey farm.

Blending two families brought challenges but also many more joys and delights. Here Doug, for whom food has always been cause for celebration, joins Tina, Becca and Liz for chips and dip.

Where Doug is, you are sure to find plenty of good food.

Becca and Deborah check out some new gifts at Christmas. Holidays were always great events as we got to have everyone together at one time, not an easy accomplishment with seven children.

Cathy and Tina with their dad.

Doug has a tender love toward animals. He always owned at least one dog growing up in Canada, and Henry and Rachael (the smaller dog) were a part of our family in Roseville. Doug also truly loved his horses and went out to see them every day. Here he is helping Craig bridle Jason for a ride. Jason was more feisty than the other horses, and he threw Craig off at first. Not to be outdone, Craig got right back on!

Tina and Todd on one of his first visits after his mission.

Deborah and Tina have a good laugh. There was often a lot of joking, fun and silliness among our girls.

At apple hill, one of our favorite traditions. Great apple turnovers, apple pie, apple dolls, apple jelly-- well, you get the idea. Face painting, crafts, fishing, and hamburgers too, if you want. Grandma always wanted to come too, and we loved having her around. She is a great woman, the best mother-in-law I could ever have.

Apple hill.

The first weekend we stayed inDoug's home in Sacramento, he joined Liz and her cousin Mark Twede on the pond and they caught a fish! Elizabeth even took the hook out of the fish herself after he showed her how. Little did she know that he would show her how to change a tire and then watch her do it herself when she was sixteen! I have always loved how hands on Doug is with the kids in this way. He has always loved to be around children.

More food. This time it is homemade ice cream. My niece Kimberly is visiting with us.

Craig makes friends at last.

A visit to a winter cabin.

There's always plenty to remodel, rebuild, or repair

at the "Silver Bear Ranch," as we dubbed our place (thanks to a banker friend who gave us a sign to hang on the fence_

We ate many meals outside. Doug liked barbecuing, and who was I to argue?

A year or so ago. No longer young, we find this house we call our body is looking a bit delapidated and showing signs of wear. But the inhabitants are well and thriving.

Now we have come full circle. Doug has traded his airplane for a wheelchair. But we have no regrets. Life has been full. There have been a few challenges, disappointments and heartaches along the way, but always my husband's love has been constant and deep, full of appreciation. We love our children and think they are amazing talented people. The years have fled much too rapidly, giving us memories and 28 grandchildren to treasure. (28 is the magic number.) We have lived in three different homes in two states, served a mission, lived through dialysis and two heart attacks and other health challenges. My husband has never complained. It simply isn't in his nature. He is cheerful in all circumstances, full of faith and affection, and still tells me everyday that he loves me. It never sounds old because I know he does. If that isn't true love, what is?

And the best is yet to come.

Here we are at the temple to celebrate our anniversary. He says he IS smiling. I promise he wasn't as grumpy as he looks!

At his age it takes a lot more effort to make those wrinkles smile lines.

And as always we celebrate with a meal, this time at Red Lobster, to complete our festivities.

Key lime pie is not a bad way to finish off 28 years!

The end... or is it?