Oman's Almanac: December 2014

The Authorized Oman Family Christmas Newsletter for 2014

(Accept No Substitutes)

As the years pass one could begin to display a rather curmudgeonly attitude towards this time of year. The typical refrain of course is Bah Humbug. There is no way you will find that type of attitude in our household. We love and enjoy Christmas and we hope you do too. This year has been kind of exciting. Maybe that is due to our perspective rather than reality. Our big project was finishing a large family room in our basement. The result is quite pleasing thanks to Joyce. All Greg wanted to do was sheet rock, paint and hang a screen with a projector. As you can guess it entailed a little more than that and we are pleased.

THAT was not the highlight of the year though. October 18,2014 was a great day. Our wonderful daughter in law brought a little girl to the world. Evelyn Fern Oman is her name. The answer is YES, she is a pretty baby. Everyone says she takes after her paternal grandfather, but I don’t see it. As of this morning all is well. Along those lines, our daughter Becki indicated via custom coated M&M’s that she is expecting in June, probably near the Solstice. We are excited for that to happen. Not only because of a new member of the family, but the Sun is up longer and we can golf later into the evening. See, two birds with one Solstice.

Becki, Kyle and their kids, Weston, Elijah, Addie and “?” moved into a home they purchased near where they were living before. They are happy about more room to stretch out. We are happy for them too. Life goes on with sports, dancing lessons, Tae Kwon Do, etc, etc. Most of you get the picture.

Ben, Melissa, Miles and Evie are moving down closer to us. Melissa’s parents don’t like it but it gets Ben closer to Salt Lake and his work. Their plans are to begin construction on a new home in a couple of months or so. That means we get to spend more time with them, something that was a little harder to do while they lived in Cache Valley. Ah, well, life goes on.

Joyce and Greg had a fun trip to Kona, HI with our friends Niles and Janet Herrod. One of the highlights was snorkeling with the manta rays at night. Those things really glide through the water and it was scary at first, but quickly became a unique and thrilling experience in the ocean. Some golf was played if what you consider we were really doing was golf. This was all a byproduct of great friendships we have made on our dental trips to Central America. We are planning on going to Guatemala this year.

Bear Lake is always fun and we had our typical Summer week up there with all the family. Elijah and Weston are quite the swimmers now and really enjoy the water. Ben has decided that the best way to enjoy Bear Lake is with a wet suit. Those of us who are traditionalists look at that kind of behavior with some disdain in late summer. To each, their own I suppose. Pickleville Playhouse is always fun and we enjoyed another episode of Juanito Bandito.

With this Christmas Season we look forward to some of our little traditions. Sugar cookies, decorations, music, the family party and program, some of the classic Christmas movies, especially A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott . (Which, Greg enjoys more than any other presentation. There is something to seeing Patton playing Scrooge) Most of all we are grateful for our family, our friends and our challenges. We think of all of our acquaintances from time to time, including you. That’s why you are getting this Christmas letter and our True Hope for you to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear.