Christmas 2010

I can hardly believe that it has been over 45 years since I graduated from High School. And I am but a youngster to some of you that are receiving this Christmas letter. Each year as I contemplate what is important in my life and what things I should write about in this letter, I keep finding myself eternally grateful for each of you…. The wonderful friends that have blessed my life and that of my family. I truly cherish the times we have spent together. I am grateful for school, Scouts, soccer, and swimming.

This year has been another adventure for me. I am learning how to farm all over again and finding it is not cheap. Trying to rehab a 100 year old farm and house certainly puts a drain on finances. I have built the majority of a new fence between my neighbor and have poured a concrete slab for a workshop as well as one for a pole barn. Construction on them will be pushed to the new year. I have planted and replanted alfalfa into two fields. I hope I will have a fairly good stand next year as I just got through fertilizing it. I have grain planted in the other fields. I will harvest the winter crop of grain and then replant a summer crop to harvest before leveling it prior to replanting back into alfalfa. That will complete my crop rotation for about the next 7 years and also eliminate the expenditures for seed and leveling. I believe I can then show a profit that the IRS thinks is important. This year I was installed as Vice Commander of the American Legion Post and released as Scoutmaster for the Ward. I took the boys to Boy Scout Camp along with my brother Neal and enjoyed that week. I always have enjoyed Camp. It is kind of my vacation for the year. I certainly have not spent enough time with my grandchildren. I hope to rectify that in the coming year. I will be seeing them in the next couple of weeks.

David and Aubrey have had a tough year as David was cut from the Pfizer staff along with 2500 other people in Jan. He has been trying to start up a new internet company but has certainly had his difficulties in getting it launched. He has interviewed for several other jobs but so far has not been selected. That can certainly be discouraging. I keep praying that something wonderful will come forth shortly. He is such a good worker and has so much to offer any employer. Aubrey still works part time for her Dad and takes care of the family as well as her church callings. She is so talented and puts so much time into her church callings. All have certainly benefited from her artist talents. Shane and Alyssa keep her busy that is for sure. Both are so smart and have their own distinct personalities. I can't wait to spend some time with them. I am still hoping that the internet company David is working on takes off since they might locate it out of the Salt Lake area which will allow me to spend more time with my Arizona family.

Kjirsten is still working in the Mother/Baby unit of the hospital in Fairfield. She is still working nights which cuts into those things she could do during the day as she is catching up on sleep. She made two trips to Utah and I loved having her here to hug and spend time with. We always have to check out the local eating establishments. She loves to spend time with Shelley and always learns so much about cooking. She usually goes back to FF and tries to cook some of the same meals she had here. Taco Soup was the hit this time around. She was worried about being caught in the blizzard we just had so left a day early and just verily got out of town. I didn't make it back home and had to overnight in Toole as I was having a hard time staying on the road. Kjirsten still has her wonderful friends that include her in their family events. They are loyal to her and she to them. I am grateful for those relationships that mean so much to her.

Shelley started the year with a full plate of family and four jobs. She takes care of the Delta Cemetery as its docent. She keeps all the records of where people are buried and sells plats to families needing them. She worked for the Mosquito Abatement District spraying ponds and waterways to keep the Mosquito population down. She was also cleaning the Post Office and doing hair. She has however traded the last two jobs for the task of babysitting her grandchild, Ryder. Anna is working and paying for Daycare would leave her just about nothing left from her paycheck. Shelley is so awesome with Ryder. He is a lucky young man to have such a caring Grandma. However, his first word was "Grandpa". I wish it would have been "Grandma" or at least "Mama". He is trying to talk more and more.

Shelley's oldest son, Kip and his wife Deidre, have had a terrific year. Dee got promoted at her work to a higher paying position, Kip received the prestigious "Trapper of the Year" award from the Sheepherder's Association. This year brought the birth of their son, Nash, which gives Acey a new brother. She is being so loving with him. They also have done some upgrades on their home and transportation to house the bigger family. Carter graduated from Wyotech in Diesel Mechanics with Honors. He did such a great job at school. He started work at Overson Equipment in Delta but just recently changed jobs and moved to Salt Lake area to be with his girlfriend, Dani. I hope this job gives him a challenge as he always likes to push the envelope of his abilities. He certainly was able to do that at Overson's as it seemed like everyday was a new experience working on the different farm equipment. I know they really miss him and the great job he did for them. I wish I was as talented and resourceful as he is. He went hunting and got his deer this year. He also harvested a few of the coyotes in the area. He is a terrific shot and not much escapes his watchful eye.

Anna has had a year of highs and lows. She celebrated Ryder's first birthday as well as her first wedding day. She did much of the work on the Wedding to keep the costs down and did a terrific job. Family and a few friends attended and the Bishop of our Ward married her and her long time boyfriend. She was a beautiful bride. Unfortunately the marriage was short lived as Mitchell decided he wanted to take his life in a different direction. So, Anna has major decisions to make about what direction she needs to go as far as work and school. Right now she is considering beginning CNA training in Jan. She could finish the training by May and hopefully get a job at one of the care centers or the hospital.

So, at this point, the Finlinson family has or takes care of 5 dogs, 4 horses, and 5 grandchildren. We are praying for great things to bless us in the New Year. We could use some new jobs and good health to accomplish them, I hope to finish my pole barn and shop as well as a few things on the house. If all goes well I will have the farm in order and will be able to concentrate more on the home, family and friends. May you all remember the Savior during this special time of the year. It is because of his love for us that we enjoy the blessings of freedom and democracy that we cherish in this country. May our leaders choose to make more righteous decisions that will change our current course. I wish each of you the Merriest of Christmases and the very Happiest of New Years.

The Finlinson's
Russ, Shelley, David, Aubrey, Kjirsten, Kip, Deidre, Anna, Carter, Shane, Alyssa, Acey, Nash, and Ryder plus dogs and horses.