Paula Widstrom's first time.

Dear family and friends,
Well, this is the first time I have attempted a Christmas letter. I guess I will just jump in and see how it goes. I don’t know where the time goes to but it seems you turn around and another year has gone by. No huge changes in our lives this year. We keep busy with our kids, grandkids, extended families, working, golf and many other activities.
Gary and I are in good health and both still working full time with no immediate plans for retirement. Gary still sells food products (not just cookies anymore) to grocery stores. I am still the office manager / bookkeeper / do whatever needs doing person for a general contractor (15 years this past summer).

Frequent Sunday dinner guest
All of our kids and grandkids are doing great. Ryan and Darcy and their kids Ty (6) and Sydney (4) live in Coon Rapids. We get to see them often as they come over for dinner most Sundays (a tradition we started when our kids were small). Brock is still single and lives in Coon Rapids. He also comes over for dinner most Sundays. Nicole and John and their kids Jordan (7) and Jack (5) live in Grand Haven, MI., so we don’t get to see them as often.
We took a trip to Texas in April and spent a couple days on the coast off Corpus Christi and the rest of the week in San Antonio. We also took a short vacation and went to Michigan to visit Nicole, John, Jordan and Jack.

Girls who ran around together
I had my 40th (I can’t believe it either) class reunion this summer in Alexandria, MN. It was a lot of fun seeing everybody and catching up with people that I hadn’t seen for years. It was great to spend time with all the “girls” that ran around together in high school (lots of laughs and memories).
My Dad and Stepmother still live in Alexandria. Dorothy is at Knute Nelson Nursing Home. My Dad sold his house this last year and moved into Windmill Ponds assisted living. He has adjusted well to his new home. Dad still works a couple days a week as a greeter at WalMart (if you ever see him make sure and say “hi” – he loves to talk to people).
Gary’s Mom passed away last June. She had been suffering with Alzheimer’s and although it was sad to lose her, it was a blessing for her.
We both wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
Gary and Paula Hanson

Hi Stan -- I check the blog each week to see what is new. I enjoy reading everything and hearing about what other people are doing. I am attaching my Christmas letter (this is my first one), it is not very exciting. Sorry, I can't send a picture as I don't have the technology. Have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year.
Thanks again for keeping the blog going. I hope you enjoy Arizona (I am jealous!).
Paula (Widstrom) Hanson

(Paula - Nice job on your first time ever Christmas letter. I was just teasing with that headline. You can just mail me a plain old paper photograph at my Shakopee address any time. Now get your pals to send a greeting, you know, those girls you "ran around with." I just love that sixties expression. Do the grandkids ever use it? Merry Christmas back at you. -- Stan)