2016 was a banner year in several ways for the Walker Family this year. Three new grandbabies, caretaking of family, a surgery, a move, and a mission made for a pretty interesting year.
We started out in Jan when Kellee and family moved in so that we could take care of Kellee who was newly pregnant, and as usual with all of her pregnancies, deathly ill. (and I don't mean that metaphorically). Ray and I took a leave of absence from the Payson Temple so we could be at home full time. They were with us until March.
In April Lori had major surgery on her foot (a talonavicular fusion and tendon repair) and was in a cast and non-weight bearing for 7 weeks, followed by 4 weeks in a boot and two weeks in a brace.
It was about this time that we sent in our mission papers. In May we received our mission call to the Scotland/Ireland Mission, and to enter the MTC on Sept 19.
In June, we sold our Woodland Hills home after 8 years. We didn't have anyone to move in and take care of it while we were on our mission. We had moved up to WH to be by Lori's parents, but they are both gone from there now, and while we loved the area and our neighbors, we didn't see a reason to stay. Ray also retired from the Woodland Hills City Council. We bought a little house in American Fork, just around the corner from Bryce and Aubree and will settle in there upon our return from our mission.
Bryce and Aubree welcomed a new baby, a SON, (after 4 girls) on Feb 8. Reid was 6 weeks early but only spent 10 days in the NICU. He is a happy, smiley boy, loved to pieces by his sisters (sometimes literally). Avonlea was baptized in Sept. Aubree was especially excited about our call to Ireland as she is all about anything Irish.
Mark and Meghan are continuing to be successful in their careers. Meghan is just coming off her busiest season and her photographs just keep getting better and better. She even has her own photography studio. The girls are all in school now which has allowed Meghan more time to build her business. Her girls are all growing up and becoming really fun people.
Jared and Kellee have had an eventful year also. Jared graduated in Construction Management and a week later they moved to South Carolina for his new job. We again drove their van out (with Lori in the back seat, leg propped up, acting as back seat driver). They bought a fixer-upper house on 3 of the most gorgeous, wooded acreage in SC. Kellee had baby #4, a girl in Sept.. Zayva took her time getting here, but she was worth the wait. They have begun working on the house and are loving their new Southern lifestyle, y'all!
Paul and Marni also welcomed a new baby into their family; a girl, who they named Kopelli. She came the end of July. Paul graduated in Geology in May. He is looking to go to graduate school in the near future. They moved into our little American Fork home to keep an eye on things for us. After living in small apartments and with family, they are happy to have a snug little home all to themselves.
Jace also moved this year, into a rented home in SLC. He is doing well, doing IT work from home. He considered buying a home for a time, but opted to continue to rent for now. His future plans include moving to Seattle. He still has his beloved Cat "schmitty".
Vitaliy was with us until Jan, when we
We have now been on our mission for 3 months and it is an incredible experience! To watch as our brothers and sisters here begin to learn the Gospel and to change their lives for the better is an awesome thing to witness. This experience will change us in many significant ways. And to do this in a country as beautiful and amazing as Ireland is just icing on the cake. We look forward to the next 15 months with joyous anticipation!
We wish you and yours a most joyous Christmas season, surrounded by family and friends. And may the love of the Christ Child bring peace to your heart.
NOLLAIG SHONA
love, Ray and Lori Walker
I'm just now reading this. We are just now settling down after the Christmas hospital episode and various other things. So, Merry Christmas!
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