I am now officially the bionic man. After returning from my lifelong dream of climbing/skiing in the Alps, and 3 days of climbing Devils Tower in Wyoming I had my right knee replaced with at titanium one. Four months later I won a downhill mountain bike race at the Huntsman World Senior Games (for old Geezers over 50) and on November 7th I was on my skis again.Billie continued her unlucky streak of mishaps in 2008 by breaking her leg while retrieving the Sunday paper on our icy driveway. Her timing was terrible as we were heading to Hawaii the following week. She is a volunteer driver for "Meals on Wheels". Billie recently competed in her first long distance bike race: The Tour de St. George. She opted for the 30 mile route, but is aspiring to greater lengths next year.
Scott, Natalie, Angeline (3), Jane (9 mo.) Scott found his dream job back when the economy was more conducive to entrepreneurial start-ups. To understand what I am talking about go to
http://www.flyingsensors.com/. Scott gets to go to the most scenic places around the west, convincing people too hire his company to make cool movies using radio controlled helicopters and miniature blimps.
David and Jennifer (newlyweds) We are happy to have a new family member as of October 3, 2008. Jen is from Alpine and they were good friends in high school. They both are finishing college and work assorted jobs. David works at BYU's Outdoor Recreation shop and is learning to repair bikes and skis. Finally, someone in the family is getting a useful college education! David just heard he was accepted to do a one day 206 mile bike race in August which is 200 miles more than he has ever ridden before!
Kevin (9) is becoming our "Karate Kid". It is the ultimate bait and switch! He goes to Karate class and thinks he is playing while he is actually learning obedience, manners, and discipline.
Empty nesters? That's as realistic as their retirement. RIC & DENEY'S home has stayed full of energetic grandchildren and kids looking for free rent (Whitney & Bryan).
Ric has been busy writing his personal memoirs in between many adventurous excursions to Home Depot and Costco. He looks forward to coming home everyday and seeing which grandkids are swimming in the pool (and hopefully avoid getting dunked in his work clothes).
DENEY has decided to personally outfit all of her granddaughters in hand smocked heirloom dresses, keeping Ric and Whitney busy redesigning the sewing room, her new sanctuary. The backyard has also taken on a new look with the garden addition. Provence can wait another year, the garden with its plethora of herbs, melons, squash, and tomatoes will suffice. Deney spends every extra minute between teaching piano and grand-mothering, taking care of her parents.
Eric and Jean have been in Baltimore for the past 6 years. Their life consists of children, church, work, children, home improvement projects, children, church, and children. Did we mention children and church? Eric has been serving as the bishop of their very large ward for 3 years, which has been a challenging, albeit very blessed, experience thus far. They're over the hump, anyway. He works at a regional bank out there doing something along the lines of mutual funds. (It's all Greek to me, so you'll have to ask him what he does.) Jean manages the affairs, fights and fun on the home front and loves every (other) minute of it! We're anxious to head out to "God's Country" and see all our family.
Tyler (9) does a great job at keeping track of his younger siblings. Tyler plays baseball and enjoys scouts and most of all, playing with his friends.
Sandra and Troy are living in Mesa AZ, where they have their hands full with Dallin (6), Ella (4), and Auburn and Allison (2). Troy keeps busy with church and will be attending ASU this fall to get his MBA while he continues to work. But even this schedule has not deterred him from keeping up on his favorite pro and college sports. Sandra runs a marathon everyday keeping track of her kids, but also ran a half marathon which will hopefully be a stepping stone to joining the rest of the Paul family marathon runners. Her kids' escapades have truly qualified her as either mother-of-the-year or someone on the CPS most wanted list. Sandra keeps sane, sometimes.
And that's where the family peace ends. Between Allison's climbing the kitchen island and taking a butcher knife to the family fish bowl, Auburn trying to potty train herself and covering the entire nursery in her efforts (both babies now get duct taped diapers before sleeping), unfolding each folded load of laundry, and yelling "YEA!!" at the top of their lungs at the beginning of the closing prayer in church EVERY week, we stay on our toes and in stitches at how cute and fun these girls are.
Karen & Neil are also in Mesa. For not being an AZ native, Neil has really taken advantage of anything the desert has to offer. He is constantly on the move: hiking, camping, canoeing, volleyball, basketball, etc. He works for Wells Fargo Bank in their auto finance department.
Karen never sleeps. She is up before the sun, running and loves to stay up late for any reason. She still whoops us all in Nertz (even though we're convinced she cheats). Karen ran the RAGNAR relay, running over 28 miles in under 36 hours. Her race was especially amazing considering she had spent the entire week in the hospital with Sydney. She still works as a habilitation worker for a girl with Cerebral Palsy, so between work and home, she has become an expert on the health care system.
Sydney (3) brightens any room she walks into. She loves to say "HI!" to everyone she sees and has taught the rest of us perspective and true Christ-like love. Karen devotes hours and hours a week for her various therapy sessions and Sydney keeps us all learning along with her as we try to learn sign language. She is a darling girl and always dressed impeccably from head to toe.
Whitney and Bryan live in Lubbock, TX where Bryan is starting his second year of law school, and fits in house renovations on their home. This summer he is working in Arizona at the D.A.'s office while Whitney loves spending time with her sisters and reading new and interesting recipes and dreams of dinner parties and running a small farmers market. Previously Whitney worked as a commercial designer, but has put it aside for the higher calling of motherhood. Although technically she is Christopher's mother, we're still not convinced he wasn't raised by a pack of dogs, (Bono & Fritz), seeing as his hair is an exact match and his behavior not far off either. It gives cause to contemplate the "nature vs. nurture" concept.
Fun with Grandpa!
Sept. 4, 1911 to July 16, 2009
Donna learned early to bring love to life, family and friends. These pictures are very few compared with the memories we will all cherish. I smile when I think of her "Reunion 2009".
Donna Vee Williamson was born in Provo, Utah on September 4, 1911 to John and Lavina Williamson. She was the fourth child.
This is Donna's first love......Don. He would pull her on a sled in the winter and a wagon in the summer.
When Donna was 8 years old her mother died of cancer. She was then raised by her father and stepmother, Florence.(above left) Donna had a new baby sister named Betty Lee. She adored Betty.
The Old Mill dance hall
Of all the activities in Donna's life, she enjoyed dancing most. Donna and her friends would go to the Saltair Resort to dance. But they danced most often at the Old Mill. It had been turned into a dance hall.
Donna went to West High School in Salt Lake City. She loved school, especially English and History. She also loved to sketch.
Donna, as president of the West High Girls Club, met Amelia Earhart and introduced her at a school assembly. Amelia was on her history making "Vagabond Trip" across the continent. One of her stops was Salt Lake City.
After Donna graduated from high school, she met DeWitt J. Paul. She was 18. He was her new Sunday School teacher. He was 27. They dated and DeWitt gave Donna an engagement ring on her 19th birthday.
They were married on Sept. 21, 1931 and lived a wonderful life together for 50 years.
We are having a good time traveling around unencumbered by children. We love to go to a nice place and spend a lot of time writing on our respective projects. Randy is writing a book called Why We Fight About God (and How We Can Do It Better). I am writing my personal history in short story form, and am trying to write a screenplay for a movie based on a series of things that really happened to me in 1959---not that I have a clue what I am doing, but it is a fun project.
Randy is also traveling around working hard on his Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy---in fact he is in Egypt as I write, and will be in China the last part of July. While he is gone, I am working on a book about my father's first 80 years which I hope to print up soon and give to his progeny. I will also have my grandson, Soren, with me while Randy is in China, and I am looking forward to a good time with him. In April I had three discs fused in my neck and that has been a long recovery, but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Randy remains in unusually good health (and shape) for a man of his years. He is amazing.
We are enjoying living in Salt Lake City with so many friends and family close by. We've been busy growing our little family with Nicole doing most of the heavy lifting by having two babies in two years. Our youngest, Ida, was born June 14th. Elsa is 16 months old and Kaleb is 11 years old. Kaleb is enjoying his summer break swimming, learning to golf, and being a great sport helping with the babies when needed. Adam is enjoying working in the real estate development industry, reviving his tennis game, and driving in events at the local road course auto track. Nicole enjoys every free minute working on her little business designing and sewing purses, diaper bags, and other baby items. She also does a great job maintaining our family blog which you are welcome to visit at:
http://www.thechoulespauls.blogspot.com/
Jeron and Elizabeth are currently in Maine. Jeron is working really, really, really hard as a venture capitalist, as well as running a new internet company that he started. He also recently competed in a massive race over 180 miles where he ran in relays with his team, which came in twelfth in the state as I understand it. Elizabeth is busy beyond belief managing her beautiful children, Adam Daniel who is eight years old, Wesley, who just turned six, and the twins, Simeon and Ciel who were one year old in February and are old enough now to talk, and sing, and get into literally everything.
Brittyn & Nate live in Atlanta where Brittyn is a senior in her undergraduate program in engineering at Georgia Tech. She also works long part time for a Dutch shipping company. Nate is working on a new business which he has launched. I don't have the details, so perhaps he will write you more. He also works hard to take care of the kids when Brittyn is working or studying, and he has become a gourmet chef. Soren has moved on to Junior High where he has a lot of friends, and has just this past weekend turned twelve and was ordained with the priesthood. Coco continues to be a fabulous student. She has grown up so much lately. She is enjoying being on a swim team.
A lot is going on for Andelyne and Ben. Ben graduated from Tufts Medical school in May. They are staying in the Boston area for one more year while he does an internship and then they are moving to Salt Lake City, where they have purchased a home right on the same street as Adam and Nicole's. Benjamin will do his residency at the University of Utah, so they will be in SLC for at least four years. Andelyne was released as Young Women's President when she gave birth to their first child, beautiful and sunny little Soleil, who is now Andelyne's main focus in life. The two of them have a lot of fun together with other young moms and babies in their area. Ande is working on renovations on their new house (long distance), but she is very excited by that project.
Benton & Jen are living in Provo, and considering a move to SLC, but making regular visits to Jen's family in Las Vegas. Jen has been teaching third grade in Spanish Fork, but may change to another school if they move. She is a great teacher, and everyone loves her (including us). She is artistic, and a musician in her own right.Benton is working full time on his career as a pop star, and making great headway. You can all check out his progress and updates on bentonpaul.com. He is friends with David Archuleta and the Jonas Brothers, and has been invited to tour with Brooke White and Michael Johns this August, during our reunion!!!#&! (I am excited for his opportunities, and sad if he misses the reunion). Watch for his newest recordings which will be released soon.
The spotlight family for this month is Brent & Patricia Paul. Brent is number 3 in the line-up. Check it out!
We’ve been in the Chicago area for about 17 years now and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Of course, we love to travel as well. Last summer, while everyone was simultaneously unemployed, we drove around the country with only a rough idea of a plan – anyone who can possibly swing it should do it! Michael finished 10 years of medical training last year and got a job -- phew. Much to our delight, he really likes the work. Libbey got off the corporate ladder a couple of years ago and has been dabbling in all the things she’d always wanted to try. She’s leading the school PTO, trying to start a small business with her friend, and organizing the marketing for a local arts’ district. Annalise is 9 years old and growing up too fast. Fortunately, she still has a childish sense of inquiry and amazement. She enjoys school tremendously, plays soccer, and has just started on the violin. Simone is 6 years old and deceptively mature. She also loves school and loves to show all that she can do on the piano or soccer field. Unlike the rest of us, she is naturally social and everyone at school knows her name.
Vicki continues to teach Yoga and Pilates and now has added Spinning. She is thrilled about turning 40 this year and to celebrate she ran her first marathon and will spend a week this summer biking through Italy. Bruce is still doing the corporate thing for Nielsen working long hours and occasionally turning up in strange places like Kuwait, Kazakhstan or Kalamazoo. Garcia is in 2nd grade and his Spanish immersion school has really paid dividends: he is fluent enough to laugh at his Dad’s “gringo” accent. He has found a really strong interest in swimming, now on a swim team practicing 4 days a week. Marley is in a Spanish immersion kindergarten, but her real love is sports right now. Luckily, she has her mother’s athletic ability so it is great to watch her run circles around kids much older than her (especially the boys).
Check out Viki's team training website below!
The Scott & Tara Paul family is in Orem, Utah. Scott just finished law school at BYU. He’s more interested in entrepreneurship than the law, so he’s looking for a young company where he can hone his business acumen (please pass along any suggestions). Tara is pulling a double shift at home. In addition to her fulltime gig as a mother of two, she’s working as a coordinator for the National Children’s Study—the most comprehensive study ever conducted on children’s health and development. Brielle will be five in May. She’s an aspiring dancer soccer player, but she’ll be starting Kindergarten this fall, so the Bolshoi and US National Team will have to wait. Two-year-old Amy loves her mommy and a blue penguin named Pablo. She’s yet to discover her calling in life; right now she’s getting by on pure cuteness.
Jake is currently managing a branch for Sherwin-Williams Automotive in Fairfax, VA. He keeps pretty bust with work. When he is fortunate enough to be home he spends most of his time teaching the boys all about music. He's hoping one of them has some musical ability (preferably playing drums and guitar). Jake has also decided to introduce Tade to the world fishing and camping. He loves this time together with Tade to teach him all that dad stuff. Heather is doing the mom thing and enjoying most every minute of it. There are those occasional break downs and fights she could do without, but other than that life is good. Right now she is working really hard at finding activities each week to do with the boys that will take advantage of all the DC area has to offer. She is having great success with her weekly activity venture and finding all sorts of hidden treasures she didn't know existed. So if you're ever out here to visit Heather is a great reference. Tade is a couple weeks shy of turning 5 and he can't wait. When he's not doing birthday planning he keeps busy with many other activities. He is about to finish up a preschool program at the high school. If you ask him where he goes to school he'll tell you he goes to high school. Tade also does karate and tball. He's main obsession though is soccer, but we decided to take a soccer break and try tball for the spring. We will for sure be returning to soccer in the summer. Seth just turned 2. He is our 110% boy. He loves to climb, jump, roll, wrestle, squish bugs, and get into everything. Who needs to go to the gym when you have a Seth. He also loves his older brother. Lately he has decided he can't be without Tade. It's really cute to watch them together. It will be interesting this fall when Tade goes to kindergarten.
Sean is about to complete an internship with the Department of Defense and obtain his Master’s degree from George Washington University in International Affairs. After he graduates he will be starting a job with the Foreign Service in the State Department. We aren’t certain which countries we will live in, but anyone is welcome to visit us wherever we may go. Our home is open to you all.
Shauna is about to finish her first internship in School Counseling for her graduate program at Johns Hopkins University. One more year of internships and she will be done! As she attends school she is getting work experience at a private Christian school with children aged 3-5. While she ideally wants to work in middle schools, any experience will do at the moment. She is definitely learning a lot about children, and enjoying the funny things they say or do.
Sean and Shauna are also currently in the process of adopting. While the process is long and tedious, they are hoping a child will join their family as soon as possible. If anyone knows of someone looking for a family to place their child, send them our way!
We had two great family trips this last year. In August we went with our children and spouses to Vancouver. A couple of weeks ago we were in Park City with all of our kids and all of the grandkids except Mitch. We had wonderful times skiing, eating or just hanging out.
Debbie and Brandon Balkman live in Highland and mostly love life in Utah. Their house is always full of friends and neighbors and lots and lots and lots of teenagers. Bridgette is nearly 21 and is just finishing her first student teaching assignment which she loved. She works in the admissions office at BYU and will be an EFY counselor again this summer. She will graduate next April. Tyler is 18, graduating from High School, and is debating on schools, it will probably be U of U on full ride scholarship. He is already an EMT and a Medical Assistant and has been working in the hospital emergency room. He plans a career in Medicine. Gretchen is 16 and running for Jr. class president. She is a 4.0 student and on the track team. She keeps the Balkman household organized. Gretchen dates a lot but says she is now done with boys. Derek, 10 has started playing soccer. He loves hanging out with his friends and loves his big brother. He says his favorite thing in the world is being with his cousins (like in Park City).
Dee and Jeannie Paul (Slaves to Foot Solutions , their stores) Las Vegas, NV. Dee is president of Las Vegas Rotary this year. He and Jean are planning to travel to England in June for an International Rotary Convention.
Jeannie is Stake Young Women's president and works mostly full time running Foot Solutions stores. She is an incredible seamstress and has made wonderful bedding ensembles and drapes.
Katrina is 19 and is finishing her freshman year at BYU. She loves working with children and plans pursuing early childhood education.
Mitch ,18, is graduating from High School and plans to start BYU in June. He will be the first student in his school to receive 8 Varsity letters. He was chosen to represent his school in an Outstanding Student Conference.
Zanna is 15. She did high school Volleyball and Track and plays the violin in the school orchestra. She gets her drivers learning permit next month.
Delaney is 12. She enjoys singing in the middle schools advanced choir and in musical plays. She plays the piano and participates in intermural volleyball. She has an unusual pet, a California Kingsnake.
It's hard to believe that we have been living in Eugene, Oregon for almost 16 years now! We still love it here and never tire of the view!
Greg has a thriving pediatric practice in town. Aside from his family, his other love is still bicycling. He tries to get out whenever his schedule permits.
Cherilyn keeps busy with home and family. She volunteers at the kids schools, belongs to a monthly book group, is a cub scout leader, and is learning to play Violin (with Jacqueline). Victor is 17 and a junior in High School. He lives to play the guitar. He and his friend have a band called T-Rex Planet. He also plays piano. We're not sure where his musical talent comes from--certainly not either of us!
Bryn is 14 and in 8th grade. She's into getting together with friends, going to dances, and shopping. She can't believe how unlucky she is to have a mom who hates to shop... She also loves to play soccer and do track.
Jacqueline is 11 and in her first year of middle school. She is our serious student. She comes straight home from school and does her homework so that she can enjoy a leisurely evening doing puzzles, baking or reading. She plays violin in her school orchestra, and also plays soccer and does track.
Sam is 9 and in 3rd grade. He definitely came out of a different mold than the rest of our family! He keeps us entertained and laughing. He's into soccer, basketball, and cub scouts. He collects coins and comic books. He loves to draw and currently wants to grow up to be an artist.
Brad - Still in Mesa - Still FedEx - Still Mr. Computer programmer. He is Young Mens president and still enjoying it. He has dropped about 70 lbs with all of the training for the LA marathon.
Kristi is just starting substitute teaching. She is Activity Day leader and teacher in Primary after being released as Relief Society President. She is carpooler for everything.
Kylie is 12 and 3/4 years old - almost a teen. She is growing up too fast at 5'7" already. Life is all about friends. She started Jr. High this year with all honors classes.
Bradford is 11 and just became a Boy Scout which he likes. He plays Baseball and Basketball (his favorite). All the girls love Bradford.
Jordan is 9 and in 3rd grade. He is a good student, his teachers favorite. He likes to draw - he's a little artist in the making.
Zachary will shortly be six. He started all day Kindergarten this year. He likes school but gets worn out. He is starting T ball and just learned to ride his bike.
Matt, Samantha, Abby and Sydney are living happily in Irvine, CA. We've been in our first home for a little over a year and we're loving it. We're finally taking advantage of living 15 minutes from Disneyland with season passes this year. We are spending most of our free time at the Happiest Place on Earth. Abby is enjoying preschool and starting kindergarden in September. Sydney was doing really well potty training until she found out that "that kind of big" didn't get her on the rides at Disneyland, so she quit. Sam is busy doing what moms do. She's been enjoying her job as the class photographer for Abby's school, and tries to read whenever she gets a spare minute. Matt spends his spare time running, entertaining his girls, and did I say running? He and Brad are training for the LA Marathon in May.
There's never a dull moment at the Cox home! JON had some pretty tough surgery but is now home and on to recovery. He'll be fine as long as he doesn't start popping wheelies or jump ramps in his wheelchair! CYNTHIA works in a doctor's office Monday thru Thursday. She had loads of fun running around and getting lost in Italy this past September with her crazy sisters!
RYAN & MINDY live in Utah. Mindy is a nurse at the Huntsman Cancer Center and Ryan is a med. tech. at the UofU and should start med school this fall.
CHRIS & NATALIE MARTIN live in Rigby, Idaho. Chris is a patrol officer and Natalie is learning a bunch of new skills as a homemaker.
MATT is schooling at BYU-I in business administration. He's still livin the bachelor life.
NATHAN just received an internship with the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC. He will be there for 3 months starting this fall. Way to go Nathan!
ERIC is serving a mission in the Ribeiro Preto, Brazil Mission. It was 105 degrees this past Christmas! We're proud of Eric and his hard work as a missionary. He comes home shortly after the reunion! August 24th!
BRANDON starts his Senior year at high school this fall. The love of his life is his Xbox, although he does get a few dates in with a real girl every so often.
Welcome to the family MARSHALL RAY BOWDEN! He was born this morning (Jly. 21) at 4:40 to Brady & Katie Bowden. He was 7lb 12oz. Not bad for being 3 weeks early! He is sooooo precious! I can't wait to give him some grandma lovin! The proud new parents live in downtown SLC but will be moving in fall when Brady attends BYU. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
AUSTIN & ASHLEY live in Lincoln, CA. Austin sells insurance, goes to school is Scoutmaster and plays hard. Ashley works for a law firm and takes photography classes in her spare time. She has a real talent for taking beautiful pictures!
LEE & LEANN live in Lincoln too. Lee finished up helicopter school and will be attending the CHP Academy soon. Their two boys keep everyone laughing!
JAMIE & MATT live in Boise, ID where Matt helps run Brasher's Auto Auction. Hayden & Jacob keep Jamie running. This past year Matt trained hard to box in the auctions Smoker Event. It all paid off when he came out on top! I'm sure if you ask him to see the fight, he may just have the DVD in his back pocket! Congrats to MATT, THE HAMMER, BRASHER!
TYSON is working hard in the MTC to become an effective missionary. He can't wait to get out to serve the people of Maryland & West Virginia! Go Tyson!
CONNER (14) just got back from a great experience at EFY in Provo, Utah. Next, he's going on a 3 day pioneer trek with the youth in our stake. He just read about the Loader family and their trek west. After reading that account, I don't think he'll do much complaining!
GARY is trying hard to keep up the construction business, while I have the summer off from school. I work as a librarian at the local elementary school and will see 400+ students a week. Sometimes it is a challenge, most of the time it is fun.
JOHN & LYNN live in Granite Bay, California real close to Verne & Sharon. John works for the City of Lincoln as a Purchasing Manager and Lynn works for the California Dept. of Health Care Services as an Information Technology Project Manager. They have two beautiful daughter, ALLISON and KATELYN. Allison is five years old and loves being a big sister, going to preschool, everything princess, gymnastics and spending time with her grandparents. Katie is two and love playing with her big sister, reading books and cuddling with her family.
The Kearsleys live in Sherwood, Oregon. They had a huge winter storm this past December and were snowed in for awhile. They were glad to see the rain come back!
Paul Family Reunion Set For August 10-13, 2009 at the Homestead Resort in Midway, Ut.
The plans are coming together for another funtastic Paul Family Reunion!
Because of our growing numbers, sadly we will not be able to make it to Bear Lake this year. But... have no fear! The Pauls have fun no matter where they end up!!
This past August, Sharon visited the Homestead Resort in Midway, Utah to check out the accomodations there and activities available in the area . As you can see she is working very hard!
