Christmas 2018

We wish you all a very Merry 2018 Christmas 

and a Happy New Year 2019! 

Our 2018 Family Reunion for Russ' 75th surprise birthday party!

Front row:  RYAN P, Teagan P, Braeden Bo, Patrick M, Russ, Suzanne, Nick C, KEVIN B, Sheridan B

Middle row:  Nathan B, Teriesa B, Maura Bo, Ashleigh C, Bridget M, EMILY M, MEGAN C, TAMSEN Bo, Jana B, Sara P.  Back row:  Talon P, Tage P, Cooper B, Tyler B, Ethan Bo, Preston C, Finley M, Amelia B.

News of 2018 from the Ballard family:

Our reunion this year was in Vancouver WA for Russ' 75th birthday surprise party!  The Utah families drove up for us all to surprise him at a local Church building.  Each of the children put in so much work to throw this surprise party - catered food, fabulous entertainment, family games, decorations.  He was truly honored and humbled by the love he received from his whole family!  

The reunion and grandson Sheridan's graduation were the highlights of the year.  The rest of the year was extremely difficult....  

Todd, our wonderful son-in-law, finally passed away last December after a valiant 15 year battle with the dreaded disease Multiple Sclerosis.  TAMSEN and their children are adjusting to life without him.  All of us have such fabulous memories of Todd to sustain us until we meet again in heaven.  We have faith and hope in that promise of the Lord and the eternal covenants we have made.

Suzanne's Mother passed away in February in Reno. She was nearly 90 and in much pain from her degenerative spine that resulted in numerous fractures.  Dealing with the distribution of her estate is on-going and most frustrating.  

Russ' Mom passed away in April in Elko, Nevada.  She was nearly 95 years old and very frail.  She spent the last 4 months of her life in a nursing home.  Russ' brother, Ron, remains at the family home.  She was a lovely woman and is greatly missed, but we have faith she was met on the other side by her two deceased sons and loving husband - and we will be united with them all again.  

Suzanne had major surgery in June that laid her low for much of the summer.  Russ is dealing with his own difficult health issues.   

We are hoping that 2019 will be a much less stressful and depressing year!  We are grateful for the sustaining love of our Heavenly Father and the comfort we receive from the Holy Ghost in these trials.  We are also extremely thankful for the Savior of the World and His Atoning sacrifice as we celebrate His birth and life at this blessed time of year.  We testify that He is the Messiah and Savior of the world.  May God bless you all in 2019!!

Our winter address:  PO Box 1416, Ocean Shores, WA  98569.   

Our summer address:  725 North 1200 East, Lehi, UT  84043.

(Of course, you can always reach us by e-mail at Suzballard@aol.com or by phone at 801-995-3001.)