This year has gone by like a runaway horse. I’ve ridden runaway horses. You hold on for dear life, hope for the best, and pray. We are so thankful God has been so good to us as the year has raced away!

Our kids are all doing well. Cami is back working in the classroom and getting her teaching credential. Someday she might return to speech therapy but right now loves teaching in the classroom.

Drew has become a surveyor for an engineering firm and loves his new field of work. Kara and Abby are playing sports and making me laugh. They are the spunkiest little girls. I’m amazed at how fast grandkids grow up. Here we are at Easter enjoying the ranch in the buttes.

Lacy and Jake are busy running a duck club and raising their adorable family. Lacy was able to move to a day shift position at the hospital taking care of new moms and their babies, which we are so thankful for because Lacy needed some real rest.

I’ve been busy running our fruit business and writing books. Hoping to get a new memoir on the market in 2026. Our two youngest, Garry and Christian, are a huge help to me on the farm and these boys bring Scott and I great joy. Being older parents, we are savoring these last years of raising kids.

Garry is a senior. He is almost finished getting his private pilot’s license, and it looks like he’s chosen the University of Nevada Reno in the fall to pursue an engineering degree like his Opa.

His other grand achievement is his high school football team made it all the way to the State Championship Game in Los Angeles two weeks ago. What a ride! We drove nearly two thousand miles, cheering him on. He was a team captain and running back, although he mostly played blocking back, busting holes in the defense so our players could get through and score touchdowns. This historic Sutter team broke all kinds of records before they fell to Barstow 7 to 17. Still, they hold the NorCal crown, something Sutter, a powerhouse football program, has never achieved before. We are so proud of our Sutter Huskies!

Christian is a freshman this year. He also had a great football season. Christian played linebacker and running back. We look forward to next year as he settles into one of these positions full time. He’s such a strong sweet boy. His first love is still animals. Our little livestock guardian Kangal puppy isn’t so little anymore. But Christian still carries her around like a baby.

Our three oldest boys, Luke John and Joey in the Army are achieving great things and making us proud!

They are also raising the cutest little families. Joey and Emilee married on New Year’s Eve and are expecting a baby come January. Their wedding here on the farm was beyond memorable. It was such a gift to have all our kids home together for the first time in several years.

John and Skye welcomed baby Meadow in September. Meadow is the sweetest little thing and John and Skye are enjoying raising their family by the sea with John stationed in Monterey.

Luke, Alex, and Cameron welcomed Camila to their family in the spring. “Mila” has stolen everyone’s hearts. Cameron is the best big brother and Mila adores him. We were blessed to spend time with them during the summer and again in the fall when we all met in Georgia for Joey’s Ranger graduation.

We are very proud of our sons in the Army, but they all live too far away. I wish Scott could fly us over to see them in this sporty helicopter he began flying last year for Capitol Helicopters. He still flies part time for Sac Metro too.

Scott spent fire season flying nights under goggles in a command helicopter over the top of some of California’s biggest wildfires. I’m so grateful the rains finally came and ended his hero status saving homes, cities, and the Giant Sequoias near Yosemite.

I’m so happy to have him home for the holidays.

Christian graduated from 8th grade with wonderful grades and a handful of awards. His reward was going to work in the orchard the next day. He has also become Opa’s righthand man and hunting buddy.

Opa is doing well. Enjoying lots of hunts with his grandsons. He helped three of the boys get bucks so our freezers are stocked with venison and of course, plenty of ducks.

Oma had a tough year. In June, she went in for a routine heart ablation that went sideways. We almost lost her. She has spent the last six months trying to recover. We are so impressed with Opa taking care of her at home and appreciate prayers for her healing.

Hope you’re all enjoying the Christmas season with family and friends. May the Lord bless and keep you. May he shine his face upon you and give you peace. Much love, Scott and Paula