More Family Christmas Letters
Merry Christmas from Art and Ronda King!
Newsworthy events from our year can be found here
- January After many months of planning and preliminaries, our contractor breaks ground on our new house. We take a family vacation to Montana to be with Grandma and Grandpa King and cousins. The skiing is great, and the kids love the overnight sleeper berth on Amtrak. We mourn the passing of Uncle Floyd Rittenhouse.
- March We awaken to an exciting 30 second earthquake, the first such event in Portland in modern times.
- April Cousin Sara Rose is born in Singapore. The sheet rock is nearly complete on the new house.
- May Seven-month old Hannah starts crawling, accompanied by much cheering from her siblings. With spring flowers planted, we put our house up for sale and soon find a buyer. Bethani & Brenden celebrate their 6th birthdays.
- June To celebrate Brendens fifth "adoption birthday" we take the whole family to a Korean restaurant. Brenden likes the food, Bethani expressed the rest of our feelings, trying to be polite she observed: "I think the best part was the rice."
- July Ronda completes an intense six months of construction decision-making. She did a fine job. The new house is complete and we make the three-mile move "into the country". All is boxes and confusion.
- August We leave the unpacked chaos behind and spend a week at a Family Camp in Northern Idaho. Its a family reunion for Ronda's parents, siblings, and offspring, 20 people in all. We return home to can applesauce and apricots for winter enjoyment.
On the second pass through a stack of nature flash-cards, Bethani is trying to name the birds on each card. She comes to the Road-Runner and says: "I know! I know! ... Street-Walker".
- September We pray as my Mom undergoes by-pass heart surgery. I fly to Billings to be with her. She recovers well, and comes to visit us in November. Home School starts at our house for Elissa (4th grade) and the twins in Kindergarten. Elissa makes good progress on Piano and Guitar.
- October Cousin Kalyse Rose is born in Utah. Hannah starts walking. FaxBack, Inc. throws an open house party to show off our new offices.
- November We are thrilled to learn that a new baby is on the way! Ronda struggles with her difficult early-pregnancy sickness. Her courage is good though there are many long difficult days of feeling miserable. She goes on IV home therapy. Always our little singer, Sierra asks: "Pees ask Beti and Beenen to stop talking, I can't hear myself sing."
- December The tree goes up and the children shower it with decorations. We celebrate Ronda getting well and look forward to Christmas delights.
- WRAP-UP We give thanks for the blessings of another year. Our children thrive and we look forward to the joy of our coming New Baby. We sincerely wish the very best of Christmas joy to our friends near and far.
With affection and warm thoughts to you
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Art, Ronda, Elissa, Brenden, Bethani, Sierra, and Hannah
Favorite 5 read-aloud books of 1993: Summer of the Monkey by Wilson Rawls Island of the Bule Dolphins by Scott O'Dell Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne R Banks Daddy Longlegs by Jean Webster Blue Ridge Billy by Lois Lenski
Merry Christmas from Art and Ronda King! Newsworthy events from our year can be found here:
- January Art & Ronda leave the kids with friends and take a fine weekend ski trip on Mt. Hood. Art takes Elissa skiing for the first time. She learns fast. We drive to Walla Walla and celebrate Grandma Rigby's 90th birthday with all the family.
- February Ronda, Elissa, and Sierra spend two weeks in Guam visiting family and enjoying tropical island life. Art and the twins rejoice on their return with renewed appreciation for regular balanced meals.
- March Art skis Mt. Bachelor with brothers Ray and Alan. Sierra gets the chicken pox. We rejoice in the news of a new baby, but struggle for weeks with Ronda being very sick.
- April Ronda gets well, we celebrate by purchasing 4 acres with dreams of building a house.
- May Bethani and Brenden celebrate 5th birthdays and graduate to 2-wheeled bicycles. Art's work takes him to Tiawan, Singapore and Hong Kong for two weeks.
- June Summer is on, 55 pounds of cherries are canned for winter enjoyment. Ronda and Art fly to California to enjoy the wedding celebration of Jim (Dick) and Ellen (Balk).
- July Following the tradition of her sisters in earlier years, 2-year old Sierra enjoys snacking on sun-softened fallen apples under our back-yard tree. At her 5-year medical checkup, Bethani is a healthy 44 pounds and 44 inches tall.
- August Art is in his office only 12 days this month. We take a wonderful 10 day get-away vacation to a secluded cabin on Mt. Hood.
- October Art and Ronda take their now-traditional weekend get-away to finally settle on a name for the soon coming baby. The "naming wars" end peacefully at a bed-and-breakfast on the slopes of Mt. Adams.
- October 19, 1:06PM To our great joy, rapture and enchantment, Hannah Leah King is born! Elissa bravely cuts the cord. Ronda and Hannah come home the next day. The whole family celebrates a new sister.
- November Brenden says bedtime prayers with Dad: "Dear Jesus, Thank you we had a good day. Thank you that Noah's Ark didn't sink. Thank you for saving us. Amen." Art's Mom and Dad come visit us and share in the excitement of our new baby. Dad goes roller-blading around the neighborhood.
- December We thrill to the inspiring Singing Christmas Tree concert in Portland. Elissa picks out a fine Douglas Fir for our Christmas Tree. The children unpack and hang ornaments, exclaiming a fond memory about each one. Mom thanks Brenden for helping with chores. Brenden replies: "Mom, if you didn't have us kids, you'd have so much to do!"
- WRAP-UP Our Christmas promises to be especially joyous this year. Hannah is a healthy, contented baby in our arms and hearts. Life rushes on, but we stop to savor the special spirit of Christmas. We sincerely wish the very best of Christmas joy to our friends near and far.
With affection and warm thoughts to you
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Ronda, Art, Elissa, Brenden, Bethani, Sierra, and Hannah
Favorite Books of 1992 Family read-aloud Old Mother Westwind, Stone Fox, Number the Stars, Cotton in My Sack, Kavik the Wolf Dog, The Trumpet of the Swan, The Way Things Work, Bears on Hemlock Mountain, Sign of the Beaver Ronda A Lantern in her Hand, Laddie, For the Childrens' Sake Art Cerebral Symphony, You Just Don't Understand, The Boy Who Felt No Pain
Merry Christmas from Art and Ronda King! Newsworthy events from our year can be found here:
- January Sierra is 4 months old and thriving. Her cousin Janae Rose is born in far away Singapore.
- February Trotting in from the far pasture, 3-year old Brenden (playing Black Beauty) asks; "Mom, do horses cough?" Searching her memory of veterinary science, Ronda answers, "uh, well, I don't think so." Brenden replies "oh yes they do" and gallops off. During a morning worship Bethani prays: "... and help the soldiers to stop fighting and to all come up to heaven when it's time."
- March We take an Easter expedition to Kaneeta, where the whole family camps in a tepee. Everyone enjoys the hot springs, and the KIDS enjoy the tepee. Elissa sews her first outfit, and proudly models her creation for dad.
- May We enjoy Art's 10 year class reunion at Walla Walla College and a chance to greet many friends. Ronda begins work in earnest on her flower beds, which are soon award-winning beauties. Sierra starts crawling, mischief increases.
- June We joyfully celebrate the third anniversary of Brendens' adoption into our family. A new trampoline goes up in our back yard, providing much summer fun. Elissa celebrates her 8th birthday.
- July We fly to Montana for a long-awaited King family reunion. Frank & Lauretta host their four sons with wives, and 12 grandchildren at Lakeview Lodge on Ennis Lake.
- August Arts' dad undergoes open heart by-pass surgery. We pray. His recovery is excellent. Betty and Grover host a Rose family reunion with their four children, spouses, and 9 grandchildren on the beautiful Oregon coast. We spend a great week relaxing at Camp MiVoden family camp in North Idaho.
- September We all enjoy a Mary Rice Hopkins concert at a local church. Later in the month, the children are enthralled with an afternoon at the Greatest Show on Earth. Sierra celebrates her first birthday by "inhaling" a piece of chocolate cake. She is walking.
- October Second grader Elissa writes a letter: TO: MOM & DAD DAD I wish I could have a horse. But it is too much monye. MOM I wish I could have ring's and neklisis. But you will not let me. MOM & DAD I wish I could live in the contry. But you can not find a hose LOVE, Elissa
Brenden has more medical problems and while waiting at the doctors office, showers Mom with questions: "Mom, do we get jelly from jellyfish?" "Mom, before you got me, did you know I was going to be a nice boy?" "Do jellyfish eat sharks?"
- November Sabbath afternoon and Art is stretched out in a lazy-boy chair with Bethani on his lap. Fishing for complements, Art says; "Why do you like to snuggle Bethani, is it because you love me?" "Well" Bethani replies, "most of the time, it's because I'm cold and you warm me up, {pause} but sometimes it's because I love you." All 4 grandparents join us for Thanksgiving, making for a fine, warm holiday. Art and his Dad go skiing on Mount Hood.
- December The tree is up and Christmas music is on the stereo. Christmas excitement fills the eyes of our children.
- WRAP-UP Though sometimes frazzled with 4 children under 8, Ronda gives warm, loving, and happy days to all of us. Being here as our children grow, talk, write and pray is a great joy to us. We cherish our little Sierra! After 70 dark years, millions are free to celebrate Jesus birth this Christmas. We are reminded to cherish our liberty, and give thanks for God's good gifts in our lives.
With affection and warm thoughts to you . .
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Art, Ronda, Elissa, Brenden, Bethani, and Sierra
Favorite Books of 1991 Kids bedtime stories: "Caddie Woodlawn" and "Magical Mellons" (Carol Brink) Elissa {with daddy} "Watership Down" (Richard Adams) Bethani and Brenden: "Charlottes Web" (E. B. White) Ronda "Alicia, My Story" (Appleman-Jurman) Art "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" (Yancey)
Merry Christmas from Art and Ronda King! News worthy events from our year can be found here:
- January We are both joyful and apprehensive learning that our much-prayed-for new baby has begun growing in Ronda's womb. Ronda gets very sick, is in and out of the hospital, and finally remains on IV feeding for a month. We gratefully accept loving help from family and friends.
- February Ronda gets well and we rejoice. Elissa, Bethani, and Brenden all get the chicken pox. Elissa is especially tormented, with pox all over. Bethani says "I don't like these yiken pox!".
- March Intel rejects Art's business plan to sell automated fax response systems. Convinced the product is good (or stubborn, depending on your point of view), Art asks Intel for rights to the technology. Intel agrees.
- April Ronda attends a woman's retreat at the coast leaving Art and the kids to demolish the house. Brenden and Bethani celebrate their 3rd Birthdays.
- May Art resigns his job at Intel after 6 years. After the farewell party, Art contemplates unemployment with a pregnant wife and three small children. We take a memorable two week Montana vacation with Grandpa Frank and, Grandma Lauretta.
- June FaxBack gets office space in a nearby business park. Elissa turns I years old accompanied by a celebration at Gladstone Campground.
- July Ronda tries not to worry as she watches the family life savings disappear into FaxBack, Inc.
- August Abundant Oregon produce is canned and frozen into our pantry. The summer is especially hot for Ronda and her growing passenger.
- September Elissa starts first grade at Hope Christian School. The first day is traumatic, but soon new friends are won and she adores her teacher.
- September A Rainer, Oregon motel hosts a weekend get-away for Art and Ronda. The resulting "Peace of Rainer" officially ends the baby naming wars; just days before the Arrival.
- September 12 To our great joy, rapture and enchantment, Sierra Rose King is born! Seven year old Elissa is present, though somewhat pale, at the birth. Sierra and Mom are both wonderful! Grandma Lauretta is here to help out. Sierra and Ronda come home healthy and happy 2 days later.
- November Sierra gets the nickname "Sisi" from her big sister Elissa. Sisi learns to smile, and completely wins our hearts.
- December Art's Mom and Dad fly out for Christmas. A wonderful holiday enriches our family memories. People put their faith in a small start-up company and orders increase. Art buys his first ever brand new car.
WRAP-UP Sierra has brought such joy to our house. She is a little miracle and we are thankful for her every day. We are filled with love for Elissa, Brenden, Bethani and Sierra. The chance to start a new business reminds us of the liberty and opportunity we have on these golden shares. We give thanks for God's good gifts in our lives.
With affection and warm thoughts to you. Happy New Year Love,
Art, Ronda, Elissa, Brenden, Bethani, and Sierra
Favorite Books of 1990 Ronda And Then I had Kids by Susan Alexander Yates Art Chaos by James Gleck This House of Sky by Ivan Doig Art and Elissa bed-time The Secret Garden Indian Paint The Chronicles of Narnia Bethani & Brenden Blueberries for Sal (number one for 2 years Running)