2020 ... Do We Really Want a Recap?

Family - this IS supposed to be a complete recap! If you have additional memories/thoughts for your family, or for Utah/US/World that you'd like to add, just email me and I'll update!

2020 ... a year that will be remembered, but one that many might like to forget. There was the Westra Christmas Newsletter and the Annual Slideshow for 2020 which gives a pretty good look at what everyone was up to. The annual Father's Day party still happened ... but Covid canceled a family reunion and the Christmas Eve party. 

There were three weddings ...

One pre-pandemic, one RIGHT before things shut down, and one right in the middle of it all.

Several of the younger generation became homeowners... and this year there has been planning for a new home for Shane&Alicia with a G-suite (section for Margie/Lamar). There was also new baby news!

There were the annual ouchies!

Cal broke his foot ... the FOURTH time. Scott had to have surgery on his spine. Derek decided to try a trip to the ER. Kim had surgery on her ear and Conner ended the year as Cal had begun, except he managed a bigger break that required surgery.  Covid was an issue for a few of the families (Camden was the first, then some of Scott's and all the Jensens) but happily no extreme cases.

Ah Covid ... that will likely get its own blog post, with thoughts and memories (and memes!) from the year. There was also the EARTHQUAKE in March, with aftershocks afterward. There were worrisome wildfires here in Utah, and worse ones in nearby states, causing smoky skies ... and spooky red skies. There was a night of wild winds that left some Utah residents without power for weeks. The airport was redone, Derek's old boss bought the Utah Jazz, a mysterious "monolith" appeared in the Utah desert and Jupiter and Saturn aligned to create the "Christmas Star"...

The year started with fires across Australia. Kolby Bryant and others died in a helicopter crash. The  Black Lives Matter movement made a mark, and there were protests and riots, in Utah and across the US. There was a plethora of politics and a presidential election. Whew!

Back to the Westra Clan...

Trying to add a little extra to what was in the Christmas Newsletter blurb.

Most snapshots are also in the slideshow.

Scott and Amy ... fun to have Mckenna and Spencer back in Utah. Some boating and razor riding, and S&A cheering on the cheerleaders. Amy and Taylee took a trip to Disney World. Kemery and Mitch got a house, a dog and now a new baby on the way!

Yea, a new and complete family photo for the Chris and Kim crew! A marriage, and a missionary home (temporarily). Lots of hiking, doting on a granddaughter and photo fun. Chris is good at keeping in touch with weekly email updates. 

Wendy sends email updates fairly often and keeps a family blog with all their activities as well as an annual Christmas post to recap their year (see it here). A wedding, a missionary home, college graduation and so much more!

The Blackham's also had a wedding, and once they moved Callahan out, there was a bunch of renovation (new carpet and paint). Gray got a new truck, and some new gadgets for his kitchen/cooking. Jen sent out monthly email updates (and adds them to the family blog as well). 

Shane and Alicia have celebrated being back in Utah/snow with several ski trips. There was a new family car (Kia Telluride), a driver's license for Adria, as well as teaching her to drive a stick in Grandpa's little blue truck. Dancing and biking and home improvement projects ... as well as exciting home plans for the future!

Derek and Danielle always have oodles of adventures going on! So many fun photos to feature. Many home improvement projects, music and art enterprises and their summer went to the birds (with them documenting both a robin's nest and a hummingbird's nest). If you follow Derek on Facebook/Instagram you'll be pretty connected with all that's going on. 

2015 Recap - Slideshow and Calendar Pages

 As the end of the year rolls around, it's time for the calendar and slideshow. 

It is always interesting to reflect on all that happened on the Westra side in 2015.

Most memorable, was Dad(Grandpa) having a heart attack.  Jase, who had been with him when it happened, had to make the phone calls to all the siblings. Dad has been in excellent health and very active, so this was absolutely unexpected. All the siblings gathered at the hospital and it was touch and go for a bit. Then, it seemed he would pull through physically, but his mental health was still in question. Happily, after just a few rough days, Daddy was back.

In Scott's family ... we had a wedding!

The first wedding of a Westra grandchild.

... it was the year of the missionaries! Chris and Kim and THREE missionaries out for 2015. Kim's two girls, Crystal and Kourtney. They both finished their missions here at the end of the year. Kaden is almost home (January) and Corin will be leaving. They will have a combined "homecoming/farewell" for their family! Landon left of course, but so did Janika, Wendy's oldest. 

Shane's family made a big move as the year came to a close ... literally. Due to job changes, they are leaving Utah and heading to California! We've been so lucky to have all our family close by. We will really miss having them around.

Derek and Danielle had some unexpected, but wonderful news! They are pregnant! After infertility and two darling adopted daughters, they were going to get to experience the entire pregnancy process themselves as well. Derek has been so cute documenting Danielle's pregnancy progression. It's another girl, and she's expected in January.

So THAT's what has been up with the Westra bunch this past year. 

Here's the Slideshow 

(it is a little long, I mean it's the WHOLE year from seven families!)

... and there are the calendar pages

 January

 February

 March

April

 May

 June

 July

 August

 September

 October

 November

December

2002 Annual Recap

Family gatherings for Easter, Kaden's baptism, Janelle's baby blessing and of course Christmas Eve!

LaMar turned 65 on May 28, 2002. Margie turned 60 on Nov. 7, 2002

Scott turned 39 on Dec. 16, 2002.   Amy: 34.  McKenna 9, Alyssa 7, Kellen 6, Kemery 4.

Chris turned 36 on Sept. 5, 2002.   Sandy: 35.  Conner: 10, Kadan 8, Corin 5, Camden 0.

Wendy turned 34 on April 29, 2002.  Rick 35.  Janika 7, Jase 5, Jared 3, Janelle 0.

Jeni turned 32 on Nov. 10, 2002.  Grayson: 33.  Landon 7, Callahan 3, Keaton 2.

Shane turned 26 years old on May 3, 2002.   Alicia 22.

Derek turned 20 years old on May 5, 2002.

 LaMar at Ruby River, big hat, 65th Birthday

LaMar retired from Unisys, 1 Jan 2002. He started as a Church Service Missionary at the Family History Library in downtown SLC 12  August 2002.  He worked on Mondays until 5 p.m., then when the Library closed, he walked over to the Joseph Smith Building and worked in the FamilySearch Center there until 9 p.m.  He did this for 8 years until the end of 2010.

14th grandchild was born: to Chris and Sandy: Camden Jacob Westra, 27 Apr 2002.

15th grandchild born to Wendy and Rick: Janelle Marjorie Jensen, 14 Oct 2002.

Scott's family living in Draper: Rosewood Park Lane

Chris's family living in Gunnison. A baptism, baby and Kuikido.

Wendy's family living in Ivins, 582 North 300 West, 84738. 

The Jensen's had a family trip to California.
Read more about their year on Wendy's blog.

Jen's family living in West Jordan, 3692 W 8070 S, 84088.

Jen&Gray had a Florida getaway with Hamlet Homes and a family trip to Oregon.

Shane and Alicia were living at 1764 East 4620 South. Not many pictures in the family Dropbox,
I'm sure they have some more. There were these photos from Shane's work.

Derek was on his mission. A folder of pictures in 2001 ... but nothing for 2002.

Check out more pictures from EASTER and CHRISTMAS ...

Father’s Day Flee – 16-19 June 2002 -- past Pineview Reservoir to Powder Mountain.  Dad wrote: It was a steep drive, and our car had a difficult time getting up the mountain.  The Powder Mountain condos were clear up at the top of the ski area, over 8000 ft in elevation.  We had Wendy’s, Scott’s and Shane’s families. I'm sure Wendy has many more memories in her journal!

 A birthday party for Grandpa. Got many of the Norman cousins to come too. Merrill and Lorrie were gone (left 20 Jun 2002) as mission presidents for three years in the Morristown, New Jersey mission. 

A look at the house and yard in 2002.

Here's a link to the 2002 folder in Dropbox

1997 Recap

 

1997 ... it was the year Pokemon was introduced, Dolly the sheep was cloned, Titanic opened and set box office records, and Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. This was the year most of the family started using EMAIL ... remember dial-up internet and Juno for a free service provider? While the annual Christmas Newsletter gives a quick rundown of what everyone was up to this year, here is a longer list of the family information and activities from this year ...

Ages -

• LaMar turned 60 on May 28, 1997. Margie turned 55 on Nov. 7, 1997
• Scott turned 34 on Dec. 16, 1997. Amy: 29. McKenna 4, Alyssa 2, Kellen 1.
• Chris turned 31 on Sept. 5, 1997. Sandy: 30. Conner: 5, Kadan 3, Corin 0.
• Wendy turned 29 on April 29, 1997. Rick 30. Janika 2, Jase 0.
• Jeni turned 27 on Nov. 10, 1997. Grayson: 28. Landon 2.
• Shane turned 21 years old on May 3, 1997, while he was on his mission. 
• Derek turned 15 years old on May 5, 1997.

Activities - 

• 0118 – Surprise party for Lorrie’s 50th at the Lion House
• 0126 – Clayton Blackham farewell. Mom/Dad, Rick/Wendy attended. Jen sang/Wendy accompanied on the piano.
• 0209 – Merrill and Lorrie's house for Anderson’s birthday. Grandma Norman didn’t make it as she’d fallen and twisted her ankle.
• 0309 -Mom/Dad host birthday dinner for Aunt Diane (her two kids). Adults only.
• 0504 – Family party (Wendy/Shane/Derek birthdays) at Blackham’s house.
• 0517 - Fayette Family Party. Derek and Dad went in the truck, and Margie and Wendy and Janika came in another vehicle (Rick had to work). Jen and Gray and Landon came also but Scott and Amy couldn’t make it as McKenna had a recital.
• May. Grandpa Norman had back surgery
• 0606 - Corin Born
• 0625- Shane returns home from his mission.
• 0628- Scott and Amy hosted a big barbecue. It was the first time we had everyone together since Shane left on his mission two years before.
• 0629- Shane's Homecoming. Jen sang, Wendy signed.
• 0630- Wendy and Rick move to Ivins, Utah 
• 0708- New computer (Star West, installed by Shane)
• 0810- Corin's blessing in Fayette. Marge/Lamar, Scott and Jen and their families.
• 0907- Birthday party for Landon at Blackham’s house
• 10/20- Mom/Dad/Derek, Jen/Landon to St. George to visit Jensens. (Gray and Jen had also gone in July). 
• 1109 - Birthday dinner for Mom at Old Salt City Jail (Grandparents, Merrill&Lorrie, Scott&Amy, Wendy, Jen&Gray). Gray "went to the bathroom" and Grandpa was so confused when the waitress said the bill had been taken care of. Gray never admitted to paying ...
• 1127- Thanksgiving hosted by Scott and Amy (Jen&Gray had a "day after" Thanksgiving for the folks/Shane/Derek too)
• 1202- Jase Jensen born
• 1228-Jase Blessing Day

1982 Photo Collage and Recap

• Derek Alan Westra was born on May 5, 1982. 
• Shane turned 6 years old on May 3, 1982 and graduated from Kindergarten and started 1^st Grade at Woodstock.  Teachers: Kindergarten, Mrs. Susan Platt, 1^st Grade, Mrs. Goodro.   Principal Clifford F. DeGraw. 
• Jeni finished 5^th grade (Mrs. Parkin, in the "Pod" double classroom) at Woodstock and started 6^th grade (Mrs. Diamond - who had also been her kindergarten teacher!) She turned 12 on Nov. 10, 1982.
• Wendy turned 14 on April 29, 1982 and completed 8^thgrade at Bonneville Junior High School and started her 9^th grade year.   
• Chris turned 16 on Sept. 5, 1982 and completed his Sophomore year at Cottonwood High School and started his junior year.  He did wrestling and track at Cottonwood.
• Scott graduated from Cottonwood High School and started at BYU.  He turned 19 on Dec. 16, 1982. He made a big papier mache pumpkin for Halloween.
• Margie was doing High School graduation and birth announcements at the same time. 
• We went to our annual Family Reunion in Alpine, 25-26 June 1982. Chris rode his 10 speed bike there and back.     

LaMar turned 45 on May 28, 1982.

Margie turned 40 on Nov. 7, 1982

Scott turned 19 on Dec. 16, 1982

Chris turned 16 on Sept. 5, 1982. 

Wendy turned 14 on April 29, 1982. 

Jeni turned 12 on Nov. 10, 1982. 

Shane turned 6 years old on May 3, 1982. 

Derek Alan Westra was born on May 5, 1982. 

Dropbox 1982 folder has more pictures in it ...

Derek's future wife was also born this year (some of their family pictures in Dropbox as well)

1975 Summary

In Dropbox, Dad/LaMar has a small write up for most years. Some years are more complete than others. For 1975, Dad documented EVERYTHING! I found this year history in a random 3-ring binder, not on Dropbox. I'm not sure where it came from, or if there are other detailed years out there somewhere. Ironically, while this is likely the most comprehensive annual review that exists, there were so few photos to go along with it! Were pictures not taken, or are there some out there that might turn up? Hopefully that latter! Here you go ... anything and everything you wanted to know about Westra 1975!

• Ages: LaMar (38), Margie (33), Scott (12, finished 5th grade/Chytraus, started 6th/Westbrook), Chris (9, finished third grade/Bullock, started fourth), Wendy (7, finished first grade, started second), Jenny (5, started pre-school with Pauline Hodson).
• Significant Events: Scott had braces put on in July, orthodontist bill $950. Scott was ordained a Deacon on his twelfth birthday, after a ward Christmas party. Jenny gave a good performance in the pre-school Christmas program. Marge started out the year pregnant but had a miscarriage about February. She became pregnant again with Shane in July. Started the Christmas ABC book. 

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Outings ~

• Mar 16: We tried to get to Merrill and Lorrie's ward for Sacrament Meeting. They were to be the speakers as relatively new members of their ward. There was a big snowstorm, and we got stuck when we were almost there. Then, almost couldn't get back down again. The car stalled down on South Temple, and it turned out to be quite an ordeal before we got home again. 
• July 2-4: Marge and I went on a fishing trip to Strawberry with Rex and Zada. We left the kids with Merrill and Lorrie. I fished in the Strawberry River and in the small stream leading into the reservoir. I caught 24 fish.
• July 26: The boys and I and Brad Mauss hiked to Dog Lake. The kids enjoyed wading and swimming in the lake.
• July 28-30: Marge and I went to the Homestead for tennis, swimming etc. 
• Aug 3: Family outing at Fairmont Park.
• Aug 9: We attended the Norman Reunion in Mt. Pleasant. I played tennis with Demont and Jon Howell. 

Visits~

• Jan: Nelva and Arnold and family
• June: Karen Burgener stayed with us for seven days while Vic and Mom went on a vacation.
• June: Nelva and Arnold and family. Hike up Grandeur Peak.
• Dec: Nelva and Arnold and family.

Summer Stuff ~

• I played tennis about once every other week on the Univac Tennis Ladder. We bought three tennis racquets for the kids, and they got started.
• The kids took swimming lessons at Cottonwood High.
• I played a little softball on the ward "old men's" team.

AT HOME 

• Landscaping: We got some pretty rocks from Cory and Karen Rees up on the Avenues. We used Merrill's truck to haul them to our house. I spent quite a while putting them in place. We got another load of dirt. We bought some quaking aspen.
• Weather: I turned off the sprinkler system November 15
• Work in Home: I worked downstairs in the SouthEast bedroom, plasterboard, perftape, electrical, etc. I installed an attic fan. I purchased a heatilator for the basement fireplace.
• Major Purchases: Brown Suit (ZCMI $78). Storm Door, Crock Pot, Unicycle, Bike for Wendy, Cassette Recorder.
• Cars: Wagon and Vega (snow tires and extra wheels)

CHURCH

• Church Positions: LaMar continued as Assistant Stake Clerk, working for Pres Jackman. The job entails meeting each Wednesday with Pres Jackman as he conducts Personal Priesthood Interviews with Melchizedek Priesthood leaders. I type up the schedule for the Wednesday meetings, and remind the leaders of their interviews. Then I take minutes of the interviews and distribute copies of the minutes to Pres Jackman and to the leaders involved. I also substituted in Chris' Sunday school class a few times. Marge was called to work on the Primary Stake Board as the Stake Blazer leader. The job entails work in scouting, attending Round-table meetings, etc.
• Home Teaching: My companion was Sergio Marticornea. Families visited during the year were: Gary Phillips, West Pehrson, Gerrit Timmerman and John Heath.
• Genealogy: I worked once per week during November and December in the Genealogical Library. I turned in my indexes to the GS that I had made during the past few years. The indexes were of selected microfilms of certain counties in Friesland. The CS xeroxed them for eventual inclusion in their files.
• Scouting: Scott got started in scouting, first as a Blazer Scout, then as a Scout. Earned Tenderfoot and Second Class Awards plus merit badges. Scott also served as Den Chief for the Cub Scout Den. Chris was active in Cub Scouts. We attended the Pack Meetings almost every month. Chris entered the Pinewood Derby and won the first place trophy. Chris also entered the Cub Scout Olympics and won third place for his age group. He then participated in the Regional Olympics at Olympus High School along with Robbie Smith and Steve Pettegrew. Wendy started Girl Scouts and sang in the Cottonwood Mall Christmas tree.
• Stake Ranch Assignments: February 22, Grantsville/Mix Feed. May 10, Government Creek in Jesse Hays Motor Home/Repair Fences. July  8, Grantsville/Hauling Hay. 
• Missionary: Farewells- 2/23 Rick Turley/Japan, 4/20 Gary Jackman/Portland, 5/18 Ken Allred/Orem, 8/24 Kit Ginn/Montana, 10/19 Sam Jackman/Philippines, 11/9 Dave Collard(Murray)/Germany, 11/23 Kim Ginn/Oklahoma. Homecomings: 2/9 John Peckham

WORK

• Projects and People: I continued to work on the 90/30 ICAM Project -- releases 2.0 and 3.0. We worked at the North end of buildings C-D until November when we moved to the South end. Our manager was Dave Day. I was supervisor of the group, working on the REMI RDH. Other work members: Franci DeLong (BSC, DCT2000), Gary Blake (TTY-DCT500), Roy Nicholson (Slave Mode 1004), Keith Eberhard (Uniscope RDH), Rex Anderson (DCT1000 Batch). 
• Trips: Jan 13-23, Trip to Philadelphia with Barry Blake to test 90/30 REMI. While in Philly, Gary and I attended church meetings in Gerritstown, and we saw a movie, "Murder on the Orient Express". I also got my shoes resoled.
• Philadelphia People: Bill Mahoney, Bill McCann, Charlie Bright, Walt Fink, Dee Jenrette
• Work Parties: March 21, Group party at our house/Lasagna dinner and games. June 14, Univac Lagoon Day. August 27, Party at the Spruces for all of Dave Days group.
• Significant Events: October 31 - Release 3.0. Aug-Sep, UNA meetings.
• Car Pool: Bill Hoggan. I drive every other day.

MEDICAL: LaMar, back problems (sleigh-riding the previous December). Gave blood Nov 26

SOCIALS: Getting out and about with others.

Club Parties --

• Feb 18 - Party in Willardsens home/Turkey dinner. 
• Apr 19 - John Gadd's home/Dinner and old time movies
• May 31 - Visit Ghost Towns (Steve Carr). I took the four kids, Marge had a church meeting to attend.
• Jun 21 - Jim Peterson's home/Hawaiian Dinner
• June 23 - Party in Millcreek Canyon/BBQ/Bob Keiser
• Aug 1 - Ferron Hills home/Dinner and games
• Oct 26 - Maxwells
• Nov 29 - Party at our house. Bowling, return for snacks
• Dec 23 - Christmas Dinner at the Five Alls
• Dec 31 - Bill Nicholson's home. New Years Eve Party. Dinner and games.

Married Socials -- Ward socials held about once per week during the Pioneer Playhouse season. We had season tickets at the Playhouse and met before the play for dinner at the ward. Plays during the year were:

• Music Man
• The Long Road
• Solid Gold Cadillac
• 110 in the Shade
• In the Green Room
• Papa Married a Mormon

Socials, Dinners, etc (Marge and I)

• Jan 3 - Pipes and  Pizza
• Jan 11 - Ward Tubing Party
• Jan 25 - Dinner at our house. Elders, Sweet Adelines at the Ward, Sergio Marticorena and Lew Petersons to dinner at our house.
• Feb 14 - Valentines, Dinner at Sizzler
• Mar 8 - Dinner at Merril and Lorries
• Mar 15 - Dinner at South Seas
• Mar 17 - Movie "Airport 75" ... an earthquake occurred during the movie.
• Mar 29 - Easter Dinner at Normans
• May 10 - Stake Dinner Dance
• Jun 13 - Elders Party (Come as You Were - 50s)
• Jun 19 - Diner at South Seas
• Aug 8 - Stake Garden Party
• Sep 6 - Dinner at South Seas
• Nov 1 - Dinner at Yeates with neighbors, Hislops and Lewis's
• Nov 8 - Dinner at Sizzler
• Nov 21 - Stake Dinner Dance

WEDDINGS: 5/22 Jan Allred (Orem) w/Merrill&Lorrie, 6/25 Jeremy Meier, 7/31 Bob Fredricksen, 8/6 Roger Player, 8/14 Dave Fullmer, 9/12 Rob Carter, 12/19 Ken Allred (Provo) ~ Fog

I did revise things a little (changing placement a bit). 

I scanned the original typewritten pages and added them to the 1975 Dropbox folder. 

What was going on outside of the Westra World? 1975 is the year the Vietnam war finally ended. Bill Gates and Paul Allen created a little company called Microsoft. VHS tapes were introduced and the movie "Jaws" made its debut. "You'll never go in the water again". Da-dum, da-dum, da-dum ...

1967 - Annual Recap

 

1697 ...Major News Stories include Worlds First Heart Transplant, the first ATM,  the first Super Bowl (Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs). There were strikes by US teaching staff for pay increases. The Vietnam War continued, as did peace rallies and protesters against the war. Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing world championship for refusing to be inducted into the US Army.   Twiggy became a fashion sensation and mini skirts continued to get shorter and the Beatles continued to reign supreme. The movie industry produced "The Graduate" "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Cool Hand Luke" . TV shows included "The Fugitive" and "The Monkees" and color television sets become popular as the price came down and more programs were made in color.

On the Westra homefront ... the young couple (Marge, turned 25 & Lamar who turned 30) said goodbye to their little home on Rainer Street where they had lived when both Scott and Chris were born. They moved to their new St. Street home, which was only a few blocks away and was even in the same ward. 

Chris was a New Year's Baby, learned to crawl, walk, talk and he celebrated his first birthday. Little Scott started pre-school and turned four at the end of the year. In the "history" in Dropbox, it is noted that Grandma Lucille came up to visit in August, but it looks like there must have been a family trip to Utah earlier in the year as there is a picture with Margie's folks and grandparents (and Grandma Lucille) too. 

Margie was pregnant with Wendy the last half of this year ... and back in Utah, a little boy named Rick Jensen was born. Those two wouldn't meet until years later, but it was 1967 where their story began.

You can also check out the extended Westra news in Grandma Lucille's Christmas Newsletter.

1966 Recap

 

In 1966 ... Chris came. There is already a post documenting this momentous event, but there were a few other items happening with the Westras this year as well. In Dad's Dropbox history, there is only a "Trip to Seattle" noted February 4, 1966 as far as getting out and about. Based on the photos though, that wasn't the only traveling done. In March, it looks like not only the Westra family, but Rex & Zada, went out to California for a reunion with Merrill, returned home from his mission. Pictures are at Nelva and Arnold's house, with little cousins Dale and Karie. Then it looks like the crew returned to Utah, and made the rounds with more visiting to the Grandparents. The group picture includes both sets ... Zada's mom and her husband (Hannah and Arthur Bohne) and Rex's folks. No Chris in those pictures ... in March, he was still a little bun in the oven. No Dad/Lamar in those photos either, methinks he was likely the photographer.

A little later in the year, Rex and Zada made a trip to Washington to be there for the birth of Christopher ... that's when Dad/Lamar caught the big fish! It looks like the Westras must have made a trip back to Utah, or Aunt Diane made a trip up to Washington, as those two families are pictured together (cute little cousins Chris and baby Brad, and Scott and Mauri). Photos of little Scott enjoying the Thanksgiving turkey. Grandma Lucille had written a Christmas Letter in 1967 mentioning that Steve had gotten engaged Christmas of 1966, and left for service January 1967 (so that picture was probably taken one of those times). 

1966 looked like a fairly full year!

1965 Summary

 

In 1965, the war in Vietnam continued to worsen and the Anti-War movement grew. On November 13th, 35,000 protestors marched on Washington. There was also continued civil unrest with rioting, looting and arson in Los Angeles. This was the first year mandated health warnings appeared on cigarette packets and smoking was looked on negatively. The latest craze in kid's toys was the Super Ball and The Skate Board. Fashions also changed as women's skirts got shorter men's hair grew longer as the miniskirt makes its appearance. The word "Hypertext" is created to describe linking in early computer systems and computer networking. (The People History)

On the Westra homefront, LaMar turned 28 in May 28, 1965, Margie turned 23 in November and Scott turned 2 at the end of the year in December. Home was still the house on 2031 Rainier in Richland Village. Joseph Ate Westra passed away 24 May 1965. The family drove to SLC the next day. The funeral was Friday, 28 May 1965, on LaMar’s 28th birthday. They returned to Richland 12-13 June 1965.

LaMar had a bicycle, and they purchased one for Margie too. Add a baby seat for Scottie and they would ride all around the town. Mom/Margie mentioned that Scott loved the bike and would ask "Go bye-bye on bike?" Mom wrote in Scott's baby book that Dad/Lamar would ride his bike to work every day, and that she and Scottie would go meet him. Mom also mentioned "I remember on the bike rides, with him in his little bike seat, he would give me directions on where to turn on our way to his friend Kevin Pickard's house, at such a young age. It was quite a ways away, with many turns, and I was amazed he could know the way and tell me!"

Why is there a picture of a volleyball included in the photo collage for the year? LaMar was playing on the ward volleyball team. He wrote "We won our stake tournament and went to Portland to play in the Regional Tournament, 18 April 1965. We stayed at a motel in Portland. We also played some golf in Portland. The flowers in Portland were gorgeous. Our ward volleyball team went to Salt Lake City to play in the all-church tournament, 23 April 1965. We got trounced by teams from Hawaii and Oakland, California. Those players hit the volleyball so hard that they sometimes split the volleyball." Being in Salt Lake, LaMar was able to see his dad one last time before he died. 

1964 Summary

Extra, extra, read all about it! What were the big news stories in 1964? Well, in the world, the Vietnam War was going on, there were race riots in many big cities, the Beatles topped the charts, there was a huge earthquake in Alaska, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that smoking may lead to lung cancer, and the Boston Strangler was apprehended. A little closer to home ...  LaMar turned 27 in May, Margie turned 22 in November and Scotty was experiencing his first year of life. The Westra family was living in Richland Village, 2031 Rainier.

From Dad/Lamar's notes:  Easter Sunday was 29 March 1964. Vacation trip to Utah, 22 May to 7 June 1964. The trip to Salt Lake took two days. We stayed at a motel in Ontario, Oregon. The trip back to Richland took two days. We stayed at a motel in Mountain Home, Idaho.  We purchased a freezer, 28 Aug 1964, GE, $225. We still had that freezer until 2010 or so. Bought a Christmas Tree 14 Dec. $1.50

Margie was teaching primary.  Bowling on Tuesdays.

It looks like they got a lot of family visits in during the Utah trip. Pictures with Grandpa Joe and Grandma Lucille (and Cousin Mauri), four generation shots ... Scotty, Margie, her dad Rex and his dad Herbert.  Scotty, Margie, her mom Zada, and her mom Hannah. Apparently the guys (Lamar, Arnold and Rex) had success fishing too! Back home to Washington where Scotty learned to crawl and walk and talk (check out the "When Scott Was Small" blog post for details). 

More Scott pictures from 1964 ...

1963 - Move to Richland and Welcome Baby Scottie

1963 is called "the year that changed the world" by some. There was the historic March on Washington, Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech, and the early involvement of the U.S. in the Vietnam War. Beatlemania had started up. Then, on Nov. 22, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. On a more "Westra" note ... 1963 was the year the young Westra couple left Utah for Washington, and added their first baby to the family! LaMar turned 26 on May 28, 1963. Margie turned 21 on Nov. 7, 1963. Scott was born on Monday, Dec. 16, 1963.

In the Spring, Dad/Lamar was interviewing for a new job. 

Here's memories from both Dad and Mom:

From Dad: I started interviewing different companies for a job. There were three main possibilities: IBM in SLC, 14 March. Shell Oil in San Francisco, and Marathon Oil in Denver. In the summer of 1963, I went on two interview trips. One was by myself, flying to Denver, Colorado to interview Marathon Oil, and then Margie and I drove to San Francisco to interview Shell Oil Company. Then we accepted a job offer from General Electric in Richland, Washington, one of the three cities making up the Tri Cities. We moved to Richland, Washington on our first anniversary: 29 June 1963. We moved into a little house in Richland Village, 2031 Rainier. The house was on the corner. It had two bedrooms and a basement and a detached garage. We paid $79 a month for rent. 

 From Mom: Around the time of our first wedding anniversary, we moved to Richland, Washington. LaMar had 3 job offers, one in California, one in Denver, and the one in Richland. He visited Denver to interview, we both made the trip to California to interview----then accepted the Richland job offer from General Electric without even visiting there. I was 3 months pregnant with Scott. It was difficult to find a place to rent. Apartment complexes didn’t want people with children or expecting one. We finally found an old house to rent on Rainier Street. LaMar had to start work, so I had to spend the days in the empty house, waiting for the moving truck to arrive. I had morning sickness and ate barbecue-flavor potato chips while waiting at the house----I haven’t been able to stand them for the next 50 years! We had some nice young couples as neighbors and enjoyed life there. LaMar was a stake missionary and took classes a couple times a week, so I got tired of being alone a lot. I joined a ladies bowling league as I needed to get out of the house. Bowling Tuesdays.

The house (taken a few years later/Chris in the window)

It's always interesting to see how the different write-ups compare *Ü* What details are written down. Here's a little more from Mom and Dad, and more about Scott's birth:

From Dad: 22 Nov 1963 – President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was working in the plant, and everyone was in shock. Scott Edward Westra was born: on Monday, Dec. 16, 1963, 12:50 AM. Scottie was born in Kadlec Memorial Hospital, which had been built years before by the government. Margie and Scottie came home from the hospital, Friday, 20 Dec. Christmas 1963 We bought a Christmas Tree, 11 Dec, $4.

From Mom: Scott was born on Monday, Dec. 16, 1963, just before midnight, at the Kadlec Methodist Hospital. It was an old military hospital, all on one floor, with many wings. 3 women in a room. You had to get out of bed and go to the bottom of the bed and use a crank to raise or lower the bed. They didn't do epidurals in Washington--they were behind the times. The husbands couldn't even be in the labor or delivery rooms! I hated being alone in labor and in pain. I remember when the doctor told me "It won't get any worse than this" at one point. He lied! It was a fast labor and delivery. They had to wake LaMar up in the waiting room to tell him he had a son! I remember the ride home from the hospital, feeling scared that this little helpless baby was up to me to care for. My parents came up for a visit after he was born. After they returned to Salt Lake, I developed a fever and weakness on my left side and was re-hospitalized. They did a spinal tap, etc. to check for meningitis, etc. Our pediatrician arranged for baby Scott to be admitted also, so I could nurse him, and so LaMar didn’t have to care for him. The doctor put the bump on Scott’s ear as the reason for the hospital admittance. I had a couple more episodes of the fever and weakness over the next few months and my doctor had me go to a neurologist in Seattle. I was never really diagnosed—just “an inflammation of the brain.” It hasn't reoccurred but has left me with a slight weakness on my left side.

Mom wrote that "Christmas was just a blur for me in 1963, having a baby and all and going back to the hospital." Years later, Jen would have a similar situation with a December baby (Colton) and rehospitalization a week later (but it was baby Colton being admitted ... no excuse needed to let Mom stay, and Dad/Gray was in charge of taking care of four little boys at home!)

Adding to this post with a few finds from the baby book ...

Mom/Margie had mentioned in her memory that Scott was born just before midnight, but in the baby book, 12:50 am is listed as the time. Weight was recorded as 7 pounds 1½ ounces, but noted that it dropped to 6 pounds 14 ounces while in the hospital, and was 7 pounds 3 ounces at discharge. Length was 19½ inches and head circumference was 13½ inches. Not much hair. The baby book kept a very good history of weight and height over the coming years. There will be more to come in another post showcasing Scott!