EXTRA!! EXTRA!! Read All About It! Ross & Pat ~ Fifty Fabulous Years: Tomorrow is the Big Day!!!

Tessa McNamara

Tessa and Brian have finally settled down to moving only once a decade or so. A short stint in Egypt seems to have put the traveling bug to rest or in a coma. They both work at BYU, Brian teaching in the Ancient Scripture department and Tessa secretarying in the English department (not that you can tell from that mutilation of an innocent verb). Brian plays the guitar occasionally and watches football a lot. He is working on a huge project dealing with the Book of Abraham. When it’s published, it’ll be a big deal, we think. Tessa is putting the finishing touches on her very first, and probably last, novel. Their eldest daughter, Jamie Lyn, lives in SLC and is thinking about graduate school while working in the marketing department of a large bank. She is known for her outrageous punnery and wit. We’d like her to find a knight in shining armor but apparently there aren’t any single/straight knights in Utah and Salt Lake counties. Maren is a senior at a hippie charter school in Provo, trying to figure out where to go to college next year. She plays the piano and the heartstrings of acne-prone adolescent boys. Camille is a freshman and babysitter extraordinaire. She plays the piano and the camera. She reads like Tessa used to before her eyes and brain got old. All three girls try in vain to introduce their parents to the twenty-first century. Together the family enjoys going to plays, reading and discussing books, and creating lots of estrogen-charged air for Brian to tiptoe around.

Kristie (McNamara) Michalski

Steve and Kristie Michalski live in the Dallas, TX area. Steve is still working with wood, mostly remodeling these days and a few dome homes. He is in the High priests at church. Kristie is working at a mail order pharmacy. She is still serving in primary which she loves. Aaron just got back home from a mission to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. He is starting to date and get ready for school in January. He is working at a local grocery store in the Deli. He tries to not be home most of the time. He is getting back into airsoft and loves to shoot and play army. Nathan is in 12th grade. He just got made an eagle scout. He is hoping we will let him on the roads to terrorize the citizens of our small town. Aaron is hoping we don't let him on the roads. He loves cars and trucks like his grandpa Mc! We have 2 dogs Hunter and Ranger who are expert escape artists. We are looking forward to our first Christmas in Utah.

Kimberlie (McNamara) Marble

Glenn and Kim are constantly running around with their 8 children - 5 boys and 3 girls. Currently the two oldest boys - Jordan and Chris - are out on their own getting ready to serve full-time missions. The teenage girls - Tori, Kelsey, & Dreah-keep our noise level in our house very high. When they are all together, you wouldn't believe how much giggling and squeals goes on. Ben is still our rough and tumble boy. The current joke is that Ben is the one that will get hurt at any activity. Nathan and Daniel - the two youngest - enjoy playing with each other but they also seem to fight the most. Both of them being the youngest seems to have caused two babies in one family! Glenn is still working in the IT field while Kim is still at that cell phone company handling HR work.

Mike McNamara

Mike works for Wendy's as a General Manager of the Layton, Utah store. Kim tends her nephews 2 days a week, and trys to keep track of everyone. Mike & Kim are currently going to school full time, and trying to keep up with their 4 kids & two dogs. Michael is now 18 years old. He is a recent graduate from Viewmont High School. He is currently working the graveyard shift for Matheson Freight at the Salt Lake Airport. Michael is happy and loves to work hard. Matthew is 16 years old. He is a Junior at Viewmont High School.He loves any kind of sport, but especially Football! His favorite sport is teasing his little sisters, and always loves a good joke! (or a bad one!) He just loves to laugh! Cassie is 11 years old. She is in 6th Grade. Cassie loves anything to do with ART! She loves to draw, paint, sew, beads, you name it she does it! Clarisa just turned 7 in October.She just started 1st grade at her new school! Her true love is being outside. Climbing trees, riding bikes, swinging, hiking, any and ALL animals, catching moths and naming them before letting them go, and any other outdoor activity. We are thankful for Grandma and Grandpa McNamara and their wonderful example to us! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Kjrstin (McNamara) Walters

It's A Miracle! (Article printed in local papers)

It’s a miracle!

Despite raising seven unruly, opinionated children, relocating nearly one hundred times, and making countless trips to the emergency room, Ross and Pat McNamara will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on December 27, 2008. Yes, folks, it is a miracle!

Their journey together began at the Gold and Green Ball in New Orleans in 1957. She fell for the dashing airman from Idaho. He was attracted to her Southern charms. They were married in Baton Rouge just after Christmas in 1958.

Their crazy adventures included numerous cross-country migrations and a few international expeditions. Ross, at the mercy of his Norwegian gypsy heritage, worked in the oil industry until the oil boom of the 80’s, at which point he took up teaching. Pat (or Tricia as she was known in high school) has worked every shift at most major hospitals from Washington to Louisiana as a respiratory therapist. He currently teaches at the Salt Lake Community College and she works for Praxair in Lindon.

Incredulous witnesses include their seven children, Tessa (Brian), Kristie (Steve), Karon, Kim (Glenn), Mike (another Kim), Mark (Shelly) and Kjrstin (and another Steve), twenty-three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Most surprised of all is Pat’s mama, Theresa Ward, of Jena, Louisiana.

If you would like more details about their astonishing lives, check out their blog at http://www.mamaimarriedayankee.blogspot.com/. She didn’t actually say that; what she really said was “Mama, I married a *@#! Yankee!” But this is a family newspaper, so we’ll leave it at that.
If you would like to congratulate them, those same unruly children are holding a beach party in their honor on the 27th at 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Canyon View Stake Center, Spanish Fork

Friday, December 26, 2008

Tomorrow is the Big Day!!!

Almost as exciting as the first wedding celebration, tomorrow marks 50 years and a fun Beach Party is planned to celebrate the event. Pictures of this fabulous party will be posted soon so keep checking back!!! See Ya'll Tomorrow!!!