Resolution

My one New Year's resolution is to spend more time with family. I remember when Uncle Roy and Aunt Zina would visit. It always brought out the best in me!

Tonight my Chinese fortune cookie said, "Happy events will take place shortly in your home."

I hope so...

Need I Say More?

12-28-90

Yes, it's our anniversary. Raise your hand if you thought Robyn would tolerate John for 18 years? Anyone? Anyone?Skinny young people just cutting our wedding cake.

Not so skinny and not so young people by the fireplace on Christmas 2008.

Winter Wonderland

So our heater broke on Monday, seemed to be working again, so we canceled the repairman's visit on Tuesday. Came home from work on Wednesday and it was not working. Woke up this morning to this. Yes, that's inside the house. The repairman came today!

Missing Sweden?

And to think we were almost packed and ready to move!



An earthquake struck southern Sweden Tuesday, triggering hundreds of phone calls from alarmed residents to emergency services operators, officials said.

Uppsala University seismologist Reynir Bodvarsson told the Swedish news agency TT he estimated the quake measured between magnitudes 4.5 and 5.0 on the Richter scale, saying, "It was likely felt in much of southern Sweden. For Sweden, this is a very strong quake."

"The bed shook for about 20 seconds," Helsingborg resident John O'Leary told The Local, adding that it woke him at about 6:20 a.m. and knocked over several items in his apartment.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake had a magnitude of 4.7, which, if accurate, would make it the strongest earthquake to hit Sweden in more than 100 years. An earthquake on Oct. 23, 1904, with an epicenter near the Koster Islands off Sweden's west coast reached a magnitude of 6.0, TT said.

Santa Lucia

Orebro, Sweden
1981

IKEA California
2008

Transfer Day

Elder Patton in Argentina needed someone with a truck to help with his latest transfer.

Problem solved.

Silver Anniversary

29 October 1983, Atlanta Temple

We said we'd walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walkin' a hand should slip free
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for meWe swore we'd travel darlin' side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently
But I'll wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me

Let's make our steps clear that the other may see

And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me

Home Decorating

I know a lot of you diligent blog watchers have been asking to see photos of all the work I've done around the house. Well, here are two photos taken this week.

Silver Anniversary Week

Pictures on the nightstand, TV's on in the den
Your house is waiting
For you to walk in
But you're missing

You're missing when I shut out the lights
You're missing when I close my eyes
You're missing when I see the sun rise

Children are asking if it's alright

Will you be in our arms tonight?

Old Home Ward

About 6 months ago, our Ward boundaries were changed. But today we returned to the old ward for the release of Bishop Molen, who had served for more than 7 years. It was great getting together with old friends.

The new Bishop of Mission Hills Ward is my good friend, Jonathan J. Wisco. Even though it's not my ward, I look forward to getting to know Bishop Wisco even better.

L.A. County Fair

Twins?

One is qualified to be the Vice President and the other is a cardboard cutout.

One is a pig at the county fair and the other is a cartoon character.

Mission Sunsets

Maybe this should be a contest, but I think modern technology wins.

The first two are from Robert's mission, probably France in 1978-80.

Sweden in 1982

Argentina 2008

The Mission Years: Father and Son

Elder Ian Patton in Argentina (2008)

On September 28, 1978, Elder Robert Patton entered the MTC to begin serving in the Belgium Brussels Mission. All that high school French was about to pay off.

Here he is training his greenie, "Frere" Jan Newman, in the fine art of tracting. The training continues as Frere Newman is now President Newman of the Nebraska Omaha Mission.

Bob Patton: 10 years later

Apparently, there is a mild dental problem with Bob Patton.

Everything's fine!

The Florida Pattons: 10 years later...

Adrie (13) apparently doesn't get her picture taken much, because this is the best I could do. She is finally playing basketball, so I picked this one because it's at the John Wooden Center at UCLA. She is pointing to grandpa's name on the donor wall. Of course, this was 5 years ago.Jamel (18) is very studious in his senior year.

Ian (21) is serving a mission in the Argentina Resistencia Mission.

And then there's Kim. Need I say more?

OK, it's our friend from high school, Antoine McKnight, who was recently promoted to Battalion Chief with the L.A. Fire Department.

Robert Patton Week continues

I believe Robert did this as an art project in high school...

So when Kim and the kids visited a few years back, we found the house. It had changed some, including the address.

Tito's, to remember

Kim and the kids on a previous trip.

Nothing like a trip to Tito's for dinner to remember Robes Patton.

Robert "Robes" Patton

May 21, 1959-September 28, 1998

Well they built the Titanic to be one of a kind,
but many ships have ruled the seas

They built the Eiffel Tower to stand alone,
but they could build another if they please

Taj Mahal, the pyramids of Egypt,
are unique I suppose

But when they built you,
brother, they broke the mold

When they built you, brother,

they turned dust into gold

When they built you, brother,
they broke the mold

They say you can't take it with you,
but I think that they're wrong

'Cause all I know is I woke up this morning,
and something big was gone

But love is a power greater than death,
just like the songs and stories told

And when they built you, brother,
they broke the mold

How can this guy be 21?

I didn't forget my nephew's birthday, I'm just trying to figure out what happened to this little guy.