Merry Christmas!

Here are the McClellands and Hiltners on Christmas day. Hope you and yours have a happy holiday season and a terrific New Year!

Read More...

Summary only...

Christmas 2010

We hope and pray that this Christmas message finds you and your loved ones healthy and joyful. 2010 was a memorable year for the McClellands, with lots of job changes, a new family member, and a family reunion.



The highlight of the year was our family reunion at Topsail Island, North Carolina. Everyone (all 19 of our immediate family and Mary Anne’s sister Kathleen, as shown in the accompanying photograph) was able to make it for the entire week. Topsail Island holds many cherished memories for us since we have spent many previous summer vacations there when our children were young. This time we experienced a special treat, the hatching of a sea turtle nest.



Early in the year, Dan transferred his church records to a mid-Singles magnet ward where he serves in the Sunday School Presidency. He continues to work in inventory management.



In late July, Matt and his family relocated from Bend, Oregon to the Portland area (Wilsonville) and Matt began working for a local Dermatology practice. This is their 9th place to live in 11 years of marriage so they are thrilled to put down some permanent roots, this time with a lot large enough to have some chickens, fruit trees, and berry bushes.



In June, Sara left a very successful career at CSC to start her challenging new job as a stay-at-home mother. In September, Sara and Chris became parents for the 2nd time and welcomed Luke Charles into their loving home.



Immediately after “beach week” Eddie resigned from PricewaterhouseCoopers and began working for the Scotts Company (Miracle- Grow, Turf Builder, etc.) Eddie and Andrea will welcome their third child in June.



Just before “beach week,” Dave toured the Middle East (Israel, Jordan, and Egypt) and returned with many memories, souvenirs and a sun burn. He is a graduate student at BYU and occasional host of “Dan and Dave’s Acoustic Rave.” (http://universe.byu.edu/node/10783)



In late August, Chris resigned from the FBI and began an advanced degree program at BYU. In the fall, Christie started a new job teaching Astronomy, Physics, and Algebra II at American Fork High School.


In October, Charles bid farewell with tears and gratitude to his 98-year old mother. Her example of good humor, love and patience during a long period of declining health will continue to inspire us until we meet again on the other side of the veil. It is at times like this that we are so thankful for the Eternal Plan of Happiness.


May the New Year provide to each of you the righteous desires of your heart.

Charles and Mary Anne

Read More...

Summary only...

Anita McClelland, 1912 - 2010

Here is a video I created for the Memorial Service for this wonderful woman, my husband's mother

Read More...

Summary only...

My son is Famous

Well, not really, but he did appear in the Daily Universe on 9/20/10. (Eddie also appeared in the Daily Universe a few years ago, but I did not have a Blog then.) Way to go Dave.
universe.byu.edu/node/10783

Read More...

Summary only...

A new Grandchild!

Sara had baby number 2 in September--Luke Charles. Megan is a devoted big sister.

Read More...

Summary only...

North Topsail Beach 2010

A wonderful time was had by all at the 2010 McClelland family reunion in North Topsail Beach, NC. We used to go to the beach most years, but have not been since 2001 so it was about time. This time we rented both sides of an oceanfront duplex for a total of 8 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms for all of the McClellands (12 adults and 7 8/9 kids) plus my sister, Kathleen.


The weather was perfect and the food, prepared by a different family each night, was fantastic. The kids of all ages really got into boogeyboarding.







There was lots of action on the beach, as well.














Away from the beach, you could run with noodles, attend the "Acoustic Rave" (one of the joint activites held with the other 38 members of Mary Anne's extended family staying in nearby beach houses), roughhouse, stay up late to watch the turtles hatch, or just relax and enjoy the view.

Read More...

Summary only...

Crazy Hair!

Granddaughter, Megan, has some pretty wild hair when she's been playing in her Cozy Coupe.

Read More...

Summary only...

I'm Melting!

Like the Wicked Witch of the West, the remnants of the Blizzard of 2010 are disappearing fast. It's been in the 40's for awhile and is almost 70 today, so even those blackened mounds of snow by the side of the road may all be gone by the time spring officially arrives.

Read More...

Summary only...

Oops! It Did it Again--Snow, That is!

Another 10.9 inches of snow at National Airport put us over the top--the most snow ever in a winter in Washington, DC. The piles at the sides of the driveway are taller than Mary Anne in places. Hey Vancouver, we found your snow--it's here in VA. Come and get it--please!

Read More...

Summary only...

We're Living in a Marshmallow World Part II: Snowmageddon!

We thought we had our monster snow for the season back in December but that was just a prequel. Unlike most sequels, part II was the main event.

February is the month of the big snow in DC--7 of the top 10 accumulations. This one ranks number 4 on the all time list. Of course, the figures are based on accumulations at Reagan National Airport, located in the middle of the Potomac River which holds down the numbers. Official readings: 17.8" at National, 32.4" at Dulles--see what I mean! We were somewhere in between, around 23". During the last storm, our street remained passable due to a mid-storm plowing and timing of the snowfall (and a little less snow). This time the snow is much heavier and snow removal will be slow. I'm not sure when a plow will make it down our street. Until they do, we can't go far.


The plow!, the plow! A Bobcat and big truck showed up just after 5 p.m. to liberate us! The Bobcat piled the snow up on the far side of the court (after first dumping a huge load right in front of our mailbox) while the truck plowed the street.

Read More...

Summary only...

Christmas 2009

It's that time of year when we get to brag about everyone in our annual Christmas letter. if you want to read more, click on

Dear Friends and Family,

As we look out the window at a snow covered scene, we are reminded that it is once again time for the annual McClelland Christmas letter (even though we are a couple of days late). Of course, Mary Anne reminded Charles two weeks ago to get started on it, but better late than never! Here’s a bit of what has been happening with our family (for more, see our blogs or e-mail us!):

Charles: Gradually ramping down on his professional work and lately has only had occasional courses to teach. His reduced workload has opened up the opportunity to do other things including cruise line lecturing (first lecture experience was last month on a 19 night Holland America Cruise through the Panama Canal). Mary Anne and Charles are pictured in front of the Bridge of the Americas in Panama. E-mail: mcclellands8@yahoo.com, Blog: mcclellands8.blogspot.com

Mary Anne: Also working less these days. In addition to the Panama Canal Cruise, she and Charles enjoyed a Southern Caribbean cruise out of Puerto Rico last January. In July, she biked the entire C&O Canal bike path and, with Charles, 110 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Between several trips to visit elderly parents, bike trips, youth conference, girls’ camp, trips to visit kids, some business trips for Charles, and the cruises, Charles and Mary Anne were away from home about 25% of the year.

Dan: Has transferred his records to a Mid Singles magnet ward where he serves as 2nd Counselor in the Sunday School Presidency. Here’s Dan (far right) on Smith Rock with Charles, Mary Anne, and Matt and Emily’s children.

Matt and Emily: Matt Continues to practice dermatology in Bend, Oregon. Dan, Mary Anne, and Charles had a wonderful visit with the family in August climbing mountains, rafting down a river, swimming in a mountain lake, hiking in a lava tube cave, etc. Here is the family at Tumalo Falls. Blog: Emilatt.blogspot.com

Sara and Chris: Are really enjoying their little girl who is showing signs of being as independent as her mother was. Sara works at CSC, Chris at SRA. Blog: Hiltners.blogspot.com, private, so e-mail Sara at saralita@yahoo.com to view.

Eddie and Andrea: Continue to live in Columbus, Ohio, where they welcomed a baby boy last summer. Eddie continues to work for PWC while Andrea manages the two boys at home. Blog: McClellands.blogspot.com

Dave: Had an exciting year, taking time off from his Mechanical Engineering graduate studies at BYU to backpack through Europe this summer with friends. Dave is in the center in this Abbey Road picture.

Chris and Christie: Chris has settled into his job in Salt Lake City with the Regional FBI office, while Christie is now teaching for the Alpine School District (having graduated from BYU this month).

We hope that each of you will be blessed with the righteous desires of your heart this Christmas and in the year to come.

THE McCLELLANDS

Read More...

Summary only...