Family Album 2025

   
Family Album 2018         Family Album 2019
Wedding          Thanksgiving
 
Mikie & Hayley Wedding

On November 8, 2025, Michael Liddle and Hayley Olivas were married in an afternoon ceremony at a rural venue near Sanger. Nearly 200 guests enjoyed an impressive event, including music, dancing and dinner

Click on a photo for a larger view

  
"You may now kiss the bride" All smiles after the ceremony
      
Brother Johnny and family - Brittany, Jack, Colton Sister-in-law and mother of the groom, Brittany and Teri
          

Thanksgiving

On November 20 our family celebrated Thanksgiving at the Upshaw cabin on Auberry Road near Alder Springs. At home in the San Joaquin Valley we've been socked in with high fog for a week. As we reached the 3,000 feet elevation sign on Highway 168, we broke through the fog. There were some high clouds above us, a little sunshine around us, and a spectacular fog "lake" spread out below us.

South and east of Highway 168, the fog filled in every little space Islands in the fog
     

After we turned on to Auberry Road, another amazing view greeted us - the Ritter Range, rising above the San Joaquin River. While Mt. Ritter dominates, Banner Peak and the Minarets are equally dramatic.

     
The higher peak on the left is Mt. Ritter; Banner Peak next to the right A wider view of the Ritter Range
   

Last January Teri and I had given Jack a tiny sequoia seedling, to replace an earlier one that did not survive the summer heat, even at the cabin's 4,500 foot elevation. It has thrived in a small pot on the deck, and now it was time to plant it. The elevation and conditions are appropriate for this species - there are four or five others on the property, around 20 feet high. This one should exceed that growth in Jack's lifetime.

Jack's sequoia after a year's growth Jack has carefully tended this future giant
     
Transferring from pot to ground Johnny and Jack apply the finishing touches
      

Updated December 4, 2025