BEAUTIFUL DAY

APRIL 20, 2015


Hello Family,


Hope you're having a beautiful day, too.  Our endless Spring never quits.  We had a little snow and frost last week.  We came home from California to cold temperatures in the middle of the night.  Dennis covered the Asian pear tree.  I don't think the fruit was damaged.  It's really beautiful outside now.  I heard that Pres. Obama is funding allergy research because of the warm climate.  There are more allergens in the air than ever.  I tried to buy Kleenex at the store.  The shelf was almost bare.  That has never happened.


We enjoyed our visit with Ty, Dawn and the girls so much.  The girls improved in swimming every day.  We had so much fun.  Ty and Dawn are excellent cooks.  We came home from church to taco soup and ahi tuna tacos cooked in marsala sauce.  Ahi tuna is really affordable there.  We enjoyed taking the girls to church.  They looked so cute.  They liked Primary. 


We are planning on going to Port Hueneme for Christmas again.  We hope it will work out in your plans.


Tommy has a new job with "Pluralsite".  It's the company that hired Rilee.  He's the art director.  His work was considered the best and most professional of all the applicants.  I think he starts in two weeks.


Alex had a big presentation today.  His project was critiqued by some of the best people in his field.  He defended it well.  His numbers are really challenged, as they should be.  I figured out that he is dealing with current history of people, based on statistics.  I keep looking at my dna tests and have learned a lot about the history of Europe and Africa and Asia through dna.  It's all so interesting.  He's glad this project has been presented and is anxious to wrap up his other work.


Travis has a bandaid on his finger now.  He doesn't know if the stump is healing.  I didn't tell them that it stays numb for a long time.  The scar is numb for a longer time.  I think it will heal.  He and Alex are going to Niagara Falls on the train from New York City.  I definitely need to do this.  I want to see Niagara Falls. Travis is looking forward to the Witcher release around May 20th.


Danny and Jenni are so busy.  Danny took his ward young men camping this weekend.  Danny and Jenni are driving to Disneyland this Saturday with the boys.  They will be gone for a week.  They are looking for a house in the area of Queene Anne and Magnolia.  It's a cruel game.  But there are houses that they could live in.  They just need to win in the battle of the bidders.  Ollie turns eight and the end of May.  Hopefully we will see them then.


Dennis is working hard at retiring.  He has a new part time job as a contractor with IBaseT.  He will work at his old job for a while.  His retirement party at work is next Tuesday.  He is done on Thursday afternoon.  This is a big milestone for him.  And kind of scary.  But it's good to let go and just consult part time. 


I had a dizzying day yesterday.  We did a Primary treasure hunt all over the building.  The kids loved it.  I think the teachers did, too.  It brought some welcome chaos.  Dennis helped me get all of the clues straight.  We had a wedding Friday downtown.  Two friends from our downtown ward married.  It was very special with a party afterwards.  This week I have a bookclub downtown.  We are reading a powerful book called "Choosing Clarity."  It's pretty life changing.  These women are serious about bookclub.  They will read just about anything.  I always miss you all and look forward to the wonderful times when we see you.  Tommy and Rilee came over for Sunday dinner.  They were awakend in the night by the renters downstairs who had a big fight.  I told them that I have learned something from every place I have lived.  They have learned they don't want to share a house.  I love having them visit.  Everyone is willing to eat homemade spaghetti and meatballs which makes my life easier.  Hopefully they will be able to find their own place this next year. 


What are our summer plans?  Retirement is so huge that we haven't thought that far ahead.  Now I can't get Niagara Falls out of my mind.  Let us know what you are planning this summer.  Tentatively we would like to go to New York, and we would like to go back to Port Hueneme is July.  We always want to go to Europe, but I don't know what Travis' schedule is like.  I want to see everything.  And I love staying home.  I would like to help Danny and Jenni move.  I really would.  And we will be there for Ollie's baptism.


Summer is just too short.  I think I will plant tomatoes this week.  Here's my plan:  plant a couple every week.  That way you beat any frosts.  Clip fabric around the tomato cage to cut down on frost settling.  (this last clue was from a woman who eats homegrown tomatoes in June.


Take care.  Especially with sharp knives.


Love, Mom