Dear Kids,
      Last night Dad and I went bike riding in the dark. It had been terribly hot during the day, but once the sun went down, it was perfect bike-riding weather. We scoped out an accident at the intersection of 40th West and 4100 South, where three cars were smashed up. Then we rode over to Bangerter and rode up over the overpass, and we stopped in the middle to look down at all the cars. (Remember the overpass on Redwood Road, and making the trucks honk at you?) Then we rode around the parking lot of Granger Medical Center. It was a great night to be out. Lots of Mexicans out and about, too. You’ve gotta love West Valley on a summer night.
      Today Dad and I are having a very quiet 4th of July here at the cabin. Tom and Kim and their kids have gone to Jacob’s Lake to visit Kim’s sister, McKenzie, who’s working there. Donna and Bevan are “house and dog” sitting at Donna’s boss’s house (where the dogs love Bevan). John and his two boys came by earlier in the day to borrow our truck to go buy a swing set in Salt Lake. I haven’t heard any magpies squawking at all. I guess the sight of Bevan running across the yard with a pellet rifle has scared them away. Whatever. I offered a $5.00 bounty for any magpie carcasses, but so far nobody has brought any in.
      Yesterday I visited Grandma and Grandpa, and since I was coming from the cabin, I had Oreo the cat with me. First Grandma pronounced him one of the ugliest cats she had ever seen. Then she and Grandpa spent the next couple of hours watching him play in their back yard. He jumped around in the ivy, crawled under the deck, climbed the tree, and chattered at birds. They were totally entertained. I think they really miss having a cat, and even an “ugly” one is a treat for them. (Personally, I don’t agree that Oreo is ugly. His back legs have gotten really long, and he has that “stringy” look of a young cat, but I think he’s delightful. Kara McGettigan still likes him, too.)
      There’s going to be an Allen Family Reunion on August 9th. Here’s some information that Bonnie sent out: It will be at the same park as last year (across from the Riverwoods Mall) We have the park from 10:00 to 3:00 so bring your lunch and maybe a dessert to share with everyone and plan on just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. We will set up the water slide again, so kids can bring swimsuits. I hope you all can come if possible, even if you can just be there for a little while it would be great to see everyone!
      I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner on July 13th. We’ll eat at 5:00 pm. Let me know if you want to come!
      Lots of Love, Mom