Dear Kids,
      Before I forget, I’ll be cooking Sunday dinner this week, the 11th. We’ll be eating about 5:00, and I’ll be making spaghetti. Let me know if you’re coming! I’ll get to use the new little table and chairs that Nora gave me for Christmas (instead of borrowing hers all the time.)
      Bonnie sent out the following e-mail about the Allen family reunion next summer: Today was the day to reserve the Riverwoods park for the reunion next summer. The first week in August was taken, so I reserved "our pavilion" by the waterslide hill, etc. for Saturday JULY 25th. Richard and Jeanne will be here in Utah, and so will Katie's Idaho girls. Also the missionaries will be home:) So we have the park from 9:00-2:30 and we will have the usual water slide and activities, bring your own food etc. I hope everyone can make this date, and with this much time, you should all be able to plan for it. I know that we will have a great time again as in years past.
      So there’s Bonnie’s message. I know the Spudman triathlon is the same weekend, but I don’t know any of your plans yet. It seems like summer is way far away, with the wind and snow blowing outside.
      I guess the news has gotten around that Nora permed my hair for me. I can’t say she was eager to do it. I had already cut off several inches, so I needed her to even it up for me, and at the same time I had a home perm from Walmart that I bought several weeks ago. I made her use it, and she did the same great job she always used to do, back in the 80's. I ended up with a total 80's look, but then she showed me how to use a hair straightener. So go figure–I got a perm so I could straighten it.
      Uncle John Frederick is living in a motel in Washington State, I presume near to Theresa. He hasn’t really moved to Washington, because his stuff is still in his house back in Arlington, but he says he’s going to fly back to Virginia, pack up everything, and get an agent to sell the house. I know he’s been talking for years about moving to Washington, so it sounds like it might really happen.
      I hope you’re all settled back into real life, after the fun of the holidays. I love you all!
      Mom