Dear Kids,
          Dad and I had a lot of fun helping Paul and Stefanie move to St. George. Dad drove the rental truck, I drove our van, Paul and Stefanie came in Paul’s car, and Stefanie’s parents and aunt came in their car. Dad and I haven’t been down that stretch of I-15 for several years, and it was nice to be going somewhere. Of course it was hot, but not as bad as it could have been. Paul and Stefanie’s house is less than a block from the temple, and it’s very roomy! There’s a big living room-dining area, a master bedroom, a guest room, and a large family room–plenty of room for guests, it seems to me. I’m sure a lot of us will be planning to drop in on them, especially in the winter.  Paul started his new job last Monday, and he said he likes it fine. Stefanie has employment opportunities, if she wants them. I’m sure they’ll be happy there.
          We’re looking forward to the family reunion starting on Thursday. Dad and I won’t be doing the Timp hike or the cave, but we’ll be at the campground Thursday night, and from then on we won’t miss a single thing. Thanks in advance to Donna and Bevan for planning everything!
          The 24th of July parade here was a very big event. I had no idea. Our "float" was an old farm wagon pulled by a tractor, but most of the other wards had big metal trailers pulled by very large, very shiny trucks. A couple of them were pulled by horses, which were the last of the floats. Then came all the kids on bikes, and then all the kids in pony carts.  Last came the kids riding their own horses.   We went two blocks down Main Street, and then we turned around and came back. Dad and I wore cowboy clothes and we walked behind the Spanish Branch’s float, because we had two boys on bikes who wanted to stay with their own group. (All the kids on bikes had to have "walkers" with them.) We waved at people on the side of the road. We knew lots of them.
          Later in the day we drove up to Wolf Creek pass where there’s a campground, and a sheep road going along the top of the mountains for several miles. It’s a beautiful hike. You’re on top of the world! I want all of us to do that next 4th of July. Put it on your calendars!
          Oreo hardly ever eats his cat food now. Yesterday morning he was chasing a baby squirrel through our yard. He doesn’t bring us mice any more–he just eats them. He’s very lean. I think we should all be eating bunnies, baby squirrels, and mice.
          Lots of love, Mom