Dear Kids,
          That was quite a family reunion yesterday! Grandma and Grandpa Allen would have been proud of us, and especially proud of Charley and Bonnie for planning it so well. Thanks to those of you who came and brought your delightful children! We’ve had so many family events lately that you’d think we might be tired of getting together, but the fun just multiplies!
          I had a wonderful birthday last Monday. Dad and I ate at Subway and then we went to Home Depot to get supplies for starting our deck. My present from Dad arrived in the afternoon–a laminator and laminating pouches, to make stuff for Primary. I had fun printing articles of faith posters and then laminating them. And then, I hadn’t expected such a big party at our house on Monday night! Thanks for the wonderful cake and all the presents, especially the snow groomer. Thanks for just being there! It was a wonderful night to play outside! It might have been the best birthday I’ve ever had!
          The only flaw in this great week has been my tooth troubles. I started having pain on the top right side of my mouth about a week ago, but I was able to ignore it for a few days. Finally, I had to call Dr. Condie. He worked me in on Friday morning, and when he started digging around the tooth, he found out the roots were dead and one was infected. He couldn’t do a root canal right then because of the infection, so he scraped out the roots and packed them with tiny cotton wads of antibiotic and painkiller. But later on, when it all thawed out, it was the worst tooth pain I’ve ever had. Luckily he’d prescribed hard drugs for me, and I took plenty, but it didn’t help as much as I hoped. We went to the party at Richard’s cabin that night, and all my brothers and sisters were there, but I walked around in a daze. Yesterday at the park was sort of the same, but finally, this morning, I’m starting to feel normal again. I’m scheduled for the root canal this Wednesday. It shouldn’t be so bad.
           I’m pretty sure Paul and Stefanie are still planning to move on the 20th. Paul will let us know what to do.
          I used to have a play Noah’s ark with some animals that I used for Primary singing time. Did I lend it out to anybody?
          I love you all to pieces! Mom