Dear Kids,
          Happy New Year to everybody! I think 2017 is going to be the best year Dad and I have ever had, and I hope the same for all of you.
          We’ve had beautiful weather here, while the Salt Lake Valley has been socked in with smog, and I’ve been reminded why we moved here in the first place. Five years ago, I could barely breathe, and now I have the lungs of a champion. On Friday I went hiking on the Jordanelle perimeter trail. The sky was pure blue, and the air was crystal clear, and I breathed it all in. By the way, I still have my state parks pass, (Allen has one, too, BTW) and if anybody wants to go hiking with me, any day, just let me know. Right now the trail is packed down and easy to walk on. We’re supposed to get more snow, but that trail is nearly always up for hikers.
           Yesterday morning Dad and I drove down to Thanksgiving Point to visit the McGettigans. They live there now! After twenty-something years in the old neighborhood, they moved! And their new house is gorgeous. And big! And it’s only a short walk from the Frontrunner station, so Glenn takes the train to work every day. They’re living their dream. They fed us a wonderful breakfast, and we talked and talked. Cara and Sam were there, and ate with us. Sam and Tyler are at BYU, and Cara is a senior a Paradigm High School in South Jordan. All of them are completely grown up! Jana and I were talking about how we used to tend the kids on Sunday afternoon while she and Glenn and Dad went to choir practice. I’d almost forgotten about that. We have so much history together! I haven’t forgotten the wonderful years I taught their kids piano. And the parties they hosted.
           I just looked at the calendar to see what’s coming up. It’s almost completely blank, except for Dad’s root canal on Wednesday. His first. (I’ve probably had a dozen.) Wish him luck!
          Love, Mom