Dear Kids,
       I love this: "You know you’re from West Valley City if . . . You’re sure that the border between Mexico and Tonga is 35th South." Paul had a link to it on Facebook this morning. Love it! So true! I think the border has moved south, though. It’s around 47th now.
       I’m packing up for the family reunion, and I’m very excited to see everybody, especially Monica and Big Jack. I’m only sorry Sharon’s family won’t be there. Hey, Share Bear, how’s the new piano? You’re going to love having a Clavinova. Both my Clavinovas from 1988 are still going strong (with a little help from Dad now and then.)
       Dad and I are totally part of the Kamas-Francis scene now because, would you believe, we’ve been signed up to sell tickets to the Frontier Days rodeo! We’re going to sit in an information booth and sell T-shirts and rodeo tickets, the Saturday before Labor Day. Could anything be more hoaky that that? A nice lady in church, Trisha Gerlach, signed us up. You kids who’ve lived in the cabin probably know her well. She’s a one-woman welcoming committee, besides Marianne Peck. Dad is starting to like the ward now, but he’s still a little freaked out when the other High Priests talk about their horses, their hay, their alfalfa, and their cows. Some of them even wear bolo ties, but Dad won’t wear one.
       Last Saturday afternoon I got to go up in a glider with John. It wasn’t the one he partly owns, because it only holds one person, and it wasn’t the really smooth one I went up in last fall, which didn’t cause me to heave at all. We had a great ride, over Wallsburg, the back of Timp, Brighton (I looked down on Sunshine, my favorite run) and back over Heber. It was a little bumpy, though, so I barked a lot, but I didn’t throw up, because I hadn’t eaten lunch. There’s nothing as thrilling as gliding. (They call it soaring, though.) Even if your stomach is lurching. Next time I’ll take dramamin, though. It’s always good insurance.
       Lots of love to everybody! Mom

Dear Kids,
       I hope most of you have seen the cute pictures of Jackson that Monica put up on facebook. As you can see, he has a little of our family in him, and a little from the other side. I’m always biased, and the newest baby is always the cutest one ever, but I think he’s unusually good looking. The best news of all is that Monica and Jackson will be at the cabin for part of the reunion! They’re coming Friday afternoon, and they’ll be here in Utah until Monday morning, I think. I can’t wait to see the little guy, and Monica too, of course.
       And of course I’m way excited about the reunion! I think our family get-togethers are the most fun I ever have. I hope you’ll all get there safely! If you have any more questions, call Tom or Kim!
       The Spudman Triathlon last Saturday was lots of fun. Vanessa cut 10 minutes off her previous time, (She was 2:28, or thereabouts) and Nora came in faster than she thought. She had told us that her goal was to make it in three hours, but she didn’t think she could. So a couple of minutes before the 3-hour mark, I went to ask Vanessa what color shirt she had on. It turns out that was right when she came in, and none of us saw her cross the finish line! Besides that, she was running under another name, so we didn’t recognize it when they called it out. Still, it was all very exciting. Triathlon finishers don’t look half as hammered as marathon finishers, when they cross the finish line. I think they have more fun, too. I had lots of fun hanging out with the grandkids who were there, and keeping mosquitos off of Isaac’s white little head, while he was sleeping. (They were dive-bombing him in the tent.)
       Thanks to all of you for your phone calls and cards and presents on my birthday! It was my first birthday not having Grandma Allen call me, (and she used to send me $100, too!) so I’m glad the rest of you came through for me! It’s wonderful being part of such a big family.
       See you next weekend! I’m only sorry that Sharon’s family can’t be there.
       Love, Mom

Dear Kids,
       By now most of you have probably heard of the birth of Jackson Oliver Prendergast, born July 26 at about 3 pm, weighing 8 lbs. 4 oz, 21 inches long. Monica says he has some hair, and it’s blonde. Congratulations, Monica and Neil!! We’re really happy for them. They’re in the process of moving to Wisconsin, and Neil’s leaving early next week, so things will be hectic for them.
       We’re looking forward to the family reunion in two weeks! Thanks, Tom, for all the information. If any of you have any more questions, call Tom and Kim. The cabin is ready for the influx of people! I even got a screen for the bunkhouse, so people can sleep out there without bugs bothering them too much. BTW, there’s never been such a year for bugs, so be prepared. I’ve already pulled two ticks off of my skin. They look like a big blood blister, or a big dried scab, but when you pick it off, you see the little legs wiggling.
       Dad and I are rebuilding the balcony at the cabin, and we’re working on the railing now. It will be a lot safer when we’re done, but it’s not too safe now.
       Dad just left for his last (for now) Webelos Day camp. He was released last Sunday. I think he’s a little sad about giving up Webelos, but life moves on. Last Sunday, after church in Francis Second ward, he said he’d never been in a ward with so many farmers. He also says it’s probably the wealthiest ward we’ve ever been in. Interesting!
       Nora and I and Addie and Isaac are leaving for Burley later this morning, for the Spudman Triathalon. Vanessa will be there, too. I hope nobody drowns this time!
       Lots of love, Mom

Dear Kids,
       We’re waiting for good news from Monica and Neil about the birth of their son. It could happen any time, now. Any hour. We’re always excited about the arrival of a new grandchild! Donna and Anna flew to Tucson last night, and they’re staying three days. Hopefully little Jack will arrive while they’re there.
       Thanks, Tom, for the e-mail about the family reunion. If any of you didn’t get it, please let Tom know. It looks like a great schedule. Dad and I are willing to help with any meal, so let us know. I’m looking forward to riding the Heber Creeper, and eating at the Dairy Keen, and all the other activities. Should some of us bring tents for Friday night? Counting the bunkhouse, there are beds for 21 people, but that won’t be enough. Or are we all supposed to sleep in tents? Please let us know. We’re up for anything.
       Paul was here last Sunday night and Monday. He’s been studying for the GRE (not to be confused with the GED) which he’s taking tomorrow. He has a box of vocabulary words which he’s been memorizing. I’m really impressed! If he doesn’t pass the test, at least he’ll have a great vocabulary. Go, Paul!
       Dad and I are enjoying our Sunday meetings in Francis Second Ward. I’ve been shopping for dresses and skirts at the DI, because the ladies my age all wear clothes from the nineties. It’s quite a change from the Spanish Branch, where they all wore short skirts and heels. I’m suffering from major culture shock, too, hearing the talks and lessons in English. Everything sounds so bland!
       Wednesday, in chess club, I suddenly got a terrible cramp in my stomach. Dad and I had just eaten in the cafeteria, so of course I blamed the food. (They had a special buffet, to make up for a bad meal they had served a couple of weeks ago. It was supposed to be the best food that could possibly be served up! It was barely worth the $2.50 each that Dad and I paid for it.) Anyway, this cramp was killing me, until I looked at the chess board and saw I had a winning move. All of a sudden I felt a lot better! Our chess club is having an all-night chess marathon at the cabin August 26-27. Any of you who want to play chess all night are welcome to join us!
       Life is good! Love, Mom

Dear Kids,
       I just got back from a bike ride on the Jordan River trail. The water has gone down two or three feet, but it has left behind lots of bugs and bad smells. There are lots of stagnant pools and marshy places. I had fun, though. You can pretty much get anywhere on the trail now. My new route to the river goes along the West Valley Trax line, and there were lots of trax cars going back and forth. It’s supposed to open in a week or two.
       Our first official Sunday dinner at the cabin was a great success. Nobody from Nora’s family or Allen’s family complained about the long drive. I’ll let you know from month to month whether it will be here or there. For August, the second Sunday comes at the end of our family reunion weekend, so I think I’ll put off Sunday dinner until the third week. Dad and I don’t have any commitments yet in our new ward (and we might not have any for a long time!) so we’re really free. By the way, we’re really enjoying Francis Second Ward. Everybody has a good opinion of us already because of you wonderful kids who paved the way.
        I bought Dad a Nook Color for his late Birthday-Anniversary-Fathers Day present. He was having so much fun with it that I made him buy me one for an early birthday present. My idea was that we wouldn’t have to haul our scriptures to church, plus Gospel Principles and the Ensign. Also, I thought Dad would be totally cutting-edge in the Frances Second Ward, with his up-to-date technology. Little did I know. In Sunday School, an old lady behind us was zipping around on her Kindle, and the man two seats down was doing the same. Meanwhile, Dad and I were fumbling around, trying to look up scriptures. It takes some practice. But it’s so much fun! I discovered how to download books, and it turns out that every single classic you’ve ever heard of is free. I downloaded about 30 of them onto my Nook, and you can’t even see that they’ve taken up any space.
       Summer is going by so fast! We’re waiting for good news from Monica (hoping little Jack comes early) and we’re also looking forward to the family reunion in just four weeks!
       Love you all! Mom

Dear Kids,
        We’ll be having Sunday dinner at the cabin on the 10th (this Sunday). We’ll probably eat around 4:30 or 5:00, depending on when people get there. I’m making King Ranch Chicken, rolls, and cupcakes, and Nora’s bringing a salad. It should be good. Plus, how can it NOT be fun, having Sunday dinner at the cabin? I plan to alternate every month, back and forth between the cabin and our house. Dad and I are going to become members of the Francis Second Ward, but we have to wait until the end of the month to transfer our memberships, because Dad is going to Webelos day camp on the 28tth. After that, it’s curtains for us and Fifth Ward.
        Dad and I had a great time in Idaho last weekend. Saturday we drove to Newdale, and we went to the Rexburg Temple with Harpers. Bruce Harper always has a whole pile of family names to do, and after the session, we sealed some of his people. He’s friends with all the sealers, so he just grabs somebody, and they do it right then. One of the sealers was a kid from my high school, Jerry Jex, who’s Katie’s age. It was fun to see him all white-haired and pleasant and dignified.
       Sunday morning we drove to Pocatello so we could go to church with Trent and Vanessa and their kids. Since it was July 3rd, they sang all the patriotic songs, and I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed them. (The Spanish hymn book doesn’t have any of them, since they use it all over the world.) Naturally I was a basket case trying to sing those songs. That night we went to a band concert in the park, and it was patriotic songs all over again. I think I cried during all of them. Maybe that’s just part of getting old.
        Monday morning we went to the Pocatello parade, and there weren’t any bands or floats, but they threw out candy. Later, Ruth Sutton told us the parade in Inkom was a lot better. I guess you have to know where to go. That afternoon, Vanessa and Trent had a barbecue for Trent’s birthday, and it was fun to talk to all their family and friends. The back yard looked like a Eric Dowdle puzzle: people playing badminton, basketball, cowboy golf, whiffle ball, frisbee, etc. Dad and I had to leave early, but it was great.
       Did anybody leave a very deep air mattress here? It’s about twice as deep as an ordinary air mattress, and if two people try to sleep on it, they just roll into the center. It has its own pump! Come and get it!
       Looking forward to seeing lots of you on Sunday, love, Mom

Dear Kids,
       If any of you have called me on our home phone or my cell, and I haven’t answered, it’s because I can’t talk. I’ve had laryngitis for the past three days. Last Sunday Sharon headed for home (with Lucy) and she reminded me that every time she leaves Utah, something bad happens to me (collar bone, gall bladder, worst root canal ever). This isn’t so bad. I was only sick in bed for two days, and then I was OK (but not able to talk) for piano class, book club, and chess club. We’re heading for Idaho Saturday morning, so I hope I can talk by then. We’re going to the Rexburg Temple with Harpers Saturday afternoon, staying over with them Saturday night, and then heading to Pocatello early Sunday morning so we can go to Church with Vanessa and Trent’s family. They’re having a barbecue for Trent’s birthday on Monday, and we want to be there. We especially want to see the improvements to their house! (and the "Heritage" front door, which Vanessa bought with her stimulus money.) Some of you have asked if we’re having the Fourth of July at the cabin this year, and sadly, we won’t be there. If any of you want to celebrate there, feel free to have the best party ever!
       Bonnie sent me an e-mail saying that they’ve decided to put off the Allen Family reunion until next year. A lot of people who traveled here for the funeral won’t be able to come back, and most of us were able to visit with each other. She will reserve the park for the same weekend (July 15, give or take) for 2012. She promised Grandma on her death bed that she would keep the reunions going, so we still plan to have them every other year, in the same park (Riverwoods.) Bonnie also says that she has extra copies of the funeral program, if anybody wants one. There’s an audio, CD, too, and I’ll be getting a copy. Let me know if you want one.
       Last night Dad and I drove around the valley checking out the new Trax stations, for the lines that open August 7. He wants to know what they look like before he drives his bus into them! We also walked along the Jordan River, which isn’t as high as last week, but is still flooded. I hope that by the time I get well enough to ride my bike again, the trails won’t have more than a foot or so of water, so I can get through.
       I’ll be cooking Sunday Dinner at the cabin on July 10. Be there or be square!
       Lots of love, Mom