OMA'S VALENTINE PARTY

Dear Family,

Mom had her yearly Valentines party. I was reminded that we did not do much on Valentines with the older boy s but when the girls came, we always had a little valentine party. Now it is a big party and I think there were about 50 present. Everyone in Utah came. Mom prepared for this for a long time making valentines, decorating the house, arranging gifts for the little kids and turning our house into one great heart. Here is a picture of the gang after dinner and after our FHE.

We had a dinner for everyone. All brought wonderful side dishes and desserts. Opa did the roast which was a 12 pounder perfectly cooked. Here is Opa at a speciall carving station. That roast was almost completely eaten. That large carving fork I bought at a street sale in Vienna near our apartment.

It was special that everyone came on schedule. We had such a good time, We settled everyone down and had a family night. Mike gave a lesson on "Love One Another" and I spoke on doing that in the home which is the laboratory where we develop our personal skills. I commented on The Savior's admonition to "love one another even as I have loved you" and tired to point out how that added to all previous commandments to love one another.

We also had a special birthday celebration for Madeleine B. birthday which falls on the day before Valentines. Here is

Madeleinee with her cousins. There is Natalie H. , Madeleine B., Madeline H., Rachel W., Catherine W., and Victoria W. .(Victoria is my brother Ralph's granddaughter and is staying with us this semester as she attends the UofU). Victoria played the flute.

I am not so good at Valentines presents; roses wilt, chocolates get eaten, so I bought Mom a Tortilla press so she can make tortillas . Also got her a large fruit steamer - juicer for grape juice.

OTHER NEWS: Rick and Gemina were in New York for business and after went out to Flushing and visited the house where I grew up on 33-01 159th Street, I was tickled to see pictures of this house again. The neighborhood was like Birmingham but Flushing has become very Asian. Rick said they had an outstanding Chinese dinner there.

And the deer are back. It has not snowed that much this year but the does do come back to snooze under our great Spruce tree in the backyard. We got to Michigan in May for two baptisms and to California for Scott's graduation. There will be a trip to Spokane in between for another baptism. Hard to keep u p with all the events but it is wonderful.

We love you all and are grateful for what you are doing in your families. Oma u. Opa