DAVID'S AND NICHOLAS'S BAPTISM, WE GO TO MICHIGAN

Dear Family,

The main reason for our trip to Michigan was to attend a double baptism of David and Nicko in the Bloomfield Hills ward. Both were born under unusual conditions and both wered born while we were away in Germany. Both are fine young men.

Mark and Mary,(David's parents) and Bryan and Kristina (Nicko's parents) all invited friends sand neighbors. The chapel was packed and there were also many friends from our day in that ward. The Breer's were there and many others. It was one of the bigger ward baptisms that I have attended. Al came over with her kids from Ann Arbor and our row was almost filled again.

The Dads did the baptizing and the granddads did the confirming; I confirmed Nicko. I also gave a. talk. There were treats afterward in the cultural hall. One of Mary's neighbors bought David a red fish to remind him of the day he was baptized by immersion. Here is a picture of Bryan, Nicholas,Opa, David and Mark.

We went to Ann Arbor to meet Al and her family. They are under contract to buy a little farm east of Jackson. It was built in the 1890's and completely refurbished, house barns and all. There is a large barn with stables, goat pens and a huge hay loft. There are several other buildings in good shape and the kitchen was re-done. There is an established vineyard and a fenced in garden with a hydrant. There is a ton of grass to cut. There is a small pond stocked with perch and bass. It is far out but really a cute little farm.. This has been a dream for Al. Get out the work gloves!

We stayed at our old farm in South Lyon. It was lush and green with all the rain and most beautiful. Bryan has done a great job fixing the place up. He has removed much brush, made trails , cleaned up the woods, graded and re built the stables, removed old fences and vines and it looks better than a park.

Here is a view from the field. I cut the field to keep it rich in hay. Rich Williams, Bry's friend from High School, came and mowed much lawn with the Dixie Chopper.

There were all sorts of wildlife; there was a wild turkey running in the field as I cut and we jumped three deer when I took the kids for a ride on the John Deere Green Machine. Bry installed a trail cam in the back woods and there were deer and coyotes walking the trails.

We spent time in the barn opening packing boxes from our move ten years ago. Mom found her jewelry box in a box labelled "kitchen supplies" , it was like Xmas. We shipped seven boxes home.

We celebrated Mom's birthday at Leos. It was ; like old times again. It was so great to see the gang in Michigan and see some old friends.

We also went to the Andover High School Seniors Award Night to give the Julie Wirthlin Memorial Scholarship Award. We organized that award after Julie died and it has been going on for 11 years. It was an impressive graduation with so many National Merit Scholars, Phi Beta Kappas and Summa Cum Laude graduates. I mentioned that the purpose of the scholarship was to remember Julie and the recipient was to be an athlete, scholar, one with grit, resolve and focus. The faculty picked a very nice young lady and Mom gave the certificate and the check for $1000.00. The parents came up and thanked us. I also mentioned that all of our 17 children graduated from that high school.

Here is a great shot of the old home which is looking great. This trip was a major trip down memory lane. More family related trips to report.

Love, Dad and Mom

Ps check out the Dad on the tractor.