CALIFORNIA, RICK AND GEMINA AND SCOTT GRADUATES FROM DENTAL SCHOOL

Dear Family,

We got off the plane from Michigan only to get back on it the next day to visit Rick and Gemina in California and to visit Bina and Scott as he graduates from Dental school.

We had a couple of days with Rick and Gemina. We had a good time first visiting the Baby Blue Barbecue for a great lunch. It was spectacular. We managed to go there a second time as well. We went to Rick's and we split up. Mom went shopping with Gemina and Rick and I visited a couple of stores. Everyone loves to shop with Gemina especially Cheryl's girls. Gemina was a fashion consultant to Hollywood stars and would travel with them to New York to outfit them. She used to get some of them ready for the Oscars and fashion there is a very big deal.

Mom bought a new purse. Rick and I went to Harbor Freight where he picked up some tools for his farm. We did successful shopping at another one of my favorite places.

We visited Geminina's parents on Memorial day. Here is a picture of Gemina's Mom and Mom. They were almost kindred spirits and just chatted away.

Gemina's Dad was there also and it was interesting talking to him. He has part of a huge family business in the Philippines which operates 20% of the electrical power there. The family was originally Basque and moved to the Philippines from Spain. and started a large shipping industry. He was in the resistance during the second world war and has been through a lot. It was great to talk to them.

We had breakfast on the beach around the corner from Rick and Gemina's home. That was interesting watching all the people going by on various kinds of bikes, skate boards, roller skates and of course zu Fuss strutting there stuff and fashion. It was a gorgeous morning and here is a shot of Mom with her Mom hat.

On Sunday we went to Church in a ward close to Rick's. Rick then drove us up to Loma Linda to see Bina, Scott and the little ones. It was about an hours drive.

Rick has a Honda pickup that he usually drives but this time he took the Prius, the Toyota hybrid and at times we were getting 69 miles to the gallon going 70 mph. However when I tried to run my Ipad navigation program when hooked up to his battery, the program crashed as the main battery that starts the engine is about the size of a motorcycle battery.

We got to Loma Linda which is a Seventh Day Adventist city. They have a great dental school, noted hospital and training programs. It is a hard dental school to get into and Scott graduated in the top five of his class. Here is a picture of Scott in his gown with the little Bina clone, Alison and Bina new baby Ashley.

We went to In and Out Hamburger, visited with Scott and Bina and left for the graduation. Notice Scott's Beanie which is an unusual graduation motif. The graduation was outdoors and it was really cold. We did not get there in time to sit under the tents. It took 45 minutes for the faculty and graduating class to march and take their seats. That was 45 minutes of Guadeamus Igator. There was an interesting opening prayer. I said to Bina, "They pray like we do". She said, "Yes because that Professor was LDS". Well I had to bale during the firs talk... I felt a little like that scene from Mr. Bean going to church.

Scott graduated with high honors and several awards. He is looking at a position in California.

Bina and the kids were great and it was good to see them in their student house. We are proud of Scott and his accomplishments at one of the top Dental Schools int he country.

Rick took us to the airport the next day. It was a great short trip to California

Alles Gute und Alles Liebe, Dad and Mom

MORE MICHIGAN FARM PICTURES

Dear Family,

I thought I would add a few more pictures of the farm it was so stunningly pretty. It was so green and lush and just beautiful.

Here is a shot of the house. We stayed there and it was great. The farm has new status in the stake. I was sitting in a church meeting in Bloomfield Hills and one of the young men got up and announced an Eagle Project at the Wirthlin farm. I was sitting next To Br. Mayo and he mentioned the farm was popular in the stake. I guess Bryan lined p the scouts for a major fix up party. I sat there and thought, "Why didn't I ever think of that scheme?" This is a fund raiser and Bryan pays the scouts to come out and do labor. Then they get to do paint ball wars in the woods.

The Walled Lake Ward wanted to use the place for a Halloween party and Bryan said OK but first you have to come and pt in a good days work. Bry is pretty smart.

Here is a picture of the big barn. Those were our favorite hammock trees.

We rode on the path to the back woods and it was like going through a tunnel of vegetation. Not sure I could clear some places if I were on horseback.

The path is lined with hickory, cherry and apple trees.

We got around to the pond in the back and it was high. It is still full of goldfish from the seven goldfish that Doug dumped in the pong about 15 tears ago. The deer use this trail.

Then there is the great Oak tree in the back. I call this the haunted tree because it looks so much like the trees in Grimm's fairly tales with its great outstretched arms. Spooky at night.

Al and her kids came over a couple of times and we had great campfires and huge marshmellows sticky all over. James, William and Peter were good at starting fires with we wood. Here we all are on the old swing that is still going strong.

And here is a good shot of a queen of the farm, Bryan's daughter,Sarah, who will be a senior in high school next year.

It was so great to see everyone again and one never tires of Michigan.

Love, Mom and Dad

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.

CHERYL'S SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Dear Family,

I guess we are now into a patten of surprise birthday parties which are also secret underground mini-reunions. They did it for my 70th (in Munich). We surprised Mom on her 70th when most of the family showed up in Salt Lake. We just surprised Roy on his 50th and now this.

Here is a picture that Cathy took the minute Cheryl and Paul walked into the Restruant where family and friends were gathered to surprise Cheryl.

Paul did a great job of keeping this one quiet. Cheryl was mooping around grumbling that probably no one would remember the birthday or even plan something.

I found out about it the day before when Gemina called and said she was coming. On Friday, I answered the door and could not see anyone through the peep hole, opened th door and there was Mary who squeaked in her "little Mary" voice, "Hi Dad".

A hard balance between secrecy and advance notice to plan is difficult to achieve. I learned that Rick was flying up that aternoon, Suzanne was maybe driving up from Phoenix picking up Becca in St. George on the way. We were not sure if Jeff cold come down.

Gemina decorated the flowers and hung the garlands, Mary helped as well and Paul organized a large private room in a great Italian Restaurant down town.

We missed the grand surprise because we were at the Huntsman Education Award night but left early. Here is Cheryl and Dad.

The best picture that Cathy took was this shot of Mary greeting Cheryl at the moment of surprise. There were tears of joy at this reunion.

Our daughters are so connected and we all simply love to be together. They are constantly in touch, trade clothes and are almost connected at the hip.

Here is a picture of Mom with Cheryl Becca and Suz who drove all the way from Phoenix. As we visited, Jeff showed up from Spokane.

Mike and Rayanne, Emily an John came up from Mapleton and all participated.

Here are the brothers who came; Rick, Jeff, Doug and Mike. All had nice memories of growing up with Cheryl.

Paul organized this great program where everyone talked about a certain phase of Cheryl's life as a young girl, teenager, college student etc. Paul talked about their courtship in Jerusalem during a study abroad program. Actually there it was not a formal courtship but just "hanging out".

There were many there from Paul's family as well, many of Cheryl's friends and there was such a good spirit there. It was a grand happy occasion. Oh Paul put on a five course dinner for everyone and that was scrumptious.

It was one of those moments when we experienced joy and rejoicing in our posterity in fulfillment of scripture. Happy birthday Cheryl and we will not forget that one!

Love, Mom and Dad

REORGANIZATION OF SINGLE STAKES, I THINK I STILL HAVE A CALLING

Dear Family,

There has been a monumental reorganization in the church for young single adults. It has affected 90,000 LDS single adults in Davis and Salt Lake County and has been in the works for two years.

I attended a meeting in the Tabernacle for all leaders in the valley and it was packed. All University stakes were dissolved (also at BYU) and all current leaders were released.

The creation of twelve new stakes in Davis and Salt Lake County was announced withe the boundaries projected on a screen. Here is a shot of Elder Ballard giving a talk at the tabernacle. There were three such meetings in the Tabernacle to accommodate all the leaders in various areas.

There were then meetings announced for each stake and two weeks ago 12 stakes were organized simultaneously in Davis and Salt Lake Counties. There were General Authorities running all over the place.

I went to a meeting for the new Riverton Stake where the President I worked with was sustained as the new stake president. It was held in the institute building in West Jordan and I'll bet there were about two thousand young adults there. There were no seats and standing room only in the chapel and in the halls.

The new stake was created by flashing the boundaries on a screen and voted on. The new stake presidency was sustained. Then there were 11 wards created. The boundaries for one ward was splashed on the screen and then those who lived within those boundaries stood and met and sustained their new Bishop. This went on and on. There is even a Tongan single adult ward with a Tongan Bishop created. The new Stake Presidency spoke and that was it. So now there has been a great scrambling to staff and make leadership calls of all kinds to flesh out the wards and stakes.

I was wondering what would happen to my call as the University Stake was dissolved and we were all released. Pres. Plumb said I would go with him to the new stake and I have not heard anything since until last night when we were invited to speak in one of the new Singles wards, the Riverton first ward as the Stake Patriarch. So Mom and I will be going there in June when we get back from Arizona where Alexandra will be baptized.

This re-organisation will be a good thing for all those singles, the point of which is that they have opportunity to meet a potential spouse So great. I guess we will still be in business.

Love, Dad and Mom

OPENING BEAR LAKE, SECURITY TRIP

Dear Family,

Doug and his boys, Nate, Spence, Tom Tom and little 2 year old Izzzy, Mom and I drove up to St. Charles, ID to open our little farm next to Bear Lake for the coming season.When we arrived, the gate was open, (we never locked it) and as we drove into the driveway at 11:PM Doug said, "Hey the trailer is gone!"

Someone recently drove in there and stole our 16 foot covered trailer that had been sitting there for 10 years. It was full of recreational stuff that we stored there; the beach toys, boat accessories, Doug's chain saws etc. I suppose I should have secured it better but after all this is St. Charles Idaho where things are pretty safe. We called the police in Paris Idaho and they came down. They said with this economic turn down, they are experiencing more such activity up and down Highway 89 and around.

We got our "rock climbing mudder", the built 1975 Toyota FJ40 out of the garage and secured it to a stout tree with chains. Doug dug a hole in the front and we installed a huge post and a lock and chain for the front gate and changed the locks on the garage. See the picture of Spence and Nate in the tree with the chained down "Induna" vehicle.

Here is the spot where the trailer stood but I must say we have a better view of the beach.

There was a lot of fixing; the Propane people came and checked out the tank and made sure it was filled. We hung some trophy heads in the house, Mom never stopped cleaning (I guess we did not do such a great job when we closed last fall). We had a loud screeching apparatus which was successful in keeping the mice at bay during the winter.

We of course managed to have a blast with the kids and the ATV's. The back gates were open and we rode down to the edge of Bear Lake. The water was low, the beach sandy and solid and we scooted up and down the lake on the ATV's without any interference and of course it was too cold for Mosquitoes. Here is Doug, Izzy with the large helmet and Tom Tom at the beach.

We of course had the shooting chore at the end and set up targets for the kids and 22 rifles. Doug broke in my new muzzle loader and we indeed had a blast. It was fun to be there, sad that the place was violated but we had a great time and it is more secure. We hope as many of you will be able to enjoy the place this summer. We hope to plant some raspberry bushes along the north fence the next time up.

Love, Dad

OLIVIA'S BAPTISM

Dear Family,

We are currently having a lot of baptisms with the grand children and it was Olivia's turn last week. Here is a picture of Opa and Oma, Paul, Cheryl and little Olivia.

Can't believe she is eight already. When I was assigned to the Student Wards in Church, my assignment was the ward that Paul was the Bishop and we used to sit in the front and i could always watch Cheryl with her eight kids down in the first row. One time Olivia, then about three, coes arching up to the front, stood in front of me and said, "I be good in Church". She has been a doll all the time.

They had a Ward baptism in the Holladay ward on a Sunday. There were about five other kids and their families but each event was limited to the family and friends of the person being baptized. Paul's family with his Mom and Dad and many of his siblings with their children were there. Then there was our group with Paul H and kids, Emily and John and their kids. Rayanne and kids came up and there was Doug and his family. When they accounced it was Olivia's turn, most of the chapel got up and went to the baptistry.

Paul did the baptism, his Dad the confirmation and Mom and I said a few words. I commented that Olivia had over 120 first cousins and many were there. It was a sweet event and after we all went over to Cheryl and Paul where Chryl put on a good spread, It was a great get together.

Well I think that Spring has finally arrived. It stopped snowing last week. The very heavy snow in the mountains is beginning to melt and [people are afraid of flooding.

This is a view from our doorstep looking west. We are starting to plant things; we planted three grape vines where we had a bush and put up the support for the for when they grow.

Here is a view to the east fro our doorstep looking into the Wasatch range just up the street. It will be nice and green for a while. I can look up there in the evening and watch the deer feed. Some reflexes do not die. It is a gorgeous time of the year.

We go back to Michigan for a week for David's and Niko's baptism. So great!

We love you all...Mom and Dad