Memorial Day Weekend

We've had a memorable week. The weather continues to be unusual. We had several hours of snow on Monday morning which didn't last but it was a new record late storm. We've only had 4 "sunny" days in May so far. Hopefully Monday will be #5. We've had 2.6+ inches of rain this month, more than one-fourth of our entire year's total. Lawns and flowers look beautiful but the fruit crops have been seriously damaged because of frost and rain which prevented pollination by the bees.

Friday was our Temple and Research Day. We went to the Jordan River Temple in the morning then drove to Heber in the afternoon. We visited many of my family graves. My grandparents and all of their parents are buried in this cemetery as well as many of my uncles and aunts. The weather was really blustery. We visited with Ashley and Marie Bennett Fish who have moved back to her mother's home after 19 years in Washington State. They are retired but very busy with ward callings, etc. There are now four stakes in Heber. It was strange to see a road leading to a subdivision next to their home with lots of houses in the fields. I miss Rasband home and the landmark willow trees which have been removed. Paul Bennett also came by which was a treat. Paul and Karen have moved to Highland, Utah, from Salt Lake. Paul and Marie are Aunt Nellie Hicken Bennett's children. It was a delight to catch up on family news and reminisce. We put flowers on the graves in Sandy later that day.

Saturday we celebrated Kira's first birthday which was on Wednesday, May 25. It was too cold to be outside but we had a delicious barbecue inside. Julie and Jason Burningham, John and I were there from the Rogers side and most of Kim's family was there so it was very nice. Afterwards we went to Jerry Garner's home and got visit with Jan who just returned from work. He has built some interesting structures in his yard--the cat house, the chicken coop, and the glassed in gazebo. We enjoy Kim's family very much. We are grateful for the fine families who raised the marvelous people who married our children. They are all remarkable.

Keith's work will be closing its office in Draper in two months so he is looking for another job. He has excellent qualifications as a software engineer. Julie is looking for a position in either Utah or Salt Lake Valley in as much as Jason will be teaching in Lehi. She will have a master's degree in instructional media as well as a current teaching certificate. We look forward to spending Monday afternoon with Julie and Jason.

Mark, Kristilyn, Grant and James are in San Jose, California, this weekend visiting with Mark's family. What a nice get-away for them.

Melody and Brandon have signed papers so that they can move into their own condo on July 1, 2010. They will have three bedrooms. We're looking forward to their blog with pictures. Brandon is studying 14 hours a day for his medical exams at the end of June.

On family weekends like this we especially miss Mike's, Melody's, and Katrina's families who live so far away. We hope that they all are well and are finding joy in each day even with their stuggles and challenges.