7/4/21 Family Letter

 Hello There

I've been working so much that my last paycheck was over $400. I've been trying to plan a date to go see quiet place 2, but Logan has been struggling to ask someone for whatever reason and I'm struggling to find another double. I learned a crazy new dance for MDT, and I'm still a little sore. That's all that's happened to me, but I want to hear from you. Is there always something to do?

Love ya

Hyrum

HEY!!!

Summer is a PARTY!!!

This week I...

-went to the lake with yw It was a PARTY! Mom was one of the drivers!

- I went to the Riverton town days carnival with Cece, Ryan Horner and his little sister! 

-Happy fourth! We watched fireworks on the roof, went to the Levers for a swim, and went to the parade.

-I had a sleepover with Sam. We slept out on the tramp.

- I went swimming with Emma barker. We hung out all day!

- My friend group and I hung out this week and painted each other's nails( the guys too) It was awesome! Then we went to mavrick to get soda. 

 Can't wait to hear how your week has gone!

- Mari Barlow

Sweet Eve,

We can't wait to hear how your time on Mount Rushmore has been.  I wish we could've worked out coming to visit you while you were there. I was seriously ready to jump in the van and start driving until Dad spoke reason and logic to me.  I would love to take the family back later so you can show us around.  It's a good thing we stayed home because Joey has been very afraid and clingy because of the fireworks.  Poor puppy!  The fireworks just started up again.  Dad took Joey to the basement to try to help him calm down. Dad and Joey are watching a show really loud so he can't hear the fireworks.

Tonight we got word that our neighbors, the Checkett's (on Trestle Ln) dog, Zelda, jumped their fence and ran away because he got scared from the fireworks.  The Checketts are out of town in South Carolina and had a grandma dog-sitting.  They are so sad and feeling helpless because they can't go look for their dog.  In an effort to help the Checketts, Mari and I hopped in the van and took a drive around the adjacent neighborhoods, but no luck. I didn't think we would find Zelda, but at least we had to try. 

As Mari mentioned, I got to be a driver/extra YW leader for their lake day!  It was so wonderful to visit with the girls and leaders.  I LOVE YW!  Those girls have no clue just how amazing they are!  I'm sure Heavenly Father looks at us and says, "If only you knew just how AMAZING you are and who you could become!" Danielle Cook was the other leader in the van with me.  She was our navigator but kept forgetting to watch the maps/turnoffs.  When we were almost to Wyoming, we realized that we had gone the wrong way.  We eventually got to the lake.  Our vanload was just laughing and thought it was a grand adventure!  I'm not sure the rest of the YW didn't think we were funny because we had all their dinners in our van!

My big things this week have been:

#1 Painting doors/replacing door knobs and hinges.  We updated from the brass to a brushed nickel.  Mom and Larry came and helped one of the days.  It was very kind of them!

#2 Violin shopping!  I have a couple of violins on loan for a week.  I found a beautiful one that sings/cries to me.  It was made in the 1920's or '30's in Germany by Hermann Geipel.  It is a $10k violin but they are willing to go down to $8k.  I need a new bow too.  Would you believe that a good bow costs $1100?  Well, after playing one of these bows, I can't go back.  Dad has budgeted enough money for this and told me that this is what he expected me to spend.  This, after all, is my upgraded violin that will last me the rest of my life.  This violin is so beautiful that it almost plays itself.  I love how it sounds, but also how the fingerboard feels.  The curvature is perfect for my hand.  I have a few more shops to try, to make sure.  I hope to make a decision by the end of the week. Dad is so good to me

I hope you have a marvelous week!  If you can, please get a picture of "Crazy Horse".  I would love to see the progress.  When I was little, and visited Mount Rushmore, they had just blasted the hole under the Indian's arm.  I wonder if it looks like it's supposed to.  I'll try to send a picture of it from my little-girl scrapbook.

We love you so much!

 Mom

Millie,

I hope your time on the Mount has been refreshing and productive.  Mom got the text the member sent from the Mount.  I have been thinking about Jim Gaffigan's bit he does about Mount Rushmore.  His kids are expecting the statues to blink or something.

Our July 4th has been a traditional celebration.  We went to the parade and wondered why we still do that.  We went to the Levers and swam in a pool that was very warm and not refreshing.  We tried to keep the puppy away from the fireworks.  He has struggled for a few days now.  I took him to the basement when the fireworks started in earnest. He had an accident down there.  He is currently curled at my feet while we have a few stragglers who are struggling to burn and blow up their money in a timely manner.  

I took the day off on Friday to help your Mom with the doors and hardware project.  It is a good thing I did as even with my help we were working into the evening.  We painted the doors and swapped out the hinges and handles.  We purchased different hardware than we are replacing which requires me to cut into the doors to make everything fit.  We are not done with the project.  Tomorrow is a market holiday so I have that day off and will get the project completed.  We are getting serious with the fireplace and carpet replacement on the main level.  We should have it done by this Summer.

Your Mom finally went out looking for a new violin.  She was considering working on the door project but I convinced her to take the day off.  She has been very busy.  She did not know what to do with her time so I suggested she find her new friend.  She was very nervous before she left.  It was like she was going on a blind date.  She was out shopping for a new friend.  I think she fell in love with a new German friend.  She has a few more places she wants to shop at.  We will see what she ends up with.  I'm excited for her.  She is overdue for a new violin.

Soak up your time on the Mount. It should be a good change of pace and a way to recharge.  We are excited to hear about your new Mission President.  It will be interesting to see what they change over time.  Keep doing your part and God will make up the rest.  We are very proud of you! 

Love,

Dad

D&C 75:4-5