April brings HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to Christopher, Paul, and Christa. The two younger ones turned 19, and Paul had a happy birthday, too. The dear guy brought me a beautiful bouquet as a "thank you for getting him borned". His brother John took over Paul's regular shift at History House, saying nobody should have to work on their birthday. Wasn't that nice? When Paul left here, he was on his way home where J. R. had come over from Silverdale and the rest of his family would be showing up soon.

    Heather and baby Skyler are visiting from Maryland for a few days. Hildy and Dan brought them down to spend the day with us. It was wonderful to actually get to hold that precious baby. G-Gpa Vern had a great time hoisting him up in the air by his middle and telling him what a wonderful baby he is! Skyler responded by doing his bobble-head act to show he was really enjoying the roughhouse and to keep it coming.
     He sure is a little cutie and was very good all the time they were here. When he began to rub his nose with the back of his hand and look a little sleepy, Gramma Hildy took him and he dropped right off to sleep and stayed asleep after he was put onto a blanket on the floor.
     We have been kept up to date on his changes thanks to e-mail and digital pictures, but I must say, the real thing is a whole lot better! He is darling. We will get to see them again before they go home, I'm sure. We are proud to be his G-Gma and G-Gpa.

    Russ will be getting his degree in Outdoor Services on May 7, in Gunnison, Colorado. Ryan and his Mom will fly down together and Dave and Anne plan to drive... then go on from there to see the beautiful canyon country of Utah. I've been wanting some of the family to see it as Vern and I did several years ago. Most remarkable. John and Nan saw some of it when they were at Lake Powell a couple of years ago.
     Vern and I were at Bryce Canyon in mid-winter and I'll never forget those fantastic red rock formations frosted with snowy white! Looked like a giant strawberry shortcake with gobs of whipped cream.

    Jeremy is doing a wiring job in Las Vegas, but will fly home to do a gig with his musical group, then fly back to finish the job! Wonderful timing. He will be here to see his sister and the baby before they go home, again.

    Nan and Carolyn are getting closer to their trip to Wales. They have built up quite an e-mail web with Welsh people living in the area where Carolyn's great grandparents lived. They are to the point where they are doing a count-down of the remaining days!

    Our old friend, Odd, left us on Friday, April 22. He was Vern's oldest friend. They met when they were four years old and lived near each other on Sunset Hill. They went to different grade schools, but both went to Ballard High School.
     Later, he and his wife Ruth were favorite friends of both of us. Their daughter, Meridee and our son John shared a playpen as babies.
     Odd outlived Ruth by many years, but he never gave up being friends of ours.... dropping by for a visit quite often, right up until a few weeks ago. It's hard to say Goodbye.

Odd and our kitty, Princess
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    Many of the members of our family will be involved in the "clean-up" day at History House's Sculpture Garden. Ex-firefighter Dan will be in charge of the Girl Scouts of Gwen's group who will be cleaning and polishing the grand, old fire truck that is being stored in the courtyard awaiting shipment to the Russian state of Georgia. The huge orca sculpture will get a bath as will tables and chairs. Plantings will be tidied and the "brick" flooring cleaned.
     Paul has built a stage and there will be Music in the courtyard every Sunday afternoon, starting May 1, under the direction of Michael Guthrie, who has rounded up musician friends to supply the music. Michael, himself, plays guitar and mandolin and sings. He entertained at one of the "grand openings" for one of the neighborhoods' exhibits at History House and we enjoyed his music very much, so are looking forward to the concerts.

Dixie-Dorothea, Senior Editor

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