Twenty dozen. Richard drove halfway around the world without getting wet once. If you check out Google maps, you’ll see what a feat that is. He stopped just outside the nation’s capital but goes inside most days. Halfway up the mountain was good enough for a first try, and the trees really are tall. The roof is also a lot taller than it used to be, the lawn doesn’t need mowing, and the pool is shared with any number of his closest friends. At least he doesn’t have to clean it or worry about a bear taking a swim with him, but there was the Binjabed Man. He hasn’t exercised in about 203 years, but he keeps saying he will start again soon. If you lose a ton on your house, you don’t have as much to lose elsewhere. We’ll see if he dies first or becomes an expert. When the kids are all gone, there isn’t as much to write about, but who advises him on his wardrobe?
2012. Richard took a new job at an economics consulting firm in Washington DC beginning the end of January and drove back to NJ most weekends until August when the house was finished and sold (big loss) and Rochelle moved down to DC to join him. They are living in a nice hi-rise apartment building for the time being just outside the District in Arlington, VA. The commute on the Metro is wonderful and a nice shopping mall is just across the street so XMAS shopping is pretty easy. He and Rochelle went to visit Arrin's in laws this summer and they took him biking halfway up Mount Diablo. He didn't die, but will someday. Harper and family enjoyed coming to the building to swim in the pool and otherwise enjoy the amenities while their house was under construction in advance of their sale - more below. Driving on the weekends put him in a sedentary habit that he hasn't shaken yet. The new job is good, but his first gig as a testifying expert ended with the client winning the case before he testified. Harper provided frequent insightful commentary on his clothing before moving away. Once when I walked into her house wearing a new shirt, Harper (then about 2 1/2) looked up and said, "nice shirt Grandpa." I was impressed.
Rochelle didn’t kill or do bodily harm to anyone but herself, but she was tempted. At least we sold the house before Sandy came to visit. She vows never to do that again. Irene and previous visitors left enough of an impression. The basement was cleaned out, the leftovers were sold on the webbernet, and it was full time grandma for a about a quarter until Hanna called and took them all away. Does she want a house? If so, where? Does she want to sing or cook again? She can barely resist the temptation to eat those greens before the go into the machine thing. The party was the most fun she had all year, and then there was that guy without a head in the magazine that could also play the drums. The pomp was sufficient for the circumstance, and there weren’t leftovers to take out in the snow.
Rochelle spent much of the year overseeing yet another remodeling project with many frustrations with our builder and subcontractors. A project that was supposed to start in July (2011) and end before Christmas, began in September (2011) and came to a merciful end in July (2012) just in time to put the house on the market. At least we finished with the same contractor we started with - small consolation. We will not undertake a major remodel again. The hurricaines and other storms that came through during the year proficed interesing opportunities to serve others and to see the destructive power of nature. She was glad we were gone before Sandy came along. After spending most of her life downsizing - selling and giving away much of the stuff that fills a big house - selling the house in August and moving to the Arlingotn, VA to join Richard in a 2 BR apartment, she spent a lot of time being grandma to Rachel's kid(s). Shortly after arriving in Arlington, however, she learned that Rachel and Shiloh were going to be moving to Montana. She was sad that day. Now she tries to decide whether to buy a house or stay in an apartment, whether to eat food or drink vegetable juice, whether to sing or dance like a psychotic. Earlier in the year, in addition to doing the house, she did the wedding planner thing for Arrin and Marcus. Multiple venues, but it was a lot of fun, and better planned (especially the weather) than Rachel's SLC reception so not so much food left over.
Rachel got a Ram Sam Sam now to go with the Binjabed Man. Oh, Shiloh got a call from Hanna so away they ran from the grandparents. Probably because they wouldn’t adopt the dog. The Ram and Harp are pretty entertaining. The Harp can’t get Rochelle to guess what, but she knows when her birthday is and last we heard, she wants to go home now. The Ram eats and grows, is sparing with words, but does get that goolie goolie type look on his face from time to time. Rapunzel and Eugene got some candy, but the hair was itchy.
July 5 Rachel gave birth to Samuel Frederick Allen. Sam and Harper (the Binjabed Man is Harper's version of Gingergread Man - long story). Shortly after the grandparents relocated, Shiloh got an opportuinty to transfer to Montana, which he (and Rachel) obviously accepted. Harper is learning to tell jokes, pretty funny. She just turned 3. Sam still looks kind of goofy, like most baby boys do, but in a charming way. He's tall and eats much. Wants to stand, but not yet. Harper is in love with all things princess. She has several, of which her favorite seems to be Rapunzel, whom she dressed up like for Halloween. Euguene is a useful tag along. The kids are very entertaining. The parents are good too, but not nearly as interesting to talk about. They live in Great Falls Montana; we don't.
Chris spent the summer flying the alphabet. The rest of the year, he did other stuff, like played with his dogs, typed on a computer, talked to people and ate bread. Working on the railroad, working all day long, working, working, working, working, working, working, working! Pancakes cooked in cabbage juice, those guys just think it’s swell, but if you ever eat the stuff, you’ll think you’ve gone to Toledo. Which football team is really better, U or Y? Does he know Tommy Smothers and e-commerce? What’s the negotio?
Chris is now in the second year of his MBA at the U of Utah. He had an interesting summer internship at a financial holding company. He adopted a second dog, worked hard at school and at the internship and worked and worked more. In addition to the official student duties, he worked on some volunteer things that have benefited the university and community, and he put together a football game between U of U and BYU MBAs. If I recall, the red won, and there was typical pleasantness and good sportsmanship on all sides - did you ever see a church basketball game? The first game ended (2011?); that was good. The second (2012) was snowed out - at least until it could be rescheduled. He has an intersting idea for starting a new business. We're all excited to see his enthusiasm and anxious to see how it goes!!!
Arrin became a Barton, but not a Dumb one. She crosses that bridge when she gets to it. Riding to the top of the mountain in the rain, not the chocolate type. Why doesn’t Marcus have a head in that picture? Is that really her father’s daughter? That’s what being an econ major will do for you. How’s the sour dough out there? Is there anytime to play in the sun after the work is done? Seems not so much. She always did want to go to Crete, but the rattlesnake wasn’t part of the plan. She made the party lots of fun for all.
March 23, Arrin married Marcus Barton and relocated with him to the Bay Area after graduation (she in Econ) from BYU in the spring. She works in Palo Alto and he in San Jose or San Francisco depending on what is going on at the firm he works for. She drives across various Bay Area bridges from time to time. Do you know their names? One of them is the Dumbarton Bridge. She rode to the top of Mount Diablo in a driving rain storm, she was put on the cover of the BYU Bridal Guide - quite a nice glossy photo - greatly resembling her father : ), who thought she ought to be on the cover of the Econ Department Magazine too : ). She works very hard and long hours. Her parents wonder if they would be able to do it if they were her. They had a nice honeymoon cruise and she was attacked by a baby rattlesnake outside the in-laws' house - thank goodness for thick jeans, which saved her from being bit. And she made the wedding reception(s) a ton of fun for all.
Ben is in the burbs of Sin City. He’s not oldest, and not youngest, so kind of like older the way the dragon was named. He wears a tie, he carries books and doesn’t get paid. Learning a lot and helping people is a great deal. He appears to love what he’s doing, and so do we. Snail mail occasionally, email most of the time. Give us another year or so and a couple of phone calls.
Ben is serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) in the Nevada, Las Vegas mission. We get weekly email updates and occasional letters. He is having a wonderful experience. We're all happy for that and look forward to talking to him on Christmas day.
