Heidi & Trace Allen (Dick)

May 3, 2009
LaVerkin, UT


Dear Family,

Tracey had her final Orchestra/Symphony concert this week and also her region competition. They qualified to go to State this year. They played really well at the concert. I love it when the entire symphony plays together for the last song. The percussion, woodwinds and brass add so much to the depth of the music.

We enjoyed a visit from Dad and Adam this weekend. Adam flew into Salt Lake on Friday night, then he and Dad drove down to Southern Utah. There was a marathon and two college graduations going on, so they had trouble finding a hotel room. They ended up arriving about 4 a.m. at a bed and breakfast in Rockville that Colleen has stayed at. It was really hard to find on the dark, unfamiliar road. The slept in a little, then came over for a late breakfast. We visited for a while and gave Adam the grand tour of our house. This was his first time here. We moved to LaVerkin while he was on his mission. We went to Sam’s soccer game in St. George, then out to dinner. Ethan had fun playing video games and card games with Adam. Later, Adam and the boys made a short movie together with Sam’s video camera. I (Heidi) had two small appearances. It was a story about the last three peanuts in the world – Adam was the villain, Sam was the cameraman (his hand had a brief appearance – on purpose), Ethan was a Ninja and Andrew was a tough guy. It was pretty funny. We had a little birthday party for Dad and Adam before they headed to a different hotel. They came over again for breakfast this morning before heading to points North. Hopefully, they were able to see Jordan on their way up and will find an opportunity for Adam to see Glenn’s family before he heads home on Tuesday morning. We’re hoping to see Adam again when we go to California around Memorial Day.

Trace’s older brother passed away peacefully in his home on April 21 after a two year battle with esophageal cancer. We are grateful that we (Trace, Heidi and Andrew) had a chance to see him during our spring break in mid-March. His funeral or “celebration of life” was on Saturday, April 25 in Corona del Mar, California. It was interesting to be part on a non-LDS service. The facilitator did a good job, kept it very positive and asked everyone to remember what they were grateful for. All three of the siblings, a friend and niece and nephew spoke and shared memories at the service. It was very well attended – over 150 people. Yo had a lot of friends. His wife, Carol, was very strong. I didn’t see her cry. She also has a big support group of family and friends. We had a nice luncheon afterward near the beach and had the chance to visit more with family. Trace was there for almost a week. I brought the kids down Friday afternoon and came home Sunday.

I won the grand prize in Bunco last month and it wasn’t for low score this time. It was a big black frame from Tai Pan Trading (great store!) with space for three 8 x 10 pictures that says “Life’s Little Blessings.” If I win again next moth, people are going to start wondering if I’m “fixing” the game somehow.

Tracey finally decided on Utah State and was able to get into the housing she wanted. She has to go up in late July for SOAR (orientation and registration). The freshmen also go up a week before school starts for more detailed orientation and activities. She doesn’t know many other people going up, but she’ll have a chance to make lots of new friends. Wish her luck on her AP tests over the next few weeks.

Happy Birthday wishes this month to my Dad, Grandpa, Adam and Russell. Good luck to Diane & Boyd and SandyKay & Cy as they start fresh chapters in their lives in new places.

Love,
Trace, Heidi & kids