15 Feb 1985

Dear Grandma,

I got a letter from you today. It is always nice to get a letter from you. Keep writing. I appreciate knowing that you are doing well.

We hear that it is a very cold and snowy winter in the States this year. I hope you are keeping warm. The winter here has been warmer on the average than usual. However, the days it has been cold it has been much colder than normal for here. Last month they had the biggest snowfall here in a hundred years. It was also much colder than it had been in years. It was only in the 20's, but that is really cold here. The houses are not built for such cold weather. It got to 48 degrees in our house. Again this week it got real cold, but only for a couple of days.

I just got over pneumonia. How do I keep from getting this every year while I am here? This was the third time in a year and a half.

Jeannie is gone on a shopping trip to Northern Italy this week with a bunch of women. She has probably frozen on the trip as cold as it got in the north. She is returning tomorrow evening. I hope she hasn't spent all my money.

The kids and I have done just fine since she left. We got new tires put on Jeannie's car and got mine tuned up. Steven thought it was real neat to watch them change the tires. I have had to get up earlier so I could get the kids ready for school. One night I was on call and the kids spent the night with a family from church. It has been a little more hectic than usual around here and we will all be glad when Jeannie gets back home.

Steven normally goes to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this week he went four days. Angelique goes to the same school where there is also a kindergarten. She goes every day till noon. She is reading on a 5th or 6th grade level. Steven is beginning to read a few words. He can't figure out why we don't stop in Italy when he sees a stop sign. Also, it is very confusing to the kids that no one pays any attention to the red or green lights here.

I will mail this at the base tomorrow before the rates go up. I need to get the kids a sandbox while I am there. They have a real nice Care Bear one on the base. If I don't hurry up and get it, they will all be sold. Are you familiar with the Care Bears? The kids are crazy about them.

I am preaching once a month here. It is a much harder job than I had thought it would be. Also, I am presently teaching evolution and creation in the adult Sunday school class every week.

I am getting fed up with the military. I am enjoying my practice here though. It will still be better to be in private practice.

I am sending you a family tree chart printed by my computer. We have all been having fun with the computer. Even Steven knows where all the keys are.

Tell Joan and Bill and the rest of the Hills that I said hello. They are welcome to come see me. I wish you could come. You take care. We love you.

Love,

Michael, Jeannie,
Angelique, and Steven



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