First Report

April 17, 2008, Thursday
Some more info on the continuing saga of the New Zealand visa application. The Church travel office returned our applications because we failed to include three photos' each that needed over-signatures from the doctor, blood drawer, and the x-ray technician. There were also some other omissions I won’t go into. We hope to get this all done today.
This is a different community than we left in Salem. It is a town that has homes beginning in the 400,000s and up. They all have neighborhood fees that pay for common lawns and open spaces, playgrounds, and sports and fitness facilities. We have four fitness facilities to choose from. Each has its own advantage, such as the one we go to has a better indoor pool while another has a better outdoor pool. It is fun to watch the “beautiful people” do their thing.
The neighborhoods for the most part are very quiet except for the houses that butt up against the parkways. We hear no boom boxes or loud exhaust. While there are Asians living here everyone else seems to be European. They are not snobbish though, one neighbor parks his mazirotti in his driveway 24-7 and others park in the street just like at home. The only Hispanic’s we see are the cleaning lady, the landscapers in the back yard and the garbage men.
On the 11th Jenni & Rob left on vacation to Hawaii. Rob’s mother and Sister came from Utah to help us with the children. We took them all to church last Sunday (13th) and it went pretty well. That afternoon we went to Jeff & Chris’s to see their new home. Saturday I went with Rob’s family to a large sports outfitter in North east Denver. It was very interesting as they had some wonderful big game displays, furniture for the hunting cabin, etc. as well as large departments of various sportsmen’s gear.
Monday & Tuesday I went to the fitness center and worked out a short time. It is taking some time to acclimatize myself to this altitude. It is a very modern facility with new equipment. Much different than the “Golds Gym back home. I have gone three times so far this week.
On Tuesday we (3 children, GM Allen, Aunt Wendy, and us) went on a long hike up to a promontory at 6310 ft. That was a real feat for me as I am not used to this altitude. It was very warm and very windy and we all got sunburned. On Wednesday it cooled off and snowed 4”. I had to go over to the doctors office to get some more things done with regards to the visa and had to keep the slush off the windshield. The heat from the defroster burned my poor sunburned ears. What a climate. 80 degree weather one day and snow the next.
One interesting thing happened earlier. Grandma Allen and Wendy left for the temple around 12:45 pm and intended to attend the 2:00 pm session. About 5:30 I noticed they were not back yet and the temple is only 15 minutes away. I thought they may have wanted some time together and went for something to eat. Five minutes later she called. They were lost. I guess the snow had disoriented her. She told me where she was but I had no idea how to help her but fortunately my gps was in the van and I explained how to use it and 45 minutes later they were home.
April 18, Friday
I went and picked up Jenni & Rob at the airport. They were in pretty bad shape after an all night flight. Rob had to work this afternoon. We finally got word that our visa application was received and complete. That is a relief. It will take 3 weeks to get approved but if we have something they don’t like it may take as much as 6 months.
After Zach got home from school I took him and Chase to the park to play. Two funny things happened at that park yesterday and today. Yesterday it was cold but Zach still wanted to go to the park. The snow was melted by then so I said ok. After a short time I encouraged him to go down a slide. I was on the platform with him and he decided to go down one that was a curved covered tube. As I waited for him to come out a large quantity of slush preceded his exit. You should have seen his face and the squeal that came out of his mouth. That quickly ended that play time.
As we were leaving the park today Zach went to the rest room which is an outhouse type facility with brick walls and plenty of vents. All of a sudden you could hear in a very loud but on pitch voice, “Oh How Lovely was the Morning.” That is his current favorite song. Previously it was “I Believe in Christ”. Zach is 9 and suffers from Cerebral Palsy and Autism. He presents a lot of challenges but what a joy he brings.