Spring Comes to Huntsville

TThe natives tell us that Spring usually comes to Texas in the middle of February, but this has been a super unusual winter-much colder and longer than normal.  It is late, but it is absolutely gorgeous!  The wisteria makes our wisteria at home look pretty weak and malnourished.  The fields and freeway entrances are filled with wildflowers.  The bluebonnets are the state flower.  The Indian Paintbrush are so vibrant.  Our Branch President told his children for years that they were African Redtops until they were embarrassed in class using that name.  It reminds me of the inane questions Bob would ask when we were on road trips, ie: "what do you think that man's name is in the car next to us?" or while looking at Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, "Is that the tallest waterfall in any world?", before Neil could answer, our son, Jim said "you'd have to ask Maggie" implying that she would know about other worlds!  Aren't big brothers the best?

The Wisteria takes over the trees!

Little bright signs of Spring 

Campus is covered with Azalea bushes

African Redtops!

Vibrant green everywhere

One reason there are so many wildflowers is that Lady Bird Johnson made a big push to beautify Texas when she was first lady.  For several years, they would pass out free packets of flower seeds and just fling them randomly.  They bloom all over Texas.  They have little yellow tops to them and are very cute.

All of these flowers seemed to bloom overnight and were in full glory Conference morning.  We had a great gathering of students at Brother and Sister Ballew's house. (the other counselor in the Branch Presidency.  They live outside of town down a long National Forest road, so it was a beautiful drive on a misty morning.

Conference morning

Elder Rios on the sofa isn't really asleep!

Blue Bonnets