December 26, 1979 Little Rock, Arkansas Dearest Ron, Ann & Susanna;

We appreciated your call this morning Ron so much - we have talked and talked about you and wondered what your Christmas was like. We're really thrilled you were with the Crawfords and Carolyn & Gerald and their families. We feel so bad that you haven't been able to move into your home - isn't it hard to depend on other people? This will be a Christmas you will remember forever and I 'm sure it has been a happy one even though you've been frustrated!!!

We are having a wonderful holiday - having Jeannie, Rick and Ricky here is like Heaven!!!! Ricky is SO good and SO darling-he just sits and coos and smiles and will go to anyone and be happy. He makes us homesick for Susanna because she is equally darling and fun to be around. Roy is even enjoying Ricky and it's good for him to know what babies are like.

I absolutely love the spool holder - that will be the biggest help in my sewing room - I have had little "dinky" ones before but this one is simply marvelous. What a thoughtful, thoughtful gift and Claire loves hers too. You are a doll Annie to have them made for us. Roy feels so adult and more a part of the family to receive gifts like everyone else - the "pump a drink" like the Weinerts from the Woolleys and the raisins and chocolate chips like ours and Bob & Claires from the Weinert she was thrilled.

Your UPS gift to Bob & Claire hasn't arrived yet but they don't mind.

Daddy gave me the neatest thing - a magnifying lamp for doing handwork - particularly my "Oriental Rug". You wouldn't believe the difference it makes - I can see what I'm doing where before I was guessing!!! He also gave me a bathrobe but I saw the charge slip and it was $90 so I'm taking it back. Annie - do you remember that beautiful robe you gave me about 5 years ago? I have never enjoyed anything so much as that.

Roy really wanted a good camera so he picked it out. We got it at the Photo Shop and they weren't sure they could get it for us in time but they called on Christmas Eve and said it was there-we told him it hadn't come in yet so he was surprised and really happy. We gave Jeannie an eye set like yours and a pantsuit (I'm afraid the pantsuit fits a little tight with her pregnancy but she says she doesn't want to take it back). Rick got some sweater shirts like Ron’s.

We gave Claire a mix master and Bob some sweater shirts. They have had a portable mixer and it's about worn out so they were happy. All in all we had so much fun. Gift giving is getting too expensive for all you kids and let's think about drawing names next year - I really worry about Christmas being a burden and I hope it won't be.

Johnny is really thrilled with his record - he sold his last dog a couple days before Christmas and that money was to go to Roy to pay for the stereo so now that is officially Johns. He is getting an interest in music - he loves the "Bee Gees" too!!! We had renewed his subscription to Field and Stream so I was relieved that you hadn't done that - he has loved that magazine. You always do such thoughtful things and we love you so much!!!

The "guys" have had a blast duck hunting - we're having gorgeous weather - cold and dry and SO pretty. They leave at 3 in the morning and as I hear them leave I say a little prayer of thankfulness that I'm a girl. Roy doesn't go with them - he gets his kicks other ways!!!

Roy & Bob have really enjoyed comparing notes and cadavers. They really love each other and it's wonderful having them in the same field.

Thank you so much for your wonderful gifts, your phone calls and everything - we have missed you so much but surely understand why you couldn't be with us - wish we could help you move.

Lots and lots of love,

Dad XO, Mom XO, John XO, Roy XO, Jean XO, Rick XO, Ricky XO, Bob XO and Claire XO.

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December 16, 1979 Little Rock, Arkansas