July 6, 1980 Sunday
Dearest Ron, Ann, Susanna & Jessie; Rick, Jean, Ricky & Barbara Jean; and Roy:
Wow!!! What a salutation!!!
We have all been in Heaven this week with the birth of Jeannie & Ricks' little baby girl - in fact, I still can't believe it - what a wonderful blessing and one richly deserved!!! I called everyone I could think of and everyone is so thrilled for you. We're so thrilled that you're home now Jeannie and everything is going well - we hope you'll get lots of rest because you'll need to be good and strong to keep up with little Ricky. He is going fifty thousand miles an hour all day long and pulling himself up to everything and I'll bet he's walking in a month. We think he lost a little weight - he doesn't eat very much cereal, potatoes or his formula but he loves meat, the other vegetables and fruit and he's in perfect health and he's so active. We put his crib down in the utility room where he would be cooler and the other day I heard this noise and went to investigate and he was standing in his crib pulling all my spools of thread off that thread holder you gave me Ann - he was so proud of himself!!! We're really enjoying him and I'm already worrying about how much I'll miss him - I'll bet you're going crazy Jean & Rick!!! He loves to be outside with Grandpa - they water the lawn and play with Hans.
Tomorrow is the Woolley's third anniversary - congratulations on all your accomplishments and especially your happiness. I know you won't get our card on time - I forgot about the 4th of July being a holiday and the mail wasn't picked up.
We have thought about you this weekend while you have been in Jerome - I can't imagine anything more fun for you and especially for little Susanna being with her little cousins and all - I'll bet she had a ball. I'm sure Beverly, Russell & Agnes we're all surprised to see how much Jessie had grown - who do they think she looks like? We're anxious to hear about the reunion and everything. Annie - did you get your sock dolls made - would you like me to bring some fabric scraps for dresses? I'm so glad to have mine done - we're going to make them in Relief Society but I don't know when. I have felt bad about taking up your whole day with that!!! Your hair sounds cute - I love my permanent!!!
Roy - you probably won't get this letter!!! (He's going to leave on the 10th to come home and will visit Ty on the way)._ We're so happy you're coming home but I wish you weren't driving by yourself - that really worries me and we hope you'll stop at night - Daddy and I keep each other awake. We loved your long and newsy letter - it sounds like you have really fixed your room up nice. You WON'T like our weather - we have compared ours to Rhode Island and you have had beautiful weather. We are really having a heat wave. We closed off the upstairs and live in the bottom part of the house and it's very comfortable - I don't like Arkansas in the Summer!!!
John was at Scout Camp all last week and he came home yesterday with a 102 degree temperature and a bad ear infection. The doctor sent some penicillin, ear drops and Emperin #3 with codeine. John said they went swimming in a stagnant lake and I'm sure that's where he got it. Daddy & Ricky & I went for their family night and it was so hot and humid it was like being in a hot shower all night. The Order of the Arrow Scouts put on their program and Ricky loved it - in fact, he loved the whole thing and especially the chocolate chip cookies the kids gave him - sorry about that!!!
Bob & Claire left yesterday - they were really nervous about getting to the airport on time but Daddy got them there okay. They come home July 20th - they called us from Chicago because they had given us the wrong time. Their home is really nice and they're so thrilled with it.
Daddy & Ricky & I went to the Beyer's condominium for dinner Thursday night - it is really a gorgeous place!!! They rent it out during the racing season and live in it during the Summer months so they can swim, boat, etc. They really have a bonanza the Government bought their home for use as a park but gave them a 99 year lease on it and they have to pay about $1 a month - ridiculous!!! They cooked steak, corn on the cob, salad, sherbet and fruit - it was really good. Steve and Aillene and their 2 little girls were there - their youngest was 1 year last week so she and Ricky had fun.
Mary Climer Beaver's husband was killed in an automobile accident a month ago - so sad!!!
There's more news but my hand is tired. We sure do love all of you - we plan to leave here the evening of July 20th, and Chris & Wayne will come with us but in their own car.
Please be careful in all you do.
Lots of love,
Dad XO, Mom XO and John XO