September 13, 1980 Little Rock, Arkansas

Dearest Ron, Ann, Susanna & Jessie; Rick, Jean, Ricky & Barbara Jean; and Roy;

It's been another hot day in Arkansas - it was a little cloudy and we thought maybe we'd get some rain but it cleared up - the farmers are really losing a lot of money - we are about 11 inches below normal of rain and so many trees in the woods are dead. There's a joke going around - the Lord is punishing Arkansans with this long, hot and dry Summer because we worship idols - the hogs!!! Ha!!!

We just talked to Jeannie and we feel so bad that Ron missed the experience of taking Susanna through her first Fair. The Weinerts and Woolleys met in Salt Lake to go to the State Fair but before the Weinerts got there Ann went in to meet them at the designated place and left Ron to fix the headlights. Somehow they got mixed up on where they were to meet and they finally found Ron back at the car at 11 p.m. after the fair. Ron reminds me so much of Daddy - can't waste time waiting for people when he could be fixing his car. The fair sounded fun though.

Roy - how's school coming? We think about you all the time and hope everything is going great!!! I taught 3rd grade at Fulbright for a Mr. Stanton Strauss - he had taken the day off to celebrate the Jewish New Year (or something) - I'll bet he was related to Tripp. Are you learning a lot in your "diagnostic" classes?

We have loved your letters Annie - I wish you would write them in ink though so we could save them for your journal - the little things Susanna is saying are so precious and Jean told us that she calls you Ann and her Daddy, Ronnie - I'll bet that cracks you up. We would love to spoil little Jessie even more than she is - she's so cuddly!!

We would love to see little Ricky walking too - don't let him grow up too fast before we get out there. We're dying to see a picture of little Barbara Jean too - where would the blue eyes come from? Rick's are brown aren't they?

We had our Stake Party Friday night in Hot Springs at the Beyer' s condominium - it was a big success and everyone who came had a wonderful time. We planned for about 80 and we had 52 - we couldn't believe the people who didn't respond to the invitation. Daddy barbecued chicken and it was just delicious. We had people bring baked beans, potato salad, French bread, relishes and cookies. We furnished the chicken and watermelon and cantaloupe. We wanted to have it next Saturday so people could come early and swim and play tennis - Ann Cobb said she wouldn't support it then because the Relief Society Leadership meeting was that morning she said they would support it on the 12th so we changed it even though Friday was a bad day for everyone else - as soon as the invitations had been mailed she called to regret because of a New York Life picnic the next day - there's a problem there!!! Bob and Claire took John to the movie and then came and stayed with him 'til we got home - it was after midnight!!!

The Powers just came to visit for a little while - they brought us the cutest "forget me not" gifts - a counted cross stitch picture about retirement for Daddy and an embroidery floss holder thing for me. They are moving to San Antonio as soon as they get their home sold here - we're going to have a "going away party" for them here so I hope they don't sell their home for awhile. I need more time.

Roy & Maxine Bass have been here this week and Dorothy had a neighborhood get together for them - it was fun to see everyone again.

We sure do love all of you and really do miss you - let us know if we can help you in any way.

Lots of love,

Dad XO, Mom XO and John XO

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