May 24, 1981
Little Rock, Arkansas

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

We just came home from our meeting and had lunch - Daddy wants to go to the Riverfest in a few minutes so I'll get my letter ready to mail on the way. "Riverfest" has turned into quite a celebration in Little Rock - it's at that park on the river and there all kinds of activities and concession booths selling things - they run a shuttle bus from various places so there won't be a traffic jam. Today is the last day for it - I believe it goes for four days. It's been more successful this year and I think it's because the weather has been so cool.

Annie - thank you so much for those adorable pictures of Susanna and Jessie - Susanna couldn't be any more like you were at that age and little Jessie didn't want her picture taken did she???? We're so anxious to see them because we can tell they have grown since April.

Jeannie - we loved you phone call and we laughed and laughed - Claire and Bob just happened to be here and they loved it too. We can just imagine what your days are like - as you say, "musical babies" - one up and one down constantly but it does get better and when Barbara Jean is three you will have it made because they will be such good friends just like Susanna and Jessie and you won't have to import friends.

Roy - we have thought so much about you because you have probably been moving and that's tough job. We hope you are all settled by now and that you like this place as well as you have your other one. Next week you start your big exams - ugh!!!! We will keep our fingers crossed all week. You go to Alabama on June 13th for four weeks and we hope so much that will be a happy experience for you - after that we hope you will be able to get an Air Force plane and come to Utah - wouldn't that be wonderful???? I have a feeling you would like to go to Hawaii to see Trip - I surely wouldn't blame you if you could possibly swing it. You will come to Little Rock too, won't you?? This will be a crazy Summer for you.

Bob and Claire are fine and they're getting excited for their baby - Claire played the piano for church this morning and she does a good job. Bob has tomorrow off and so does Johnny so they are going fishing with Daddy - they're trying to locate a trailer for their new boat (it didn't come with a trailer) so the can go to Hot Springs. Daddy and Johnny fished at Lake Maumelle all day yesterday and caught a few bream but that's all. They have a bass tournament at lake Quachita all week and Johnny has been dying to go over there and fish.

I am really looking forward to a vacation tomorrow - I am going to do some house cleaning - I don't believe we have vacuumed our house for two weeks and if you remember we used to do that at least once a week and most often daily. Daddy has spent the past two weeks redoing our home here that we have been renting - he has completely repainted it inside and out and cleaning the carpets and next week he is going to fix the carport - he has to take a section of the cement out and have some more brought in. We have given it to Lee Gibson and Dave Gonce to try to sell -it's just been a pain in the neck to have it rented for six months and then have to repaint and everything - anyway, Daddy took the vacuum over there so I had an excuse not to do our house but it's back now.

Yesterday was our Primary International and it was a huge success - Gayle Wing was released and Loretta Ducker put in as Stake Primary President. I went to the Stake House at 8:00 a.m. and got home at 4:00 p.m. and I was worn out. We served a light lunch and then all the Stake Units had displays representing different countries and they served food from that country - it turned out great. They put in a new in service Leader too and I am so thrilled - a Sister Smith from Morrillton - I didn't do a very good job in that calling.

I'm not going to start another page because I don't have any more news - we love you all so very much - please let us know if we can do anything for you.

I wasn't going to write any more but I must tell you about Becky Ewing Jensen. She came to church this morning with her little baby boy and he is just adorable and she looks so good and is really happy. I wish now that I would have asked her to come home with us for lunch but I didn't. She said to be sure to tell you hello Roy - she'll be here about a month. I am really thrilled for her.

Daddy and I went to dinner at the Mission Home on Friday night - the Jones' had some friends in who had been helpful to the missionaries while they have been here. She is an excellent cook - we had ham with broccoli rolled in it and some kind of cream sauce on top, green salad, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, hot rolls and a fluffy fruit dessert. We will enjoy them in Utah - they are special people.

I talked to Dianna Powers yesterday - Garry has just been put in the bishopric in San Antonio - they are really happy there. Barbara Sondrup and her children are going to spend six weeks in Utah this summer so we hope to see them there. Our ward is really different without those families and also the Dolmans, Munks and Halpins.

Chris Jordin just called me and told me some news - Mickey Luten is married to an airlines pilot and they live in Tulsa, Oklahoma - Ted Snider is in Little Rock this week and was visiting with Marc - the new Mission President moving in has requested domestic help and the Relief Society Presidency will help with the open house honoring them when they come July 3rd. Sandy Jones said she could have had help too but she didn't want to "untrain" her children while they were here.

THAT'S REALLY ALL THE NEWS!!!!!
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