Sunday - December 1, 1985 Lehi, Utah

Dearest Johnny; Roy; Bob, Claire, Michael & Laura; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell & LeeAnna:

It's Sunday evening and Daddy & I just finished dinner - it's only 6 o'clock but it is pitch black outside and we have our lounging clothes on and will settle down for a long Winter's night!!!! We taught our lessons today - Daddy in the Gospel Doctrine class and I taught Spiritual Living. I have been working all month on some little potpourri lace bags to give to the Sisters for a little Christmas remembrance - I made 54 of them - they were really cute and they liked them. Aunt Carol had given this same lesson down in Manti last month and she gave me all her posters and lesson helps so it was easy for me.

Johnny - we were so thrilled with your last letter - we either get them on Monday or Tuesday depending I guess on when and where you mail them. We're so glad you have found a better "pension" - is that Spanish for apartment? It is SO hard to not have nice places to live - I used to get so depressed when I would see the way some of our missionaries lived and would wonder how in the world they could ever have the proper spirit when they lived in such dumps!!!! I also know those same dumps could look like mansions by comparison with missionaries who cared about things - cleanliness is the most important thing and soap & water are cheap. We can't believe the success you have had with baptisms - three in one night and for you to be able to do the confirmation in Spanish is so neat!!! The things we are doing here seem so insignificant to what you are doing and we are so proud of you and so grateful for the opportunity you have to be there - I'm sure Daddy and I will go on another mission because we love it. Do they have couples serving in your Mission?

Last week was one of the nicest that Daddy & I have had for a long time. We did so many things with Roy & Patrice and just loved having them here with us - they could recommend some good movies to watch on our VCR and that was a treat - we will probably do a lot of that this Winter - they got a list and checked off the good ones for us. We enjoyed the exhibit Ramses II at BYU and Patrice, especially, got a lot out of it. It was great having Patrice here to work with in the kitchen - you are a "real little homemaker, Patrice".

Tuesday, the Woolleys came over early and picked up Roy & Patrice to go to Alta where they met the Weinerts (Ann & Jean both left their children with a baby sitter for the whole day which is something they seldom do). Ann & Jean took skiing lessons in the morning and then they all skied (sp.?) all day and they just had a wonderful time. Patrice had skied for the first time on Monday but she decided against taking the lessons and she did great - Ann & Jean both said the lessons had helped them and before the day was over they were doing great too!!! Patrice had done some "cross country" skiing in Massachusetts. Roy, Ron & Rick are all "pros". The Alta ski area was just gorgeous. Daddy & I drove up to Brigham City Tuesday morning and took the folks some flowers and visited with them for a little while and then we went to Alta to see everyday skiing - Ann left the group and came home a little early with us.

Wednesday Daddy & I went into Salt Lake with Roy & Patrice. I had planned to stay home that day and get the dinner ready for Thanksgiving but they all said they would help after we got home from Salt Lake so we all went. We went to the Genealogy Library and the Church Museum and then to the Crossroads & ZCMI Mall - it was just a wonderful day. We had never been to the new library - they had just moved there within the last month and that was a treat. We had bragged to Roy & Patrice about all the genealogy we had done and would you believe we couldn't find any of it in the records there - we need to check up on it and see where it is. The museum is a big improvement over the old one. I wanted to take Patrice to the "Mormon Handicraft" store but it was closed for the holidays. We got home about 6 o'clock and Ann & the children came over to bring the decorations for the table and Ann about "changed her reservations" when she found our we hadn't even started the dinner yet. Daddy "de-boned" the turkey while Roy & I made the dressing - Patrice fixed the broccoli casserole and the yams and before we knew it the dinner was all ready - the easiest Thanksgiving dinner I have ever had anything to do with. Not having to worry about the appetizers or the dessert was wonderful!!!!

I must tell you about the little "place cards" the Woolley children made. They made individual Indian head bands for everyone and had clever Indian names for each one: I was "Turkey Plucker", Daddy was "Canoe Fixer", Roy was "Talking Bull", Patrice, "Eastern Flower", Ann, "Crawling Eagle", Ron, "Balding Eagle", Susanna, "Cabbage Papoose", Jessie, "Savage Yellow Hair", Russell, "Tyrannosaurus Russ", LeeAnna, "Flying Papoose", Jean, Maize Maiden From Medicine Tepee", Rick, "Long Feet In The Snow", Ricky, "Karate Brave", Barji, "Laughing Maiden", Mary Ann, "Little Pigtails", and Sarah, "Little Crows In The Night", They were just absolutely darling and I can just imagine how much time they took because all the children helped - I hope so much that our pictures turn out so we can send you some - Ron video taped the activities all day and showed them after dessert and that is the most enjoyable thing I have ever seen - truly a miracle to me to be able to see them right after he takes them and he is so good!!!

Jeannie had taught all the children some special songs so they all put on a little program after we had dessert - I am always so surprised with the way our grandchildren know all the words to the songs - I have worked so long in the Primary and I know that doesn't come easy, Roy taped " Our Day" to send to Johnny - he might not be able to distinguish some of the voices but I'm sure he'll catch the spirit of the day. Patrice had brought everyone some "cooking spices" to make our homes smell festive and that was special.

We started out at Jean & Ricks' home at 10 o'clock on Thursday morning where we had the most delicious appetizers - shrimp, vegetables & dips and even egg nog!!!! After we ate "some" of us took the children in the hills East of the Weinert's home and did some sledding - we couldn't find enough snow on the little slopes so we had to go to some that were quite steep - I laughed until I was hoarse because invariably someone would fall off the sleds and go flying through the air - it was really fun! About noon we headed back to Lehi where we had more food - turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, yams salad, etc. After dinner we played "Trivial Pursuit" and the Woolleys beat us - we were going to continue later but we didn't get time. Then we went over to Ann & Rons' home for dessert and "they" were all wonderful - pumpkin pie, pecan pie and the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted (Ann told me it had ground up almonds in the batter so no wonder it was so good). We couldn't believe it when we got home a little after 7 p.m. that we had crammed so many things into one day but we all loved it!!!

Friday Roy & Patrice got up early and started out to go back to Alta to go skiing - they got a little past the point of the mountain but it was snowing so hard they decided it wasn't worth it - we think they used really good judgment - we heard last night on the weather news that Alta has 103 inches of snow and it was only 63 inches when we were there earlier in the week so it must have really snowed!!! We decided to go over to Provo to look at a home that is for sale - we called and the realtor was supposed to meet us there and we waited and waited until I got so impatient that we decided to leave. I think it was a misunderstanding - We had made the appointment and then Daddy called and said we would be about thirty minutes late because of the snow and somehow it got all mixed up - I have regretted that we left as I always do when I get upset!!! The people who are interested in this house came back yesterday and they really want it - we are in a dilemma but feel that if we have a chance to sell maybe we should - what do you all think?

Bob & Claire - we have missed you all! We surely hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and that Bob had the day off. We know you are happy to be in the month of December, Claire and we are all so anxious of another grandchild - have you picked out any names? It was so funny - when we were in the Genealogy Library the other day I discovered that my great grandmother's name is Sarah and I thought that was the reason Jean & Rick had named their last little girl that - when I asked them they looked surprised and said, "Well, sure" - Ha! I need to get on the ball and study my ancestors more.

We are so thankful during this Thanksgiving Season for our family - we love each one of you so very much and we're so proud of you. PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - let us know how we can help you!!!

Annie - we hope you have a wonderful birthday on Tuesday - we're so proud of you!!!
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