May 26, 1986, Orem, Utah

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

Today is the Memorial Day Holiday and little Barji is spending the day with me - she is coloring while I write this letter and since we have a BIG day planned this will be a short letter. We are going to curt some iris that are blooming in our yard and will take some over to the Lehi cemetery and then go to Brigham City and decorate the graves there - this is the first time I have been in Utah for Memorial Day but when I was a child this was the most important holiday in the year except for Christmas. My sister, Lela, and I would always have beautiful new dresses and we would go to the cemetery early where my father would play his bugle in a special ceremony and then we would spend most of the day there visiting with relatives and have a big dinner with them in the late afternoon at our home. I don't know if all the relatives still get together but I'm sure they still decorate the graves.

Daddy, Rick & Ricky left yesterday afternoon to go to Lake Powell for a few days - I don't know about Rick & Ricky but Daddy was really excited and I hope the fishing is good. I'm glad he will have the opportunity to be with some men who know the "in's and out's" of that houseboat - this is the Willardsen's time for the boat but their children and Ann are busy with school activities so only Art was able to go and then one of the men who helped build the boat was going with them. Barji came down with them and spent the night with me and I'll take her home on the way back from Brigham City - I'd love for her to stay until they came home on Wednesday but I have to go to the temple at 4 in the morning - that's going to be a real challenge!!!

Roy & Patrice - we loved your phone call and we're excited for you to come. You mentioned that you might to visit the other parks in Utah while you're here - we haven't been to Bryce or Zion for a long time but they are highly advertised and we'll try to get some information for you - I know you would enjoy going to see them - I worry about your coming just a week and wish you could get some more time off! We're happy you were able to go to Providence for the Brown graduation - I'll bet that was fun!

Johnny - what a treat to get your wonderful and happy letter and those great pictures - you really look good and we love those beautiful sweaters. The pictures of the women with you make us feel like you are well taken care of - some of the best restaurants serve trout with their heads still on but I don't like them served that way - are they cleaned good? We also loved the picture of the Catholic church - it was always hard on Bob to see so much extravagance in those churches when the people were so poor. Please be very careful on those "rickety" bicycles - do you sometimes think the missionaries in Montana were spoiled having those nice automobiles to use? We're so happy you are getting a good wool poncho and also new socks and sheets - be extra generous in paying the people for their services won't you and we'll put extra money in your account - we can hardly wait to see the sweaters but don't send them airmail because it will be too expensive! A missionary who served in the Honduras gave his report yesterday in our meeting and I guess he really had some scary experiences - we surely hear a lot about scary things happening in Chile and hope you will use mighty good judgement in the things you do.

Claire - we loved talking to you the other night and that little Michael just tickles us to death - when I got on the phone he said, "Grandma B this is Michael Mellor" and he is so grownup - we miss him & Laura so much) also Brett). We think your wallpaper is beautiful - you and Papa would make a good decorating pair. Bob - are you happy for the excuse to work and get away from all the MIA activities? I know Daddy would go bananas - Ha!!!

Annie & Ron and their family are all doing fine. They had at least a "ton" of sand delivered for their sandbox and of course they dumped it in the front yard and all the children from miles around gathered to play in it. Ron worked all day Saturday to get it (what was left of it) hauled to their backyard sandbox. Jessie & Susanna came over for a few minutes last night to play with Barji - we had walked over to their place and they walked back with us. You can't imagine how much fun it is to live close enough so we can do that and I really love to see the "cousins" play together.

Last Thursday one of the missionary couples who served with us came for dinner - Bro. & Sister Knight from California. We enjoyed visiting with them and they had just been to Cody, Wyoming and had a lot of news to tell us. I had told you about Bro. Glen Neilsen from Cody (he sold Husky Oil for 600 million dollars about ten years ago) - well, he just had a business failure and lost 200 millions - we couldn't feel too bad about it but I guess it has been hard for him!

Saturday, Ann & I went to Ramona and Winstons' home for a brunch to honor their grand daughter who is getting married - Pam Perkes. It was really a nice affair and fun to visit with some of the family. Bob - Chris Crawford's wife really gave the party and he and Missy sang a duet that was outstanding - I didn't realize they had that much talent. He asked about you and hopes you will come back here to practice - they are building a new home and they're excited about it.

Daddy's calling as Webelos leader was short lived. They cancelled that calling and called both of us to serve as the leaders for the young people, ages 18 to 30. We will enjoy that much more - it involves teaching a Sunday School class on Sunday and then a few activities. They are changing that program and now young people between the ages of 18 and 21 who live at home must attend church in their parents' ward - I guess too many of them were saying they were going to church at UTC and the Y when in reality they weren't going anyplace - does that sound familiar? Any suggestions from any of you would surely be appreciated.

Barji has been so patient but now it is time to do some fun things. We love each one of you so very much - PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO * Let us know how we can help you!!!
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