August 4, 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, Lee Anna & Jimmy:

It's Monday morning and a simply gorgeous day - Daddy is out "fussing" in the yard - he is going to have our yard a show place in the back if he doesn't have a heart attack in the process - it's already the prettiest yard in the neighborhood in the front. He has decided to extend our patio down under the trees to take in the area a little East of the big patio - he thinks it would be a perfect place for a bar-b-que grill and extra chairs, etc. and that area really isn't good for flowers or anything like that. I wish I had just half the energy he has!!!

Little Jimmy is doing just wonderful and so is Annie - I ran into Ann at the grocery store on Saturday and she looked so pretty and was so vivacious I could hardly believe their baby was just barely a week old - I tell them I am available and I hope so much Ann won't overdo!!! Whenever we have dropped in on them they have everything under control - we stopped in for a minute on our way to a church meeting last night (actually just Daddy went in) and Ron was scrambling eggs and all the children were at the bar eating - Daddys are such stabilizing influences and we remember how good it feels to get our homes back together after new babies arrive so I'm sure they feel that way. They were having some good "back-to-school" sales at the mall one day last week so I sat with the children for an hour while Ann went shopping - it's exciting for all of them to look forward to school starting and have some of the attention focused on the older children after so much being given to the new baby. We're proud of that family - they work hard and have their priorities in order.

Jeannie & Rick and their darling family came down yesterday afternoon - it was so funny, they almost thought we weren't home!!! We didn't get home from church until about 3:30 and we fixed us a quick "left-over" dinner and then went downstairs to read the paper (it is so nice and cool & comfortable down there) and Daddy has just set up the Penncrest Stereo and we had that turned on and we couldn't hear them ring the doorbell. They left and went to the 7-Eleven store to get a drink and came back to sit on the patio for a few minutes and discovered we were home after all. It is such a treat for us to have them come like that and we know that is a long drive!!! It was hot outside so we just enjoyed the downstairs - we have found that our home is cool until about 4 o'clock and if we turn on the air conditioner it cools it off quickly but unless we have company we really don't need it because of the downstairs. Rick has a beautiful new car he uses for his business - it's a grayish green Saab - they drove down in it yesterday. He was in Seattle on Friday for a "briefing" concerning his new job and he is so impressed with the men he will be working with - we're really thrilled for him and know he will be a great success. Ricky had decided Mary Ann's hair was too long so he had cut it - Rick had just finished trimming Ricky's hair and closed his eyes for a few minutes and awakened to the sound of scissors cutting - he thought it was his own hair for a minute - Ha! He cut a big swatch out of the back and Jeannie had "fixed" it by the time we saw it and she looked cite with it short but I'm sure it is going to have to be cut even shorter.

Claire - how was Youth Conference? (We were worried about how they were getting along in the heat so we called early last Friday morning and Claire was getting ready to leave for three days to go as a counselor for their Stake Youth Conference in Jackson, Tennessee). We're proud of you for doing that Claire - it takes a very special person to be able to handle that and I'll bet you didn't get much sleep. I can remember those while we were in Arkansas and Laura Gonce just about lost her mind and her testimony the year she went and I don't believe she ever went back. I surely hope they had it at a nice place that was air conditioned. We loved your long letter and those darling pictures - the children look so happy and that little Brett is getting to look more like Michael I think - is he really? Bob - you remind me of Daddy with your hammer in hand and you look so good!!! We're happy that Michael is taking gymnastic lessons and with his trampoline he will be a real "pro". Laura will be three this Saturday- that doesn't seem possible - we can't believe how fast the time flies - will she have a party? I don't believe I would have parties for the children until they insisted - Ha! I always loved it when you kids would choose family parties. Your dinners with friends sounded fun - you need to do that Bob!!!

Roy & Patrice - we're happy when you get in touch with someone so we can know about you. Ann said she had talked to you and you were doing great. You have had hot weather too, haven't you? We noticed on the news this morning that you would be having a cooler spell for awhile. We're excited about your trip to Little Rock this weekend Roy - we wish you could go too Patrice. I talked to Chris Jordin last Thursday (it was her birthday) and they had just returned from a trip to Florida and somewhere along the way they had had dinner with Chip & Ann Strickland. I don't really know where they live and I forget to ask. She said they and Dan Watson and his wife and another couple were going on a big trip some where - Marc & Chris keep up with all those kids and I think that's great. I keep thinking about your going abroad for three years and the mother in me wants to advise you to stay I the States and buy a home of your own and start building on that futures instead of "seeing the world" - enough of that!!!

JOHNNY - WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM YOU THIS WEEK!!!! We know how that goes though and the mail is probably tied up somewhere and we understand. We surely hope you're doing fine - Daddy got to visit a minute with Dean Lythgoe in the Temple last week - I must get some cookies to him soon or he will be gone. There is an article in the Church News this week about a 70 years old woman who has won many trophies in "running marathons" and she lives in Santiago - Lily McLead Bell - do you know her? I sat by Elder Spencer's mother in Relief Society yesterday and she asked about you - when I told her you had been gone for a year she said, "Oh the last year will go by so fast" - I had to laugh because do you remember how trunky he got - he tried hard to hide it but we knew - Ha! Elder Spencer has one more year at Utah States - we really like his parents - his mother has just received a big promotion in the Education Field here and will be an administrator. I keep listening to your tape - it just seems so good to have your voice in our home again. Daddy has completed your closet now and your room is comfortable and you will have places to put things.

Ellen Mae & Mel came for dinner on Saturday and we enjoyed them so much. Daddy cooked steaks on our kitchen grill and they were heavenly - after dinner we made banana splits and took them out on our patio and sat and visited until about 11 o'clock. They are going to retire after this year so we will plan some fun times together - they have both taught school for over 30 years.

Our Relief Society is going on a "Heritage Tour" a week from Tuesday and they will visit restored homes on South Temple in Salt Lake and the Governor's wife will gave them a tour of the Governor's Mansion and then they will have lunch at the Lion House - that is the sort of thing I dream about doing and I can't go because of our Temple Assignment - when our two year calling is over I am going to be released - most of the people who work there have been doing it since the temple opened - we really enjoy it though!

Daddy will be 66 years old tomorrow - he looks and acts like he is in his 40's. We're both in such good health and appreciate it so much - we are going to make appointments for a check up with the doctor you got for us Roy just because you think it is a good idea - it has been a year.

We closed on the Lehi house Friday - Daddy went over there on Saturday and he said it seemed so funny to see people living there and clothes on the line - they will be so good for the neighborhood. I KNOW we did the right thing!!!!

We love each one of you so very much - PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - Let us know how we can help you!!!

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