October 13, 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 & Jimmy:

It's another beautiful day - cold but beautiful!!! Daddy covered our tomatoes last night but I'll bet some of them froze anyway - we really should have picked them green because there are a lot out there. We have had a wonderful garden this year and it's hard to see it come to an end.

Johnny - we didn't hear from you last week - we're thinking that you are well enough to leave the mission home and have been transferred - at least we're hoping that's the way it is!!! You would have loved our missionary reunion - Elder Hansen and Jodi came - they were late and all they wanted to know was how you were - she is really a doll!!! We took a picture of Elder Harvey and his wife - he is studying law and we were impressed with both of them - his wife said she can't get him to eat cooked vegetables yet (do you remember how he refused to eat any of them in the mission home) - we also took a picture of the Ashcrofts & Stuckis but it isn't in focus - we'll send them to you anyway. Did I tell you that the BYU game was that same night - Elder Madsen came before the game - he had promised me he would take care of our slides but he didn't. BYU lost their game to Colorado State in just the last few minutes - don't believe they have a very good team this year. Did I ever tell you that you received an invitation to your Chile reunion - it was RSVP so I sent it back and told them you were still on your mission - they were having a dinner and a dance! We're going to get a committee for ours in April and have them take care of everything and just invite us - Ha!

Bob - I felt so bad that I wasn't here when you called - Daddy said you are all doing fine and Claire we loved your letter. It sounds like Michael is really doing great in school and we're so glad he has had his tonsils out - I'm sure that will make a big difference in the way he rests at night. Your painting sounds pretty Claire and I admire you for doing it yourself (she painted their hall a dark beige and also painted the children's room and put a border of Teddy Bears around it). Sorry you had the flu - that is mean stuff!!!

Roy & Patrice - how are things with you? I keep thinking about this being your last year in Boston and it will be a real adjustment for you to move won't it? You have such a lovely place to live with so many friends, etc. moves are always hard but it doesn't take long to feel at home in a new place especially when you're young and involved in everything. We surely hope you are making plan to come for Christmas or Thanks giving or both!!!

Daddy & I had dinner with the Woolley family yesterday and it was so nice! They have their Family Home Evenings on Sunday so we were there for that too - Susanna played a piano solo, Jessie played a violin solo, Russell told a Bible story and then he and LeeAnna both sang. Ann had made pumpkin pies from the fresh pumpkins and they were "out of this world". Susanna and Jessie had set the table with their best china and then Susanna washed all the dishes - Ann didn't want to put her china in the dishwasher. Susanna washed each dish for at least five minutes but she "hung in there" until they were all done and then she cleaned up the dining room - she is a real little "homemaker".

It was little Mary Ann's fourth birthday last Friday. They had a family party that afternoon - they went to the park for a picnic. We talked to her and she was so excited about her party with her friends on Saturday - Jeannie was fixing lunch for them. Barji is going to have her tonsils out next Monday morning - that will really help her sleep better too. She has had a lot of throat infections and she is so sweet she just never complains. Mary Ann is going to spend next weekend with us and we'll love that - it's so nice to have the grandchildren one at a time so we can really become acquainted with them. We worried about the strong winds in Farmington on Saturday - they reported winds us to 75 miles an hour with a lot of damage to power lines, etc. We hope 10 wasn't too bad where you live!

Daddy & I went to a houseboat meeting last Monday. All the owners of the "Milky Way" were represented and it was an interesting meeting. Both of the engines will have to be replaced, the slide was damaged by another boat so that will be replaced and they are going to add some improvements like an additional fuel tank and electric hot water heater (to avoid the gas smell) and other little things that should make it like a new boat. There is another three-quarters of a share for a sell and we're hoping the Woolleys will be able to buy it so we will have a longer time to stay - they have bought a share of a new houseboat and they are hoping to change that and by into this one. They are also going to take our houseboat out of the water and take all the algae off it and repaint it with a special paint. They're hoping to get this all done during the Winter months.

Daddy is now working on our "hill". We have tried to figure out ways to make it pretty and have it different from the other backyards that are right next to us. Daddy has a friend who has a "rock quarry" over in the Lehi and he said we could buy some rocks from him. I wish you could have seen us last Friday - Daddy hooked up his trailer to our Lincoln and we went rock hunting. We found some beautiful rocks and got the biggest ones he could lift - we got two big loads and have arranged them in clumps on the hill. We worked so hard and then we got in our car and drove in the back to look them and we just sat there and laughed - they look funny!!!!! Daddy has been out this morning rearranging them and hopefully we will be able to make it look pretty. We really need a "Robert Tucker" or some other professional landscape architect to come and tell us what to do. You know - we only get professional advice as the last resort! The problem is that our neighbors have their yards all professionally done but we don't want to do that. Really our will be beautiful when we will be beautiful when we get the shrubs and other plantings in that we want but right now it is a challenge! I can't believe how Daddy can lift those rocks - he is really strong!!!

We have had our lowest level all sodded in the most beautiful grass and it is just beautiful with the brick wall behind it. Our neighbor, Paul Theobald, and Daddy worked for two days getting both yards done. We both have left areas for vegetable gardens. Paul has fenced in his yard - in fact, ours is the only one that isn't fenced but right now we don't want it done - we like the openness to the Tech's lawn. Our backyard is trying to make placed for them. I am so glad he has a yard to work in - he enjoys it so much and it is really good for him.

They are just finishing a big home in the cul-de-sac just north of us and it is so pretty. Our home is the builder and he said just the shell of the home is over $250,000 - it is four garages - one is for their boat. We like our home better than any of the others here - at least for us. The sun comes through our South windows and it is like solar heating - in fact, our den is almost too hot even on the coldest days.

I can't think of any more news. We talked to Chris $ Wayne yesterday - they are back in Alabama and have had company for the past week and Wayne said for the first time since they have lived there he couldn't catch any fish for them - they had to buy fish! They said their children (Linda & Rick and their families) really enjoy their Hot Springs home.

We surely do love each one of you. PLEASE BE REALLY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!!! Let us know how we can help you.

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