December 15, 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 Monday morning and a simply gorgeous day - we noticed in the weather news last night that Provo was warmer yesterday than St. George, it was 55( here and 52( there. I kinda' wish it would stay this way during the holidays but I guess the rest of you would like snow. I love the snow too but I always worry about traveling in it. I guess the ski resorts are hurting and they said people were canceling reservations all the time. Maybe this will mean more snow during February Roy - I hope so!!!! Daddy and I love to watch the sun set on the lake and we hope it is clear while the Bobs and Roys are here and not foggy - we haven't had any fog YET!

Johnny - we didn't hear from you last week!! We really don't worry like we did though - we know you are super busy and your letters will get here sooner or later. Becky Lakko came over Saturday night and it was just great to visit with her. She got your address so I'm sure you will be hearing from her and she will tell you all the things she told us. George Walker isn't with Griffin anymore - Becky said there was too much money being spent on top management (that sounds like Griffin doesn't it?). Dave Middleton is married and that won't surprise you - his father has had a stroke recently and isn't doing very well. Becky really needs to lose weight - I feel so bad for her because she is such a sweet girl but too good of a cook. She has enough credits to be a senior but won't graduate until late Summer - she is a business major. (For the rest of you - Becky is the oldest of 8 children and when her mother was expecting their 8th child Becky's father was killed in a freak accident. Becky and Johnny worked together in a car detailing business for Griffin in Billings.) Our Bishop (Hansen) asked all about you yesterday when we went in for our tithing settlement - he said he felt bad that he hadn't written to you - he is swamped with 7 children and his building business. Elder Baker called and asked all about you - they are moving to California because his wife can get a good job there and he is going to go to school. We hope so much that you will have a Happy Christmas - I am just lost to not fix a box to send to you and keep waiting for Dan to call so I can send a little something with his folks. We are so proud of the work you are doing! Carol Woods sent us a card and also one to you that we will forward - what a loyal friend!!!

Jeannie & Rick - it was wonderful to "drop in on you" Saturday morning and see your beautiful home all decorated for the holidays (they have a darling little reindeer made out of wood on their front porch and all their outside trees have light on them). Rick made it safe back home but he was weary from a week of traveling. We felt bad that we didn't wait to see Barji & Ricky (they were having their piano lessons) and almost stopped on our way back from Brigham but knew that if we didn't get up to see Grandmother & Grandpa Forrest before noon we might as well not go. Grandpa has really gone down hill - he doesn't even talk to us any more and when we took him in to the dining room to eat he put his head down on the table and went to sleep and he is in a wheel chair now. Grandmother is about the same.

Bob & Claire and Roy & Patrice we are so anxious for you to come and we hope so much it will be worth all it is costing you - everyone I know, knows that you are coming. I haven't been this excited for Christmas for a long, long time. I keep thinking of special things to cook and whenever I get lots of idea going in my head I usually end up "goofing it". Daddy told Garic that he would have to leave on Saturday morning - I felt bad but when Daddy talked to him he found out that he wasn't planning to go home for Christmas and we worried that their loan for their condo wouldn't go through as soon as they thought it would and we would have Garic and Brick both for the holidays and this isn't the year for that. I really didn't understand what they had in mind when Garic first called - he asked if he could stay for a "few days" and then the night they got here he called his mother and she wanted to say Hi to me and when I talked to her she said their condo would probably be ready around the 15th - we would never do that to anyone so it is hard for us to understand other people. He was a perfect guest and tried to do everything right - when we got home from Brigham City on Saturday I noticed that his room was all vacuumed and when I mentioned that to Daddy he said, "Well, I told him where the vacuum was" - things like that just kill me!!!!! Daddy has dealt with so many young men lately that he treats them differently from the way he used to. He went to stay with a friend in Provo - evidently he has a good job and I knew he will go places because he is a hard worker and smart.

Annie & Ron had their company party on Saturday night - we persuaded them to let us keep Russell & LeeAnna so their baby sitter wouldn't have too many responsibilities along with such a young baby. We just loved having them and they were so good - Ann brought them over all ready for bed and then Ron came for them before 8 Sunday morning so we hardly knew they were here. Little LeeAnna doesn't stop talking from the time she gets here until she leaves - it's so cute the way Russell tolerates her - he doesn't ever get upset with her and just quietly goes about his own thing. Ann said their party was really special - dinner at $100 a couple should be!!!

Daddy had a flu bug last week but he is feeling lots better now. He didn't go to the temple so you know he was really sick - he would never stay in bed but he didn't work constantly like he usually does. He wallpapered our den - he did it in that grass cloth and it looks so good. He said, "I've got to get rid of that orange paint before Roy gets hers" - Ha! The wallpaper in our dining room was a nightmare to put on and then Daddy decided to put on a border and that was even harder - the paper is more like material and won't lay down without Elmer's glue in some places. I would like for him to paper the play room for the children downstairs but I don't think we'll attempt to do that until after the holidays - we really should save something to do in the Winter.

We had our party for the Lehi friends and they keep calling to ask for the recipe for our brisket - we have fixed that so much that I'm kinda tired of it but I have found that a lot of people have never cooked it.

We had a "Secret Sister" activity in our relief society and it about drove me crazy while we were doing it but it was fun. The lady who was my secret sister really went overboard and brought some darling gifts - one is an old wine bottle filled with jelly beans and we have put it in front of our fireplace and it draws a lot of attention - Ha! We found out who our secret sister was at a party last Wednesday - we all took ornaments to them with our names on them. That party was so nice - one of the things they served was stuffed mushrooms and I am going to try to do them during the holidays - they are stuffed with crab meat and are served at the "Hines Mansion" restaurant - do you all remember that place? Ann & Ron had their wedding reception there.

I can't think of any more news. We love each one of you so very much and we are so proud of our family - PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - Let us know how we can help you!!!

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