December 29, 1986

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:

Great News!!!!! Roy has fixed the computer and it is wonderful - we can't believe it - he took it completely apart and rewired it and was really discouraged at times but persistence paid off and he did it. I feel kinda' bad because he and Patrice have been here for such a short time and he spent two days working on it and then he got the flu and has been sick for the rest of the time. There isn't any snow so they probably wouldn't have done much skiing but I wish they could have done something more fun than just staying home. We have loved having them with us and appreciate so much their coming so far at such expense just to be with family for Christmas.

Bob & Claire - we hope you are all feeling better too (They also had the flu while they were here and so did Michael). This isn't unique to our family - half of our church was out yesterday with the flu. We loved your visit too and really understand the great sacrifice you made to come with three little children - we remember those days and there just isn't anything to compare with it!!!! I feel bad because I'm afraid the downstairs wasn't warm enough for the children - this is our first year in this home and since we don't spend much time down there we really didn't know - please forgive us!!! Daddy plans to put in a gas space heater like we had in the kitchen in Aunt Marvel's home - he'll put it on the South end of Johnny's room and that should solve that problem.

Johnny - you have surely been in all our conversations and thoughts during the past week. We took the package to Salt Lake so Dan could deliver it to his folks to take to you but we forgot to put in some of the things we had for you like string cheese and almonds. Dan has been so sweet about that - he has called us forty million times and he tried to call you and he said he sent you a wire. I don't feel like the things we sent you were worth anything but we wanted to send things you could share and you had said in one of your letters that you would like some tootsie rolls. Daddy has traveled in those foreign countries a lot and he wanted to make it easy for the Juchaus and that's why we sent it in that little bag - just throw that away - he thought it would be easy for them to carry. He wouldn't let me wrap anything because he said they would just have to go through everything anyway. I tasted the cookies that were left from the batch we sent to you on the day you would have received them and they were already stale - I purposely didn't bake them until the morning we took them to Dan so they would be as fresh as possible. We hope you know how much we love you and have missed you - Rick and Ron have spent a lot of time and effort to make you the Christmas video and we'll send it to you this week. It was so funny - we brought the wicker basket you had mailed upstairs to show Roy & Patrice the things that were in it - Roy wanted us to empty the basket and put your jacket and other things in closets and lo and behold we found the little letter you had sent with it - we hadn't known before what the things were for. Roy really liked your jacket!!!! We'll take good care of everything for you - we love our sweaters!!!!! We are so proud of you - 318 baptisms in one month - that's fabulous!!! Montana Billings Mission had 42 in November and they were thrilled to pieces. We can't believe you are eating crabs - we hope you will eat all you can hold and we're thrilled that the fruit is coming in season. Your new suit sounds great too - we tried to choose socks that would match it - do they? Please don't worry about not having time to write us long letters - just let us know that you're okay and continue to give 200 percent to your mission. Did I tell you that we had a wonderful and very complementary letter from your Mission President?

We have really had a very wonderful Christmas - Bob & Claire came in on Friday, the 19th, and the next day they went to Salt Lake with the Woolleys where they met the Weinerts to attend the play "Scrooge" - all the children were there except for Brett and Jimmy and they stayed with us. On Sunday, the Woolleys and Weinerts came to our house and we made our traditional candy mints - it was fun and Ron & Daddy still have the blisters to prove who pulled the most. Monday, the 22nd, Claire's parents and sister with her children came to visit - it was the first time ever that Michael, Laura and Brett had seen Carolyn's children and they had fun. Tuesday, the 23rd, Bob, Claire and the children went to see if they could find some snow - I believe they went to Alta. They had a fun day and the children were ready for bed when they got home. Wednesday, Christmas Eve day, Bob & Claire went into Farmington to meet Jeannie (they left their children with Claire's parents in Centerville) and she took them to the clinic where she works and also to have an interview with the ENT in that area who is looking for a partner. Daddy & I took the package to Dan and then we went to Brigham City to visit with Grandmother and Grandpa Forrest - they are doing about the same.

We all met at the Weinerts about 3 o'clock Christmas Eve and has such a lot of fun. They have a pond in back of their home that is frozen over and the children had a "blast" playing and skating on it - when Daddy and I went to find them it was the most beautiful sight - ice crystals on all the foliage around the path leading to the pond. Rick & Ron had supervised them playing on the pond so they wouldn't get close to the thin ice (Bob was really sick with the flu and took a nap). The children made their traditional gingerbread houses and each one was just darling. Then we all enjoyed Rick's chili and also breadsticks, etc. etc. etc.!!! Then we all went downstairs to enjoy the children's program and it was wonderful. Each child performed and they all put on the Bible "Christmas Story" and they sang special songs dedicated to Uncle John. At the end of the program we heard "such a clatter" and the children rushed outside to find that Santa Clause had dropped candy canes filled with candy for each one of them on the Weinert's lawn as he passed over on his sleigh (ala Ron). Then Ann & Ron filled a "piņata" and that was really a treat - the children took turns trying to break it and after many swings with a sword and finally the fireplace poker it was broken and the candy fell out.

Daddy and I left a little early so we could go to the airport to see if Roy & Patrice had arrived yet - it was so foggy on the way that I was sure they wouldn't be able to land. We left a car for them and then we came home thinking it might be mooring before they would get here. About mid-night here they came - they were laughing - it was quite dark outside and Roy said he couldn't absolutely remember which house was ours so they had taken the garage door opener in front of all the houses to see which garage it opened - Ha!!! We were so thrilled to have everyone home safe and sound and we all went to bed.

Michael & Laura actually slept until about 7:30 Christmas morning and they waited so patiently for all of us to wake up so we could go to the Christmas tree to see if Santa had come. He had surely come and they got some of the cutest things I have ever seen and they were thrilled. They played with their things while we fixed breakfast and then we all ate together. The Woolleys and Weinerts came in the afternoon about 2 o'clock and we had dinner - buffet and actually we ended up eating on picnic benches in the kitchen - I hadn't planned it that way but it was fun!!! Then we went to the tree again where we opened family gifts - the children all received night clothes alike and they had fun wearing them and playing together. Then we took family pictures and I can hardly wait to see how they turn out because I want one so badly to send with our New Year's cards (I didn't send Christmas cards because I wanted a picture). One of the biggest hits were the little wrapped gifts Patrice handed out to the children as they were leaving - she had ordered animal and bird noses out of soft plastic for each one of them and they were just darling - they really had a lot of fun with them.

Friday, the 26th, Bob & Claire left about 7:30 a.m. - it was Brett's birthday and I don't believe we even wished him a Happy Birthday. Daddy took them to the airport - we called later and they had arrived safely but their luggage hadn't gone with them. We hope they have received that by now. Saturday, the 27th, was my birthday and I had a fun, fun day from beginning to end. Patrice and I went shopping for a little while and then Patrice and Roy went up to the Weinerts for dinner - Roy was really sick and they didn't stay very long but enjoyed it anyway.

Sunday, the 28th, Roy & Patrice were going to drive to the ski slopes but Roy felt terrible so they just stayed home and rested. Daddy and I went to church and then came home and made a "stir-fry" Chinese dinner. After dinner the Woolleys came over to visit with Roy & Patrice and while they were here Ann's friend, (actually all of our friend), Ann Kilpack came to visit. I hope I'm not telling secrets but she plans to marry a man who has five children and whose wife just passed away - it was so neat to visit with her and hear about everything. Can you imagine being single for 36 years and then have an instant family of 5 children - she'll do a wonderful job of it though.

Today, Monday the 29th, Daddy and I took Roy & Patrice to the airport - they will never let us come in with them to see them off so we just left them hoping they will call us if they have any problems. To kinda' "wind down" we drove around our property over in Lehi - we even got out in the meadow and walked around - it was a beautiful day and we loved it!!!

Now you have a synopsis (is that what I mean) of our Christmas - we love our family so much and we hope we will always enjoy being together - we appreciate the efforts made by each one of you to make it a happy and memorable Christmas - gifts mean so little to us but we will enjoy the things you have given us because of your thoughtfulness and love in choosing them. Christmas is love and that's what it is all about and I hope we never lose sight of that.

We have had many visits during this past week - Johnny, Elder Baker and his wife came on Christmas day and brought us a little cake and it was so fun to visit with them. They are going to move to California. Garic came by this morning and we passed the Power family on our way to the airport and I'm sure they will come by to see us. Ramona & Winston came over and brought some goodies - they wanted so much to see Bob & Roy again. We have also received so many cards and letters from friends and that always means so much. Johnny, Elder Gardner is getting married this next week. There really is life after a mission - Ha!

As you can see, I don't know when to stop when I am typing on this computer - what a thrill to have this fixed. We appreciate Ron loaning it to us and Roy for getting it in working order again - thanks so much. We want to buy another one but we want to wait until you get home Johnny so we'll get one you want.

I'm going to have to hurry to get this in the mail today so I'll quit for now. I don't believe any of you noticed but I didn't write my letter last Monday - everyone was going to be here except for you Johnny and I knew we would communicate with you through Dan's folks.

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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