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 is kinda' one of those January "Blah" days - cold and dreary outside but so warm and comfortable inside - our times for church changed today and instead of going at 11:30 we went at 9:00 a.m. and were home by noon. I had made a pot of "Rick's" chili before we went to church and it was really almost as good as his - after we ate lunch we went in to read the newspaper and we both fell asleep on the cough!!!!!

Johnny - we had the first letter we have received from you for a long time yesterday. I was outside when the mailman came on Friday and he promised me he would bring one - I'm sure he was happy to have one to deliver because he could see how disappointed I was to not get one on Friday. This one was written on Dec.20th and the last one we had was written on Dec. 6th. We really love the beautiful hand painted Christmas card - in fact I believe you wrote the little note on that on the 13th and just didn't mail it until you could write the longer letter on the 20th. We were so thrilled that you treated your companions to a Bar-b-que for Christmas!!!! We also received the card you sent to the Steele family - We put it in their mailbox - I believe they are out of town - that was really thoughtful of you! It's hard for us to believe that you are having hot weather - now that ours is cold and dreary and we receive your letters we can understand how you must have felt because I'm sure you haven't had the beautiful homes in which to spend the cold days like we have. We are really proud of the work you are doing and as you say, "the time is going by too fast" - it isn't for us but we know how you feel.

Last Monday I hurried with my letter to you so I could get it to the post office by at least 5 o'clock - they tell you the mail leaves at 4:30 but I find that if it's there by 5 it leaves that day. Anyway I had printed it on the computer and was just tearing the edges off when the doorbell rang and it was one of our missionaries (Elder Dalton) with his fiancé' to meet us. He didn't stay very long but that was why I had signed the letters so fast. He was kinda' nervous about having us meet his fiancé' because she's from Whitehall, Montana and it's considered taboo to meet your future spouse on your mission - Ha!

Bob & Claire - we hope you are feeling better - we called last night and Michael said you were but I'm not sure he knew what we meant - a cold to children is sometimes "part of the program". We really called to tell you that we had made ice cream in the "machine" you had given us and it was absolutely wonderful - we couldn't believe it!!!! I have so much frozen peach and raspberry jam in our freezer and I used a carton of peach jam, a carton of whipping cream (left over from Christmas) and a cup of milk - I mixed it in the blender for a few minutes and put it in the ice cream machine and turned it off and on for about 20 minutes and it was heavenly. It's the sort of thing that you can do on the spur of the moment without going to the store for ice, salt, etc. and I doubt that we will ever buy ice cream again because it's so much better than what you buy. I had never heard of them before but we will love it!!! Michael was so excited because Santa had left a motorcycle for him at his home - it's fun to talk to both Laura and him after they visit us because I feel like they know who we are.

Roy & Patrice - we hope you didn't get the flu Patrice and that all is back to normal for you. Patrice - I have really appreciated all you taught me at the library here in Orem and the book on Chile has been so informative - Daddy has enjoyed reading it too - I have asked them a thousand times for a book like that but they could never find it for me. I'm almost embarrassed to tell you how many movies we have seen (she discovered they rent movies and also compact discs) - last night we saw "the Pearl" and a dumb western one that Daddy loved - tonight we will watch "Mice and Men" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (a mystery). When you can get so much entertainment for 50 cents it's kinda' dumb to not enjoy it. They have so many movies we want to see - a much better selection for us than where we have been going. Daddy said he was surprised when I took my "sweat shirt" off to go to bed the other night - I have worn that almost constantly - it's so warm and comfortable.

We have had a lot of company this past week with little children and it is so neat to have some new toys in our toyroom - AND I am looking forward to having time to play more of the games with the children - Annie, you over did as usual!!!!

Our new magazine holder is such a bright addition to our home - we love things like that and I still can't believe you had time to make so many of them Jeannie, and each one the right color for the right person.

The Powers family came by to see us one day last week. It was the first time we had seen their little twin girls for a long, long time. They are adorable and look much more like Garry than Dianne - they are quite dark. Their sons Brick and Trace came with them too - I will never figure out why because they were bored to death all the time they were here. Dianne had called and said they would be here about 1 o'clock so I fixed a salad bar lunch and had it already - she said the boys wouldn't come with them. Well, when they came about 2:30 Daddy was starving to death and they wouldn't eat so it was quite uncomfortable to visit with them. They are happy with their townhouse here - we-can't figure that out either - we feel like they have put Garic completely on his own and he will manage it and live there with Brick and two other boys - I guess he will work full time. Garic and his father don't communicate and it is obvious there is friction there. Johnny - I don't' believe you will choose Brick as your closest friend - Ha! Garic is a super young man!!!

Daddy and I had a fun Morning yesterday. A man I went to High School with married a lady who was Daddy's friend from Gunnison, Utah. Anyway, they had an open house at their home in Salt Lake and invited us - actually they had two open houses and we chose the one we wanted to go to. They have a very lovely home and she served a "sit down" brunch to everyone - it was a special pancake with frozen sliced peaches and whipped cream - just delicious. Daddy kept saying, "That's the way to do it - just serve one or two things and not spend so much time doing a million little things" - I reminded him that everyone has his special way of entertaining - Ha! She had a hot tomato juice drink at first, then the pancakes, ham, milk and orange juice. She had her older grand daughter helping her and I thought it won't be long until I will have seven grand daughters to help me entertain. We didn't know any of their friends but after visiting we found we had mutual friends in Montana and it was really special!!!

As you know, we didn't send Christmas cards - we are in the process of sending out New Year's cards with an enclosed little newsletter - we're just waiting for some pictures to be developed. Johnny - we had three cameras taking pictures on Christmas day (Rons, Ricks and Roys) and when Ron's pictures came back we found that you had been "translated" in them - Ha! We wanted you in the picture so we had your framed picture in with the group and I guess the flash of the cameras reflected on the glass of the frame and it blanked out your picture. Ron has one where it isn't that way and it is excellent of everyone but you Patrice and you have your eyes closed. Ron is going to have his photographers at work see if they can cut your picture out of that one and work it in in some way on one of the other ones - that is, if Rick's pictures don't turn out. We're waiting to see now how they are. Roy - do you have any that are really good??? Whenever you have a group of 12 children and 10 adults you have to expect some problems but I'm sure we'll come up with one that is satisfactory.

Cissy and Charles called from Hot Springs last night - they hadn't received a card from us and were wondering what was wrong. They are the cutest friends - they always give us the "real scoop" about how the Stake is doing - of course, they don't think anyone could take Daddy's place as Stake President. They will have their first meeting in the new Stake Center out at Otter Creek on January 18th - I guess they are planning big things. They have arranged to have that L.D.S. Polish piano player come and give a concert on the 16th - Brenda Lowe suggested that to Cissy and he has agreed to come. He came to Billings several times while we were there - we could never go hear him but Brenda went - we have his tapes and he is outstanding. We would love to go to that Sunday meeting - it's hard to believe the church has grown so much that Little Rock has two stake centers - do you all remember our first meeting there? We miss being a part of the missionary efforts of the church!!!

Johnny - we had a long letter from Sister Gonce during Christmas (the rest of the family read it). She enclosed a picture of Eric and he is really a big young man - her letter said that he was playing football and was a good student. She explained a lot about their financial affairs and it is really kinda' sad - the Beyers said that Dave looks bad and he really is living in a room in a warehouse and showering at the church. Dave is such a fine man but will always be looking for a "pie in the sky" - he is in his late fifties and is just starting over financially. They are going to try to be the "donut kings" of Missouri as soon as he sells enough real estate in Arkansas to get set up - Laura is already in Missouri with Eric and I guess they have a very small apartment.

I can't think of any more news - tomorrow the children here will all start back to school and I know their Mothers will welcome that. We will start our regular routines again and Daddy will probably start refinishing some of our furniture to keep him busy - I'll just putter as usual. Daddy really wants to go to Florida and vacation with Chris and Wayne but I'm not sold on it yet - maybe a week or more of this dreary weather and I'll be ready to leave too.

We surely do love each one of you and we appreciate so much all you do to make our lives so complete and happy - PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - Let us know how we can help you!!!
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