July 26, 1987 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:

Well - the big news for this week is that Johnny is finally home!!!! He has grown into a man; a BIG man and we're so thrilled to have him here. He came in right on schedule on Thursday about noon and it was so much fun - all the little grandchildren were carrying "Welcome Back" balloons (helium filled) along with some signs they had made - I really believe Johnny was very happy to get out of the airport - Ha!!!! We took lots and lots of pictures and when we get them back we'll share them with you. We had decided that he needed to be home by himself the first day- he had an interview with the Stake President that afternoon - so the Woolleys and Weinerts went to their home and we came here. Later that evening we cooked steaks down on the patio and had a good dinner - actually, I believe Johnny would have preferred going to McDonalds and I wish I had thought of that. He loves our home and his room and is in the process of "re-decorating" it!!!!!! We looked at his slides and other pictures and heard about his mission and visited until late Thursday night - he was worn out after having traveled for about twenty hours without much sleep!!!!

Friday, July 24th, the Woolleys and Weinerts all came for a welcome home party and we had a big dinner with everyone bringing delicious food - Daddy cooked bar-b-cued turkey (like they cook for the Manti Pageant) and everything tasted SO good. They all looked at Johnny's slides and it was just a fun, fun family time! We had fireworks when it got dark (the Weinerts had brought them). You all know how Utah celebrates the 24th - there was really a lot of excitement in the air. The Woolleys and Weinerts had "traded" children when they were together at the airport - Jeannie took Jessie & Russell and sent Mary Ann home with Ann - it was fun to see them get back together again with their families. Barji has the chicken pox - she has a lot of them on her face but she doesn't complain - Jeannie is happy for her to get them and now she is hoping the other children will get them. (Bob - I believe you advised her to expose their children to them.)

Roy & Patrice - I'll bet you are glad to be together again in your lovely home. I KNOW you are happy to have that military training over with Roy - did you learn anything??? Patrice - it sounds like you have made lots and lots of friends already - that's WONDERFUL!!!! We loved your letter Patrice and also those pictures of the times in Memphis with Claire and Bob's children. We hope your air conditioning woes are over with - you have had high temperatures so it's important that you get it in working condition.

Bob & Claire - we know you are having HOT weather too. We remember those days with all that humidity - I'm not sure I could handle that now. We are having some hot days too but it always cools off at night - we really could run our air conditioner during the days but we haven't turned it on yet. If we had a lot of little children running around or if we were more active it would be uncomfortable but so far we haven't minded it too much and Johnny hasn't complained. (He's too sweet to complain about anything!)

Daddy says he is getting better and I am trying hard to believe him! Don't ever let anyone tell you that those radiation therapy treatments are easy - he has really suffered! He had his last one last Wednesday and so far he isn't any better - he sleeps a lot so I'm sure the recovery will come but I don't know when. We are very optimistic that they will be effective. He has to go see his urologist (Dr. Middletown in Salt Lake) on Thursday and I hope we get a good report. The radiologist oncologists said he should come in every three months for tests.

Ann just called and they are coming over to get us so we can go see their new home - Johnny has been anxious to go but we wanted the Woolleys to show it to him. I need to close this letter before they come. I don't think I have any more news. Daddy and I went into Salt Lake last Wednesday night for a party with some of my former High School friends - it was so nice and fun to be with them again - there was one couple there that I hadn't seen for over twenty years.

We're anxious for you to see Johnny, Bob & Roy- all the people at church this morning were SO impressed with him. He's registered to start at the Y the last of August and now he's looking at cars - I believe he has seen every kind!

We are looking forward to being together at Lake Powell. I believe Daddy and I and I and the Bob Mellors will stay the entire week (coming home on Saturday) but I'm not sure who else will be able to stay that long. The Woolleys and Weinerts are hesitant about taking their children out of school for a full week and Johnny is worried about that too. We hope things work out for the Roy Mellors to come too.

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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