August 10, 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:

It's Monday afternoon so I am going to have to hurry in order to get this in the mail today!!!!

We have had such a fun week! Daddy's birthday was last Wednesday and he appreciated so much hearing from each one of you. I really wanted to plan a dinner and have his sisters and their husbands come for it along with the Woolleys and Weinerts - BUT - Daddy didn't want me to do I was worried that he might not feel up to it so I didn't do it. As it turned out - each one of his sisters came by to bring a gift and visit and that was just as well. Annie made him a birthday cake and their family came over and we were just eating when Ramona & Winston came so they joined in too. Elaine brought a bag of "old age" gifts and they were so cute - Polident, preparation H., etc. and also a little booklet on being old. Shirley and Ramona each brought some apricot nectar and bread. Johnny gave him some cologne (some that he could borrow, Ha!) and it was a fun day.

Yesterday, Sunday, was Johnny's welcome home meeting at church and the Woolleys and Weinerts came for it along with Rosie Willardson who is in school at the "Y" and also our sweet friends, Ellen Mae and Mel Manning from Kaysville. The meeting started at 9 o'clock and since Ricky, Mary Ann & Sarah all had the chicken pox, Rick stayed here with them. Johnny gave a WONDERFUL talk and we were so proud of him - Daddy & I each spoke too. Jessie played a violin solo and I can't describe what a thrill that was for us - she goofed up a little and instead of running off the podium crying she stuck with it until she got it right and finished. Annie accompanied her and she handled it just great - I don't know what I would have done. Jessie got to a certain place and forgot it but after trying it the third time she remembered and finished it - she really endeared herself to all the people in the congregation.

I cooked for two days preparing food for tostados and then I did the dumbest thing and I worried about it all night. It seems that people are always teasing me about preparing too much food and as a result I believe I bend over backwards to not appear to have done much. When I was cleaning up after the Woolleys and Weinerts left I discovered that I had served about 1/8th of what I really should have done - I'm sure none had enough meat or beans and I will end up throwing it away. I am doing the weirdest things lately and really need someone to do my thinking for me. We had such a fun day - we went out to Utah lake and the children fed the ducks - it was really hot so we didn't stay very long. Our patio is so cool we don't realize how hot it really is. We also had another birthday cake for Papa so I'm sure he feels properly honored!!!!

Daddy went to both his urologist and radiologist last week and they had good reports. His acid phosphates level is down from 19 to 9 and that is good. Bob & Roy - if you can find out what is normal we would really appreciate it. Different lads have different numbers - when he had it taken over here at Utah Valley it was 3.4 and they told us the normal was 0.8 - when he had it taken back in Boston it was 20 and I believe they told us the normal was 5. His urologist told us to by all means go to Alaska so we are going!!!! Daddy is feeling much, much better - in fact, this morning when he got up he said, "I can't believe it, I slept from 10:30 until 6:30". I hope he continues to feel good because he wants to so badly. He and Johnny "drew" out to hunt elk at 2,000 lakes, wherever that is - Daddy's hunting buddies from Lehi called him last night - they had seen it in the paper and he hadn't. it was in the Provo Herald so John went over to Ann & Rons and borrowed their paper.

It is just wonderful to have Johnny home with us and he is such a help!!!! He went to Rons' company party on Friday with their family and then water skiing on Saturday with the Weinerts so he is getting back in the groove. He got water in his ear while water skiing and he is trying to hold out until you get here Bob to give him some help - Ha! I gave him some Murine ear drops and they seemed to have helped him.

We expect the Smiths to come tomorrow and then we'll be on our way to Alaska. We have no idea how long we'll be gone but I'm sure it will be at least two weeks. We'll get back in plenty of time to go to Lake Powell. It's great to have Johnny home to hold down to fort and we'll keep in touch with him so if you need to get in touch with us he'll know our whereabouts.

I believe that's all the news. 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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