January 11, 1988 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:

Here I am back at Ron's computer again - I still am not comfortable with our new one and can write my letter on this one in half the time. Daddy and I went to a computer class given at the Y yesterday - they were to teach us how to use the genealogy software and system that the church has just put out and John gave to us for Christmas. The class was good but we really didn't learn anything that Johnny hasn't already taught us - WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS SPEND TIME WITH THE COMPUTER AND THE MANUAL AND REALLY LEARN FOR OURSELVES!!!!! We keep saying we will do that but there are always so many other things to do.

We have talked to each one of you this week so there really isn't anything new to write to you about. We were so thrilled to talk to Roy & Patrice and learn that Roy is planning to come out in February for his annual anesthesiology (I know that isn't spelled right) conference at the University of Utah - we wish Patrice could come too (Roy says he is afraid that would be too risky for her this late in her pregnancy). One thing for sure - WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH SNOW FOR GOOD SKIING!!!!!! Johnny says he will plan to go skiing with you Roy and that will be so much fun - he hasn't been yet this year and probably won't until you come. It was fun to talk to Bob & Claire too and it is so neat that Bob has his Utah medical license now. We are anxious and willing to help in any way we possibly can to make your move easier for you - moves are the PITTS no matter how you look at it.

I guess the big news this week is our weather and I just absolutely love it. There must be something the matter with me because everyone else is dreading it and I could stay buried in like this for months and just thoroughly enjoy it. No matter where we look out our windows all I can see is beauty - the snow is just gorgeous and the lake is frozen over and the ice is so interesting to watch and the mountains are so majestic - I really do love it. Daddy feeds his birds every morning and we sit at our kitchen window and watch them and that's fun. Daddy has to hurry outside to shovel our driveway and walks - all our neighbors have snow blowers and they love to do ours. I don't know if I told you about decorating that little tree out on our back patio for Christmas - WELL - I have never done that before and I thought you had to wind the lights all around each limb. Johnny & Daddy had taken all the rest of the lights from the house and front trees but they said I had to take the ones from that tree off so I would learn not to wind them that tightly. This morning Ray called and wanted Daddy to go over to Lehi to get the snow plow for his four wheeler that he had fixed for him so I thought that would be a good time for me to get the lights off while Daddy was gone. Well - it took me longer than I thought and Daddy finally discovered where I was and came to help me and we ended up doing it during one of the worst blizzards of the season - the wind came up and we had an ice storm. We finally got them all off and I will NEVER wind them like that again. Ray called and told Daddy to not come because of the storm - he said it was snowing and blowing so hard over in Lehi you couldn't see across the road.

Daddy and Ray went ice fishing on Saturday and they caught the most beautiful and delicious fish you could imagine - they caught twelve of them and Daddy cooked our six and we ate them all in one meal and they were BIG. Daddy is down refinishing the chair that goes with the desk in this computer room - he can't stand to be idle when he feels so good. This is the best he has felt for the last 8 months - I don't know how long it will last but we are going to "live it up" while it does!!!!

I went to Brigham City while Daddy went ice fishing - it was kinda' stormy but the roads were all clear and good. I really had a good visit with Dee & Judy - Dee had called me and said he had a Christmas check from the folks for me but I would have to come and get it - Ha!!!! He is a sweet brother and he has had some challenges with his boys - Dee wants to build him a new home on some acreage so his two sons who are 15 & 16 will have work to keep them busy. With eight children I guess you are bound to have a few challenges. They have a lovely home but there isn't much property with it. Grandpa Forrest is still the same - I always try to get there to feed him his lunch and you wouldn't believe how much he eats. He doesn't know me and Dee says he doesn't know him either - it breaks my heart to see him this way but he is well cared for.

I stopped in to see the Weinerts but they weren't home - their home looked so beautiful and it was so cozy and smelled so good. I saw the sleds out in front and when Jeannie called later she said the children were really enjoying the snow. The reason they weren't home is because they had gone to buy a violin for little Mary Ann - we will have two violin Maestros (sp.?) in the family.

The Woolleys came over last night and we had dessert together. They are really enjoying their new home and Ron finally gave in to getting a snow blower - that was a NECESSITY. Their brother-in-law who is a cartoonist has just published his newest book and it is not endorsed by the church mainly because of its title "Marketing Precedes the Miracle" - it is very, very funny and we personally don't think it's that bad. Anyway they had gone to visit the Woolleys and told them the book had sold out of its first printing and is now in its second one. Life is funny isn't it???

I'm about out of space so I'll close for now. We plan to go on our trip starting the 18th - to San Antonio, Gulf Shores, Little Rock and Memphis and back home - will let you know more definitely later on. 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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