April 25, 1988 Orem, Utah

Dearest Johnny; Roy, Patrice & Emily; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

Wow - it's a cold and rainy Spring day in Orem I am having a hard time getting Daddy to stay inside. We couldn't find anymore of those brown "criss cross ornamental bricks" to finish Daddy's wall so he had to take some off another part of the wall where they aren't noticeable. He got some plain brown bricks to put there and he is SO anxious to put them up so his brick work will be finished. He starts to cough when he is outside in the cold air and I just hate to see him out there working when it isn't necessary. He has SO much energy and just loves to be out working - I'll be glad when it is warmer and it is supposed to be in a few days. His NEW wall is just beautiful and is exactly what our backyard needed. Johnny has done a lot of landscaping back there too - he dug all around that one big tree and edged it and then filled it with that ornamental bark and it looks SO nice! Johnny and I are laughing at Daddy this morning - it is time to get our Lincoln licensed and before that can be done it needs to be inspected. When they were doing our cement driveway just a month ago they backed our Lincoln into one of their trucks and broke one of the tail lights. Daddy has been on the phone all morning calling to see if he can find a replacement for it absolutely no one has one - we have about decided the only place to find one is at the junk yard - Ha! I guess it can't be licensed until that is fixed - maybe we'll have to get rid of it after all.

Claire - thank you so much for those adorable pictures of Baby Katie. SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE CLAIRE!!!! I don't usually see much a strong resemblance in newborn babies but there is no doubt about Katie - we are thrilled - she will be beautiful!!!! Michael, Laura & Brett look so happy as they are holding her- what a sweet happy family!!!! We are sorry you lost your hospital pictures (their roll didn't turn out) - that is such a disappointment. We know you miss your folks, Claire - it is wonderful they were able to stay so long. We hope you sell your hone soon too - that is always SO hard - it's doubly hard to keep it "ready to show" with a new baby. We felt SO bad that we missed talking to Michael on Saturday (when Bob works in Martin, Tenn. he sometimes takes Michael with him and they called us and we had just gone to the store). Johnny said he was "out of it" so we didn't get any news from your call. We are SO thrilled that you are coming to Utah this weekend - I feel that you won't be staying with us. (They are going to stay in a hotel in Salt Lake.) When I said that crying babies drove me to distraction I meant when I was responsible for them - when their parents are here with them I don't even hear them. We are available to help in any way we possible can and we will be really disappointed if we don't have you and the Woolleys and Weinerts here for dinner many times while you are here.

Roy & Patrice - did you get out message??? I'm sure you did and we were glad you didn't call back because we didn't have any more news. We received a post card from the Air Force and it said they had been unable to contact us by phone to arrange a time for them to pick up your things - I guess we are away from the house more than we think we are. Anyway they gave us a number to call and when we did they told us they would come on Thursday, April 28th to get your things. Johnny had taken your mini-bike from the "shed" and hosed it off so it is ready and I'll include the title for it in this letter. We hope you will be able to get it in working condition and knowing you, I'm sure you will be. How is Baby Emily???? I want to call and just hear her cry - is she on a pretty good schedule yet????? I'll bet she is, gaining good and growing fast - has she lost her hair????

Johnny just came downstairs and Hans was in his room with me. I wasn't paying any attention to him out Johnny just gasped - he had gotten the cord to Johnny's electric blanket and gnawed right through it. Luckily he had the end going into the blanket instead of the end directly from the wall outlet or I guess he would have been a crispy critter. How are we going to protect him from all our extension cords throughout the house??? He is growing into a beautiful dog and is really very obedient for a dog - we are thoroughly enjoying him.

Speaking of dogs - we stopped in to see the Weinerts of Friday evening and they have a beautiful little dog - he is chocolate brown with white spots and they have named him Coca. The girls were SO thrilled with him - Ricky and Jeannie weren't home. Rick was holding the fort down and he had been sick with Montezuma's revenge from their Mexico trip. Jeannie had gone to the hospital to get one of her friends who had had surgery.

The Woolleys are fine. Daddy & I want to a gymnastics meet one night last week to see LeeAnna & Jeannie perform - that Jessie is a reap pro!!!! We also went to an elementary assembly to see a performance that Susanna was in - she and three other girls did a dance from 50's and it was really cute. Annie gave me a permanent one day last week and I LOVE it. Ron was out of town all last week - I believe he was in Florida. They are preparing for a big weekend - I believe he was in Florida. They are preparing for a big weekend - Jessie will be baptized on Saturday morning and then confirmed on Sunday afternoon - Ron's family will come from Idaho and also the Farmington area. It will be a fun time from them because Rons' parents haven't been here for along time.

Daddy & I went to Brigham City on Friday to see Grandpa Forrest. I hardly recognized him - he didn't have his teeth in and his hair was REALLY short. He is just there and that is all - he doesn't talk or seem aware that anyone is with him - the nurses say he is going downhill fast. I'm about out of space. 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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