July 18, 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:
I'm downstairs in Johnny's room using the computer and it is almost cold but WOW has it ever been hot!!!! I don't ever remember it being this hot in Utah for so long - it cools off nicely at night and our home stays cool until about 2 o'clock in the afternoon - we spend a lot of time on our patio and downstairs.
Little Jessie is home and doing really good - we have talked to them each day and they're getting along fine. Jessie came home Wednesday afternoon with strict instructions to not bend her head down, to not lift anything heavy or do anything strenuous - she is SO active that is quite a challenge. Ann has to put drops in her eye four times a day to prevent any infection and she goes to the doctor every three days for a check-up. I know the Woolleys have really appreciated the support from all of you - Ann has mentioned so many times how much it has helped all of them!!!! Ann went to Farmington to get LeeAnna & Russell on Saturday and they had had a WONDERFUL time with the "S-cousins" - Jeannie & Claire had both cared for them during the week. Roy & Patrice had sent a plant (I believe that's right) for Jessie and had kept in touch with them and Bob had called here often to get the reports. Ron's sister, Sue, came down to visit and I know Grandma & Grandpa Woolley have been in touch constantly - families are such great support systems - ESPECIALLY OURS!!!! Jessie is a mighty special little girl and we just know things are going to be fine. Susanna is a mighty special little girl too and has helped in a million ways.
Ricky had his 9th birthday last Saturday - I believe their family went "bumper riding" on a lake nearby. It's hard to believe the grandchildren are getting that old - we're surely proud of him - he's a fine young man!!!
The Smiths (Chris & Wayne) and their four grandchildren have been here and we have really enjoyed "playing" with them. Wednesday afternoon right after Ann came for Jimmy, Wayne called us from Manti and wanted us to come down and go to the pageant with them. Daddy was fishing and he had been up since about 5 a.m. so I didn't think we would go but we decided we should. The pageant is just wonderful (their grandchildren thought it was BORING). They stayed in Manti in a campground right by the temple - they brought their pop-up tent trailer. They came to Orem the next day and came here for dinner that night. We invited the Griffins (Marlena and her children from Arkansas) and also the Sondrups who were here for Kevin's mother's funeral and Barbara Andrews who is here visiting her mother. As it turned out just the Griffins and the Smiths came and it was just as well - it was pure bedlam with 8 children. It was fun for us to get to visit with Marlena & of course Chris & Wayne. Friday afternoon Daddy & I went to the canyon with the Smiths and we cooked hot dogs and the children played in the river - we had a beautiful camping place and it was nice and cool and they loved it. Saturday, Daddy went fishing with Ray (he tried to get Wayne to go with them) and the Smiths took their children on the "Heber Creeper" that goes up Provo Canyon - they all got sick on it so I guess it wasn't too much fun. They came here after they got back and we all had ice cream on the patio. Yesterday, Sunday, they took their grandchildren in to Salt Lake to go to the tabernacle where they listened to the choir - they thought that was really great. They came here for dinner last night - we got some Kentucky Fried Chicken (that's Chris' most favorite food) and we made some salads, brownies, etc. We borrowed "The Princess Bride" video from the Woolleys so they watched that while the adults visited and it was the first time we really had time to visit - it was FUN. The children have loved the trampoline and it has been lifesaver while they were here. Their grandchildren have quite a history to their lives for being so young - Jamie is 12 and has been through her parent's divorce; Scott is 12 and his parents divorced this year and he is living with this mother and his father has re-married Kristen's mother and Kristen is 5; and then Jennifer is 8 and she is Linda's (Chris & Waynes' daughter) youngest girl. They told us that Linda is expecting again and they are crossing their fingers - she has had several miscarriages. DID YOU GET ALL THAT???? Chris & Wayne are like family to us and we kinda' feel bad for them but they take everything in stride and make the most of it and they are just wonderful grandparents. They wanted to know all about all of you - they were thrilled to see the pictures of little Emily and Katie - if they hadn't had their grandchildren with them we would have brought them to see those of you who are in Utah. Their original plan was to go back by way of the Grand Canyon but the were so tired last night when they left here that they said they were heading straight for Arkansas.
Bob wants to borrow the truck this week and he was coming down for it but Daddy said this morning, "it isn't much of a help to him if he has to spend all that time driving down here to get it" so we are going to take it up to him and do a little shopping in Salt Lake. Besides that, we want to go by way of Oakley and look at some land that is for sale - one that we can build a cabin on. Johnny is going to go see him tonight for him to look at his throat - he keeps getting sore throats!!!!
We had a letter from Dee this week with the final details about settling Grandmother & Grandfather Forrests' estate. I believe I had told you that they left their home and personal things to Dee and then of the cash Dee got 60%, Don 30% and me 10%. I feel just fine about that. He said there was $36,000 cash left and our share is $3,600.00. We want to divide that 6 ways - please buy something that you will remember them by. 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!!!!