October 3, 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:

It's Monday morning and I'm down in Johnny's room using the computer and Daddy is down here getting his guns already for the big hunt this week - I don't understand guns at all but he loves to spend time with them. He & Johnny will leave tomorrow afternoon with the rest of the group from Lehi - they are going somewhere up in the mountains from Vernal where they have gone for the last two or three years. Daddy is disappointed that Bob won't be able to go but he will go deer hunting with him later on in the month - Bob has this weekend off but wouldn't be able to go until Thursday night and Daddy plans to be home probably by Friday. I am SO happy that Daddy feels good - last year he went for the hunt but had to come home after the first night because of the problems with his neck.

Patrice - we loved your sweet and newsy letter. We laughed when you wrote that "the party's over" with little Emily because she is learning how to get around a little bit - each stage is so much fun and we know you are just loving and enjoying her SO much. We're glad your weather has cooled down to 90 degrees- Ha!!! Roy - we're also glad you are going to be able to go to San Francisco this weekend for the anesthesia conference - that will be an interesting place to visit - we would love to tend Emily so you could both go you could just fly you here and drop her off. It was good to have a little news about your Mom and sisters, Patrice - we think about them often.

We had a fun day yesterday!!!! It was our church general conference and it is always televised so we all got together at the Woolleys for dinner - we REALLY had a good time - the food was all so good and of course, Daddy & I always enjoy the grandchildren. The Woolley's home is large enough to accommodate everyone and the weather was beautiful so the children were able to play outside. It's fun to see how little Katie has grown- she just coos and goos all the time - Claire said she has just started her on a little solid food - cereal. Bob was in Chicago taking his test and we all thought about his test and we all thought about him and missed him - he returned last night.

We had our semi-annual missionary reunion here on Friday night - it conflicted with the BYU-Utah State football game so we didn't have very many come. One of our missionaries from New Zealand was here with her parents and that was such a joy - the Hartog family. I always enjoy visiting with the young people who come and we watch the same slides over and over again - Daddy doesn't enjoy it as much as I do and they will really come to see him but h tolerates it. We had a lot say that some were coming by after the game so as soon as our group left about 9:30, Daddy hurried and turned out all our lights - Ha!!!! I prepared a lot of raw vegetables with dip and then made cookies and frappe' but the thing they most enjoyed was a Mexican dip that Johnny gave me the recipe for - it is made in layers with refried beans, sour cream, avocados, salsa and tomatoes on top (you put the dry taco mix in with the refried beans, to taste) - Ann made it again yesterday for our dinner and we just love it.

Daddy has his cabin just about in order - he went down last Tuesday and Wednesday and finished up some of the paneling and other things while I stayed home and cleaned our home for the reunion. I really did some deep cleaning that had to be done and it is such a good feeling to have it done. I even washed and ironed all the curtains and drapes for the two front windows and they did up beautifully - I should do all the draperies in the house but they don't need it as much as the front ones did. I love to have window coverings that can be laundered instead of dry cleaned.

We have loved the Olympics for the past two weeks - we haven't been able to watch as much as I would have liked but it is a thrill to me to see so many young people committed to their talents to perfect them SO well. Daddy really felt sorry for Ben Johnson - he had admired his muscles before he found out he had been on steroids!!!! The little 14 year old archer from Utah came home with a Bronze medal and we thought that was great. I guess the two big stars were Greg Louganis and Flo Jo!!!!

I believe that is all the news. We are SO thrilled that you are going to be able to spend the week of Thanksgiving with us Roy & Patrice & Emily. We planned Thanksgiving day yesterday - we'll start with appetizers at the Woolleys - come here for the main dish and then end up at the Bob Mellors for dessert. I feel "kinda'" bad about so much traveling but the time we had the progressive dinner before was a lot of fun. THEN - we will plan to have our family portrait taken the next day, Friday, around noon and come here after for left-overs. I guess we can't have our cake and eat it too but I wish we could have beautiful weather here in the valley and snow in the mountains so you could al go skiing!!!!

It's about time for "Discovery" to land at Edward's Air Force Base in California - we surely hope everything goes well - the takeoff was such a relief to everyone - especially at the Thiokol plant in Brigham City.

We love each one of you so very much. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. Let us know we can help you.

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