December 26, 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:

What a fun, fun Christmas we have had!!!! AND we truly had a white one - we REALLY got dumped on yesterday. When we saw the snow blizzard and heard on the news that it was going to get worse and worse as the day went on Daddy "suggested" that we not go on our scheduled trip to see the Woolleys, Weinerts & Bob Mellors - Ann even called and said their street had not been plowed and she didn't think we would be able to get up their hill. WELL - we did change our plans a little and didn't go to church so we could get back home before dark. Our car is just wonderful and we didn't have any problems at all but it's really hard to describe the road conditions - we saw one accident where fifteen cars were involved - nothing serious but each of the cars was just ruined. I was in the back seat and Daddy kept looking back at me with an expression that said, "I can't believe we're doing this". It's something we will never forget though and after we got home we were SO happy we had gone - to see all the families in their Christmas Mess made it all worthwhile. I only wish we could have stayed longer and "played" with the children.

We went to Ann & Rons' home first and it was so cute - they had drawn names to see who would be first, second, third, fourth and fifth to show us what Santa had brought to the,. They had a lovely Christmas. Russell had his new train set up all over their kitchen bar and a picture of it would have made a perfect Christmas card.

We came home to get something to eat and just as we stepped in the door the phone rang and it was Roy - of course he had to tell us they were having temperatures in the high 60's - he said it was just beautiful. Little Emily got lots of new toys but she really didn't care - Ha!!! Patrice's Mom and sister Liz were there and they were having a wonderful time.

After we had eaten some turkey we left to go North and stopped at Jean & Ricks' home first. Their children were so cute and thrilled with the things they had received but especially thrilled with their lovely new home. Rick gave PaPa a kerosene heater that he had had but didn't need any more and of course, PaPa is thrill4ed to pieces with anything for the cabin.

Then we went to Bob & Claires' home and by the time we got there Daddy was very nervous and I didn't blame him so we couldn't stay very long. I couldn't believe the "gym" that Santa had brought for their children - they had it set up in their playroom and the children were all so excited. Bob was "trying" to help Michael set up a VERY COMPLICATED something.

We got home about 5:30 and fixed a huge Christmas dinner - turkey with all the trimmings and ate and ate and then we just watched television and relaxed - A PERFECTLY WONDERFUL DAY.

Friday was such a fun day. We left here about 11 o'clock and stopped in Lehi to deliver some mints to our friends over there- you all remember Mamie and Oral Hansen who love right across the street from our home there. They are just exactly the same as they have been for the past 63 years - they just sit in front of their fireplace and watch TV. twenty-four house a day. They are very sweet people and they love to have us visit them.

We got to Bob & Claires' home about 1 o'clock and pretty soon the Woolleys came so then we all went over to the Weinerts to see their new home. Johnny had gone up on Thursday so he could help them move and then he spent that night with Bob. They were moved in but in a very typical moving day mess - their neighbors had brought them a Christmas tree and had decorated it for them which was SO nice. We LOVE their new home and we are really, really thrilled for them - they have enough bedrooms for all their children and a playroom besides!!!! They have three fireplaces- one even in their bedroom. It is beautiful and in a fabulous neighborhood - they will be in the same ward as Claires' parents.

Then we all gathered back at Bob & Claires. We helped (?) the children make gingerbread houses and that is a tradition I hope they will ALWAYS continue - as they get older the houses could get very elaborate (I have even seen some with Christmas lights on them). I have NEVER seen a bigger mess unless it has been the times they have done this at the Weinert and Woolley homes. There was frosting EVERYWHERE and all kinds of candy strewn all over - some partly chewed - Ha!!! I worried about the carpet and the furniture but it all survived.

After the gingerbread houses were completed we had the most delicious dinner - Claire had made two huge pots of clam chowder and cheese soup and also lots of her wonderful potato rolls - Ann had made two delicious and beautiful trifles for dessert. Then the children put on the "Christmas Story" and then Santa Clause rode over their hose on his sled and dropped off some candy and rhythm band toys. By then we had to hurry and leave so we could get home before Santa came - we left about 8 o'clock.

The only thing that went wrong was for Johnny to get sick - he had an intestinal upset and was REALLY sick for about 12 hours. We missed the dinner so you know he was very, very sick - Ha!!!

We have been to some fun parties and we are doing to have some of our Lehi friends over for dinner on Thursday night - I'm going to fix a very simple casserole dinner and put Ann's tables up downstairs like we did for Thanksgiving and serve it down here.

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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