July 3, 1989 Orem, Utah
Dearest John; 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:
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TOMORROW!!!! I was always happy when the fourth of July was over because I worried SO much about fireworks. The boys in our family used to save their money for weeks so they could buy them and they are so darn dangerous!!!! I believe the big commercial firework displays now have kinda' taken the place of individual fireworks. The Osmonds always sponsor a huge "Stadium of Fire" thing in Provo and each year I say "next year we are going to get tickets for that" but so far we haven't!!! We hope you all have lots of fun and that you don't have any accidents with bottle rockets, etc., etc.!!!
We had such a wonderful time on Saturday and WE MISSED ROY, PATRICE & EMILY - that's the first time we had been all together for several months and we LOVED it!!!! We all met at the chapel near Bob & Claires' home for Michael's baptism - there were only two in their ward who were being baptized but there were others from other wards and there was a huge crowd. Michael looked so cute and we could tell this was a serious thing for him and we were proud of him and his Daddy - we were proud of Claire too and the other children!!!! After the baptism we went to their home for dinner. Their yard could very well be featured in the "Better Homes and Garden" magazine - it is really one of the prettiest yards I have ever seen. We just ate and ate and ate - Daddy has been on a "no cholesterol" diet for so long that everything tasted so good to him - he ate three chocolate and caramel sundaes!!!!! The cousins love each other SO much and they have SO much fun together that it is really a treat for us to be with them.
Ron provided the entertainment - he has been collecting large plastic pop bottles for months for the scout group in his ward. He brought some of them and also a pump - he put a little water in the bottle and then pumped air into it until it shot way up in the air. Michael just didn't want to stop doing it even though he was soaking wet. It was fun for all of us to watch and Ron made those holding the bottle and the one pumping the air wear safety goggles - it was really VERY exciting!!!!!
Little Barji looked SO cute. It was her birthday on Friday and they let her invite some of her girl friends to go with her to the "Beauty College" - they all had their hair and nails done. Barji's hair was divided into sections and she must have had about fifty little braids all over her head.
We were SO happy John made it - his ward had a special activity Saturday afternoon and in the evening so he didn't stay as long as the rest of us but HE MADE IT!!! He has a job and he's excited about it - Ron has invested in a computer video company that makes computer pictures of accidents - it's called "Viewpoint". The President of it is a good friend of the Woolleys - in fact, he and his wife used to baby sit for them when they went out of town. The President's name is also John (Wright) and I believe there is another man working there with that name so they are trying to have our John come up with a nickname - I suggested Forrest but he didn't go for that too much. John wants so much to be able to contribute something to the company and it will be a wonderful opportunity for him to see how a company gets started - he says the men he is working for are top notch and have a lot of talent.
The Woolleys had a wonderful trip to New York. It is really a sign of our ages - Daddy and I kept saying how much we wanted to visit with Ann & Jean about their trips last week and then when we were with them we forgot to ask about them. When I get around thirteen grandchildren I just "lose it" - I don't even remember my name!!!!
Daddy & I are entertaining our Family Home Evening group here tonight so I'll close and vacuum or do something to get ready. Daddy just finished washing our windows. He has had fun fixing up his new boat - he has painted the trailer and oars and has carpeted the inside with that indoor-outdoor carpet. He's anxious to take it out on Utah Lake - he'll probably do that in the morning. I believe he would really like to live either on Utah Lake or at the cabin for the rest of the Summer. We're expecting Chris & Wayne sometime soon - they said they would call when they left Little Rock and we haven't heard from them.
I'm going to give you the recipe for the dessert we're serving tonight. It is Ann's recipe but I don't think she will mind if I give it to you - she served it at the wedding shower she had about a month ago. It is super easy and great for Summer.
One package "Mother's Macaroons"
One cup Walnuts
Crush these in your Cuisinart
Add l x-large container Cool WhipSpray a 9 x 13 Pyrex pan with Pam
Spread 1/2 of mixture on bottom of panSlice rainbow sherbet over the crust (arrange it so the flavors are mixed)
Put remaining crust crumbs on top
Serve with a sliced strawberry on top
I can hear Ann saying "Mother I didn't use that much cool whip". You can use your own judgment - I like a lot!!!!