July 10, 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:
A nice cool morning and it will probably rain again - it rained yesterday and we REALLY need it. We have had some very, very hot weather during the past week - 'course nothing compared to your weather Roy & Patrice, but it has been hot for Utah - in the 100's most of the week!!!!
Did you all have a Happy Fourth of July?? We really enjoyed it ªUtah celebrates the Fourth more than any place we have ever lived and it is going to take us awhile to get in the swing of things ªI believe Provo leads the State in the celebration too with a parade, fireworks, etc., etc. We had a neighborhood breakfast that is sponsored each year by the Boy Scouts and we were SO happy because John came and went with us - we had invited all his roommates too but just John came. After the breakfast, Daddy & I took his new fishing boat out on its maiden voyage and John had activities all day with his friends at school.
Let me tell you about our boat experience!!!! There were lots of young people launching their ski boats on the lake that day and here came Daddy & I with his fishing boat and we must have looked ancient because they all wanted to help us. Well - they pushed us off the dock and into the water and Daddy took one push with the bulb that forces the gas into the engine and it popped right in his hand. You should have heard him - Ha!!! I guess Ray had given him that bulb and it was completely rotten. SO Daddy oared us over to the shore and I stayed with the boat while he went into town to buy another one - at least an hour later here he came and it just took a minute to put the new one on. The motor worked wonderful after that and we went all around the lake but we stayed close to the shore in case something didn't work. He is thrilled with his boat - it's exactly what he has wanted. He & Ray went out one day last week and caught 26 catfish!!!
The Weinerts came down later on the Fourth and we all met at the Woolleys - the Bob Mellors couldn't come because Bob was on call. We just had a wonderful time - Ann had fixed dinner - twice baked potatoes, grilled chicken breasts, salad, fruit, etc. and Ron had made the most delicious ice cream I believe I have ever tasted. He used a recipe Aunt Carol had given them and it was made with buttermilk and raspberries. The Weinerts had brought down a lot of fireworks and The Woolleys had a lot so we had our own private fireworks display on their driveway - I don't believe I have ever seen so many. THEN about 10:30 they started the fireworks from the "Stadium of Fire" that the Osmonds put on and it was absolutely spectacular - we had a ringside seat from the Woolleys balcony and it couldn't have been better. We have never seen them before - I had said I wanted to go inside next year but I don't believe we could enjoy them any more than we did this year. The Weinerts and Woolleys exchanged children - Jean took Russell and Ann took Barji & Mary Ann.
Ann invited me to ride to Farmington with her on Friday to pick up Russell & take Barji & Mary Ann home. I thought we would just leave the children and hurry back home but Jeannie had hamburgers already and we had just a wonderful afternoon and evening with them. They have a swimming pool and recreation center right close to their home so we went over there and the children just had a wonderful time swimming and playing. After that we went back to the Weinerts for sundaes - it's no wonder I can't lose weight!!!! It is such a treat for us to see how much the cousins love each other - that is a relationship that has more value than anything money could buy!!! We tried to call you Claire but no one answered.
On the way to Farmington, we stopped in Salt Lake for Ann & Jessie to go to the "violin makers" store. Jessie started out with a very, very small violin and every six months they go to have her measured to change it according to the growth she has made - this time she needed a much larger one and she was excited. It was very expensive and I asked Ann if she shouldn't check with Ron first before she bought it but she said "No, he would agree". When she called him he told her that would just delay their car purchase a little longer - Ha!!! That was the Woolley's wedding anniversary and I can't think of a better gift than a new violin - Ha!!!! Little Mary Ann is doing really good on her violin too - she played in church not long ago. I wish Daddy and I had more time when we're with the children to hear them play their instruments. Claire says Michael is learning the piano and I think that's great!!!!
Bob came down on Friday morning and went to the cabin with Daddy. They came home on Saturday afternoon and had had a good time - they had caught a lot of trout. The swallows hadn't rebuilt their nests and I'm SO glad - Daddy took our squeegee with the extended handle and washed all the windows. It is SO good to see Bob looking tanned and healthy - this year has made a big difference in how he looks (at least to me). Daddy looks tanned and healthy too - I think he pushes himself too hard - if I had to work that hard at having fun I'd just give up!!! He has been up since early, early this morning working on his boat - he is building something to raise his motor up because it has a long shank on it. Chris & Wayne called us yesterday - they will be here this week sometime. I'm sure they will go to Lake Powell with us but I don't know when - it may not be until later on in the week. We have waited for four days for the McKells - they were supposed to come for dinner last Thursday - they just called this morning and said they were too tied up with relatives - can you believe that?
Roy - we hope your work isn't too stressful - we really miss you, Patrice & Emily - we know you're super happy & busy though!!! Little Emily is at the 100 % attention stage - Ha!!!!