July 31, 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:
This will be a very short letter - I PROMISE!!! Daddy & I went to Salt Lake early this morning to go to Chris & Dicks so we could get the rest of the supplies for the cabin and we thought it would take us about three hours and it took five and I have a lot to do today. Daddy & I and Chris & Wayne spent last week at the cabin and Daddy & Wayne worked every single minute. They brought water into the house and installed the toilet, the bathroom sink, the skunk room sink and a big double sink in the kitchen. They have fixed it so we can drain the kitchen sink water and it will run out under the cabin but of course we won't be able to use the toilet until the sewer gets connected and hopefully that won't be too long. Having water in the cabin is such a luxury after bringing it in from outside - I can't believe it. I hope they will be able to finish everything they want to tomorrow - Chris and I won't go tomorrow.
Roy & Patrice - we loved your letter and the darling pictures. That little Emily has the happiest expression on her face all the time - we just want to hug her!!! Your trip to Padre Island sounded really fun and we're SO glad you enjoy things like that with Emily - that's what builds a happy strong family. Your van is just beautiful and your pictures are something else Patrice - the one with Roy & the sparklers could win a prize. When Ann saw the pictures she said, "Patrice has bangs". We also loved the little drawing from Emily. We're excited about your trip to Trip Strauss' wedding in a couple weeks. I talked to Chris Jordin yesterday and she said she saw the deed closing announcement in the paper of the Watson's home and she said they paid $114,000 for it - she also said, "I think that's way too much". I think it's strange the way they publish that information in the paper in Little Rock but I remember that they do. We don't think you will have any trouble in selling your home - we just love it!!!
Chris & I went to lunch with "the gang" last week - Dianne was here and she looks great - she said they are trying something different with her and it seems to be working - she is allergic to just about everything in life. I told you all wrong - she and Barbara Sondrup love Connecticut but not Trumbull - they say it is so controlled by long time residents that new people moving in can hardly do anything. She said they don't even allow fast food places and they couldn't build a fence around their property!!! Frances James was also there and she is still beautiful but there is much more of her - she has gained a lot of weight and can hardly walk because of arthritis in her knees. We had lunch at the Riverside Country Club and it was lovely.
Chris & Wayne went into Salt Lake on Saturday - they spent some time at the RV grounds there by the temple and then they went into American Form canyon to spend last night. They attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast yesterday in temple square. Their daughter Linda is moving to Dallas - they talked to her a few minutes ago and she said the movers are there moving them and some friends are bringing in a potluck dinner tonight to share with them. Ken has a good job in Dallas and Linda does also doing pretty much the same thing she has been doing in Little Rock - data process forms or something like that. They will like Dallas but it is hard to move with a little four month old baby.
We just heard this story and I must include it in my letter because it is such a neat journal story!!! When John went to Lake Powell with us he put all his keys in our Camry. He came home early with Bob & Claire and when they got to our home he discovered he didn't have his keys and I had given the ones that are usually hidden at our home to Jenna Harris who was caring for Hans. I understand Bob was completely exasperated - Ha!!!! They talked about different ways of getting in the house and John suggested he break out a garage panel like he did before - Bob vetoed that. YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS WHAT THEY DID. They awakened little Michael and put him over our backyard fence and had him crawl through Hans' door into the garage so he could open the door leading into the house. They got here about 2 o'clock in the morning and Bob & Claire still had another hour and a half to drive to Layton. Daddy & I about died laughing when we heard this but I'm sure it was NOT funny to anyone that night. I dreamt last night that it was Brett that crawled through the door and when he got in the garage he became frightened and cried and couldn't open the door into the house and there was no way any of the big people could help him. Michael was a TRUE HERO!!!!
John is going to Boston in the morning. He will have the opportunity to attend a computer show that will have graphic computers doing pretty much the same thing they are doing at Viewpoint. Daddy & I think it is a wonderful opportunity for him and he's excited about it. He plans to stay with his mission friend, Kathleen Hunter, and they will have a lot to talk about.
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.
WE HOPE TO SEE ALL THE UTAH FAMILY THIS SATURDAY FOR DADDY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY - COME EARLY AND STAY LATE - WE'LL MISS YOU ROY, PATRICE & EMILY!!!!!