Nov. 6, 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:
Another beautiful Fall day here in Orem - the leaves on our trees are all golden and it looks like the world is on fire. The predictions are for snow tomorrow night so I guess this won't last but we really are enjoying it while it does.

Daddy is doing great and we will go to the doctor in just a few minutes and we're hoping he will put on walking cast. It still really hurts him when it isn't elevated. A lady in our ward had the very same bone broken a year ago and she told us that it took her six months to be free from pain - ugh!!! Daddy is a good patient though - he loves to read - Roy and Patrice sent him a book that would take me a year or more to finish and he is just about through with it. Our little den is a perfect place to recuperate and we're so comfortable in there and we have such a beautiful view to keep us contented.

You have all been so thoughtful during the past two weeks and we just hope you have know how much we appreciate all of you. We were so thrilled to have Bob & Brett drive clear down on Friday afternoon just to visit their Dad & PaPa. Annie & Jimmy came while they were here and it was WONDERFUL to just visit and Brett & Jimmy played so good together. We have talked to Jeannie several times and Roy called again yesterday afternoon. John is constantly dropping in just to say "Hi" and does anything we want him to.

We're all concerned about Jeannie and will be happy when tomorrow is over for her. I told you in my last letter that Bob removed a mole from the side of her nose - we all thought it was just for cosmetic purposes but he sent it in to the lab. And found out it had some cancer cells in it. Bob will do further surgery on it tomorrow - I understand he will remove tissue and have it examined by a pathologist until he is sure he has removed all the tissue that is effected. I think it is such a wonderful thing that she had it removed and I just know it won't develop into anything very serious. Jeannie has had her share of health problems - as she told Annie "I have the worst body in the family" - sometimes health problems can be blessings though because you are more aware and get checked more often!!!

Our neighbor, Keith Smith, had open heart surgery about ten years ago and when he went in for his last checkup the doctor told him he was in excellent condition and could expect to live until he was 90 (he's Daddy age). Last Tuesday he went in for another checkup because he was having chest pains - they had to do an emergency open heart surgery again and they haven't expected him to live all week. He has had several strokes and is paralyzed on his left side - we went to the hospital yesterday to see his wife, Vonnie, and they said he was much improved but still bad.

Our little Frauie got her ear cap off and she looks so cute. She finally decided she likes her dog house - we have lights in them to keep them warm and it is fun to check on them at night and see them so comfortable. Our neighbor took her cat to the vet because she wasn't eating and the vet told them it had gingivitis and they have to brush her teeth at least twice a week. If we have to brush out dogs' teeth they will have to go - Ha!!!

I'm writing this at great risk but I am going to do it anyway. John brought a girl by last night - her name is Gayle Garn and she is from Mesa and is very beautiful. She played the piano for us and she is SO good. I stayed "dressed up" in my Sunday clothes until 8 o'clock and then I "got comfortable" to watch Crocodile Dundee and wouldn't you know that's when they came. We must seem ancient to the young people - to be ready for bed at 8 o'clock - Ha!!! We love having the "young people" come though and wish they would do it more often.

We are really looking forward to Thanksgiving - I cleaned "your" room Roy & Patrice - I even did the drapery. I put all the bedding out on the porch to air out when I looked out it had blown all over the front and back yards - we looked like gypsies. We will have our pictures taken on Wednesday evening - I believe the Weinerts and Bob Mellors are planning to stay in a motel with a swimming pool that night. I think that's dump but Bob said they would stay with us with us if we had a heated swimming pool. That may all change - we have lots of beds and would love to have all if you come here. We're hoping for more show on the ski slopes so Roy & Patrice will be able to go skiing - one of them opened last week. We can hardly wait to see little Emily and see little Emily and she probably won't have anything to do with us for the first few days - we loved the picture you sent Patrice - she hasn't changed except for getting bigger - your Mom looks really rood too.

I believe that's all the news. I won't mail this letter until we get home from the doctor so I can report on Daddy's progress - he will really be disappointed if he doesn't get a walking cast on.

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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