April 23, 1990 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 typical April day in Utah this morning - kinda' rainy and overcast but the flowers are blooming and it is beautiful. I have really watched the weather news yesterday and this morning hoping to get news about Lake Powell but they haven't given it.

Daddy, Bob, Michael, Laura, Brett and Daddy's friend from Lehi, Ray Edwards, all left Saturday morning to go to Lake Powell. The forecast was for warm, mild weather but we have had a lot of wind and some rain and I have worried about them. Lake Powell is such a fun, fun place to be when the weather is good but it isn't a lot of fun when you are confined to the houseboat. They are supposed to come home tomorrow and I hope so much that they have had a good time. When Bob & the children got here on Saturday morning I have never seen any more excited children - I believe Bob bought out Kentucky Fried chicken and as Michael said, "we have TONS of chicken"!!!! That alone will be enough fun for Daddy. They surely left here without a lot of "fanfare" - they loaded up Bob's van and put the rest of the stuff in Daddy's little fishing boat and off they went - I couldn't believe it!!!

Roy & Patrice - we LOVE the pictures of the home in Little Rock that you looked at and also that darling pictures of Emily - her hair is getting so long - we also loved your letter Roy. I think it would be wonderful for you to get a home like that - it looks like a "dream home" to me and one you could truly grow into and live forever!!!! I can just imagine Patrice decorating it and making it even more beautiful. Things will work out for you just the way they are supposed to and we think you are very wise to not jump into anything. We also think it might be a very good tax break for you if you have to rent your San Antonio home - will it? They have changed the laws a lot but that rented home we had a Little Rock was a good tax break for us. What an exciting time you have to look forward to this year - an addition to your family, a new job, a big move, a new place to live - ingredients for a nervous breakdown - Ha!!!

Jeannie & Rick - we haven't heard from you this week but we know you're doing fine. There is surely a lot in the local news here about changing the schools over to the year round program like you have - I believe two Provo schools are changing to that for this next year. Do you think it is a good idea? The big reason they give is to help the students show that the three months vacation in the Summer causes them to forget much of what they have learned during the year - that makes a lot of sense to me. I think it puts a lot of stress on the family - especially when there are many children and they are all on different schedules but it would be worth it in the long run.

The Woolleys are going to Lake Powell on Wednesday afternoon - I believe that's right - maybe it's Thursday. Their children are taking some friends and then some of their neighbors are also going on their boats so they will have lots of fun. I hope we will all be able to attend Russell's baptism on May 5th - 8:30 is mighty early for the families up North but it's also a very special time and the waffles at their home will make it all worthwhile - Ha!

John will be moving home this next week - I surely hope he will be happy here - it will be WONDERFUL having him here!!! He came by for a few minutes yesterday and all I had to eat was "pinto bean soup" - he wasn't too excited about that but he didn't complain. My tastes in food are very different from those of Daddy and also John - I love things like beans, peanuts butter, vegetables, whole wheat breads and cakes, etc, etc. The highlights of Daddy's week is when we go to Ponderosa for their "Grand Buffet" where he can eat fried chicken, dressing & gravy, fried fish and top it off with a caramel, chocolate ice cream sundae - Ha!!!

I forget to tell you in my last week's letter about our fishing trips. Daddy and I went fishing over to the West side of Utah Lake a week ago and Daddy caught five huge catfish - he also caught a carp which he cut up and used for bait. I lost at least five - I get them hooked but they don't stay on. Daddy went the next day with Ray and they caught a lot more - Daddy brought home a sack full of fillets and he said Ray had at least that many. It was funny - we cooked some of the fish that night and they really are delicious - Ray told Daddy that he put his in the sink and forgot about them and the sink filled up with the hot water from their disposal and ruined them - Daddy was upset to say the least!!!

Daddy & I also drove to the cabin a week ago. We left the car at the gate because the road was quite muddy but we could have driven down. The cabin is in good shape and it was so much fun to go there - I read and Daddy did some work outside clearing a path at the side of the cabin. He is really excited about spending a lot of the Summer there. They should be hooking up the sewer line soon.

Dr. Brown has scheduled another bone scan for this next Friday. I think he feels like they might have missed something. Daddy says he can feel a little pain in his rib cage now but I think when you have something like this you imagine lots of things. He says it goes away when he is outside digging or working so that's where he spends most of the time. He really is doing remarkably well!!! Would you believe he has been called for possible jury duty during the months of May and June??? The letter says that he can be excused for health reasons with a doctor's signature and I know Dr. Brown would do that for him so we're not too worried about it. My space is all gone - Chris & Wayne called and they plan to come spend most of July with us - it will be fun!
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