May 15, 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:
Daddy & I just came home from taking Roy to the airport. We stopped at Chris & Dicks on the way home and got the paneling and other things we need to finish the bedroom at the cabin. We talked Roy into stopping with us on the way to the airport to see that place - Daddy just loves to go there and I really believe we have spent more time there than we have at home during the last five years.
We have had the most wonderful week!!! Roy came in on Friday and Bob picked him up at the airport and brought him here and then we all went to the cabin. We didn't stay there very long but it was fun to go and when we got back home John was here and we all had dinner and then Ann & Jessie came and we just visited and visited. I hurried with everything because I kept expecting Bob to say he had to leave but he didn't - it was so neat to have time to really visit. Ann wanted to borrow some of the things Bob & John had brought home from their South American Missions for a Primary activity she was having on Saturday and Bob found some old family pictures that were fun to look at.
Roy had to teach some classes at Camp Williams (that is right by Lehi) and he had to leave early Saturday morning. Bob & Claire had planned a "Mother's Day Hike" in Layton so we will met at their home at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon and Roy drove up there early in the evening. I JUST LOVE things like that - we all hiked way up in the hills close by the Bob Mellors & Weinerts' homes. It was just a beautiful sight, the weather was gorgeous and the children all loved it too. Daddy had said that he would wait for us back at Bob & Claires' home but he changed his mind and he hiked faster than I did.
After the hike we all went to Bob & Claires for the most delicious "cookout". Bob & Alice Ezell (Claire's parents) were with us too and we just loved being with them. Their yard and home are SO wonderful for family get togethers - we all ate out on their deck. Bob had just started cooking hamburgers when he received an emergency call to go to the hospital so Daddy finished his job and he really enjoyed that. Bob had to get a fish bone out of a man's throat and then he came back. It got kinda' cool out on the deck so we all went into their family room and Bob started a fire in their fireplace. Daddy & I didn't stay for the games they played but we heard they really had fun. We missed you, Patrice & Emily!!!
Sunday, Roy had to go back to Camp Williams for all morning and Daddy & I went to church. After church we all went out for Mother's Day dinner - I got to pick the place to eat and none of you will be surprised that I chose Mexican food. John's church was later so after dinner he went to his war. Thank you all so much for making my Mother's Day such a wonderful one. I hope each one of you Mothers had as nice a day as I did. We talked to Bob and he said he didn't get the opportunity to give Claire breakfast in bed because he was called back to the hospital!!!
Sunday afternoon, Ann called and invited all of us to come to their home for brownies and ice cream. We just love to go there anyway and so we jumped at her invitation. The brownies and ice cream were delicious and it was fun to be with them again - I'm sure that after two weekends filled with family get-togethers they will be happy to not see us again for awhile - Ha!!!
Roy & Patrice received an offer on their home so their realtor "faxed" the contract to Ron's office. Ron took Roy to his office on Sunday afternoon to get it. That is REALLY a neat thing - I have never fully understood how a fax machine works but Roy showed us the contract and it all of a sudden made sense. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the prospective buyers will qualify for the loan so they can sell their home and not have the worry of having to rent it.
Monday, Daddy was excited to take Roy fishing out on Utah Lake. Early Monday morning Ray Edwards called from Lehi and told Daddy that the fishing was terrible and besides the weather was going to be windy and cold. SO, Daddy "suggested" that we go to the cabin where he & Roy would put the new windows in the bedroom - I know Roy would have preferred doing something else but he was a good sport and said he wanted to go. We got there about noon and really worked all day. The new windows look wonderful and Daddy REALLY appreciated Roy helping him.
We got home about 9 o'clock and we were SO tired and hungry and John had dinner all planned and ready to cook - what a nice surprise!!! He has been telling us about his recipe for bar-b-qued chicken wings and that was what he fixed. When Daddy & I go to the Ponderosa for dinner that's what we like the most and Johns were much better than Ponderosa. John's in trouble now that I know what a good cook he is.
I believe we are going out to get our flower plants after I finish my letter. We have had such a cold month of May that we are late in planting them but hopefully it will warm up now - Daddy is anxious to get them in. Our hill is just gorgeous - beautiful iris at the bottom and huge pansies at the top. We'll have to dig up the pansies to plant some petunias but I believe we'll wait awhile. The fruit growers in Utah County all say that most of the fruit is gone - we had some frost right at the wrong time. Our weather problems are nothing compared to the floods in Arkansas, Oklahoma & Texas though - we feel so bad for those people who have lost their homes, their cattle & their crops.
We love each one of you so very much and it was just "heavenly" to be with you this weekend - thank you for everything!!!