July 24, 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:
It's "Pioneer Day" here in Utah - I decided to watch the parade on television this morning and enjoyed it SO much - I didn't even get dressed until about noon!!! The weather really turned kinda' stormy but it didn't rain until after the parade although it was windy - those who marched were probably happy for the cool weather.
Chris & Wayne left early this morning. WE HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME TOGETHER!!! They came here a week ago today after leaving Ricky & Linda at the airport and we just got ready and went to the cabin. Daddy & Wayne built another cabinet in the skunk room and then they finished the ramp leading to the dock and carpeted the dock. They also put up the hummingbird feeder that Roy & Patrice had given Daddy and also a very ugly plastic snake to scare away the birds from the roof. Daddy & Wayne did a lot of fishing and caught about a dozen big trout that were delicious. The highlight of the trip was catching crawdads. Wayne & Daddy built some wire cages to trap them and we had at least fifty. They saved the tails & the claws - we cooked them at the cabin but brought them home to eat and I worried that Daddy would make himself sick - he really enjoyed them.
Chris & Wayne loved the cabin and it was very, very comfortable for all of us. We went way up to the top of the mountain on the four-wheelers - Daddy & I on Bob & Claires and the Smiths on Daddys. Chris is really not an outdoors type person and I worried and so did she that she wouldn't be able to do it but she was a good sport and went all the way and it will be something she will talk about from now on. We went to church on Sunday morning and then left to come back home that afternoon.
Daddy & Wayne went fishing on Utah Lake all day yesterday (Monday) and Wayne caught a huge catfish that weighed 10 pounds ªDaddy caught the rest of them (about 8 more). Chris & I did laundry and then went shopping at the mall and that was fun. Last night we took them to our favorite Mexican Restaurant.
Ann called this morning and suggested that we go to the Home Show. We went to five different homes - they are scattered all over in Provo, Orem, Springville, American Fork & Spanish Fork. They are all just beautiful but we both said we were contented with our own homes - we got some good ideas though!!! Kim & Michelle Crawford have bought one of them and it is really pretty - they also bought the furniture. Kim is the son of Ramona & Winston (Daddy's sister). Ann couldn't get Ron to go because he was working on their fence and I couldn't get Daddy or John to go so we just went - I LOVED IT!!! Daddy has been smoking catfish all day - he smoked the Scofield trout yesterday and sent a lot of that home with Chris & Wayne.
I must tell you what John did!!! Today is Gayla's birthday so he got a huge and I mean huge plastic container and completely filled it with candy - all kinds of candy - now & laters, tootsie pops, just everything. There was at least a bushel basket full of candy and what a thoughtful thing to do - she will be able to share it with all her roommates. That is something people with a sweet tooth dream about!!! He took it up to the MTC this morning. He is doing good - it is SO nice to have him here to take care of things when we take off which we do every other day.
Speaking of birthdays - yesterday was Rons and tomorrow is Jimmy's - we hope they have "Happy Birthdays". Daddy will be 70 years old on August 5th and I am planning a party for him at the cabin on Saturday, August 4th. We will invite his sisters and their husbands also - I don't know if they will be able to come but we'll invite them. It would be fun if we could all be at the cabin over that weekend but I know that is hard for you so we'll just leave it up to you. I believe we will serve hamburgers and the trimmings - I had thought we would have steak but hamburgers will be easier.
Claire - you really outdid yourself with pictures on our Lake Powell trip!!! They are absolutely wonderful - I can't believe some of those shots - especially when I was close by as you were taking them from the bumper ride floats. Thank you SO much for taking them and sharing them with everyone. I felt really bad that our camera was left in the car until we received your pictures.
Patrice - thank you SO much for the pictures you sent us too. I can't believe how good they were (they forgot to bring their camera so they bought one of those disposable ones). Your pictures of your trip to the Arches are WONDERFUL and also those here - the only bad one was the one I took of "The Lion House"!!! We loved our phone visit with you last night - I think it's exciting that you are thinking of building your own home. We're glad you are comfortably situated so you don't have to make a hasty decision.
We loved our phone visit with you too Jean & Rick. We're anxious to hear more about the Japanese foreign exchange students who are spending some time with you - what a wonderful experience for your children!!!
We loved dropping in on you last Monday, Bob & Claire, and those pills you gave to Daddy have REALLY helped his stomach. We hope you don't mind our using your four-wheeler - we don't plan to do that again for a long, long time.
Susanna, Jessie, LeeAnna, Russell, & Jimmy - thank you SO much for helping me entertain the Power girls (they spent last Tuesday afternoon with them) - that really meant a lot to me & to them!!!