December 4, 1990 Orem, Utah

Dearest John; Roy, Patrice, Emily & Timothy; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean & Mary Ann; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

I used to write my letters on Sundays and then they became too busy so I changed to Monday and now Mondays are too busy so I don't get to it until Tuesday - I really believe I am just getting MUCH slower!!!

Happy Birthday to Annie yesterday!!! We tried to call you Ann but if you are home your line is busy so we didn't get you. We hope you had a wonderful day. Ann & Ron are leaving tomorrow to go to Florida - Ron has business there so Ann is going with him. We are SO thrilled you are doing things like that but we're not so thrilled that you won't let us take care of your children - that would be a real treat for us. Daddy & I have a secret feeling that your children and Bob & Claires' children don't want us to "babysit"!!! We would be strict but they would be well taken care of.

The Weinerts are in Florida now - I believe they left last Saturday and will be home this weekend. I'm always getting things confused but I think that's right. Rick has an Aunt and Uncle who live there so they will visit them and also go to Disney World. We hope you have a wonderful time.

Roy & Patrice are fine and are waiting for the earthquake. In Patrice's letter yesterday she said their neighbors were putting up relatives from Jonesboro and other north eastern towns. We have kept up with all the news broadcasts concerning the predictions of earthquakes through Missouri & Arkansas and other states in that fault area but so far nothing has happened. It is kinda' funny to see all the news media prepared one for us too along the Wasatch front right soon but we haven't had anything happen either. You just don't know what to expect but I think it is wrong to "run scared". We're SO happy that little Timothy is doing so well - already 11 pounds!!! We have his baby picture on our refrigerator and show it to everyone who comes in the house. It was SO fun to talk to little Emily on the phone - she is so "grown-up" and we LOVE to hear her talk.

Roy had been duck hunting the morning we talked to him and he said he saw thousands of ducks. He was invited to go on a private duck hunt where you go hunt and then give them the ducks you shoot and they give you frozen ducks that have been all cleaned and ready to cook. Daddy turned green with envy - he and Ray had gone to their private "honey hole" last Friday but they didn't even see one. I was kinda' glad because I worry that Daddy would take a chance and shoot and it could really give him problems.

Last Thursday, Daddy & I went to Bob's office and had an audiology test. Bob has been telling me I was deaf but I have been telling him that I could hear all I wanted to hear. I finally decided it was dumb to go through life that way and he agreed. Daddy has had a hearing aid for over ten years but he hasn't worn it over a dozen times. We were both fitted for hearing aids and I'm so excited - it's funny, it is my left ear that is deaf but he fit me for an aid for my right ear and he said if that helps I may decide to wear one in both ears. Daddy has promised me that he will wear this new one. We REALLY appreciate your encouragement Bob!!!

Our entire Utah family met at Temple Square on Thursday at 5 o'clock for Mary Ann's baptism in the tabernacle. It was a VERY SPECIAL OCCASION and one we will never forget. Mary Ann looked like a little angel and Rick baptized and confirmed her and did such a good job. After the baptism we walked through Temple Square and it is just fabulous with all the Christmas lights.
Then we went to Crown Burgers for dinner and what a feast - they have wonderful food and we all loved it.

THEN - the Woolleys and Weinerts and John all went home. Bob & Claire & their family and Daddy & I went to "The Festival of Trees" in the Salt Palace. We visited as we first went in and then I told Bob later that they ditched us - Ha! He said, "Mom, we have a hard enough time keeping up with our children - the adults have to take care of themselves". He's so right. I could have stayed there all night - it was absolutely fabulous and next year I'm going earlier and will wear more comfortable shoes. Daddy really enjoyed it too - much to his surprise!!!

I'm now finishing this on Wednesday. It was a gorgeous day yesterday and Daddy & I talked about going to Scofield and do some ice fishing but then we decided to go to Smithfield and get some cheese for Chris & Wayne and also Joy Geisler. We wanted to get it fresh right from the factory so it will be fresh by the time they get it. We just loved the trip - we went through Logan and drove by all our favorite spots on the Utah State campus - it has really changed in the last 43 years but some of it is the same. We stopped by to say "hi" to bob on our way home and his office was filled with patients but he took time to visit with us and of course we loved that. I felt kinda' bad when we got home because Ellen Mae called - they were in American Fork for their grandsons' basketball tournaments and had come by to see us - I didn't dare tell her we had gone through Kaysville without calling them so I didn't tell her where we had been. They are the dearest friends in the world and we love them but they are SO busy socially we hate to impose on them.

Daddy is now out cleaning the garage and it is COLD - I'll go help him. John says school is really hectic and it must be because we NEVER seen him. We love each one of you so very much- PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO and let us know how we can help you.
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