June 11, 1991 Orem, Utah
Dearest John; Roy, Patrice, Emily & Timothy; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:
WOW!!! Am I ever behind in my letter writing. I haven't written in two weeks and I will never be able to remember all the things we have been doing. We really do keep busy - we go fishing at Utah Lake every chance we get and when we're not fishing we're packing to go to the cabin!!! When Daddy "proofs" my letters he reminds me that I tell about our fishing trips but I forget to tell you how many fish we catch - Ha!!! We ALWAYS catch fish - sometimes more than others. When we went the last time Daddy caught two of the biggest catfish I have ever seen and it took us a long time to net them - they just didn't want to come to the surface. I hooked two but we got them right to the boat when they broke the line so I'm sure they were big ones also.
I want to tell about our trip to Lake Powell. We just had a marvelous time and it will be one we will never forget. We all met at the Woolleys on the morning of June 1st and did we ever look like a "fun caravan". The Woolleys and Weinerts each pulling their big boats and Bob pulling Ron's catamaran (sp.?) we had our van filled with just our personal things and I wondered how they could carry all the things they had to take with all their children's things. We got on the houseboat about 4 o'clock and it was just fun from then on. I HAVE NEVER EATEN SUCH DELICIOUS MEALS - the children didn't stop playing one minute so they were always hungry and ate good and I didn't hear one cross word among them. Everything in the houseboat worked great and the new bathroom really helps.
I know you would all be surprised if I didn't report about the mishap with Bob's watch - that was certainly a "memory" and needs to be recorded. Bob has worked on a "zip line" for many months they tried to make one last year but couldn't get it perfected. Bob had many yards of steel cable along with the other things and they found a place where they could anchor it between two big rocks and carry the line across some deep water. Bob, Ron, Rick & John worked really hard to get it fixed and Bob wanted to "test it". They had a rope tied to the end of the handle that was tied to the pulley so they could pull it back to the top of the line for the next rider - WELL, somehow that rope got tied around Bob's wrist and flipped his watch into the water. We were all so sad and concerned about his watch but the real concern should have been his wrist - he ended up with a bad burn on his wrist and it could have been much worse.
Bob & Claire tried diving into the water to see if they could find the watch but it was much too deep and they couldn't see anyway - they determined it was between 25 and 30 feet deep. Claire was already to go back to Layton to get their scuba gear - both Bob & Claire are certified scuba divers. Ron & An decided to get in their boat and "Scout" around a little to see if they could find someone with scuba equipment and it was very close to a miracle that they did and within a few minutes they were back with a boat carrying several people - one of whom was a scuba diver with all the great including an underwater light. We all watched as he dived - it took him about 30 minutes to finally find it but everyone was thrilled. This man and his party were in charge of a group of high school students on an end of school year outing so Ann & Ron invited them to come back the next day and use the zip line. They came back and had so much but BUT one of the young girls put sand on her hands to give her a better grip on the handle and as it turned out it made them slippery and she fell on the rocks - it about scared us all to death but aside from being really sore she was okay. They next day Bob fixed the handle into a little swing so the children could sit as they went on it instead of holding on with their hands. IT WAS A REAL SUCCESS and most of the adults tried it too.
Daddy, John & I came home on Wednesday because John had already missed some school and felt like he needed to get home for his Thursday classes. I worried because I couldn't help with the cleaning. In fact - we had the best of all worlds - we did the least amount of work and had the most fun!!!
I was saddened to talk to Ann a few minutes ago and learn that they had an automobile accident on the way coming home. They all left the houseboat on Friday evening and the Weinerts came straight home but the Woolleys and Bob Mellors stopped at Goblin Valley. (They had all planned to go to Goblin Valley before going to Lake Powell but the weather was so bad they had changed their minds.) They left Goblin Valley about 9 o'clock and because they were hungry they decided to go into Green River for a hamburger. As Ron was turning to get to the hamburger place he was hit broadside by a car driven by a group of teenagers. They didn't think anyone was hurt but Ann said that Ron is really in a lot of pain - he's going to the doctor today for x-rays. I guess it scared them all to death - Ann said she looked back and could see Bob running towards them so I guess they saw it all. We have to all remember that things like that are going to happen and we must always look on the bright side and be so grateful there weren't serious injuries. Susanna was right behind Ron and she was hurt too but not seriously.
Daddy & I just came home from the cabin last night - we went there for the weekend. GUESS WHAT - the boat dock is in the water and it's because the lake has risen that much - we couldn't believe it. Daddy absolutely loves the cabin - he caught a big rainbow trout that I will cook tonight. We're going to take our Family Home Evening group there next Monday for a "cookout". They are enlarging the "bowery" and it is going to be so much larger and nicer - some of the men up there just love to work on improving things and that's great. Daddy isn't able to do a lot of the hard work so we help financially.
I really hate to start another page because I don't have that much news.
I want to mention John's 25th birthday. We really celebrated on the boat thanks to his brother and sisters. I really believe Bob & Claire took half a beef - I have never seen such beautiful and delicious steaks and of course, that's John's favorite food. We had a heavenly peach cobbler and everyone sang Happy Birthday. When we asked him what he wanted for a gift he said "a tool box" so Daddy had him go to Sears and get what he wanted. He spends a lot of time doing things he has never done before - right now he's working on his bicycle and he's still waiting for parts for his boat and then he will work on that. It's wonderful to see him so contented doing wholesome things like that.
Daddy is going to the dermatologist in a few minutes. He has some skin cancers on his face that need to be burned off - the doctor could only do the one side of his face the last time because of his shingles. He had a scare the night before we were to go to Lake Powell and he didn't think we should go - I called Bob and he got him in to see a urologist here in Provo and he "fixed" him up so we felt like we could go. I worry a little about going to Alaska but Bob says, "Mom, they have doctors in Alaska" so we will go. Daddy is feeling really good and does everything he wants to do. Our yard is just gorgeous - we have flowers of every variety!!! Daddy went to see Dr. Middleton, the urologist who first treated him, in Salt Lake the day after we came home from Lake Powell and in Daddy's words "he didn't seem too concerned". I go in with him when he goes to see Dr. Brown but I don't when he goes to the urologists. Dr. Brown told us that this "megace" would make him feel tired but so far I can't see any difference.
Roy & Patrice - we REALLY missed you at Lake Powell. Little Emily & Katie would have had a wonderful time - the older girl cousins were so much help to watch Katie and of course, little Timothy would have been easy. We hope you will be able to come sometime because it is a "one of a kind" vacation. It was good to talk to you the other night - we're happy you have met Ricky & Linda Smith (they ran into them at a restaurant) - according to Chris & Wayne they really have their hands full right now with their little Jonathan - Ha!!! We think about you when we turn the heat on at the cabin and we don't even have our air conditioner uncovered here at home (Sears is coming on Friday to do that and change the pads, etc.) Daddy loved the Little Rock heat and humidity but it was really hard for me. I loved the people though and that's more important than the weather.
I can't believe that next Sunday is Father's Day - that has surely crept up on me. I won't plan a family get together this year and I'll bet you will all be happy to hear that. Daddy will love to have you call him and we'll do something special for his birthday. We hope you all know you are all welcome to go to the cabin whenever you want - we'll get you keys if you want them!!!