July 29, 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:
We celebrated Daddy's birthday last night (a week early) and we have visited with each one of you SO - why am I writing my Letter??? We plan to leave for Alaska on Saturday morning, August 3, and we'll send cards but this will be my last chance to write for probably a month!!!
We just had a WONDERFUL time last night - I don't know when I have seen everything work out so nice - the weather was good, the food was good, the company was excellent - we didn't want it to end. We called John from Scofield on Friday afternoon and asked him to get a roast and put in the oven - he did it so perfectly I couldn't believe it. He went to Logan on Friday evening and we didn't get back from Scofield until Saturday about noon so it cooked all by itself and was done to perfection. Anyway - we made Mexican chimichangos from that meat and had the trimmings to go with it. We also made Daddy a birthday cake that wasn't very pretty but tasted good. We asked Ron to bring some ice cream and he thought he was "on" for dessert so he brought EVERYTHING for ice cream sundaes - bananas, ice cream, all kinds of toppings, marshmallow, whipped cream, maraschino cherries, etc., etc. I could have done without all the rest of the food and just had sundaes. It meant SO much to Daddy for you all to make the effort to come honor him - as he says so often it makes everything in life worthwhile to see our family enjoy each other so much and for the grandchildren to love each other. WE REALLY MISS ROY, PATRICE, EMILY & TIMOTHY WHEN WE GET TOGETHER!!!
Daddy really didn't want any gifts - we have everything and more than we ever need or want but Michael brought him something that he has wanted for years and years - especially since we have the cabin in Scofield. I wouldn't mention it except that it is something you will all enjoy when you are at the cabin - a "Have A Hart Animal Trap". Daddy can hardly wait to get to the cabin and "catch" that pesky skunk that has been playing hide and seek with him for the last three years. He said last night that he will be able to catch everything - badgers, skunks, etc.!!! I really should have gotten one for him before but we didn't have the catalog to send for one and I didn't have any idea where we might buy one.
Chris & Wayne went to the cabin a week ago and then Daddy & I went up on Tuesday and stayed until Saturday morning. It is absolutely gorgeous up there and we had the heat on and still wore jackets. Daddy & Wayne caught some really nice trout that were delicious and also 56 craw dads - we ate all we could and then brought some home for John. Chris & Wayne are going up there again today and stay for a few days - we have too many little things to do to get ready for our trip so we won't go. They are about finished with the bowery and are putting "siding" on it so it will really look nice.
John surely does a nice job with our home and yard while we are away from it. He is also working on his boat - he got a new engine for it and will take that to the mechanic in Lehi to do what he has to do for it. That boat will be practically new when he gets it all finished.
Roy & Patrice - we know it is hot in Little Rock. We also know that it didn't bother us for 18 years - I believe the heat and humidity bother people when they get older. The next time we talk to you I want to talk to Patrice - I always hesitate to ask to talk to her because I know it's hard to put little Timothy "on hold" on the spur of the moment.
Jean & Rick and their children have surely opened up their home and their hearts to their little Japanese friend. They took her to Temple Square yesterday and found an interpreter and they said it was just wonderful for someone to be able to explain everything to her. Jean says she is an unusually sweet girl.
Ann did the most fun thing on Saturday!!! She and four of her girl friends had a "sleep over" in Park City. She said they talked until 4 o'clock in the morning and they were flirted with during dinner and they had to keep reminding themselves they were in their early forties and had 24 children between them - Ha!!!
While we were at Scofield last week we wanted to go the church camp, "Camp Shalom", which is about ten miles from our cabin. Susanna was there with the girls from her ward and we wanted to try to find her. I have never seen a more beautiful setting - she was in the "Wilderness Area" where they camp in tents - when they get older they get to camp in the A frame cabins. She was waiting her turn to shower but it was SO MUCH FUN to find her and of course she just looked darling.
Daddy & Wayne built another cabinet at the cabin and then put doors all along the top of the cabinets and it looks SO nice!!! They also put an electric outlet on the deck outside and one behind the couch. This morning they are putting another light down on the patio so it will light up the bar-b-cue area - Daddy has wanted to do that for a long time. He is also going to get Wayne to help him put a new fence post on the gate - last Summer I was directing him as he backed the trailer through it and he hit the post and broke it off. He wouldn't have to take the trailer down there if we didn't have such a big garden each year. This morning we picked a million squash and there are at least a million tomatoes coming on - I hope the Woolleys will help John pick it all and eat it!!!! It seems like we do this every year ªin the Spring we are SO excited to get the garden planted but we forget (at least I do) that those little plants grow and produce lots of vegetables!!! We love each one of you so very much.