August 24, 1992 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:

My last letter was dated August 3rd and I have to ask myself, "What has happened to August"? It has been a really fun and busy month and now the weather is even cool like Fall!!!

I went to Mutual camp on August 5th and that was such a fun time. Jessie went with me and we stayed with the girls until after they put on their skit and then we drove to Scofield and stayed in the cabin. That was REALLY fun - the cabin was such a nice retreat from mutual camp because it was so clean with running water, etc. and the camp had been so dirty and they were rationing water. It was a cold night and Jessie made some hot chocolate and we sat on the bed and watched some of the Olympics - I LOVED IT!!! We came back home early in the next morning.

Saturday morning, August 8th, John came over and we packed his car to go to Lake Powell. We met the rest of the "gang" at our usual stop at McDonald's about 9 o'clock. Everything at Lake Powell was special for me this year - I JUST LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!! We had delicious food and the lake water was warm and the children were all SO good and it was just a wonderful relaxing time for me. The men fixed a "zip line" between two big cliffs and I couldn't believe our little "dare devil" grandchildren - each one of them (even little four year old Katie) went on it and was TERRIFYING. We were docked in such a wonderful place and the children did not get bored for even one minute - they jumped off cliffs and I even jumped once. We had a campfire and toasted marshmallows and all the children did some "bumper riding" and also some "water skiing".

John and I came home on Wednesday afternoon. I felt quite guilty leaving the cleaning to everyone else but after four days I get a little "weary". John didn't want to leave his work for any longer. I slept most of the way home so I had a great vacation.

Thursday morning, August 13th, I went visiting teaching and then I decided to "tackle" my garage. Friday, I worked on my photo album in the morning and then went to the store to get a few groceries. When I came home, the Roy Mellors were here. I was so THRILLED, especially when they told me that Emily wanted to come here instead of staying in a hotel. I wished I had done some meal planning and preparation but since I hadn't, they took me to "The Olive Gardens" for dinner and that was so nice. I couldn't believe that little Timothy - he has grown so much since I saw him in April and he's talking up a storm. He is very much like Roy was at age. Emily is much fun to play with - I always regret after they leave that I didn't spend more time playing with her in the playroom because she loves that.

Bob & Claire stopped by to see us on their way home from Lake Powell on Saturday and we had a good visit. I wanted them to leave little Katie to play with Emily but they decided she needed to be in her own home for a day or so after being at Lake Powell.

John came over on Sunday afternoon and had dinner with us and then the Woolleys came over on Sunday evening and had a good visit with them - it was fun to hear them tell about Lake Powell. We had ice cream on the patio and the children played on the trampoline and "picked raspberries".

Monday morning, Roy & Patrice and their children left early to go to Layton to visit with Bob & Claire and the Weinerts. They stayed all day and had dinner at their special Chinese restaurant in Layton. They brought Katie home with them so she and Emily could have a "sleep over" at Grandma B's home. I didn't even hear them come in.

Tuesday morning, Roy & Patrice went back to Layton and I played with the children here. I have never seen two children play so hard and have as much fun as Emily & Katie did that day. It was SO hot - in fact, the temperature for the entire week they were here was mostly in the 100's - and I put the sprinkler close by the trampoline. They laughed and jumped for at least three hours. When Timothy waked up, he got in the act too. He got the hose and chased Katie with it. I LOVED that day - I had as much fun as the children.

Wednesday morning, they all went back to Layton again and took Katie home. They came back early that afternoon. We had "dumb" meals - I always cook too much so I kept feeding them leftovers and I didn't ever feel like the children ate anything but peanut butter sandwiches.

Thursday morning, Roy & John went fishing on the Prove river. Daddy would have been upset because they hired a guide but they had fun. Daddy could catch fish no matter where or when he fished and I'll bet that in time they will be able to do that too. While they were gone, Patrice and I fixed a little picnic lunch and we took it to the "farm" in Lehi. The weeds have grown so high that we couldn't play on the farm but we found a place to put a blanket and it was a "memory".

Thursday evening, the Woolleys invited us all to dinner at their home before going to Sundance for the Summer Theatre production of Carousel. Bob & Claire and their children and Jeannie and their children couldn't get here in time for dinner but the rest of us were there. Ann is such an excellent cook and her dinner was "out of this world". Ron cooked the chicken and the girls set the table and served dinner out on their patio and it was really a special evening. She had a special recipe for the chicken with a honey and pecan sauce, rice, orange rolls, beets from their garden, spinach salad, lemonade, etc. and we all loved it.

The entire family met at Sundance and it was a beautiful evening. I thought the musical was just excellent - I had seen Carousel many years ago but had forgotten it. It was probably a little too long for Emily, Brett & Jimmy but all these experiences help them to grow. We had a sister for Timothy.

Friday was really a fun day. Roy went to Layton to visit with Bob while Patrice and Ann & I went to Park City. The Woolley children tended Emily & Timothy all day so we knew they were being well cared for and were happy. We visited the Art Fair that was being held in Park City - I bought a pretty scarf!!! We went to that old "Lumber Company" that has been converted into a restaurant for lunch - it is a Mexico restaurant and the food was so good. Then we went to the Outlet Mall - I really enjoy going to that place and it was so crowded I guess it's going to be a success. I worried when it was first built because it is so far from big cities but evidently people are willing to drive that far to go to it.

The Roy Mellors left early Saturday morning. Their plane didn't leave until 9 o'clock but they left here at 7 o' clock. Roy has always been that way about getting to the airport early and I guess it's a good thing. They had rented a car and had to return that too. Emily called me about 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon to tell me they were home and had had a good fight. I REALLY miss them after they leave - the house is so quiet and I go around in circles. Yesterday, a lady at church asked me if I would have a young woman teacher come live with me - she is looking for a place to rent. I said, "I'm not ready for that yet"!!!

I went out in my yard early this morning to pick up some tree sticks that had blown down and also to pick the raspberries and it was so cool I had to wear a jacket. I know Roy & Patrice won't believe that because it was unbearably hot all the time they were here. I'm worried about Chris & Wayne Smiths' home down on the coast - the hurricane hit Miami and was headed close to where they live. They were seldom get any serious damage but this hurricane sounds like it could do some roof damage and I believe they are still in Arkansas or Dallas. When the wind blows here I really notice it because of all the debris I get on the lawn.

That's all the news. I love each one of you so very much and have LOVED spending so much time with you this month. I guess the next time we'll get together will be Thanksgiving.

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO and let me know how I can help you!!!

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