December 27, 1993 Orem, Utah

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

WOW!!! WHAT A BUSY AND HAPPY WEEK!!! I worried all week that I would forget something and miss out but I didn't miss out on one thing and loved every minute of our million family activities - the only things missing was that Roy, Patrice, Emily, Timothy and Jesse weren't here. I kept remembering the fun I had last year when they were with me but I can't have everything can I??? I appreciate so very much all of you including me in your plans!!!

I went to the annual "Old Folk's Party" in Lehi on Tuesday night and I was asked to bring some small ham sandwiches. I had everything all ready in plenty of time but I never get dressed for parties until the last minute - WELL - I had 7 o'clock on my calendar and about 6 o'clock they called and wondered where I was - it started at 5:30. Needless to say - I threw my clothes on and dashed out the door. It was really nice but there is a lot of illness over there and some of my favorite people weren't there.

Wednesday afternoon I went "up North" early so I could deliver my Christmas gifts to the Weinerts and Bob Mellors and get back to Salt Lake before I got dark so I could get a parking place close by the Capitol Theatre. I got there in PLENTY of time and it was kinda' fun to wander around the Salt Lake streets and see the pretty lights - after I got home I wished I had remembered to walk to Temple Square to see the lights but I didn't. The NUTCRACKER was just fabulous and MARY ANN did a perfect performance - we were all so proud of her. It is the kind of thing that I enjoy more each time I see it. John & Juliana met us at the Theatre and Laura came with the Weinerts. The Woolleys and the Bob Mellors didn't make it this time. We didn't go for pie this time - Rick was on call and had to get home and John & Juliana had made plans to meet friends for a late dinner.

Friday about noon, the Woolleys came to pick me up and we went to the roller skating rink in Riverdale (close to Layton). Bob & Claire had rented the rink for just the family and it was really WONDERFUL. I haven't been on skates for at least 50 years so it took me awhile to get used to them but I finally did and I had the most fun I have had for a long time and didn't want to stop. Claire and her mother had fixed the most delicious chips and dips and drinks and Jeannie had fixed all kinds of Christmas cookies and had all colors of frostings and decorations for the children to decorate them. It worked out GREAT because they have those tables at the rink where all the children could sit and work. It was fun to be with Claire's family for this too - her sister Carolyn with her husband Blair and their six children and her brother Steve and his wife Sharon and their two children - we all had so much and even though the tiniest children couldn't skate, their parents walked them around the rink a million times. I needed a nap after the skating and was happy I didn't have to wait up for Santa that night.

We all went to Bob & Claires' home for dinner after we skated and that was WONDERFUL too. The children out on a talent show before dinner and I continue to be SO thrilled and surprised at how much they improve from year to year - I LOVED IT. We all enjoyed seeing Bob's slides of his trip to Mexico - he goes to a small village by the name of "Creel" and it's about 60 miles from Chihuahua (sp.?) and I am very proud that he is doing that. He had pictures of the people who went with him - a lady nurse, an anesthesiologist, and an obstetrician - and also pictures of their patients and the clinic where they work. He told about having the good kind of anesthesia for the patients but for their recovery they are given Tylenol and that's as strong a medicine as they can take with them. I get the feeling we have the best possible medical provisions there are here in the United States and I just hope the new administration doesn't ruin all that.

THEN we all went to the Weinert's home for the "Cousin's Gift Exchange" and dessert and Jeannie had made the most delicious mint, chocolate ice cream Christmas dessert. The children all have SO much fun at this gift exchange and they all LOVED the gifts they received - I believe this is a great addition to our family Christmas tradition. THEN we all listened to the tape playing of the story "-------- Express" (I can't remember the name of it) - Mary Ann had given this to Jeannie for Christmas. THEN we all sang Christmas songs and Bob read the Christmas Story from the Bible. THEN Santa and his reindeer flew over their home and dropped some candy on their patio. It was SO much fun to be in the Weinert's neighborhood - they have the Boy Scouts light "luminaries" all along the streets and it is just gorgeous.

Christmas morning John and Juliana came over and we unwrapped our Christmas packages. We were all SO impressed with the part Juliana played in our family Christmas activities - they had bought beautiful baskets and filed them with "UTAH MADE PRODUCTS" - Great Harvest cranberry bread, Bear Lake raspberry jam, mint truffles, brownie mix etc. - they were beautifully done and we all knew that John didn't do it - Ha!!! I wish Roy & Patrice could have received one - John & Juliana didn't come to the skating rink and I believe it was because they were fixing the gifts and they couldn't possibly have mailed one to Little Rock that late - I know that Roy & Patrice understand!!!

Christmas afternoon, the Weinerts & Woolleys joined us here and we had a wonderful time eating and relaxing. I REALLY appreciate all of you coming - especially the children for leaving their Christmas gifts and spending the day here. I was proud of John & Juliana who thought to go over to the cemetery to pay respect to Daddy - I tell everybody that I don't think he is very far away from us and I KNOW that he is very, very proud of all of you. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!

P.S. I forgot to wish LEE ANNA a Happy Birthday this coming Wednesday - she will be ten years old. It was Brett's 8th birthday yesterday but as I said in my last week's letter - they are going to celebrate this Saturday - we will all meet at their church for his baptism.
THAT'S ALL.



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