January 3, 1994 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:

I believe January is going to be a very DULL month after all the celebrating we have done in December. I don't ever remember a December with so many fun activities.

I must describe my birthday celebration last Monday night so I will have it documented for "history" - Ha!!! When the Woolleys came over last Sunday night they invited me to go to dinner with them for my birthday and I didn't want to because we had all been together so much and I knew they had lots of things to do - as I looked back on it, their children were SO disappointed but I didn't know why. Monday, my birthday, Ann called in the morning and asked if I would be home between 4 and 6 - she said the children wanted to come and bring me a little something. I told her I would stay home. They had wanted to get me out of the house.

I always dress warmly in the house rather than keep the thermostat turned up high so I was in my usual cleaning clothes when the doorbell rang about 6 o'clock. When I opened the door I couldn't believe it - there stood Jeannie, Barji and Mary Ann and Ann, Susanna, Jessie and LeeAnna and they were all dressed up. They were carrying a huge bakery box and my first thought was "Oh, no, they have brought me a big birthday cake with that really rich thick frosting" and I thought, "Who is going to help me eat it". WELL - first of all I closed the door in their faces and then when I opened it and they came in, Ann said, "Mom, I have some bad news - I have invited all the sisters in your ward to come wish you a Happy Birthday and they'll be here in just a few minutes so you had better go get cleaned up". They had at least one hundred chocolate éclairs in that huge box and Jeannie had made a huge bowl of spinach ball mix and they went to work. They had brought little dessert trays and fixed them with the éclairs, spinach balls and nuts and delicious wassle.

The sisters did start coming right at 6:30 and kept coming until about 9 o'clock. It was just WONDERFUL and I will never, ever complain again about never having a birthday party. The ones who didn't come called the next day or sent cards and then yesterday, on Sunday, I was wished Happy Birthday again by everyone. I will NEVER have to have another party of any kind but thank you all very much. John and Julianna came and of course, everyone was happy to meet her and I appreciate your phone call Roy - I know you could tell I was in a real dilemma. Dorothy and Terry Woods also called and the house was full of people so they didn't talk long. Carol Ann Willardson and Rosie were in town and they called to wish me a Happy Birthday so we invited them to come and they did and also Ramona, Elaine & Shirley - IT WAS VERY SPECIAL!

I did Relief Society work in the middle of the week - we had our first presidency meeting here and planned some things to start off the New Year. My counselors and secretary are some of the sweetest sisters I have ever known so my job will be easy.

Saturday - New Year's Day was a very WONDERFUL day. I left the house about 9 o'clock and went to Clinton and Eris Holmes' home in Salt Lake for their annual breakfast of crepes with Brigham City peaches and whipped cream on top and ham and orange juice. It's always fun to be with my High School friends and I stayed there until about noon. THEN I went to Layton for Brett's baptism.

It was fun to gather at the church and see all the family members come to support Brett - I was about the first one there. The baptismal services were just beautiful and Brett was SO cute. Michael and Laura played the piano for everything - prelude and congregational accompaniment - and Brett played a piano solo. John gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and of course, Bob confirmed Brett a member of the church. Jeannie led the singing. Claire's brother's wife, Sharon, has a gorgeous singing voice and she sang a solo - Claire's father also spoke. It was just a very special time and I LOVED IT.

After the baptismal services we all went to the Layton "Swim and Surf" pool. We got there about 2:30 and the children didn't want to leave at 5 so you know how much they enjoyed it. I have never seen a "surf" pool before and it was really neat. The children were in tubes riding the waves and it was like the ocean. It was a good thing to do because the children got to release some of their energy and they were STARVING.

I am still embarrassed that I didn't even offer to help with the dinner at Bob & Claires' home - I don't know where my brain was. Claire told me she was just having bar-b-cue sandwiches and I guess I thought that meant just what she said with a few chips but WOW was I ever wrong! They had the most delicious dinner - we were all starved and Claire said she had enough for an army but I'll bet she didn't have much left over. I, for one, had two sandwiches and seconds in all the salads and baked beans and then seconds in Jeannie's delicious brownies and Ann's delicious buttermilk pie. Claire's Mom had made a wonderful fruit salad and it was fun to be with Claire's family - we missed her sister Carolyn and their family - they were all ill and couldn't come.

I went to visit with Mel and Ellen Mae in Kaysville and then I came home.

This has been such a special holiday and especially so because we have had John and Julianna with us - they just fit right in and I forget that Julianna hasn't always been with us. I am really anxious for Roy, Patrice, Emily, Timothy and Jesse to meet her - we miss YOU when you're not with us. I have thought about calling you when we're all together but I realize that isn't much fun for you - I HOPE YOU ARE ALL WELL.

Return to Home Page