June 5, 1995 Orem, Utah

Dearest John & Julianna; 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:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW JOHN!!! I can't believe you will not be here for your birthday - I hope you will celebrate it in Europe in a fun way. Julianna came by yesterday for a few minutes and she said you were having a good time and even going to some operas. I believe you will be home this Sunday - I don't like for you to be so far away. Has it been a learning experience? I imagine it has been more so for those in your group who don't do a lot of traveling - you travel so much!!! It was good to see Julianna again but I couldn't talk her into staying for our Family Home Evening. She had been with her friend in Salt Lake and she said they had eaten lots of ice cream and junk and she didn't feel very good. She is going to Phoenix this weekend to visit her sister - IT WILL BE HOT IN PHOENIX.

We are having some warm and sunny weather for a change - the weatherman says it is going to change later on in the day so I'm enjoying it while I can. This has been such a cool and wet Spring - the yards are all SO green and pretty but the annuals and vegetable plants aren't growing at all. I planted about 15 tomato plants but about five of them died - SO I planted six more and when I looked at them the next morning they were all laying down so I covered them up with dirt. I decided to go to the "Plant Man" where I bought them and asked him if they would die - he said it would have been better if I had planted them deeper to about half the size of the plant so they wouldn't fall over. SO I bought some more. If all the plants survive and produce I will have A LOT of tomatoes. I also planted crooked neck squash, zucchini and peppers. I get carried away in the Spring but by the time Fall comes and it is time to clear everything away I am tired of it.

Laura and Katie were SO much fun to have - they went home on Wednesday - Claire and I each drove half way and met on 72 South in Salt Lake. Laura is really getting excited about her trip to New York - she told me about all the places they are going to visit like the Empire State Bldg., etc.

The Woolleys came over for Family Home Evening last night - Ann and LeeAnna had prepared the lesson and it was SO good - it was about how Jesus taught in parables. Susanna had made her delicious cake and we had fun. Russell told me about his Summer job - he is working for some men who own a horse barn and they hired Russell to work with the horses and do some of the feeding and cleaning - he loves it. The girls are all looking for jobs - I don't know how they will find time to work with all their activities.

Bob - thanks for your call last night. I'm glad you had a good time on your rafting trip - hearing about it reminded me of the times you and Roy & John floated the "Buffalo" river in Arkansas. Is that right? I can't remember the name of the river. That took several days to get from the top to where you got out of it. I don't really know where the San Juan river is - Bob says it is down by the Four Corners Area. He said they caught a lot of fish. I believe Roy still goes on those trips in Arkansas with some of his buddies from High School.

Rick - it was fun to have you "drop in". I'm glad you and Ricky had a good time on your trip to Boulder Mountain. There are surely a lot of fun things to do!!! Jeannie - I'll bet you are anxious to get your home all settled down. They have had their dining room floor filled with things from their china cabinet for several months besides being in a "mess" from the remodeling in their basement. I love your cabinets in your kitchen and also your entertainment center. You will really enjoy your basement this Summer - my basement stays comfortable all Summer and I don't have any air conditioning down here.

Roy & Patrice - we're anxious for your visit. I talked to Chris on Saturday and she said you had had really good weather. Suzie sent me a wonderful picture of Roy with Jesse and Timothy - I can hardly wait to see them again and be with Emily too. We talked about things to do while you are here last night with the Woolleys and Jimmy wrote you a little letter. I know you have lots of plans too so whatever we can do we want to. Ann is having a family dinner at their home on Father's Day and that will be fun.

Our Relief Society party last Thursday was quite chaotic but fun. We had 44 ladies come and we met out on my back lawn so they could be given their assignments for the progressive dinner. They had been gone about ten minutes when a fierce thunderstorm blew in. One of my counselors and I harried and brought in some of the chairs and benches and arranged them in my downstairs room because they were supposed to come back here for dessert and a little program. CAN YOU IMAGINE 44 LADIES CRAMMED INTO MY DOWNSTAIRS ROOM??? They were all good sports and it worked out but I'm glad I don't have anymore functions planned here. This Thursday we are going to the temple and then out to a restaurant for lunch. The next Friday we are going to Sundance to a cabin for a program and a sleepover - I probably won't stay to sleep.

I am having our Family Home Evening Group meet here tonight. It is kinda' sad - we started out with six couples and now we are down to four women and one man. The man who is with us was the worst off health wise when we first started - he had prostate cancer that spread to his bones and he was in a wheel chair - now he walks with a cane and looks like a skeleton but at least he is alive. The other men have all died. I talked to Aunt Ramona for a few minutes yesterday - she left this morning to go to Virginia to spend a month with her daughter Margaret - Ramona is failing.
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