July 3, 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 4TH OF JULY!!! We are having a very cold and rainy day and if it doesn't clear up before tomorrow there won't be many people at the parade or the other festivities!!!
What a fun, fun weekend I have had. We all met at the Woolleys at 5 o'clock on Saturday night for our annual family dinner and "Stadium of Fire" program!!! There is absolutely no place we could have had better food - I forgot my camera and as I was looking at the buffet I thought how I wanted to take pictures of everything because I was so sure that kind of thing was very rare but now I have decided that every time we get together it is a common occurrence to have very, very elaborate dinners. I must mention the salad that John & Julianna brought - first of all it was HUGE and I hope I can remember everything that was in it: fresh spinach, bib and butternut lettuces, mandarin oranges, red grapes that had been cut in half, fresh peas and pea pods, fresh corn that had just been blanched and then cut from the cob, (I can't remember if it had fresh mushrooms or not) and then for toppings they had three pounds of bacon that had been fried and then broken into small pieces, pine nuts and shredded cheeses. They had decorated it SO beautifully with sprouts in bunches on top and the dressing was delicious - it was a recipe from Julianna's Aunt Virginia who is a gourmet cook - and it was made with soy sauce, apple juice, oil, etc., etc.
We started eating outside on their patio and it started to rain and got too cool so we moved inside with worries about whether or not they would cancel the "Stadium of Fire" program. When it was time to leave for the stadium, the sky cleared up and it was a beautiful evening and most of us walked. Barbara Mandell was the featured entertainer and I could have listened to her all night and the Utah Symphony Orchestra was equally as good - I know they have never had such good music at their programs. They also had Mickey and Minnie Mouse and other characters from Disneyland and Jay Leno was there - it was fun to see all of these people in person and we had lots of binoculars. They always start their show with aerial parachutists and one of them landed in the bleachers - that was kinda' exciting - no one was hurt.
WE HAD MARVELOUS SEATS - THANK YOU ANN FOR ALL YOU DO IN ARRANGING THIS WONDERFUL FAMILY EVENT FOR US EACH YEAR.
Yesterday - Sunday - we again all met at the Woolleys for the first ever "Mellor Cousin Reunion". We were asked to bring snacks and the food was delicious - just the right amounts of sweets and other foods. The weather was just beautiful and the Woolleys' patio was gorgeous. I have been very concerned about this reunion - first of all I didn't think people would come and I worried that it would be very "stiff" because the cousins wouldn't know each other. It was just the opposite - there were lots of people there and they all enjoyed each other. I WAS SO PROUD OF MY FAMILY - everyone who could come did. Jeannie & Rick have made a million trips to Provo this past week - Ricky has had to work at Lagoon so Rick has waited for him to get off work so they have driven two cards to everything. Bob came and so did John & Julianna. Shirley's family was well represented - Jared and Stephanie, Holly (her husband had to stay home and care for their seven little girls) and Christine & Paul. Ramona's family was also there - Chris & MIssie, Mellor & Sharie, Carolyn & Gerald and their daughters and husbands, Pam & ?, Debbie & ?, & Natalie & Jason. Elaine's daughter Jill & her husband Kell and their two little boys came and that was such a joy because they don't come to anything. Keith's family came in force because there were only two daughters; Nancy & Bob and their son who has just returned from Russia on a mission - they have nine children but he was the only one who came and then Paula and Mell came with two of their daughters.
They had a nice program and everyone introduced each member of his family and told about the ones who were not there. Ann, Jean, Bob & John wanted to report about Roy but I wouldn't let them - I was afraid they wouldn't do you justice - Ha!!! It was a very, very nice evening and something that will probably be repeated. Shirley called me this morning and she was SO thrilled it was so successful - her daughter was the one who wanted to do it. I was proud of Glen, Shirley's husband - he was more normal than usual - Ha!!! The only family not represented was Carol's family and she is going to be sad when she hears who was there. We have a wonderful family heritage - it was interesting though to hear how many more close family relationships were formed with the families who lived closer to Granny & Grandpa Mellor. I could tell that Ann, Jean, Bob & John had a hard time relating to some of the experiences the others had had. That's what happens when you live far away but WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT???
We also have a wonderful family heritage with the Forrest family. I have suggested to Don that we do something about family reunions but we can't get too excited with just the two of us. He is SO sweet to call me often - he called again last night while I was gone - he seems to always call on Sunday nights - I think that must have been when he & Dee used to talk.
PATRICE - I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL AND ENRICHING TIME IN DALLAS. I know it must be very hard for you to not worry about your children but believe me, it is very good for you and for them too for you to be away from them for a little while. You are such a conscientious mother that that is easy for me to say!!!
BOB & JOHN - Thank you SO much for working on the dock. They went up to the cabin after the fireworks and worked all day yesterday until time for the reunion. I want to go up this week.
I just can't seem to get everything I want to say on two pages.
I forgot to tell Mary Ann that we missed her at our family festivities this week. As I was looking at all my grandchildren at the stadium I knew someone was missing and it suddenly dawned on me that Mary Ann was not there. Mary Ann has been in Rexburg, Idaho all week attending the "Girl's Academy" at Rick's College. I know you have had a WONDERFUL time Mary Ann and I'm anxious to hear all about it. I believe it lasts for about ten days - that's a long time to be away from home and I'm proud of you for doing it.
I also miss Emily, Timothy & Jesse but they have never been with us. I hope sometime in the future they will be able to come and be here over the 4th. It would have been IMPOSSIBLE to have Jesse be happy this year but as he grows older he would just love it. I wish they could come and be with me for all of the Fourth of July festivities in Provo - I have never heard of anyplace that celebrates it the way they do.
I hope Laura will have a WONDERFUL week in New York. She left yesterday afternoon and I'm anxious to hear all about her trip too. She was looking forward to so many things - the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, etc., etc.
I love each one of you so very much and I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU. Please let me know how I can help you.