July 8, 1996 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, Lee Anna & Jimmy:
I just came home from dropping Michael off for EFY at BYU. Bob and Claire brought him down last night and he spent the night with me - we had such a good time!!! We watched "The Black Stallion" until almost midnight so he slept late this morning. I thought it moved slowly but it is such a sweet movie with a good theme and the scenery and music are beautiful - I haven't seen it for a long, long time and Michael said he had never seen it.
There were LOTS of young people waiting in line to register for EFY. Claire had told me to just leave him with his luggage close by because it would have been too confusing to stay until he was settled in his room. I stayed with him in the line for quite awhile (we were in the wrong line at first) but I was parked illegally so he said he was comfortable and I should leave. I still worried about him so I found a parking place and walked back to the line but he was already talking to someone so I left. He is so outgoing and always has been so I'm sure he will get along just fine and it is such good experience for him. There were not many parents or grandparents with the young people.
I have looked forward to the Fourth of July for many months and now it is over!!! Roy and Patrice came in on Saturday, June 31st and left on Saturday, July 6th. We didn't have anything planned for the first day they were here and looking back on their visit, I am SO glad because that was really about the only time I had to visit with their children on a one to one basis. They went to my ward picnic on Saturday evening and I was SO proud to have my ward family meet them - they hear me talk about them all the time!!! People are still talking about my little grandson, Timothy, who "dunked" two people - they were dunked by someone hitting a target that dropped them into the water and Timothy hit the target twice. Many children tried and tried and couldn't do it. Little Jesse loved the fish pond and Emily loved the "bubbles". The Scera Park is very nice and the playground was fun for them to play on.
The family came for dinner on Sunday evening and we celebrated Barji's 16th birthday. I ALWAYS love having my family come for dinner but I am never quite satisfied with what I serve - it was very hot so we just had sandwiches and salads and birthday cake.
Monday, Bob came and visited for awhile and then he and Roy went to Scofield to stay in the cabin overnight. Timothy went to spend the night with Russell & Jimmy. Tuesday, Emily went to Aspen Grove to spend the day with Katie. Claire's family had their family reunion at Aspen Grove so she invited Emily and Jimmy to each spend a day there with Katie and Brett.
Wednesday, Roy & Patrice and their family went to the "Dinosaur Park" in Ogden. They picked up Sarah on their way and spent some time with Jeannie and Rick on their way back to Orem. Sarah came here to spend the night with Emily.
Thursday couldn't have been a fuller day!!! Sarah and Emily went to my ward breakfast and flag raising ceremony that is sponsored by the Boy Scout troop - it started at 6:30 a.m. We came home and awakened the rest of the family so we could get ready for the big parade. The parade started at 9 a.m. and we knew there would be a huge crowd so we left in plenty of time but we still had to park quite a ways away but the children didn't ever complain.
We were THRILLED to find the spot where Ron & Ann said they would meet us and they had lawn chairs and blankets for everyone to sit on and we were right by a stream of water so the children could wade in it and keep cool. Susanna & Jessie marched in the parade.
We came home and "tried" to rest so we could be ready for the big "Stadium of Fire" and dinner at the Woolleys that night. We made cookies and homemade ice cream and then went to their home about 4 o'clock. The children are SO happy when they get to the Woolleys' home and Roy & Patrice can relax a little because the older cousins take care of the younger ones. Their dinner was just fabulous - they served chicken fajitas with all the trimmings and John & Julianna made the most delicious avocado dip I have ever eaten. Roy & Patrice brought some marvelous seedless watermelons and made good cold "Crystal Light" lemonade. Jeannie and I had an ice cream contest and I believe it was a tie - I made Ron's vanilla and she made Mary Lou Bersteins' fruit.
I say this every year but I truly believe the Stadium of Fire was the best I have seen - I have talked to others who have that same feeling. Donny Osmond has just moved back to Utah and he had the audience wound around his little finger. It was just excellent and I worried that Jesse would be frightened and not enjoy it but he seemed perfectly happy for the full almost four hours.
Friday, Roy and Patrice spent some time packing and getting ready for their trip home and then they all went to Bob and Claires' home for dinner. They said that Emily and Katie really had fun together and also Timothy and Brett. They left to go home early on Saturday morning and my house is much TOO quiet. The children are SO adorable and well behaved - I can trust them to go in any room of my home and they are so careful with everything.
John and Julianna tried to get them to go boating but there just wasn't enough time - they did appreciate all your efforts though! The Woolleys came over for Family Home Evening last night and said they had spent Saturday with John & Julianna on Utah Lake and had had a WONDERFUL time!!! They love their boat!!!
EMILY - I AM SO THRILLED TO KNOW HOW WELL YOU ARE DOING ON THE PIANO. I loved hearing you play and I miss that SO much!!!