December 23, 1996

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

I can't believe it is almost Christmas - time absolutely flies for me!!! I hope so much that you will all have a very Happy Holiday Season. The things that are planned for the family here sound like so much fun and I'm excited.

We are all going to meet at an ice skating rink in Salt Lake tomorrow (Tuesday, Christmas Eve) and that will be a lot of fun. The weather is cooperating - they are predicting sunny skies and no snow. I actually have snow on the ground for the first time this year and I LOVE IT!!! After the skating we will go to the Weinerts for dinner and the Cousin Gift Exchange and then to the Bob Mellors for dessert. Jean said she tried to talk Claire into taking this year off but she said their children would be disappointed if they didn't have the cousins come to their home. I talked to Claire yesterday and she said she was feeling better each day but is still having a few problems.

Christmas Day I will prepare a buffet and I hope everyone here will be able to come. We will miss the Roy Mellors at all these activities but after being in their lovely home I surely don't feel bad for them - they will have a WONDERFUL Christmas - I hope Roy will be able to be home.

Patrice - before I forget - I just love the picture postcard you sent with the pictures of the children in their Halloween costumes. I have never seen anything like that. I have had it on my refrigerator since it came and haven't thought to mention it to you. Your package is here and I will be sure to take the cousins gifts to the party.

I went to the Lehi Neighborhood last Thursday and I had such a good time. The lady who bought our home over there came and it was fun to visit with her. Her parents moved to Lehi and have helped her since her husband was killed in that freak accident. I guess they have done a lot to the home and they invited me to go see it - I'm afraid it will make me feel sad so I don't know if I will go or not. It is beautiful from the outside and they have it decorated so nice for Christmas. They are SO sweet to me and always ask when I am going to build on my lot over there - it would surely be a change from where I live now but it is a good feeling to have that security. Rose and Harvard Hinton have just returned from their third mission - this time to Germany - and it was fun to visit with them. My "used to be Aunt" Lucile was there and she has really aged - she's quite stooped and I guess it' Our Relief Society had it's Christmas party on Wednesday and it was very simple. Last year we just about killed ourselves with a big dinner and they were smart to keep it simple this year - they had a beautiful musical program and refreshments.

Last night I went to a party in the neighborhood. Phil and Nelda Shumway live down the street from me and they had friends in for a spiritual musical program that was "out of this world". Their son Jim is a professional singer - I had him entertain for my Brigham City friends in May - and his wife is also a singer. I don't believe I have ever heard a more beautiful program.

The parents of one of our former missionaries were at the party last night and since I had walked they asked if they could take me home. They said they wanted to come in and visit for a little while so they did and that was WONDERFUL. Their names are Jim and Janet Spencer and Janet brought me the most beautiful piece of handiwork - I still can't believe she would give it to me. Janet has stomach cancer and it is in remission now but I don't believe the prognosis is very good. She is a beautiful woman and is on cortisone so her face is more full than before. Jim goes hunting with his son and they were most interested in hearing about John's Golden Retrievers - Jim says he can't care for a dog all year so he rents dogs when they hunt.

John and Julianna were here when I came home from the Temple on Saturday night and I love to drive in and know that family is in my home. Julianna has made the most darling Christmas stockings for Oscar, Sasha and Tar Baby. John was doing some work on the computer. You know me and how I love to go to bed early so I said Goodnight and asked them to close up the house when they left. John called me yesterday and said, "Mom, you need to count two snouts when you put the dogs in - you left Frauie outside". That makes me feel SO bad because she could have frozen to death. I know I called to her and gave her some treats but she must have sneaked out before I could put the door down. Last night she didn't attempt to go out after I gave her the treats so maybe she learned her lesson.

Let me tell you about my temple work. They had had 50 weddings in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple on Saturday but towards the end of my shift they weren't very busy so they asked if I would go work in the laundry. I started to fold clothing and I folded, and folded and folded and the basket didn't empty - it was so discouraging. I found out later that the basket bins have springs in the bottom so as you empty them they lift up - I have never seen anything like that!!!

My neighbor, Chad Frisby, was married on Friday and I went to his reception that night. It is fun to live in a ward long enough to see the young people grow up and marry. Chad and his wife are both in school and they have absolutely NOTHING!!! The Frisbys are SO good to me - they came over last night and shoveled the driveway and walkways and they came again this morning because it snowed during the night.

My neighbors, Adrian and Carol Fredericks came over last night and brought gifts and visited for awhile. I REALLY have wonderful neighbors. I bought gifts on sale last year and I have wrapped them but they seem very small compared to the things others are giving. Susanna and Jessie are going to come this afternoon and deliver them for me - I WILL APPRECIATE THAT SO MUCH!!! They didn't come for Family Home Evening last night because I was going to that party.

The Willardsens sent their annual poinsettia again and it is just beautiful. Bob called me soon after it was delivered and when I told him about it he said, "Mom, they're quality folks". I thought that described them very well.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!

P.S.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BRETT ON THURSDAY THE 26TH - YOU WILL BE 11 YEARS OLD!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LEE ANNA ON SUNDAY THE 29TH AND YOU WILL BE 12 YEARS OLD!!!

I hope you both will have very happy birthdays - I can't believe I forgot to mention it at the very first of my letter.

I LOVE YOU - GRANDMA B XXXXXX OOOOOO

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