June 27, 1999 Farmington, Utah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BARJI ON WEDNESDAY!!! 19 years old - WOW!!! You have surely accomplished a lot in 19 years - a year of college behind you and you have many beautiful talents - dancing, piano and public speaking!!! I hope you will continue everything in future years. I'M PROUD OF YOU and I hope you have a WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY. I have heard that you are not going to Lake Powell so you are probably celebrating with a family birthday party today. I talked to Bob last night and he said Michael chose a family party - I was always SO happy when my children chose that kind.

WELL - EMILY CAME TO UTAH ALL BY HERSELF AND SHE WAS JUST FINE!!! I will NEVER forget the look on her face as she came through the crowd to see Katie and me - she was smiling from ear to ear. I know she was relieved to know she hadn't had any problems. I talked to Patrice and Roy Friday night and they assured me she would not be given to anyone without identification and they were right - the airline attendant checked my drivers license and picture very carefully. She has grown taller since I have seen her and she is SO pretty and a joy to be with. We came home and made tacos - the first time I have ever made them. Then they went swimming and that was fun. It is WONDERFUL to have them with me - I hope they don't get bored. My church starts at 8:30 a.m. so they decided to go to Katie's ward (actually I don't know anyone their age in my ward so that was better). Bob and Claire came for them about 10:30 for church and Claire and Laura just brought them over so they will spend the night with me and I'M GLAD!!!

I had an absolutely marvelous time in Yellowstone. Mel and Ellen Mae go there quite often and they know all the best places to stay and the best shows to see. We went to the "Playmill" in West Yellowstone and saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". It was SO funny - I thought I had seen it before (so much for my memory) but as it progressed I realized I had never seen it. It was very well done. We had good motel rooms - Margaret Jost, Carol Dunford and I stayed in one and Mel and Ellen Mae in another. We went into the park and drove all around the "mud pots" and then watched Old Faithful erupt from the Old Faithful Hotel roof top - it was just spectacular. I learned that it isn't as regular as it used to be and that it doesn't go as high but it went high enough for me and we only had to wait about 30 minutes for the scheduled eruption. It reminded me of when Daddy and I were on our mission in Montana and also when I used to go to the park every year with my family when I was growing up.

THEN - we drove to Jackson where Mel had made reservations for us to see another show at the "Bar J" ranch and I have never laughed so hard. It is held on the "Humphrey's Ranch" and the father and his two sons and another man perform with violins and bass fiddles. I have never heard any better music - country and spiritual songs. They made many many jokes as they performed and it was just hilarious. They served 750 people a dinner of steak, bar-b-cue beef, baked beans, baked potatoes, rolls, applesauce and spice cake and they have perfected the way it is served and it took less than 30 minutes. I LOVED IT!!!

THEN - we went into Jackson Hole where Mel had made motel reservations - we had good rooms again. The next morning we went shopping - I was surprised to find the "Coldwater Creek" store. I have ordered clothes from their catalogues and I really like them. Jackson Hole has changed SO much since I was there last and it was REALLY fun to walk around. We took our time driving home and getting out to get pictures of the Teton mountains and watch the rafters on the snake river. I thought of John and his experience with the priests from their ward when they went floating a week ago. That is a gorgeous part of our country. Mel is such a patient man, very considerate and kind. A policeman pulled him over for something he had done and Mel talked him into giving him a warning ticket instead of the other kind - I was impressed because I believe Mel really did make a mistake. They have a brand new van that is beautiful and he hit something at the side of the road and bent the fender - he wasn't even very upset!!!

Katie and Emily have put "The Titanic" video on and I am trying to watch it and write this too so I had better quit writing. I have seen it but it will be fun to watch it again. The Bob Mellors have the video and Claire brought it over.

Claire's niece is getting married on July 8th and since Claire won't be here for the wedding she is having a luncheon for her tomorrow. She has invited Katie and Emily to go to it too and that will be fun for them - at the "Olive Garden". (Actually she invited me too but I don't know Joanna.)

I was going to take Katie and Emily to Orem tonight to see the "puppies" but I called to make sure John and Julianna were home and the funniest thing has happened. Julianna said that John called her from American Fork canyon and he had run out of gas and she has to take some to him. That sounds like something I would do - not John!!! Julianna had stayed home to "show" the dogs to prospective buyers. I wish they could go to Lake Powell with us but Julianna said that besides having 10 dogs to care for John is super busy at work.

Roy and Patrice - I plan to meet you at the airport on Saturday morning. I don't expect any problems but if by chance I am not there I believe you will be able to find my condo and Emily found the extra key from the directions I had given all of you so I won't worry. Just come in and make yourselves at home.