June 20, 2000 Farmington, Utah

I didn't write my letter on Sunday, the 18th, like I usually do because I went to the cabin on Saturday and didn't get home until yesterday, Monday, just barely in time to get to work - in fact, I was 5 minutes late!!! I hope all the Fathers in my family had WONDERFUL Father's day celebrations with their children - I'm SO proud of each one of you - there is nothing in this world as important or as fulfilling as parenthood and I know I don't have to tell you that!!! I talked to Jeannie a few minutes ago and she said that Rick had bratwurst, deviled eggs, and pineapple upside down cake so he had a happy Father's day - Ha!!!

I drove very leisurely to the cabin on Saturday - I stopped to visit with Don and Cheryl in Murray, then went to Lehi and decorated PaPa's grave, then to John's home where I called and visited with Annie and played with Mokie and Tar for a few minutes and then to Scofield - it was starting to get dark by the time I got there and it always makes me nervous if I don't get there in time to turn on the electricity while I can still see in the "skunk room".

BOB - Thank you SO much for all you did at the cabin - you spent so much time getting all the weeds chopped down and I know that was a big job but I LOVED the "trail" you had made with your weed eater. KATIE - Thank you SO much for vacuuming up all the flies - I know that was a big job too. JOHN - Thank you SO much for doing such a good job with the "de-con" - the mice had eaten a lot of it but neither Bob nor I found any dead mice and that was such a relief. I was surprised at how clean the cabin was so I know Bob, Katie and whoever else went up there last weekend really did a great job of cleaning it - I appreciate that SO VERY MUCH!!!

It was beautiful in Scofield but quite cold and it rained most of the time I was there. I went to church on Sunday morning - I just love that little branch and I admire them SO much. The leaders from Helper come to give the talks for Sacrament Meeting and since that is their last meeting of the day, the chapel is full. The little lady who gives the Sunday School lesson lives in Clearcreek and she has lived there all her life and I believe there are only ten families there and twenty families in Scofield. That is such a historical place in Utah - they had a big memorial about a month ago as they remembered 100 years ago when 200 miners were killed in a mine explosion. They have done a lot to the cemetery there.

I didn't get to go fishing because it was raining but the dock looks good - thank you again Bob for getting it in the water - how did you do that? I didn't see our friend Byrd - I saw his little houseboat go out into the lake so I believe he was there on Monday morning. A lady at church told me he was so busy with his church activities that he doesn't have much time to spend in Scofield like he used to - I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL!!! I used to have to defend the church when we visited but I don't have to do that anymore.

I changed the sheets on the beds downstairs and vacuumed under them and I defrosted the refrigerator but the time went too fast to do anything else. (That is a very, very nice refrigerator). I REALLY relaxed all day on Sunday - I read and slept while it was raining. BOB -I PUT ALL THE THINGS YOU SENT FOR THE WATER HEATER ON THE SINK IN THE SKUNK ROOM RIGHT WHERE WAYNE CAN SEE THEM. I know he will get that fixed because they will want to take baths and showers. It is already for them now. I wish some of you will want to go up there too when the fishing gets good. There weren't many people catching fish this weekend but it will pick up.

It was fun to talk to Annie and hear about Susanna's wedding plans. She is having her wedding dress made out of "peau de sau" - I know you are all laughing at the way I have spelled that!!! She wants it very simple. She is also planning what to serve at their reception - Annie and Ron have given her a budget to work with and she is hiring a caterer and Ann says it will be just delicious. WHAT A FUN TIME FOR ALL OF THEM!!!

It was fun to talk to Jeannie about Barji's wedding plans too. There is a big golf tournament at Thanksgiving Point today and Barji and Boyd are going to that - there is a golfer named "Sergio" with whom Boyd has played and he requested that Boyd come for it and also Elder Hales. They have had their pictures taken for their announcements and now they are waiting for guest list addresses.

I think about all the excitement with the wedding plans and then I think of all the excitement with Michael's preparation to go into the MTC. Then I think about all the excitement with preparation for Ricky to come home and it is just overwhelming - AND ALL GOOD THINGS!!! I'm SO grateful.

I have worried about Mokie and Tar with John being gone for such a long time BUT I saw a note on his kitchen desk thanking Jon and Jenny Theobald for taking care of them. I'm not going to worry anymore because they will do a good job. They didn't bark at me at all when I was there so I am assuming they are wearing their "no barking" collars. JOHN - I hope you are having a WONDERFUL trip even though I know it involves a lot of work. I hope you will call me when you get home next Saturday. Your home looks SO good!!! I was going to bring the planter I got for PaPa's grave over for you but I didn't have time. There is a sign at the cemetery that says all the flowers will be taken from the graves after they have been there for five days so I brought it home again.

Emily - I want to hear about your museum experiences. Do you have a lot of people coming to visit the museum? Timothy and Jesse - do you like the young woman who is caring for you while your Mom is working? I'll bet you are having lots of fun. I MISS YOU!!!