December 8, 2002 Farmington, Utah

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICHAEL NEXT SUNDAY - he will be 24 years old. He surely does have good goals and he is fast in achieving them and I'm proud of you Michael and (Staci). I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY WITH A BIG BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!

HAPPY, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS IN MY FAMILY TODAY. YOU ARE ALL GREAT FATHERS AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE ALL PROOF OF THAT - I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!!!

I just came home from the Bob Mellor's home where they were having a GREAT Father's day celebration for Bob and also Claire's Father, Bob Ezell. It was SO fun to be with them - Michael & Staci, Laura & Katie were all there and I LOVED visiting with them. We watched some of their family videos that were made in 1990 and it brought back so many memories of when the children were all younger. I thought especially of Brett and how much he has grown and what a happy childhood he had. One of the videos was of Brett's birthday where they went to an indoor playground in Layton and I have never seen play equipment like that - it was wonderful - they have always had such elaborate cameras and their pictures are just FABULOUS!!! The other family videos were taken at Christmas time with their Ezell cousins and they were in the Ezell's family room in their downstairs where they had a "Christmas Tree Pinata" - WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!! There were pictures of them making gingerbread houses with their Mellor cousins and I couldn't help but think what a good family tradition that has been and now it has gone to the next generation and some of the houses were much more elaborate at the Weinert's home this last Christmas and I think about little Preston being SO overwhelmed with all the candy on the table - Ha!!! There were also many pictures of the children playing in the snow in front of their home and also at a big hill somewhere in Layton. Brett - I hope you will think of all those times and they will inspire you to be a good missionary as you help others to have those kinds of childhood memories. I know you will be working with many children who don't have the opportunities the children in America have.

MIchael and Staci had an opportunity to rent their condominium in Logan to a nice couple so they have moved out and are going to live with the Bob Mellors for a few weeks until they will move to Pocatello to start school. They are excited!!! They have rented a condo in "Chubbick", Idaho which is close to Pocatello.

John - I must apologize to you for the way I talked to you on the phone this week. He is SO good to call me often and I just "unloaded" on him about the letter I had received from the new attorney and I'm sorry. I get too frustrated over attorneys and his letter REALLY turned me off. I guess I expected too much and I don't understand "attorney lingo". Bob told me today that his letter was just "attorney talk" - I copied the letter and sent copies to Bob & John. His entire letter was about all the mistakes we had made in setting up the trust for my estate - this after spending LOTS of time and LOTS of money on two attorneys. Bob told me today that they would take care of it!!! I am REALLY grateful to have the help they give me because without it I would just forget the whole thing.

John - Elder Medieros told me to tell you "Hello". Do you remember him? He was the Elder with us in Montana whose father died suddenly in Hawaii and Elder Medieros chose to stay on his mission and not go home for his funeral. I will never forget how sad I was and he had a difficult time. I saw him and his wife at the temple and about the first thing he said to me was "how is Johnny"? He lives in Centerville with his beautiful wife and four children.

I had such a good time at the temple on Saturday. Jean & Rick were there and it is always a surprise to all of a sudden see family members. THEN later I saw Danny Summerhays who has just returned from his mission in Chile. - he looks GREAT!!! My Davis County family members go to the Bountiful temple quite often but I don't always see them so last Saturday was special.

I drove to Brigham City this afternoon to put some flowers on my Father's grave. I have had some beautiful red roses and white peonies so I made a bouquet and took them. I walked around the cemetery and was SO sad to see a family with 5 children who died in 1877 - must have been the flu epidemic. The cemetery looked SO beautiful and I always drive around my old homes there and the new owners are taking such good care of them and of course that makes me happy.

I believe Jeannie will come over tonight - she and Rick came last week and I always appreciate that so much. Bob and Claire came over too like they usually do and I was collecting money for flowers for that lady in the condos who passed away and the phone and doorbell kept ringing. Finally Bob answered the doorbell and collected the money from a man - I saw him at church this morning and he asked me how my party last Sunday went. I said "it wasn't a party, my children come over every Sunday night for Family Home Evening". I was SO proud to tell him that and he said "Sister Mellor, you are truly blessed" and I KNOW I am!!! I was on the program at Relief Society last week and my topic was to discuss Family Home Evenings for Singles. I told them I didn't need a special program because of my family but there are many singles in our area who don't have family members close by and they have special "friend family home evenings" and they love them.

I hope Annie and Ron have had a WONDERFUL week visiting with Grandpa Russ, the Steve Reeves family and their trip to Hawaii. I haven't heard from them but they didn't get home until last night.

I have been concerned about John's "upper back problems" - I had him diagnosed as having pleurisy. He has been going to a physical therapist and is getting some relief so my diagnosis was all wrong. He has been in pain for about three weeks and THAT IS TOO LONG. I guess I remembered my Mother who had pleurisy and I would go home from college and find her under one of those infra-red lamps with tears running down her cheeks because of the pain. They have much better medications now than they did in those days. John said "kitty" is spending some time in his home and he has a "litter box" - Ha!!!

Jessie - thank you SO VERY MUCH for your sweet letter. I loved hearing about your trip to California for the wedding of one of your college roommates. I want you to report how that goes - okay??? Jessie said that Jared is VERY excited about going to Lake Powell - that time is coming up REALLY soon.

I don't know why the print in this letter keeps changing. Claire tried to help me get it all the same but I think I have the habit of hitting a key that fowls it all up. OH WELL!!!

Roy - have you heard about the "Red Planet"??? I know you are REALLY interested in astronomy and I had this e-mail saying Earth will be catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. I'll forward you this e-mail if you are interested.

Claire just came over to help me with the "picture project" - I asked her if she thought I could learn how to do that and she said she had to take a 12 week course. I couldn't learn how to do it if I spent the rest of my life trying. I REALLY appreciate all the help she gives me!!! I hear my garage door going up so that means Bob has come for a visit.

I think this is all the news. I LOVE EACH ONE OF YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU SO. Grandma B XXXXXOOOOO