Dear Ashtyn,
I am sorry that I am writing to you 3 days after your birthday but things have been crazy at our house. I am so glad that you were sent to live with our family. You are such a special girl with an incredible personality. You are so much fun to be around. The things that you say and do are unbelievable. Like when we had parent/teacher conference this fall and Mrs Harr asked you if you had liked apple day and if you had tried the apple dips with your finger. The look you gave her was priceless. You were appalled that she would even think that! You pointed your finger out and said, (and I quote) "I would NEVER put my finger in dip! PRINCESSES don't put their fingers in dip!!!!". Mrs Harr was trying so hard to take you seriously (laughing behind her paper). But your mom couldn't hold it in. I laughed so hard. You are most certainly the most princessy girl I know. I loved how on your birthday you said, "I don't feel like I am 6. I still feel like I am 5". Like being 6 is supposed to change everything. I remember how 6 years ago you were born. We scheduled for me to be induced so that you wouldn't be born on Christmas. So on December 23rd you were born. We went home the next day on Christmas Eve. You were the absolute best Christmas present ever!!!!! Even better than the trip to Disneyland that your Dad gave me one year! I love you so much and I hope that your 6th year will bring many exciting and fun things to you. Thank you for being my special princess.
Love you lots and lots,
Mommy

Dear Grandma Day
I am crying as I am sitting here writing this. It has taken me a few days to write to you. I needed to get my emotions more under control before I could do this. I will miss you so much. I know that you are so much happier where you are now. It is selfish of me to miss you so much and wish that you could still be here. I am happy for you. You are such a wonderful lady. The example of love that you were to me will live inside me forever. You kept us together as a family. I will be forever grateful that Heavenly Father blessed my life with such a wonderful grandma! I will treasure all of the memories that I have of you. I think at this time of year of Christmases past when I was a little girl and how exciting it was to go to your house. We would go into the "red room" (the room had red carpet and I thought it was a beautiful bedroom) and there on the beds would be piles of gifts to us. They were beautifully wrapped (curtisy of ZCMI) and it didn't matter that they were full of clothes. Your presents were always the best! Birthdays were wonderful too. I always felt special as we went shopping together and I got to pick out an outfit. Then we would always go out to eat. Remember how I would usually pick chinese food? Usually at the Chiam Cafe. My kids will miss you so much also. Your great grandkids knew that you loved them. My Bailey had such a love for her Grandma Day. She loved not only the M&M's that you brought her each week but she loved you. I am so glad that she got to kiss you goodbye on Sunday. I won't ever let her forget her special grandma. I am also glad that you got to see Parker born before you died. I remember you saying how glad that you were to still be alive so that you could see him. I will always love you Grandma! I'll look forward to seeing you again someday.

All of my love,
Cindy

Barbara Martha Henrie Day
born January 4, 1919
died December 23, 2008

Dear Oz,
How are you? We are all doing fine. Uncle Henry is cleaning up after that tornado. There was a lot of damage done to the farm. Tin Man is making up for lost time. He hugs everyone! Even the Wicked Witch! Although I do have to say that it is doing her some good. By the way she didn't melt. She decided to come and try to live in the country with us and it is helping her a lot. She even pets Toto now and then. Lion is being ever so brave. I fell into the pig pen again (I know, I need to stay off of the fence) and he jumped right in to rescue me. After it was over he didn't even shake! Scarecrow is so brainy now he sometimes makes us all feel a little inferior! We decided to make a yellow brick road here and we follow her, I mean it, all of the time. Glenda is here also. She is so BEAUTIFUL!!! She is always telling us to click our shoes together when we need to go somewhere. I tell her that we have other means of transportation. She might get it someday! As for me I am wonderful. I have Toto and all of my friends together here at the farm. I haven't even killed any witches lately. Write us back and tell us how you are. We miss you. If your balloon ever comes this way, stop and visit.
Love Dorothy

Dear Madison,
I am sorry that you are not loving your new braces. If I could wear them for you I would. You are so lucky that you are one of those girls that look cute with your braces. Be happy and proud of your smile! You are so beautiful. I thank Heavenly Father every day for sending you to me. I am so proud of you. You are a great example to me. Your brothers and sisters look up to you and you set such a good example to them too. You are one of your baby brother's favorite people. Keep smiling and the time will pass more quickly than you realize. You now have a (few) thousand dollar smile!! Love you sweetie!
Love you forever,
Mom