Smithfield Scoop

 I'm with you, Jenn - such a great family! Thanks for always responding to texts about family concerns. The prayers are felt, acknowledged and very appreciated! And they are answered. Thank you to all of you for your concern and prayers for little Jane. She is improving a little each day. Gus is still miserable, but will hopefully feel well before long. Lauren seems to be hanging in there, but we all know how exhausting it is to a mom, physically and emotionally, when the little ones are sick. Lots of prayers for the Mannings!

I'm with you, too, Emma - sure love to read about the goings-on in your lives! Thanks for posting on the blog - especially the photos! They truly are worth a thousand words. Those Stetson faces are SO funny! And the pictures of daily activities are very fun to see! Thanks for putting such family history classics on the blog.

Dad and I enjoyed our Christmas celebrations. We celebrated all weekend: Saturday we went to Barnes and Noble with the Belliston grandchildren to select some books. It is always fun to see them find corners to read books in before making a final choice. We also went to the Mannings to check on things there. We took supplies to make a Santa face charcuterie board. Gus, Chet and Wesley enjoyed helping and we had enough stuff left to make another Santa to take back to the Bellistons. 

We accepted an invitation from Mannings to return on Sunday and attend a "Bethlehem Dinner," like Passover, including a script about the symbolism of each dish that was served. It is done by candlelight, with the script read by Nick and commented on by the family. It is always very special. We were glad to spend some time with Lauren, Gus and Jane (who were not feeling well) while Nick took the older boys to his parents' home for a Christmas Eve party. It was delightful to see and feel the excitement of little boys about fun gifts received at the party. Gus couldn't have been more excited about the little teepee/tent he got and immediately began tossing in his favorite books, blanket, and other goods that he planned to sleep with! So cute! Westley was thrilled with the Monopoly game he got and Chet got busy putting together some amazing lego kits. What a fun time, remembering the many Christmases spent with excited, grateful children! Delightful times!

On our way home on Christmas Eve, we saw something unusual in the eastern sky in Cache Valley, specifically in Smithfield. It looked like some UFOs!! Dad thought they were drones, but when we stopped the car and got out, there was no sound whatsoever. There were many stars visible, but then there were a few bright orange spots, then there were a few more! They slowly faded, but didn't fall, then they just disappeared! We are still wondering what they were and who was behind it!

Christmas day was spent reading the books we received from Jenn and Lauren about their children! We laughed until the tears flowed at the hilarious deeds and sayings of such funny, precocious and delightful grandchildren!

Another year has passed so quickly. It's hard to believe we are already celebrating a new year. It makes me dizzy to think how fast 2023 has come and gone. I hope to record things better this year and live a bit more intentionally - you know, make some plans and help them happen! We pulled off the Nauvoo trip, and will hopefully find more wonderful things to do this year! We have some ideas....

Here are the few Predictions that were made today during Family Matters, as well as some things that are already in the works - or at least planned. If you think of things to add to either list, send it to me and we'll keep a running list!

Hopes and Plans for 2024:

Harts will host a backyard wedding at their home in August 

Harts, Flakes and others plan to meet near Dallas, TX in April for the solar eclipse

Mannings plan to start and finish building an addition on their house

Peter is planning to execute a flawless triple back flip

Ian plans to attend college somewhere

Cameron plans to attend college at USU

Wesley plans to be baptized in May

Grant and Peter plan to not attend Primary after the last day in 2023. They will attend Young Mens!

Predictions for 2024:

Joe and Lori Bellistons will move (Ruth)

Ian will get a lead role in a musical at college (Jenn)

Thomas will start construction on a new gym/new side hustle (Ruth and Elise)

Thomas will get two more dogs (Peter)

Flakes will move (Ruth)

One or two new apostles will be announced (Mom)

President Nelson will reach his 100th birthday in September (Dad)

There will be another new cousin, or two (Jenn and Ruth)

"Cousins in the making" (Elise)

The Word of Wisdom will be readdressed (Thomas)

Someone from our family will begin the process to become a full time missionary (Mom)

Sister missionaries will serve at the same age and length of time as elders - all 18 months (Alex)

Church will approve families to apply for missionary service together (Alex)

There will be an iphone 20 by the end of the year (Peter)