Final Family Gathering Info

Belliston Family Gathering - 2017

May 26 - 29 (Memorial Day weekend)

"Learn a Thing or Two"

Well, it's finally here - just 2 days away!! We are very excited to see everyone and to do some really great family bonding activities!  Here are just a few final thoughts....

Please refer to the posts on the blog on May 7 for the schedule and assignments and on May 14 for what to bring.

We are trying to keep a great deal of time open for visiting and playing, but have a few items scheduled at specific times that you should be aware of. 

First of all,  Thanks!!

1. For your thoughts concerning the family photo.  After reading your comments and talking with the photographer, we would like everyone to wear nice casual and will plan to meet at 11:00 at Lion's Park for our photo time. We will want to be on time for this event :) She will take a large group picture, then do just grandchildren (and hopefully one with them and grandparents), just children, just in-laws (outlaws??), married couples, family groups, and anything else we request.

2. For your help with the "missionary meal."  It would be nice to know what each family is planning to contribute to the meal so if we need some extra side dishes I can get those ready.  Also, if you haven't sent a list of specific ingredients you need, please do so today.  If you are making your meal item ahead of time, that's great!  We will plan to eat about 6:00 - earlier if everyone is there and is hungry :)  Please let us know when you think you will be arriving!

3. Friday night we will have a family council with our children.  There will be an optional outside movie for the grandchildren (time and weather permitting).  We really hope to have a good visit with everyone participating and able to listen without too many distractions. If children are happy/sleeping, spouses are more than welcome to participate.

4. The sisters have graciously agreed to help Emma get ready for her final high school formal dance. She will be leaving on her date at 6:00, so she'll be needing help for the hour (or two??) before that.  Thanks so much for making this a special time for her.  She is really looking forward to it - as long as the brothers and brothers-in-law go easy on her date :)

5. Our church meetings begin at 11:00 on Sunday.  Will Mannings and T & T be at our meetings? We will have a taco bar right after church and a lighter meal in the evening.

6. The Memorial Day breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning.  We will pay for anyone who wants to go with us at about 8:00.  If your family needs a little more time in the morning, we will give you money for your family to eat when you get there.  I don't know if it's necessary (or even possible) for us all to be there at the same time, but if you want to try for that, we can surely change the time to accommodate everyone. We can discuss this when we are together.

7. One thing I'd like to add to the schedule between breakfast and lunch on Monday is a trip to the Logan Cemetery. I thought it would be nice to show the grandchildren pictures of my mom and have anyone who would like to, to share some memories of her.  Then we could have the kids put some flowers on her grave. It's a great place to be on Memorial Day, though it's sure to be crowded!  We could also show the grandchildren Peter Maughan's monument and some other fun markers.

Nilsson News

I haven't been on the blog in awhile and I'm sure all of you have heard our exciting news for the month.  Our little donkey foal finally arrived last week on mother's day!  Addy named her Ella. She is the cutest little spotted thing!  I love to watch the curiosity that every new baby has.  This little gal will jump and kick and chase the chickens and then come up to you for hugs.  Adorable!  I will show you pictures at the gathering since I can't get them to post on the blog.  We are still waiting on CoCo to foal.  She is only a month over due.  I'm definitely not anxious or anything.  She is showing no signs of foaling either.  I don't know why I always think it's a great idea to start a breeding program when it makes me so crazy!  I guess the babies are what's worth it.
Addy had her national dance competition last weekend and took first in several of the events.  Mom came with us for which I was very grateful.  We all just about froze.  This last week we saw snow again and a pretty hard freeze.  We think it was winter just getting the last word in before summer.
My birthday was lovely.  We went to the farmer's market and the kid's homeschool recognition ceremony.  We came home and planted a couple apple trees and worked in the yard.  After cake and ice cream, Elise came by and took me out around town.  It was delightful!  Counting down to the gathering with all of you.  It will be awesome!

Flake Fun

21 May 2017 - First off, happy birthday to Ruth!   These last couple of weeks have been crazy but we are seeing some sort of possible normalcy on the horizon.

We got our garden planted yesterday which was really nice.  We transplanted our tomatoes about a week or so ago and we had to cover them a couple of times this week due to nearly freezing temperatures.  They are looking a little sad but we are hoping that they will pull through.   The forecasted futures are getting up around 80 so hopefully everything will stay healthy!

We have a bull that has taken up residence in the field next to our house.  He has decided recently that the best time to shout his macho nature to the world is any time between 5:00 and 5:30AM.  It gets really bad when the other neighbor bull decides to chime in.  I would NOT suggest that the Nilsson's add a bull to their farm. 

We are excited to see everyone this weekend!  Sorry that this is kind of short but I've got to get ready for church! 

Hey, if there is anything specific that you guys would like from our learning sessions (financial planning or electrical/around the house fixes) please let us know so that we can touch on it!  Love you all!

Belliston Family Gathering - 2017

May 26 - 29 (Memorial Day weekend)

"Learn a Thing or Two"

Coming up in just 12 days!!  We are ready for this momentous event, are you?!

The rental house is secured, the schedule is planned, the menu is outlined, and the photographer is hired. We are ready to rock and roll!  Please read the following reminders and comment on the survey. Thanks a million for your willingness to support and be with our family. It still amazes us that we can get everyone together for a few days each year! We are going to enjoy it while we can!!

Things to bring:

1.  Yourselves!

2.  Mission food recipes, if needed. We will have ingredients here, if you have requested them. If you choose to make it beforehand and bring it with you, that's fine, too.

3.  Thanks to Joe and Lori, no one will need to bring bed pillows! (Unless you have a favorite one you can't sleep without)

4.  Information for your assigned "Learning Session" topic.

5.  A camp chair or two, if you have room. We have a few so don't feel it's imperative.

6.  Anything else you need to be happy and comfortable... (clothing and toiletries are always good)

Family Photo Survey:

1.  When you feel would be the best time to take family pictures?

      A. Saturday morning at 10:30 or 11:00

      B. Saturday afternoon at 4:00

      C. Sunday afternoon between 2:00 and 4:00

2.  What do you think would be the best attire for the picture?

      A. Let everyone wear what they want.

      B. Have a general color theme (everyone wear khaki or denim with pastel shirts...)

      C. Each family choose a specific color they wear (Hart's blue, Flakes white, etc....)

3.  Where would you like the photo taken?

      A. In our own backyard

      B. At Lion's Park (since we will be there anyway)

      C. In Logan Canyon

      D. At the temple

      E. Other idea (please list) 

Hyde Park Highlights

We've been on a roller coaster with the weather in Cache Valley - spring to winter to summer to winter to spring....  It's tricky to adjust to upper 70's one day, then down to a high of 40 the next! It was 35 degrees when we woke up this morning. We nearly froze at Lagoon yesterday while we were there to see Addy compete at the National Clogging competition! Eliza told me her feet were "ice bombs" and she could not get warm at all! We endured our shivers for several hours, but just as we were leaving the park, the sun came out and we warmed right up! That's how it goes in northern Utah. Addy did a great job at the competition, though, so the chilliness was worth it.

It's been an eventful week around here. Dad and I attended Aimee Belliston's mother's funeral in Alpine. It was amazing to hear about her young life and the intense difficulties she overcame through the gospel and the Lord's hand in her life. While there, we looked around for just the right home for Nick and Lauren to buy - but didn't find much. It's surely a "sellers market" with very high prices compensating for low interest rates. 

We had a great time celebrating Joe's birthday with all of those fun Bellistons! We watched them jump around at the trampoline park in Provo, then went to lunch in Spanish Fork after we discovered that the Zupas in Provo was closed for renovation. It was nice to be together and visit for a while.

I got to attend a birth in Ogden on Friday, which is the first one since baby Millie was born. It's quite strange to go more than 2 months between births and I felt a bit out of touch!

We had fun attending a wedding reception last night. It was held at the bride's grandparents' home down on the island in Logan. The home is in a "poorer" part of town and looks like a little old home from the street in front of the house, but when we walked around to the back yard, it was a different story!  It was a large yard, maybe a 1/2 acre, with a big garden area, a gazebo, a pond with fish and lily pads, a swing to fit 3 people, a tree house and much more! We were astonished at what you find behind a modest, old-looking house. Very fun!

In addition to all that, Emma was offered a permanent job at Kitchen Kneads! She went in to help with wrapping for Mother's Day and they decided they couldn't do without her, so she will start working regular shifts in June. She learned how to run the cash register yesterday, which was a little bit scary. But she mastered it!

Well, the time is ticking away toward our family gathering! We are getting excited to see everyone together. Thanks to Jenn for getting everyone access to the blog and for all of you posting your t-shirt sizes! We are good to go on that. And we found a photographer for sure... Be sure to answer the survey on the Gathering post to make your voice heard concerning the family photo shoot.

Below are a couple of pictures that I forgot to include in my last post.... Shoshone Falls...

Belliston Family Gathering - 2017

May 26 - 29 (Memorial Day weekend)

"Learn a Thing or Two"

 

* This is long, but plow through - it's good stuff to know!!

 

Thanks to those who have responded to questions. If you have not yet responded, there is still time! Tell us what ingredients you'd like to have on hand for your contribution to our "mission dinner."

 

Following is a very tentative plan for our Gathering. As you are well aware, things are likely to change (probably more than once or twice) before we actually get together.  But this will give you a general idea of what will be happening. Below the schedule there is a short list of assignments that you will want to pay close attention to. These will not likely change - unless, of course, it is necessary.

 

Schedule:

Friday, May 26:  (at our Hyde Park home)

      - Gather, hug and visit!

      - Mission dinner (everyone prepare one dish of your choice to contribute)

      - "Learning Sessions"

      - Family council with adult children

      - Mannings and Logan Bellistons sleep at their homes; Nilssons and Springville Bellistons at our house; Harts, Flakes and Emma at a VRBO house around the corner in Hyde Park

 

Saturday, May 27: 

      - Breakfast at our house

      - Family photos - please wear nice casual

      - Park Day - Lion's Park in Hyde Park (games, Olympics, "Learning Sessions", picnic lunch, play, get worn out!)

      - Back home for naps, visiting, Dinner, games, etc.

      *** Emma will be attending Senior Ball (that we thought was scheduled for the 20th, but is going to interrupt our plans) this evening. Please read to the end of her blog and respond to her plea/question.

      - Boggle competition....

 

Sunday, May 28:

      - Breakfast in the place where you sleep

      - 11:00 Church in Hyde Park for those who'd like to attend our ward (Mannings and Logan Bellistons may have to be in their own wards to teach, etc.)

      - Lunch, naps, walk, visit, "Learning Sessions"

      - Dinner at Dad's church building

      - Talent Show by children (parents are welcome to perform as well!)

      - Speaker (maybe)

 

Monday, May 29:

      - Hyde Park City Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast! We will discuss if/when you'd all like to attend. It goes from 7:00 - 10:00.

      - Awards, visit, play, games, etc.

      - Lunch

      - Goodbyes....

 

Assignments:

1.  Please notify us of when you are planning to arrive and depart as soon as you know.

2.  Respond to questions about T-shirt sizes and mission dinner ingredients.

3.  Each of the children may share one talent. This doesn't have to be a "performance" talent. It may be an art piece, a story/book/poem they've written, something they have built (or taken apart!), or just something they have learned that they think is interesting. Of course there will be a piano if anyone wants to play or be accompanied. We want to keep this rather short, so one talent per person will be great. If your whole family would like to present something, that would be delightful, too!!

4.  Plan your learning session.

5.  Practice your Boggle skills  :)

 

"Learning Session" Assignments:

These are really short, 5 to 10 minute presentations on subjects that family members have requested learning. We will offer time for questions, too, so you may need to plan on 15 minutes or so. If the assignment won't work for you, just let me know and we can change things.

Financial Planning/Investing - Jenn and Scott

Electrical Fixes (like, could you please change a light fixture for me?) - Scott

Gardening (tomato pruning, flower beds, basic garden tips) - Elise, Ruth, Lauren

Energy Types (Carol-style and why it's helpful to know) - Elise, Ruth, Lauren

Family Relationships (building strong marriage relationship/enjoy being a family) - Joe and Lori

Simple Morning Stretch Routine - Thomas

Self Reliance Tips - Garrett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures!

 

This was at the Vietnam Memorial

 

Me, Carter Martindale, Mr. Rigby, Emma Z 

Red Sox game! Also, fun fact, Mr. Baldwin got our team up on the turbotron which was cool

JUSTICE BRENNAN!! Another fun fact, Mr. Baldwin got to help raise the flag at Arlington.  CIA, we're certain.

The National Cathedral.  Really cool stained glass windows and architecture.

Part of the Holocaust Museum.  Pretty sure I was there for three hours and didn't see all of it.

The Aeronautics Museum (not Air and Space)

An original Book of Mormon in the rare books room in the Library of Congress

Iwo Jima

Also, I have tons of other photos, so if you have a hankering to see random DC pictures, I'd love to share them with you ;)