Things we liked in May

After having a huge garden the past 2 years we decided to down size.

Hopefully we will have success with our box garden!

Texas Bluebonnets!

We got to talk to Brianna on Mother's Day.
She is doing well and loves her mission. She has already been serving for 10 months...the time has gone so fast!

We were excited to get these pictures of Brianna in the Bluebonnets.

Go Utes!

Cameron graduated from the University of Utah this month.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

We are so proud of him and his hard work. We also appreciate all of Rachelle's support.

We are excited about the great company he works for and the growing possibilities. Check out their website: Kodiakcakes.com

Christmas Highlights

December has been an especially nice month this year.
Here are a few of the things that made it so special.

*It began with the birth of our 9th grandchild Landon. His birth
has reminded me of the miracle of birth and also of the Christ child. I have thought often of the baby Jesus and his role in my life this month. He is my Savior and my Redeemer. I am thankful for His life and the atonement that was made in my behalf. I hope to develop more Christlike attributes in my life this new year.

*Carly was able to be here for 3 weeks. It was so nice having her here and she was such a great help to me!
*Kaylie had a wonderful concert that we attended. We felt the spirit strong as we heard songs praising our Lord Jesus Christ.
One song had a line that I have pondered often..."You are not alone, God is always with you".
I know that this is true. It is a reminder to me that I need to trust in the Lord more.
*We went to Temple square to see Kaylie sing in the Assembly Hall. The music and lights on Temple Square were beautiful as usual. Before we went to the concert we met Cameron and Rachelle in the temple. Along with Carly we did some work for my Grandpa's 3 siblings. On Saturday we met my parents in the temple to complete the rest of this work. There was a sweet spirit with us as we sealed my Grandpa and his siblings to their parents.
*We went Christmas Caroling with some friends in our neighborhood on Monday night. We went to several homes. The spirit was sweet as we sang at the various homes. Those we sang to were visibly touched and we felt joy in our hearts.
*Christmas Eve we went to Melissa and Brian's house. We had fun playing Christmas Bingo and getting a few prizes.
We then played Holiday Jeopardy that Mick had set up on PowerPoint. We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of falafels, cheeses, apples, almonds and honey, boiled eggs, dates, dried apricots and grape juice. We then dressed in our biblical clothing to review the story of the Savior's birth. It was fun to see everyone dressed up and the grand kids all seemed to have fun. It definitely was a sweet experience as we acted out and sang various songs celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
*Christmas morning was nice being together with the family. We were excited to get Brianna's call and talk to her for about 1 hour.
She is doing well and sang to us in Swahili. She loves missionary work and sounds happy. We know that she is were the Lord would have her at this time. We are very pleased with the great work she is doing.
*We all went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Spencer for a family gathering. We had a Chinese dinner. The food was all really good and we enjoyed visiting with family.
*We had a quiet New Years and welcomed in the new year.
*New Years day we spent helping Grandpa and Grandma Smith take down their Christmas tree and little village. We also played a few games with them. It was nice spending the afternoon with them.
*On Sunday Landon was blessed. It as a very nice blessing and we once again appreciated all the love and support of family members.
* We have played a lot of fun games over this past week and watched a few movies. We have had yummy food and lots of treats. But most of all we have cherished the times we have had with family.

Our New Grandson!

Our newest grandchild arrived December 8th at 1:03 A.M. He came a week early and surprised us all! Both he and Melissa are home and doing well.

Landon Brian Nuttall.

We are so excited to have this little baby boy join our family. We have now been blessed with 9 grandchildren. Wow!! We still can't believe we have that many.

As I wait for each birth of these grandchildren I am truly amazed at the miracle of birth. I think even more so now than when I was having my own children. The veil to this life and the next is very thin. I especially have felt that this past week. I am so thankful for the support of all our family. Those who live on the earth now and those who have already left this earth life.

When I was a teenager I first read a poem called "My Day Old Child" by Carol Lynn Pearson. I have always loved this poem and it came to mind this week after the birth of Landon.

My day old child

My day old child in my arms
with my lips against his ear
I whispered strongly "How I wish,
I wish that you could hear,

"I've a hundred wonderful things to say
(a tiny cough and nod)
Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow
so I can tell you about God."

My day old baby's mouth was still
and my words only tickled his ear,
but a kind of light passed through his eyes.
and I saw this thought appear,

"How I wish I had a voice and words,
I've a hundred things to say,
Before I forget, I'd tell you of God,
I left Him yesterday."

Sister Smith in Texas

Brianna sent us some pictures recently. These pictures were before the cold and snow came.



Brianna is loving her mission and is having great success.
She has been on her mission 5 months already!

Here she is with her companion Sis. Wallwork in front of the Lubbock Temple.

I love this picture in the field of Sunflowers!

She told me when she saw the field she knew that she had to take a picture for me.
We have family pictures in the Blue Bonnets. Sadly I didn't get one of the whole family in the cornfields in Nebraska.
I have one of Mick and I. I do have a picture of the kids that I photo shopped into a cornfield. So it works!
My family knows I like some of these crazy pictures so they put up with me!

Brianna has said that at times she feels that she is in Africa.
She has learned Swahili and loves the people she is working with.

We have a private blog for Brianna. If you are interested in viewing the blog or sending her a letter please email me at ctr4ever81@gmail.com

Decorations and Football

We went to Mom and Dad Smith's house Friday night and stayed until Saturday morning. We helped them set up their tree and little village of houses, shops, and churches. It was fun helping them get ready for the Christmas Holidays.

This nativity set was in Mom's childhood home.
She figured it was at least 70 years old.

We got home in time for Mick to go and sell at the BYU Football game. It was a great game and BYU won. Go Cougars! Mick was happy and sales were good. He said "Happy fans are buying fans".

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. We are so thankful for our many bounteous blessing. We feel richly blessed with family, friends, Mick's job and most of all the gospel in our lives.