Smurthwaite Family 2023
It's been almost a year since we returned from our year-long RV journey around the country. We miss it, of course, but are grateful for it and for all that we have experienced since then. We have made trips to San Diego, to Utah for family reunions, to St. George and to Lake Powell. We love having Marlise's mom, Dawn Craig, live with us. Grandma is now working at the Phoenix Temple and was just called as a Sunday School teacher! Three of the kids have enjoyed singing in the ward choir with Jonnie. We are enjoying outdoor and active experiences together, especially pickup basketball at the park. We are grateful for the wonderful opportunities and experiences this year, for this wonderful holiday season, and especially grateful for the Savior. We hope to more fully put our hand in the hand of God, as we move forward in all that we do.
JONNIE: Working--Campers Inn IT Team is growing and thriving. Serving--Temple & Family History, with Marlise, and loving it. Great experiences visiting members, helping and challenging them to set Family History goals. Fun--YM Camp and Family Reunion Director this summer. Bald, funny, and all around amazing.
MARLISE: Serving--Activity Days Leader and Temple & Family History Consultant. Teaches English most Thursdays to the influx of Taiwanese people that have moved to the area. Janson and Ryah join her, and it has been a great learning experience and service opportunity for them. Homeschool--grateful for the chance to homeschool and be connected with the kids. Travel-- Picked up her mom from her mission in DC in March and helped her drive her car back out to Arizona. Fun--Enjoyed several Prophet/Apostle biographies. Humor, beauty, and love (says Jonnie).
MARIE: 26. Working--Supervisor at Conservice in Logan. Serving--Music Coordinator. Living--Hyrum, Utah at new place, new roommates. Travel--to Japan to visit Aunt and Uncle Doxey on their mission in April with JD--eye opening experience. Fun--enjoying Song Writing Collaborations with Ryah, and dance parties.
JD: almost 24. Working--Piano Bar Entertainer (late night/early morning shifts). Living--small NYC apartment, new girlfriend. Travel--Japan trip in April with Marie. Smurthwaite family reunion in August.
JANSON: 15. School--10th grade. Seminary. Driving permit time! Super diligent violin practice--love to hear him play difficult classical pieces. Serving--Teacher's Quorum presidency and helping teach English. Fun--First half marathon in October, at Lake Powell. He came in 3rd in the 15-19 year old age group and met his goal of completing it in under 2 hours! Attended YM Camp, and both FSY and Hope of Israel (youth conference) this summer with Ryah.
RYAH: 14. School--9th grade. Seminary. Lots of piano--accompanying YW in Sacrament Meeting, writing her own music, collaborating with Marie's lyrics. Budding writer, receiving great feedback about her writing skills. Challenge--Learning to deal with a back injury she faced. Fun--FSY and Hope of Israel with Janson. And YW Camp. Reads the Rangers Apprentice book series to Mom, so Mom can love it as much as she does!
COLTON: 12. School--7th grade. Grown so much!! Loved playing Basketball this fall. Great shot and and ball handling skills. Exciting piano growth, performed a Trio with Daxton and Ryah. Taken up drawing and is quite the artist--his specialty is portraits. He is really good! Serving--Loves serving in the Deacon's Quorum Presidency and passing the Sacrament. Fun--Loved his first YM Camp, with Janson and Jonnie.
DAXTON: almost 11. School--5th grade. 2024 will be his last in Primary. Piano skills increasing rapidly. Sports--Loves games and sports and being active; great soccer season--real knack for it; quite a graceful player. Fun--Great babysitter and great friend to Sierra. Big heart, makes friends quickly. His laugh gets us all laughing!
SIERRA: 6. School--1st grade. Thrives in homeschool, loves learning with the boys in group time (as Janson and Ryah are doing high school course work). Retains things well; loves to share what she's learned or is amused by. Active chapter book reader. Music--Recently started weekly violin lessons, loves going with Janson. Fun--Loves playing soccer--field positioning comes naturally to her. She is a sweetheart!
Merry Christmas! We love you! Come visit us in Arizona!
Comments
Post a Comment