Happy New Year!!

We have had a wonderful vacation and hope that all of you have too. We spent time with family playing games, eating, laughing, singing, working, talking, wrapping, sleeping (very little), skating, going to movies, crying, watching football, and exercising.

We started our vacation off by going to ZOO lights in Portland. Last year we went to Zoo lights on a day when the snow was falling on the ground and hardly anyone was there. This year, we didn't have any snow, just a little rain and the zoo was filled with many people. We bundled the kids up thinking that it would be very cold and it ended up being warmer than we thought. The kids ended up taking off layers as we walked around. It was a very relaxing evening!!


The entrance at the ZOO with everyone all bundled up ready to see all of the colorful lights.

The kids wanted to go on a train ride but we ended up standing by a train to satisfy their want.

WATCH OUT!!!! This alligator was about to eat the boys. Thank heavens we quickly ran off after this picture.

Heading into the seal caves!! This summer Bailey and I went to the zoo and she loved the seals! Sadly, the were no where to be found on this night. At least we tried.

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Before Christmas, we headed to Eugene to celebrate Christmas with Matt's entire family. Everyone arrived home a couple days before Christmas. We all did last minute shopping, ate great food, played games, and visited.

On Christmas Eve we go caroling to a handful of people. We all dress up in Christmas pj's and Santa hats. This is Rich, Julie and Isabella ready to go outside and sing to neighbors and friends.

Newlyweds J.J. and Zac in the driveway of Mom and Dad's neighbor. We all converged upon her porch and sang our famous songs: "Christmas is coming the Newell's are getting fat, please put a penny in our bank account, if you haven't got a penny than a half penny will do, if you haven't got a half penny than God bless you, God bless you." Of course we then sing We Wish you a Merry Christmas and give them caramel popcorn or homemade jam. Lots of fun!!!

In Mom's kitchen chatting and testing food. Can you see the popcorn bowls? We fill them up with popcorn and then drizzle caramel sauce on top. So goooooood!!!

Bailey and Alexander in the playroom showing a little cousin love!

Christmas Eve we have a traditional dinner of bagels, meat, cheese, crackers, chicken noodle soup, clam chowder, oyster soup, and dips. This is the children's table down in the family room.

This is the adult table perfectly set ready for all of us to come and sit down and enjoy a delicious meal together.

Amber and Aaron waiting patiently for a prayer to be said.

Jill and Julie standing by the table waiting to be seated. Behind Julie you will see the fabulous job and menu charts that Mom, Ashlee, Tricia and I worked on. Good teamwork!!

J.J., Zac, Mom, Jill and Jennifer ready for prayer.

After our traditional dinner and caroling we act out the nativity scene. Due to the size of our family, we are now having the children act it out while the adults look on and enjoy how well our children act. Here is Dad, Jeff, J.J., and Zac waiting for things to get started.

Dad and Jen waiting for the children to make their grand entrance.

Ashlee and Amber having a laugh.

Two wise men giving hugs to each other, or should I say, Carter hugging his sister for a photo op.

Some of the children that acted out the nativity this year. They did a great job!

We were in one corner of the room. This was what the room looked like after Santa had come and left their special presents.

The children woke up at 6am so excited to come out and see what Santa had left. Santa always leaves tons of goodies on the table. This is the table spread on Christmas morning. Jen and I are at the far end of the table waiting for the green light to enter the living room.

The children all line up according to age and then the slowly enter the living room.

Paige found that Santa had left her a baby and stroller. She loved it!!

Madalyn received a robe from Grandma for Christmas this year. She loved it so much that she hardly took it off for days. Matt and I finally told her that during the day, she had to remove the robe and wear normal clothing.

Bailey received an American Girl Doll from Grandma and Grandpa this year. Her name is Rebecca.

Carter got a whole bunch of Star Wars figures.

This is a t-shirt that Grandma bought the boys. They love love love Star Wars.

This is Hayden after he constructed a Lego Star Wars spaceship. They love to do Lego's.

For our Anniversary which is 2 days after Christmas, I gave Matt a book that I put together online of our trip to Hawaii. This is Matt reading the book on Christmas morning.

Aunt Jill and Paige.

A couple days after Christmas, we took a family picture with everybody in it. Sadly, I didn't take a picture of the entire family with my camera. We went down the street to a park and Julie found a great setting for it. The day was very very cold. You cannot tell from this picture, but the kids are freezing. Before the picture, the had on coats or robes trying to stay warm.

Ashlee, Tyler, Ben and Jeff.

Tricia, Darren, Taylor, Hannah, Katelyn and Natalie.

Rich and Julie.

Mom, Dad, and Jennifer.

Mom, Dad, and Jill.

Mom bought matching outfits for the 3 youngest girls. This is the picture of them sitting on the couch together before Isabella flew home.

For our Anniversary, I wanted Matt to make me one of his delicious omlettes. He went to the store and bought ingredients to make some. He and Rich decided to both cook omlettes and see who made the best one. I thought that we should have taste testers be blind folded and take a bite of each omlette and then vote to see who had the best omlette. It turned out to be a fun game on Monday morning!! No need to claim a winner, we are all winners!! Right!!!

This is me feeding Julie a bite. Yummy!!

Here is Taylor giving her Dad a bite of the omlette.

Ashlee taking a bite of Rich's omlette.

After leaving Eugene we headed to my parents on the coast for 5 days. We spent New Years Eve all together eating, playing cards, painting toes, laughing, watching football and sleeping!

This is my sister Megan painting her daughter McKenna's toes. You can barely see little Paige's feet. I am painting them a bright red. Oh so FuN!!

Paige and McKenna laying down in the playroom reading and relaxing!

New Years Eve, we all played games and ate. This is right before midnight. My Mom, Carda, Rachel, Meg and I.

My Dad, Hunter, Matt (my brother), Caleb and my hubby!!

I am putting a hat and necklace on Bailey right before midnight.

It is officially 2010!! We are ringing in the new year on my parents porch!

Megan and I blowing our horns!!