Newells

Our oldest son Carter is officially 2 digits in age. It is hard to believe that he is 10 years old. I remember living in Monmouth taking walks with Madalyn in the stroller all around WOU campus and the town being healthy and fit with his pregnancy. I craved really good food which is unusual for me!!! When we went to the hospital we had no idea that he was a boy. It was all night of sitting up talking, playing cards, and trying to sleep but not being able to. Then early in the morning, I felt like he was ready to come and within 2 pushes he was here. Carter weighed more than any of my other children but his delivery was probably the easiest of all my delivery's. Now granted my mind grows foggy over the years and I am pregnant right now, so I might have forgotten, but I remember feeling that way when he was born. Aunt J.J. was there and Mom Newell told her something like, "J.J., she made that look easy, it really doesn't happen that quickly." Well, needless to say our little son arrived and we were so happy. He is a true joy in our lives. He helps so much, he works hard, loves little children, is an excellent athlete, is very sensitive to the spirit and loves to run with his Dad. We are so blessed to have him. Happy Birthday Carter boy!!!!

Carter a few weeks before his birthday! Now he is officially a Webelos.

For his birthday we give them a special breakfast. Carter told me that for his breakfast he wanted waffles, bacon, and eggs. Yummy!!

Hayden was so glad that Carter chose a breakfast meal that he loved too.

Right before Carter's birthday, Matt and I found this awesome basketball game. It was 50% off because it was from Christmas time. Well, we have no room in our home for it, but Matt and I decided to give it to Carter as one of his gifts and put it in the garage. Matt said that it really wasn't for Carter, but for me because whenever we go to Chuck E Cheese, I play this game over and over again trying to beat my score. I didn't disagree.

Carter invited 4 of his friends over to have dinner, open presents, and play games. These are the kids waiting for us to say a prayer and eat his favorite dinner TACOS!!

Grandma made a great cake for Carter. She put Star Wars figures around an outdoor scene. Carter loved it and so did I. Thanks MOM!

Carter opening a gift from his friend Ethan.

This is a group shot with Carter and his friends.

Madalyn wanted to read a book and watch all of the fun activities take place. Bailey joined her and relaxed.

We play a game called the candy game and the kids love it. This is Carter getting ready to pick the candy and not pick the piece that someone else chose (it is to long to explain the game so I won't).

Matt and I with our traditional parent/child birthday picture. This year we lifted him up like a chair.

Dad and Mom with Carter!

This is Carter pretending to blow out the candles, because the pictures we took of him blowing out candles did not work out.

Carter's friend Chris found $5 in his piece of birthday cake. Grandma puts money all over the cake and Chris happened to get the piece with the big $$$$$.

Carter really wanted a toy called Bakugun or something like and this is him opening it and being very happy!! Anything to make you happy son.

Superman with his little sister.

Hayden and Carter giving some brotherly love.

Mom, Madalyn and I enjoying watching Carter open presents. We are in our pj's and so we tried to act fine with the picture but it was a challenge (no bra's).

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!