Hunting for Turkey's?

No, Matt does not work for the NRA. Carter has been asking Matt if he would take him outback and let me shoot the BB gun. The timing has always seemed to be wrong. Finally, this weekend was a perfect time. Carter and Hayden got a BB gun 3 years ago and haven't had time to shoot. When we lived in Central Oregon we had 2 acres and the barren land went on forever. Now we live on a farm and there are homes close by. I know that it is only a BB gun but it still makes me nervous. Needless to say, Bailey, Matt and Carter had a great time shooting at some targets. Speaking of shooting at things, we hope that everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy those turkeys!

Bailey watching her older brother who loves to wear his army Russian hat and act like a soldier shoot at his targets.

Now, it is Carter's turn to make sure that his little sister is aiming correctly and holding the gun properly.

Way to go Bailey and Carter. They both hit their targets very well and had a great time with their Dad.

When it rains in Oregon........

.....go swimming indoors. When it feels like winter weather in Oregon, we start taking the kids to Swim America at our local pool. The kids love it! We went for the first time last week. It is only one day a week and all swimming levels are in the pool at the same time working on getting better. Madalyn is on a swim team and so we don't have her do Swim America but she enjoys sitting with me watching the kids swim. Bailey, Carter and Hayden are all together in level 5. Carter has told Matt and I that he refuses to advance to level 6 because that means he has to go in the deep end. We shall see son! Bailey goes 2 times a week to swimming lessons so she has caught right up to her brothers. So, if any of you live in a rainy area or super cold area, go swimming at your local indoor pool!!!

Paige at home getting ready to go to Swim America.

Bailey preparing to kick off from the wall.

Carter showing his teachers his stroke.

Paige is in the Kitti pool learning to feel comfortable with the water. This is her little froggy that leaps in the water and she has to put her hand down and pick him up.

Paige practicing her kicks! Her brothers know how that feels.

Ready, get set, GO. Time to blow bubbles.

Ok, look at Hayden! That is so Hayden. All the other kids are waiting for instructions and he is howling like an animal. Look at Bailey in the left hand corner.

HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween!!! Our candy is almost gone and we have all experienced a candy adrenaline rush! Have any of you? On Friday night our ward had a Halloween party. Actually they called it a Harvest party and it was great. The kids played games and then we all went outside to trunk-r-treat. It was a perfect evening with face painting, food, great weather and friends. On Saturday, we had our last soccer games and the boys did great. Hayden's team played for first place but lost to Josie's team. I try very hard not to be competitive, but I needed an hour to re-adjust my thinking. (Ok, not an hour, maybe 20 minutes). The rest of the day was relaxing and getting ready for trick or treating. We went to our friends house and watched the Duck game and during half time we rushed the kids outside with us to do some trick or treating. We felt that the night before was so successful that we didn't need that much candy. The kids loved knocking on doors and getting all that candy!!!

Bailey and Paige on Friday.

I took them to Matt's High School and then we drove to his old Middle School to see the Principal Molly and wonderful secretaries Kris and Becky.

The whole family on Friday night!

Matt and I just returned from Hawaii and packed on a little weight.

We wanted to make sure that we didn't get a sunburn that night.

Bailey had a spider painted on to her face. Isn't she cute!!

Paige had a butterfly on her face for about 2 minutes and then wiped the whole thing off.

Carter was Jangofet from Star Wars.

Hey, for those of you who are Star Wars fans, I hope I spelled that right.

Hayden and his stash.

Madalyn and her friend Emelia. They were kitty's.

At one point Paige had 3 unwrapped suckers.

She ate so much candy.

Crazy girl, she takes after her mothers addiction. Sugar!!!

Pumpkin carving and hay rides

This weekend we went to a pumpkin patch close to home. The kids have been waiting for us to take them for some time. We are all finally healthy and have an open time frame to go out to a pumpkin patch. The kids love Fall and Halloween. We spent the rest of the weekend carving pumpkins, eating hot cha cha chas, watching Halloween themed movies, eating popcorn, candy and caramel apples!

The drive to the pumpkin patch.

When we arrived there the kids were so excited to see a huge pumpkin because they have been asking us if a pumpkin can be as big as a car.

Getting ready to go on the hay ride!

The draft horses that pulled us.

Bailey and I.

Madalyn wasn't to happy that Matt wanted a picture with his girls.

Can you tell???

Hayden and his pumpkin.

Carter helped Paige pick out her pumpkin.

Bailey loves her pumpkin.

Heading home to carve pumpkins.

In the garage carving pumpkins.

This job is very serious!!

Bailey

Paige and her little pumpkin.

Madalyn with her OOOHH so cool pumpkin.

Scary Carter!

Hayden spent a lot of thoughtful time thinking about

how he wanted his pumpkin to look!

Matt always does the best work on his pumpkins!

Visit to UTAH

This last week I went to Utah to spend time with Gina!! We try to see each other at least 2 to 3 times a year. Gina and I met in Monmouth when Matt and I were newlyweds. We immediately were drawn to one another and have created this amazing friendship for the last 15 years. We can talk for hours and love to eat good food together as you will see from these pictures. Mom and Dad came up and took care of the kids for 5 days so that I could go and have a great time. Thanks Mom and Dad, you are AWESOME!!!!!

There are a handful of restaurants that I love to go to while in Utah. One is Famous Dave's BBQ. Wow, the pull a part pork is to die for. After I flew in, Gina and I drove to Famous Dave's and ate a yummy dinner. You also need to try the corn muffin if you go. Oh WOW!

Famous Dave's, need I say more.

Another place I LOVE to eat at is Bajio's. I can't get enough of the food. On Friday night, my older brother Dave and his beautiful wife Christine met us at a Bajio's. We ate and had a great conversation. Christine is having their 7th child in January. Doesn't she look amazing??? It is a girl. Yeah!!

Gina's kids are amazing soccer players. We went to a game of each of the kids except for Tyler. Going to the games helped me get out my weekly game jitters for my kids. Way to go Rach, Elizabeth and Adam!!

Another one of my very favorite places to eat is Ruby River! It is so delicious. Every bite makes your mouth water. Do you notice the sign next to us? It says, Home to PERFECTION. Ain't that the truth.

I would have to say Ruby River is probably my favorite food stop.

The night before I left Gina and I drove to Ogden and met my sister-in-law Jill at a Greek restaurant called The Athenian. Oh, yummy!! We talked for a good hour and 1/2 to 2 hours. Jill drove all the way from Heber. Thanks Pill!!!! You rock!

Jill and I.

Growing up people thought I was Jill and Jill was me. We both had long hair. What do you think?

By the way, she is hot and single.

If you have someone you know who is awesome and single send him her way!

Ken and Gina!!! I love you guys.

Madalyn the SWIMMER.

This weekend has been so nice. We have been very busy, but every minute with family is worth it. Grandma and Grandpa Newell drove up to see Madalyn swim in a meet on Friday night. The bonus was that the boys also had soccer games on Saturday. First, the swim meet. Madalyn did an awesome job. She placed 1st, 2nd, and a 3rd in the 3 events. She took off 14 seconds on her freestyle (1st), 6 seconds on her breaststroke (3rd), and 3 seconds off of the backstroke (2nd). We were all screaming our guts out even though she was in the water with a cap over her ears.

On Saturday, we woke up to the smell of grass and soccer games. Hayden had the 1st game of the day. It was a very exciting game. Matt and I are not quiet parents when we watch our kids participate in sports. I am sure that some parents want to kick us out of the games. It is my competitive side. I have to bring it out on some occasions!!!! Late in the afternoon we all packed up and went to Carter's game. Carter scored his first goal of the season. We went nuts with excitement. He did soooo good. Way to go Madalyn, Carter and Hayden.

Madalyn before the freestyle. Isn't she pretty?

Grandma, Bailey and Madalyn!

That's my first born. Wow, has time flown by.

On your mark, ready, set, GO.

This was the dive off the blocks for the freestyle swim.

She did so awesome.

Grandpa, Madalyn and Grandma!!

Thanks for coming and supporting the kids Mom and Dad!!

Now looking at this picture you might think that Hayden kicked this ball. In actuality, he totally missed it, but we thought it looked like a cool picture.

Don't you think so?

He did connect with this ball. Nice goal kick son!

Bailey and I playing kick back and forth during half time.

Next year we are going to have her play soccer. Yes, this might come to a shock to some of you seeing that I complained about the cost of soccer, but I am going to start saving our $$ right now so that 3 of our children can play soccer.
We might need some food handouts next fall so friends please be prepared.

Mom, Madalyn, Carter and Paige watching Hayden play soccer.

Matt tricked Paige to get her to look at the camera. He told her that a mouse was by him. Anything for a picture, right!!