Start up your engines!

Last week the boys had their pinewood derby. They love love love their derby. Matt and the boys had worked for days on getting their cars ready. Hayden wanted to have a police car and Carter wanted a dragster. They sanded, painted and gloried in their cars. On the big night, we celebrated Carter's birthday too. This was Carter's last pinewood derby and so he wanted to go out with a big bang. He did a great job and had a very fun time.

Signing up for the pinewood derby.

Carter and Hayden racing each other.

Carter's dragster.

Hayden's police car.

Tricia and the girls came over to view their first pinewood derby. Mom and Dad did too.

They had a wonderful time (I hope!!).

Smile!!

All of the cars ready to race.

The boys with their wonderful dad.

Carter received his Webelos badge and Hayden received his Wolf badge and arrow points. This is their Cubmaster, Lorraine in the picture.

Matt and I giving a cheer for our 2 boys getting their awards.

Setting his car on the track.

Hayden's police car.

Yeah, Mom!!!

Carter and his buddy Ethan.

Hannah, Carter, Madalyn and Taylor.

Carter's car on the far side.

The boys had a great evening. Way to go Carter and Hayden!!

Carter is 11

Wow, I cannot believe that another year has past. Carter was very excited about turning 11. He kept telling me the daily countdown. I hope that his expectations were not dashed. Carter is a great son. He is very tender with children, he is smart, a good athlete, spiritual, sensitive to my needs, great friend, honest, very helpful, persistent and courageous!! We love you son and are so grateful you have come to our family and taught us so much. Happy Birthday.

For breakfast, Carter wanted hash browns (oh boy does he love hash browns), eggs, biscuits and bacon (because he knew that Bailey and Hayden loved the turkey bacon that I make).

Grandma, grandpa, Tricia and the girls all came to celebrate his birthday with us. He wanted to eat tacos for dinner. He loves his grandpa!

This is the cake that I made.

Right now he loves football. He got receiver gloves from his grandparents. The first night he got them he wore them to bed. When he woke up he told me that his hands were aching. I looked at his wrists and I said why do you have all these marks on your hands. He then informed me that he wore his gloves. Crazy kid. On his birthday, he wore them to school to play football with his buddies at recess. He loves them.

He got Star Wars, GI Joe toys, money, puzzle, gun and a DS game.

He was a very happy boy by the end of the night.

Running like a receiver!

OUR SON.

Pretending like he blew out the candles.

Happy Birthday CARTER.

Gannon's First TOOTH

The day has finally arrived. Gannon broke through his first tooth on January 19th, 2011. Then 5 days later he had his second one break through. He had been cranky and wanted me to hold him a lot, so I kept trying to figure out what was wrong and wala, it was a little tooth. The kids were so excited to see his little teethers (as I call them)! If you enlarge the first picture, you will see his cute teeth.

Look at those teeth. It was very hard to try and get him to stay still.

Baby blue eyes!

ZUMBA

So I did it!!! I went to a Zumba class at our local athletic club. I asked Madalyn to come with me and she was more than happy to shake her booty! I have been feeling like I needed to start working out and getting healthier for the last 3 months. During our time living here, I have checked out our athletic club 2 other times. This time I took the plunge and joined. Matt and Madalyn also joined. I had had a busy day yesterday and wasn't feeling like I should go and work out, but I knew that if I gave excuses, then I would never go. So, I laced up my shoes, and headed out the door to go to the gym. We had a great time dancing and sweating. You should all try it!!

This is Madalyn and I when we got home.

Matt stayed home with the kids and helped them with their homework.

You can see all of their backpacks on the ground. Thanks honey!!

Happy New Year to ALL of you!

We have had a wonderful vacation these last 2 weeks. We went to Eugene for an early Christmas, and then down to Reedsport to celebrate with my parents. After leaving Reedsport, we traveled home and had a great Christmas with the kids. After Christmas, we went back to Eugene for New Years celebration. 2010 has been a wonderful year. We have been greatly blessed, we hope that all of you have had a wonderful year also.

EUGENE

The kids!!

Lining up to go in the living room.

Christmas early for some of the Newell grand kids!

Bailey's favorite present.

Madalyn opening her gift.

The boys favorite present hands down.

The grand kids with Grandma and Grandpa Newell

Hayden enjoying Carter's 3D gift.

William and Gannon.

William

Madalyn, Taylor, Hannah and Gannon.

Natalie and Paige

REEDSPORT

Almost all of my parents grandchildren!

Caleb's birthday!

The little kids frosting their sugar cookies.

Matt and Sean.

A duck and a cougar!!

Sean holding our sweet Gannon.

Bailey and Josh.

My little brother Sean and his lovely wife Melissa.

Carda did a craft project with the kids on the floor.

The kids painting the manger.

We painted the Nativity together with the kids during our visit. Very fun.

Madalyn and Amanda

What the table looked like before we all sat down.

Paige and Rachel

Matt and I celebrated our 16 year anniversary this holiday season.

Jarom and Carter! Both Duck fans.

The cousins eating Christmas dinner together.

My Dad with 3 of his 4 sons!

3 of my brothers and my Mom.

Paige and Grandpa going out to walk the dogs.

My oldest brother Dan and Sandy

HOME

The kids made a Gingerbread house.

Christmas Eve dinner.

All of the kids waiting to open their new pj's from Grandma and Grandpa Morrison.

Opening my pj's from Matt.

Christmas Eve.

What the living room looked like when the kids walked out.

The kids lined up in the hallway waiting patiently for Matt and I to get ready for them. They woke up at 5:45 hoping that they could all go out and see what Santa brought.

The kids looking at their presents.

Carter excited about one of his presents.

Gannon's gifts. He is such a big boy now, that he is sitting up all by himself.

Hayden with his Pillow Pet.

Bailey with her Pillow Pet. This was a hit. Thank you to the owners of PILLOW PET!

Paige and Gannon's corner

What the livingroom looked like after we opened all of the presents.

Gannon on Christmas morning.

Bailey playing with her Santa gift.

Making puzzles on Christmas afternoon. Girls vs. Boys.

Who do you think won?

EUGENE

Madalyn bowling

Aunt Jennifer

Bowling in Eugene.

HILLSBORO

My brothers family.

Carda, Matt, Jarom, Amanda, Caleb and Rachel

My brother Matt and Caleb

Cousins!

Grandma and Grandpa Morrison with Caleb

The Whole family.