Barcelona 2010

Although we have embarrasingly few pictures to prove it, we had a fantastic time in Barcelona. Due to my slightly larger state :) we took it easy and spent alot of time just wandering the gothic quarter, eating fantastic food, sleeping in ridiculously late and filling up on gummies. On our way up Tibidabo (our one tourist stop) I learned that R's fear of heights is only rivaled by his disdain for modern art.

As you can conclude from the previous sentences (modern art, wandering aimlessly, gummies and sleeping) Reed spent our trip spoiling me rotten. Let's just say a 10 hour plane ride while 6 months pregnant was completely worth it.

Happy Birthday Mattson!

Today Mattson turned 6. It really is crazy how time flies. Between a whirlwind trip to Fort Bragg where we got to hang out with Kyle, Hayley and Grandma Diane last weekend and an upcoming trip to the coast for spring break we had a low-key family celebration filled with all things army.

Completely pleased with his army cheesecake

Cake #1: Hayley's masterpeice

To our spirited, inquisitive, action loving boy;

We love you so much. You have brought so much life, joy and laughter into our home. We've learned that anything and everything can be an adventure. Anything and everything can be fascinating. Finally, that everything is guided by a kind and loving Heavenly Father who knows each and everyone of his children and provides them with all they need to learn, grow and be happy.

Gentry Anne Newell

My brother, Mattson, and his wife, Stacy, had their first little girl on Thursday. Unfortunately, Gentry was born w/a diaphragmatic hernia and had to be life-flighted to Primary Children's Medical center where she had surgery Saturday morning. The surgery went well, but the recovery can be the hard part as her organs adjust to being in the correct position. Obviously, any prayers would be very appreciated.

Gentry Anne Newell

Stacy and Gentry

( I know it's not up close, but who looks this good within 24 hours of delivery?)

Matts, Stacy and Gentry;

We love you and are praying continually for you.

Peace

After a month of trips, carpet cleanings, R going like crazy at work and church, finding Oakley another "happy home" and completing the great room switch (don't worry, pics and stories to come once we've put the office/desktop back together) I'm enjoy a much needed peaceful evening at home while R goes crazy w/his little buddies at Dave and Busters (which according to R's sales pitch to the boys is like a bigger, better Chuck E. Cheese).

The past few months I've been thinking a lot about peace. In anticipation of our littlest man's arrival the thought and feeling I keep coming back to is being at peace. I'm even at peace with being the crazy boy house.

That doesn't mean I haven't given up my vision of a beautiful, quiet home. In fact, over the past weeks we've had rotten weather so I've resorted to doing "Yoga Kids" (I know, I'm a dork) with the boys in an attempt to expend some energy and find some peace and quiet. At the end of each session they have the kiddos lay on their backs, and chant the word "PEACE" with each slow exhalation.

The other day I was thrilled to walk by the play room and hear the boys chanting "PEACE" in calm, melodious, unison. Just as I was congratulating myself for teaching my boys a life skill I heard the battle cry "ATTACK". Jolted out of my reverie I demanded to know WHAT was going on.

Apparently the new game of choice at our house is "Peace, peace, ATTACK". At least we're halfway there.

I'm so glad when Grandpa comes!

The highlight of the week (through the mist of yuck) was both Dads coming out to visit. Reed got ordained to be a High Priest (a position in our church) and our Dads were kind enough to come out to perform the blessing. The boys were in heaven. Grandpa Greg and Grandpa Don even babysat on Saturday night so Reed and I could go to the adult session of Stake Conference. Apparently, games, snake wrestling, McDonalds, more games, and more snake wrestling were the order of the night. Honestly, I was a little nervous about the unique opportunity to host both Dads at the same time, but it was fantastic. They both were so easy to have, helped out a ton and the boys loved it.

So to review; snake wrestling, rib couting and more wrestling.

 

The Longest Week

The longest week EVER just keeps getting longer. I swear you could think up any symptom/illness and we've had it. It started with G, who ended up w/pneumonia, got passed to Matts who knocked his out w/a Z-Pack, lingered with me (I can't take any of the good stuff due to the little one), glanced past Reed (have I mentioned my envy of anyone who can take Nyquil?) and then circled back around with a nice round of throw-up to clear all that phlegm our of our systems. I've currently doused my house in clorox, hot water and hand sanitizer. It HAS to end right?

Getting this picture from Christmas may be the only thing that could boost my spirits.

 

No direction, no posing, just pure imagination.

Christmas

In the interest of posterity here's a brief recap of our Christmas festivities.