YM/ YW Photo Scavenger Hunt

We did a Youth Photo Scavenger Hunt last week that was really fun. We had 14 small pictures of obscure things found in a two block radius and the youth split up into groups, each with a leader and a camera, and had to find those things and take creative pictures with them. The day we did it, it was snow/slushing and so that added a different level of excitement. Everyone was good sports about the weather and had a fun time. When they got back to the church we downloaded the pictures immediately onto a laptop and watched a slideshow of everyone’s pictures. Here are just a few of the pictures we took:

The "Normal" Newson

Softball “Soccer Mom” Syndrome

Although I am not a parent I do think I have the “Soccer Mom” syndrome deeply ingrained when I watch a sport of anyone I know. This came bubbling to the surface on Tuesday when watching Aimee, our 11 year old neices’ Softball game. First of all, this was the first softball game of the season and she did great (as 3rd base). However as a “Softball Mom” I had some issues with the game; such as the teenaged umpire who was far more concerned with her low-crack showing pants and hair style then the game. She never swept the home plate, causing one poor girl to run to home and miss the plate…by a couple feet and have to search for it (don’t worry she was still safe). They also called the game at the top of an inning “because they don’t have a chance to catch up”- well just let the poor girls play the full game anyway (they did end up playing, because of ‘parent’ complaint)!

It was so fun to watch the game but I have to admit I will have to think LONG and HARD before signing my kids up for sports- because I am very vocal and opinionated. Maybe they can do fly fishing…that’s not really a “Soccer Mom” sport.

Lazy and Lovin' It in Layton

It was so much fun to go to Jer and Heidi’s house and spend time with the family.

We got to play softball in the backyard with the kids!

Make lots of delicious food. Aimee and I made some homemade Apple Pies...yum!

We played card games at night and had lots of fun!

We can't wait to see you guys again!! Thanks for everything!

Sealed for Time and All Eternity

While we were in Utah we had the opportunity to go to the Provo Temple and participate in the live sealing of Ron to his brothers. It as an amazing opportunity to see this family get sealed for time and all eternity in the House of the Lord. It was such a wonderfully spiritual experience and one that I will never forget. I am so grateful that I was there and was able to be a part of that amazing experience.

Burgers and Donuts…

As we were driving down the street in Orem, UT Ron and Ben both simultaneously almost had heart attacks as they saw the red and yellow sign of… IN-N-OUT BURGER. This is one of their favorites and is usually only found in CA and recently in NV. Well, with such a rare treasure you know we had to stop. It was, as always… impeccable!

























Another rare and coveted UT treat is KRISPY KREMES. This is not as rare as the burger above but they are so numerous in UT and the red light is on so often that it is a glutinous treat we partake in only in that region. So needless to say… our jeans are fitting a little more snug after this trip!

Visiting the Horse House

Ben’s cousin, Russell, lives on a farm with horses, dogs and a pigmi goat (named George). One of the horses just gave birth to a baby fillie so we went to see them all. The baby was so cute and much bigger (taller) then we expected. I love horses and being around them. We jumped right in with them, brushed them and fed them. It was wonderful being outside in the country with the animals.

What a ride!

While in Utah, we had the chance to ‘play’ on Uncle Terry’s portable scooter. We thought it was very cool and really fun to ride around the front yard (at 5 mph). We also saw Ben’s Cousin Daniel and his cherry red Chevelle that he has been restoring. Comparing the two, I think I would take the…?

Original Newson Clan

Ben and I had the opportunity to go with his parents to see his Dad’s siblings. Ben hadn’t seen his aunts and uncles all together for over 15 years, so it was a really exciting chance to see everyone together. Ron is the oldest of four; his siblings Larry, Glenn and Linda were all able to get together to talk, reminisce and tease.

Lions and Tigers and VOLCANOES... Oh My!

A volcano erupted this past week! I know you all know of this catastrophic event, yet because this blog is like an online journal of my life I thought this an important thing to note. There have been many natural disasters terrorizing the world this year, mostly the earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, China and Mexico. These things were shocking, yet with the help of humanitarian aid seemed manageable. However on April 17th a volcano (Eyjafjallajokull volcano- serious) erupted in Iceland.

Maybe I am simple and naïve but I still image volcanoes as existing in the ‘Land Before Time’ with dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures. I knew there were dormant volcanoes but thought the likelihood of a real volcano blowing was about the same likelihood as aliens landing or Elvis still being alive! I never dreamed; so I am scared, mortified of what this means. I feel helpless to send aid and relief to the people of Iceland who are stuck in a ‘prehistoric’ nightmare. I am anxious for the millions who live near other dormant volcanoes, thinking they were safe. It is a very scary thing and I pray for those people in Iceland and Europe.

Here are some pictures my dad send me:

What's been going on...

Sorry for the long absence, our camera is broken and a post without a picture is just… words (because I don’t have any cool alligator wrestling, baby gurgling or miracle happening stories) but I will let you know what’s been going on in our lives anyway!

Ron, Nedra and Rachel are down in Florida visiting the Marcos Family (lucky) and so we have had the house to ourselves for TWO WEEKS. It has been fun to ‘play house’ and feel grown up in our own house- cooking our own meals, cleaning and being able to run around in our underwear (just joking… we do that anyway!) We even had some friends over for a “Build your own Pizza” Party- which turned out fun.

Ben just recently lost his job as his employer lost a client and had to let a couple people go to stay afloat. He is doing okay and working hard to find something new. This economy is teaching us both to have tough skin and just persevere. But in the mean time he gets to stay home with ME! We have been working in the yard a lot- clearing out the old and preparing for the new growth. Ben built a burm in the back and trimmed some big trees.

Just a couple days ago we went on a hike up at Chautauqua Park- we hiked up to the flat irons and looked over Boulder. It was a windy day but it was beautiful and a great way to start out our spring/summer.

So…that is what’s been going on in our lives. We will try to keep you picture posted once we get our camera fixed! Hope all is well!

Evelyn, Eve, Evy, E...Panda!

My sister, Erica, had her little girl on Wednesday March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day); they named her Evelyn Grace and she was 7 lbs 8 ounces. On Saturday we had the chance to go down to Denver to see the new baby and the growing family. Evelyn was very cute and fun to hold and just watch. She cries (aka squawks) like a baby seagull. Her big sister, Alice (who is three) likes the baby but was most excited by the snow and the promise of cupcakes. It was fun to be with family and see the new baby.

This brings our niece/nephew count up to…21!!!

Still Modelling for LAA

I had the opportunity to be a live still model for the Louisville Art Association today. My mother-in-law, Nedra, is a member of the Art Association and she recommended me for the job (thinking that I was capable of sitting still) and I was picked. The artists said that the past models had worn blacks and grays and they were excited to paint color so they staged me in a royal blue velvet renaissance gown with a turquoise shall and many colorful drapes and flowers in the background. Because it was my first time posing, they were nice and gave me an easy pose and let me sit and read (I had my head up and just had to slightly look down).
It was shocking how your body gets sore after posing, even in a simple position, for a long period of time. We did 20 minute sessions, which seemed pretty short and manageable, and total I posed for 3 ½ hours. I got paid and got tipped. It was fun and defiantly a great experience.

Here are some of the paintings the Art Association did…

RIP

In memory of Diablo, my first car…

With me when I got my first… and second tickets, drove into my first…and second ditches, went through my first… and second fields, hit and killed a fox, swerved into a fence trying not to hit and kill a cow. With me in High School while I TP’d, dragged Main and canoodled... a little. Acted as my home away from home; housing my sports equipment, books, food,a change of cloths and a change of shoes. My escape to...and from social events. Never broke down, acted out or gave out.

With me through High school, then entrusted to my brother, with me through college brakes, then entrusted to my brother, with me through poor married life, then entrusted to my brother and now… GONE!!! Smashed and pulverized by… my brother.


Oh... yeah my brothers fine!

“And the Oscar Goes to…”

Every year in Young Women’s we introduce the program to New Girls/Parents and refresh the program for the other girls. This year we decided to do it a little bit more ‘light hearted’ and went with the theme, “A Night With the Stars.” The girls assumed it was going to be all about stars in the sky however when they showed up they found a slightly different evening, a Night at the OSCARS with the STARS of Young Women’s (aka them).

We decorated fancy with gold and silver stars, each girl was presented with an Oscar (representing a value, theme or YW motto) and then their acceptance speeches were prompted to be mini testimonies. As leaders we were dressed in fancy ‘Oscar’ dresses and the evening was very grand.

As always it was fun to celebrate the Young Women and the wonderful program that we have, set up by the prophets of the Lord, to help them develop and grow in this challenging world!