Newson Reunion 2012!

We have just finished the 2012 Newson Reunion! It was so much fun to see everyone (it was only 4 days- but so worth it).  We had a talent show, the guys got to go golfing (Ben's favorite), we went to 1/2 day of Water World, we had a girls night to the Boulder Dinner Theater to see Cinderella, we had the Newson Family Olympics and just so much fun.

The Talent Show is always entertaining- we have a very talented family. There was piano playing, singing, dancing, taekwondo,  paintings, sewing projects and...Pictionary? That is right, Ben and I did Pictionary- can you guess what it was?

Wednesday night we had a girls night and we all got to go to the Boulder Dinner Theater to see Cinderella.  I love the Boulder Dinner Theater and I think they did great. It was fun to see the excitement and wonder on the girls faces- I think everyone had a good time.

Every year Nedra plans a HUGE event (luau, hoe-down, ect).  This year, because the 2012 Olympics was starting, we had a NEWSON FAMILY OLYMPICS.  There were races, ball throws, javelin throws and a lot of fun.  Then the Olympics moved to the air conditioned church (yay) where Rachel and Sarah had prepared some Minute to Win It games. It was funny to see everyone try stacking and holding die on a popsicle stick, picking up noodles with a noodle, football hiking toilet paper and keeping feathers and balloons afloat.  

Then we had an International Lunch.  All the guys made food from their missions and then we made some other international foods.  It was so eclectic and so delicious. We had pot stickers (China), Hummus and Cucumber Dip (Israel/India), Pickled Beets and Eggs (Germany), Hotdog Cornbread Muffins (USA), Enchiladas (Argentina), Cheese Balls (Brazil), Croissant sandwiches (France), Guacamole (California), Chocolate dipped Bugles (Norway) and so much more.  It really was feast.

On Saturday (Jer and Tobin had already left) we went to the Denver Museum of Natural History. We got to see an 3D I-Max (Arctic) and go to the planetarium. The museum is great and it was good to go back (I don't think we have been there since we were married.)

It was so much fun to see family and to spend this time with them.  The kids are all growing up so much and it is exciting to see who they are becoming. 

BABY!!!

When I first got married I wanted to wait to start our family until we graduated from school. During that 'wait' I got sick and was diagnosed with a seizure disorder that resulted in me being on some pretty nasty medication. About a year later, after my health was on the mend, we decided to look into having a baby and learned that the medication I was on was very harmful and detrimental to a fetus and we would not be able to have a baby while on it. So we started a yearlong change of medication to something safer for pregnancy. Now after years of waiting and trying we are expecting our first baby.  

We are so excited to have a baby enter our lives and our family.  It all seemed so unreal at first, especially to Ben who wasn't feeling the morning sickness, and then we got to meet with our Doctor for our first ultrasound. It was at this appointment that we got to see the little alien for the first time, which was so cool and special.  But it was not until the doctor found the heart beat that Ben's eye's widened big and he got a huge grin- I think he finally believes that there is indeed a baby inside me. 

 Our little one is due January 30, 2013.  We are so excited and can barely wait for our little family to grow!

I send my parents updates on size and development and a couple weeks ago the little one had grown to a fig.  This is what dad said- such a dad joke but really funny!

4th of July

We had a jam packed fourth of July.  We stayed the night of the 3rd in Longmont with Dad (Mom was gone at Girls Camp) and so we got up early on the 4th and went to Dad's ward Breakfast.  It was fun (and a little weird) to see people I hadn't seen for years.  Then we headed back to Louisville for our ward's picnic- equipped with a bouncy house and football (Ben played with the YM and he did GREAT.  He is so impressive). 

That afternoon we went, with Dad, down to Denver for a BBQ at Erica's house.  (There was a big snake in her backyard and our Super Hero Father picked it up and took it to the neighboring field. He is so brave.) There was lots of food (always), a pool for the kids, a baseball game for the guys, un-pop-able bubbles and FIREWORKS? 

  

Due to the horrible fires we have been having, Colorado had a no fireworks ban.  Instead Erica planned a super fun black light Glow stick 'Firework' party! We made our own with glow stick dancing (thanks erica) and watched the shows throughout the US- very fun.

 

Another year of Aaron

My amazing brother, Aaron, passed away two years ago on June 28th.  This year has been a lot easier for me to handle his death; I have tried to focus my memories on his fun loving personality and the joy he brought into our family.  

Aaron had the most awkward lanky body; His fingers were so long and the veins on the back popped out (making the length look creepier) and his arms were like ape arms (I swear they almost touched the floor).  However, Aaron never complained that he had an ape like old man body he instead used it to his advantage.  Aaron is still, by far, the best and most creepy velociraptor I have ever known.  When I think of him walking towards me with his arms curled up and his neck cocked to the side it makes me squirm and want to squeal. Although it totally freaks me out I will always love the memory of my crazy dinosaur brother.   

I was reading Calvin and Hobbes the other day and could not stop laughing.  Anytime I miss Aaron I should just read those books because this- this is my brother!!