Newson Reunion

Reunion Prep- This year Nedra and Rachel had a lot to do so I volunteered to make the cookies for the cookie jar.  It was fun trying out different types (although they did not all work); we made butterscotch raisin, chocolate peanut butter chip, smores, M&M and rainbow cookies (chocolate chip dyed in different colors- Elizabeth's idea).

 

 

Ben was helping the Newson's clear off the deck with the leaf blower and scared an entire family of skunks out from under their deck.  We all watched as a mother and 8-10 little ones scurried away and out of the yard but one youngster went back to their nest to wait.  Although Ben was told that baby skunks had no smell, while trying to get that little one out, he learned otherwise. 

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We had a wonderful reunion this year full of crazy kids, good food, great company and a cousin carnival.  We had people arriving at different times this year (between Saturday and Tuesday) and so we did a bunch of different things with everyone.  

Sunday: Jeremy's family arrived Sunday night and Jesse arrived right before dinner on Sunday; Just in time to celebrate Rachel's birthday! It was fun to all be together!

Playing Hide and Seek with Jared and Sam

 

 

 

 

 

Stories with Grandma

 

Monday: We did a big service project in the Newson's backyard and got the deck ready for some reunion fun!

Reading books with Grandma

 

Tuesday: Elizabeth and I went with Jesse and Becky's family to a park and then explored on a short forested path. The Markos arrived in the late afternoon.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday:  The brother's all went golfing in the morning and we caught up with them that afternoon for ice cream at Sweet Cow.  We then walked across the street and got to play at Tilt, a fun arcade.

 

 

 

 

 

 Thursday: We went to a park and played kickball, ate dinner at our house and then went across the street to the park to hear FACE for the Summer Concert.  It was fun watching everyone from every age to every athletic ability play kickball together and the fun they all had.  They also all had fun during the concert; playing tag, basketball in the park and spending time together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at the clouds.

 

 

 

 

 Just minutes after everyone left our house and the concert in the park it started hailing.  It was such a blessing that it wasn't during the concert, while we were all sitting outside.  The house sounded like it was going to fall apart under the force of the hail but it was cool to stand at the window and watch it.

Friday: In the morning I took Becky, Melinda, Aimee and Mer with me to my morning Water Zumba class.  They thought it was a little silly but fun. That afternoon we had a Cousin Carnival; each family prepared a booth and the kids were able to earn tickets.  That night we had the talent show and a good showcase of some very talented people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newson Family 2015 (Minus Hannah at college)

 

 Saturday: Jeremy's family left in the morning.  We all then went canoeing and paddle boating at Wanaeka Lake; it was really fun but very hot.  That afternoon all the adults went with Ron to see the new movie, Jurassic World.  I stayed home and watched movies with Nedra, Mer and the kids. 

 

 

Sunday: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! Ben's day started out a little rough; he was up for an hour in the middle of the night throwing up all of the popcorn he ate during the movie and then was not really feeling up to his Father's Day Breakfast.  We went to the Newson's house for a special dinner but ended up coming home early because Elizabeth got sick. 

Next week: Because Jeremy and Tobin had left, the reunion was 'technically' over but Sarah did not leave until Thursday morning and Jesse did not leave until Sunday morning- so we got to extend the fun for another week.  Elizabeth was sick Sunday night and Monday but we went back over to play with cousins the rest of the week.  It was so much fun to see Elizabeth play with everyone and to see the relationships she is making with them.  I love having reunions and having everyone come for a couple weeks to visit.  

(Mer was so good with Malcolm and Elizabeth- she made up songs with them on the ukelele) 

 *On Friday, Rachel and Nedra kept Elizabeth, so she could play with the cousins, while Ben and I went to the temple.  We always try to go to the temple the week of the anniversary of Aaron's death (5 years) and as always it was wonderful to go to the temple and to feel the peace and safety found there.   

**While leaving the temple we got news that Jasen got his mission call to serve in the Suva Fiji Mission.  We are so excited for him.

Touch a Truck and Taste of Louisville

We love living in Louisville and love all of the fun city things that go on.  Elizabeth and I went to something called the 'Touch a Truck' at the Rec Center where they had different trucks, tractors and machines that the kids could look at, climb on and play with.  She loved seeing the buses and honking their horns, she was a little hesitant about the massive size of the tractors and loved pushing all of the buttons in the firetruck and police car.  I wasn't sure it would be a huge hit with her but she loved it!

 

 

 

 That afternoon we went to the Taste of Louisville with Ben.  This is a big street fair down Main Street in Louisville with booths from different local companies/restaurants, craft booths, a farmers market, live entertainment and yummy food.  We had fun walking around, seeing people we knew, and getting free samples and swag.  Elizabeth loved the dancing and gymnastic booths, I think she could have played there all day, so we might have a new hobby coming to the surface.  For lunch we got some pizza and Ben got a giant turkey leg.  He said it was delicious but SOO big.  It was such a fun day, we were all exhausted and had more stuff in the evening, but we enjoyed all the fun stuff we had that day!

 

Ben's Dream- teaching Elizabeth to golf.

 

 

 

Doesn't everyone eat their pizza this way??

 

Girls Night

Ben has had the chance to go on a couple business trips this summer.  The first one he went to was to Chicago to a CRMC Business Conference about loyalty marketing.  He had a fun time there, met some new people and said the city was beautiful.  A couple weeks later he went to Dallas Texas to do store visits.  He went to four different stores and talked to the employees/customers about their experiences and how ecommerce (internet) might help that experience. It was a short trip and he said it was really hot!

On one of these trips Elizabeth and I decided to do a girls night while Ben was gone.  We watched a girly movie (Sleeping Beauty), painted our nails and did facials.  Elizabeth did not mind the facial until we had to take it off- it was a little painful.  But she LOVED having her feet in a warm water bath and I think she loved the pampering!  It was fun to do a night just with the girls!!

 

 

 

 

 

Backyard Pool Time

We have a blow up kiddy pool for the backyard that has brought lots of fun this summer.  We have had a play group here, as well as friends and Mom/Elizabeth pool parties. Last year, Elizabeth did not really like getting wet and especially getting her face wet but this year she has embraced the pool (even though she doesn't always like her face getting wet).  She has especially loved squirt guns and has even figured out, kind of, how to hold it under water to refill it. 

It has been a fun and easy summer activity and we have had a blast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCAR Hike

I have been trying to exercise 4-5 days a week through this pregnancy.  One Friday morning (5/28) my aerobics class was cancelled, so we rushed home, packed a picnic and went on a hike.  We drove up to NCAR and did a short hike behind it; it is a beautiful hike because it is at the base/side of the flatirons.
Elizabeth did great.  She walked most of the way (I carried her for a bit at the end) and she loved being in the 'forest'.  I did not plan very well for the weather; a cold front came in with some rain but we still enjoyed our time outdoors and hiking together!