THE NEWTON'S

I'm always amazed at the talent out kids have developed. I was cleaning out my Sunday bag and came across this that Ashley drew one week during sacrament meeting. :).

We needed a little trip during spring break and when Amanda called and twisted our arms around and around about coming out to visit we just had to agree.. ;-) Of course half of the time I was feeling the effects of some allergic reactions to allergy shots and the meds I had to take because of it, but we had a great time and loved spending time with Dave and Amanda, and Zack and Allie... Of course the only pictures I took were during the trip to the zoo... and the kids took half of the pictures during that trip. lol! Here are a few glimpses... :)

Rich had some buisness in New York City and we have the best friends around who made it possible for me to leave the kids and meet up with him and spend a few days visiting the city.  It was my first time in New York City and we did a lot!  There is so much to do there we had to pick and choose what to do, but I loved the getaway.  I put many more pictures on my other blog (see sidebar for link) so go and check them out! :)

I never know what I'll find when I download the pictures and video's off of the kids camera's (our older camera's that have been passed down to the kids after we've gotten better ones).  It's always interesting and good for a few giggles... :)   I don't know how the quality will turn out on here, but we'll try it. :)

Christmas Day was great... it is always nice when the kids "want list" lines up with your "budget" list and everyone is happy by the end of the unwrapping... A scene before the carnage... stockings had already been looked through and blankets and robes were strewn about... A best friend pillow... to share with her BFF... A guitar... to develop some new talent A much anticipated game The needed new barbies that better NOT get any haircuts this year Some pretty new dresses. And longed for slippers Fun earings A laser tag gun Jojo even got an outfit (he may have not appreciated it as much as the girls did) The carnage that followed... Just a few presents per person multiplied by six makes it look like a lot of stuff...  It was a day full of smiles And lots and lots of playing...

The last day of school before the winter break is always full of fun, and sugar, and candy and special memories... Angela spent so much time and took so much care in decorating her gingerbread house at school.  I even spent a couple of hours the week before getting the houses put together with another class mom... So you can imagine the devistation when mom (me) was trying to juggle it and 5 other things in my arms amidst the dismissal bell and hoards of kids leaving the school... There were tears, and apologies and the house did not live up to the earthquake/tornado/flood/snowstorm climate we have here in Oklahoma... it was beyond repair and had to be condemned... Alyssa had some fun crafts too... the only thing she lost in the tumble from mom's arms was a plate with a chocolate dipped pretzel and a cookie... a little less heart breaking. I love the teachers Angela and Alyssa have this year.  It's been a lot of fun having them for the second ...

Alyssa's third grade class did a very cute Hawaiian Holiday Program.  Alyssa was so excited that she got to participate in two of the groups.  I didn't get a picure of her in her winter coat, hat and boots representing Russian holiday's, but she did a great job singing and dancing with her Hawaiian outfit! :)  On the same night Alyssa performed her play at the elementary school, Ashley and Alex had their band concert for Middle School.  We did the divide and conquer and I was able to watch the concert.  The kids did a great job and I'm always amazed at the level that the beginning band is playing at after just four months of picking up these instruments for the first time. Ashley's band is HUGE!  The biggest 6th grade band they have ever had enrolled at the school.  I couldn't get them all in one camera frame... Alex going onstage with his tuba... it's massive!  Alex's band is still big, just not as huge as Ashley's... ...