Powell

Baby Powell, we love you!  I found out at my 38week appointment that the baby was in breach position.  After much prayer and fasting we went to my 39 week appointment to see what the baby was up to.  He has been a wiggly baby the whole pregnancy so I was hopeful that he had turned so I would not have to have another c-section.  I was hoping for a vbac.  The doctor and my brother-in-law were pretty certain that this baby would not turn because #1 he was big(my doctor was thinking around 9 lbs), and #2 after a certain point in pregnancy the baby settles into their final position and doesn't move.  Our prayers were answered and my doctor was stunned, Powell had turned and was head down.  We were extremely grateful.  So, fast forward to my next appointment at 40 weeks and no baby.  So, we scheduled a date for inducement.

Powell Douglas arrived to greet the world on Friday.  He weighed a svelte 11 pounds and is 22 inches long.   We are so excited to have such a sweet new little baby in our family.  His brothers and sister love to sing to him, give him kisses, and feel his tiny feet and hands.  We love him and are very, very grateful for his safe arrival.

Sarah's Baptism

Sarah turned 8 in December.  We decided to have her baptism in January.  We had all of the Smyth family there and Grandma and Grandpa Carrick along with friends.  It was a wonderful day and the spirit was very strong.  Grandpa Carrick spoke on baptism, Sarah sang "When I am Baptized", and Grandma Melene spoke on baptism.

The one surprise visitor to the baptism was the Hull family's dog Holly (a small hypo-allergenic puppy).  I had no idea they brought her until Ryan mentioned that after he had baptized Sarah and was done changing he saw Brian cleaning the dog's blanket because she had an accident.  How many people do you know that have dog's at their baptism?!

We had a great time with friends and family afterward at our home.  Thanks to everyone who made the day so special.  Especially to my mom for staying up so late helping me complete a scrapbook for Sarah.  She is always so great at helping with the last minute details.

Sarah's Recital

This was before Christmas and it was Sarah's first piano recital.  She did an excellent job! She played Up On The House Top and Dancing Santa.

Christmas

Christmas was spent at my parents this year with my entire family.  We stayed for 2 weeks and we had a wonderful time.  I am grateful that we flew and didn't drive but the difficulty in flying was packing all the presents.  Each storm trooper helmet took its own suitcase.  Thanks Southwest for letting us have two bags a piece, it was a cinch.

Christmas morning Ryder, Jack, Sarah.

My younger brother Spencer is a super uncle!  He helped put together the kids toys and showed them some moves to go with them.  Ryder and Jack were very excited for the clone trooper helmets and guns. 

The helmets that rarely came off.  They are great eye protection from the flying darts.  Too bad that I limited them to only about 3 darts per gun during our stay so we wouldn't loose all 40.  There battles were always short.

Our family on Christmas Day.

The cousins. 

Jack, Ryder, Simon

Graham, Emma, Carter, Sarah

Madison, Sam, Chris, Ellen, Alex, Brianna

Yeah for snow!!!  A very unexpected storm left a few inches of snow for the kids to play in for a couple of days.  They absolutely loved it!  

We visited a few Portland landmarks .

My parents.  I love them so much and am very appreciative for how much they love my kids and all of their grandchildren.  Thanks for always making room when we come to visit!

Sarah's Birthday

Sarah turned 8 in December and it was a fun birthday!  She started her day getting a present before school.  She has been wanting purple shoes and we found some that we all liked.

Later that evening we met some of her cousins and Grandma and Grandpa Smyth for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, one of Sarah's favorites.

Sarah and her brothers.  Ryder and Jack

The cake.

I learned an important lesson about placing candles around a cake, I should not have done it.  Also, we learned that Sarah needed a little practice in blowing out candles.  It took her awhile to get the candles blown out and before it happened her HAIR caught on FIRE!  It only was a second but it startled her and everyone else.  Not to much was singed but I was happy that we never did put hairspray in her hair before we went to dinner.

After the presents.

Alison and Sarah.

Ryan and Sarah.

Sarah is now 8 and will be baptized in January!  We can hardly believe that she is getting to be so grown up, and we love her a ton!

Thanksgiving Break

I was grateful for the week off from school.  The kids played on the court and had fun just hanging out before our trip to a beach house with extended family for Thanksgiving.  One of my favorite things is spending time with our families during the holidays.

Ryder and Jack decided to have a drink stand on a very cold day.  I am sure business would be better if I let them out of the court.

On our drive to the beach Ryder lost his 2nd tooth.  No mess, no blood.  

Joey, Ryder and Jack playing in front of the condo.  We had an amazing view of the beach and great weather for most of the trip.  Thanksgiving morning was spent watching the kids play at the beach.

Sarah and her cousins building and digging.

Just before Thanksgiving dinner.

Black Friday was super windy but I took Sarah and her cousin Lauren down to the ocean.  They made a grave for some poor lonely imagined beach pirate.

Soccer with the dads and kids.  

Joey, Jack and Ryder chasing and jumping waves. 

One of many tries at getting a decent family picture.  We are still working on it.  

The Trophy

All season Jack and Ryder have been waiting for the day they would get their trophy.  I told them they had to earn it by being good at practice and listening to their coach.  The end of the season party came and they both were very excited that they had earned their trophies.

Sarah also had her team party and then she and some teammates were asked to play in the coaches invitational.  The top players from each team were invited to play against each other.  Sarah's team was undefeated this year and she was so excited that 3 other teammates were also invited.  The girls played on a larger playing field and they played under the lights.  It was a great game!