3 months

I love Powell.  He's a cuddly, squishy, cooing bundle of love and all smiles too.  The boys and Sarah love to count how many times they can get him to smile and laugh.

Blessing Day for Baby Powell

What a great day with family and friends!  We celebrated Baby Powell with great food, family and friends.  My mom and I cooked up some yummy Cafe Rio sweet pork and shredded beef with All of the great things that accompany a good mexican meal.  Lots of work, Lots of fun!  Powell is well loved by Sarah, Ryder and Jack.  They love to make him smile.  We just love him!

Carrick Grandparents and Smyth Grandparents.

Super yummy cake and brownies!

Daddy Daughter Ski Day-March 15

An annual tradition for Sarah and Ryan.  Alpine Meadows with views of Lake Tahoe.  Sarah is now skiing some black diamonds...YIKES!

Sunscreen spots.

A super Daddy Daughter Date!

Entertainment on the car ride home.

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!