Lots and Lots of Leaves

My sister and her husband were here last weekend to visit. While they were here we did some Christmas shopping, watched football, hung out, and last but not least we raked leaves. Our backyard was getting out of control! Julie is a motivator, though, and once she got outside and started working we joined her. Twenty bags of leaves later (my parents had done about 10 bags a couple of weeks ago when I had Max) our backyard looked pretty good. Now we are just waiting on the other tree in the back to lose all of its leaves. Thanks for all of your help, Julie!

My "Little Sooner"

You can't tell from the picture, but Mason had his Converse shoes on. That's all he would wear because accoring to him that's what football players wear.

Gabe had the hard job of holding Max while we worked :)

Thanksgiving 2009

Jonathan, Mason, Max, and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year with both of our families. Since Catherine and I just had babies Jonathan's parents invited us all to their house for the day. It was very generous of them to have everyone over and the food was so good! I'm very thankful for such wonderful in-laws and that our families enjoy being around each other. As my dad prayed for our food my eyes filled with tears as I thought about how immensely God has blessed me. I have such an amazing husband, two precious sons, Godly parents, a sister and brother who are also my close friends, loving in-laws, faithful friends, and an awesome God. It doesn't get any better than that! Words could never describe how thankful I am to God for such tremendous gifts in my life.

Jonathan, Mason, baby Max, and me in front of Jackie's fall tree. Jackie and I had fun decorating the tree together with a little help from Mason :)

Our family with my parents, Julie, Gabe, and Josh.

Our family with Jonathan's parents, Catherine, Brad, Amelia, and baby Ella.
We had a pretty difficult time trying to get a decent picture with two kids who didn't get a nap :)

The last two pictures depict what Ella and Max did for most of the day!

I never get tired of seeing this...

Mason is constantly asking to hold Max, telling him he loves him, talking to him, and kissing him. He truly loves his little brother. Besides being a little crazy the first few days, Mason has done great. He was definitely ready for a sibling, and I pray that he and Max will have the close relationship that I have with my brother and sister.

Mason's Fall Program

Mason had his Fall Program last night so Jonathan stayed home with Max, and Mason and I had a special night together. I thought he would like going with just me, but he said he wanted Max to go, too. Once we got to McDonald's, though, I think he forgot about it. He got to get a Happy Meal and play which he thorougly enjoyed. After that we went to the program. During practice that day Mason was running around on the stage and pretending to shoot guns with another little boy. After school we talked about the right thing to do over and over. Mason definitely stayed on his spot during the program and looked very cute in his Pilgrim costume. Unfortunately, that is all he did. I don't think he sang a word, and when I asked why he just said, "I didn't want to sing." Maybe he was just too focused on staying in his spot to think about singing. :) Overall, it was a fun night and Jonathan and Max had fun hanging out as well.

The Cousins Meet

The day before I had Max, my sister-in-law Catherine had her precious baby Ella Caroline. Little did we know that when we were visiting her in the hospital on Tuesday night that we would have Max the next day. I'm so excited that Ella and Max will be the same age, just like Mason and Amelia who have tons of fun together. Catherine and Ella came to meet Max for the first time yesterday, and as you can tell from the pictures they were super excited to meet each other. Catherine and I enjoyed switching babies for a little while, too. :) To see more pictures of sweet Ella you can visit http://theprincessandherpeons.blogspot.com/

One Week Old

It's hard to believe that tomorrow Max will be a week old. Time is already going by so quickly, and we are trying to take in and enjoy each moment. He has been such a good baby and is so sweet. If he's not eating, he is pretty much sleeping. It is pretty nice to feed him at night and then put him back to bed where he sleeps for three hours (that was unheard of with Mason). It is weird to think that we are now a family of four, and we feel extremely blessed to have two wonderful little boys.

Max loves to be swaddled just like Mason did. It makes me laugh because he looks like a little

burrito.

Mason wanted to take a picture with Max and Furry. He thinks Max doesn't need his own stuffed animal because he is going to share his. :)

Max after his first bath.

Max Evan Newberry Is Here!

Max was born Wednesday, November 11 at 3:08 p.m.. He weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 19 inches long. He was two weeks early which was a nice surprise, and everything went really well. So far he has been a wonderful baby, and we are really enjoying him! Mason is especially liking being a big brother and loves holding and kissing him. After I had Max, Mason could hardly wait to come in the room to see him.