Merry Christmas 2013 from the Newitts!

Newitts 2013

This year has been one of endings and new beginnings.

Endings …

Tori graduated from high school!  The graduation was held at the ASU arena and was great!

Our ward (LDS congregation) had its geographic boundaries realigned in April and our neighborhood was assigned to a new ward.  In our old ward Jerry served as the Boy Scout Varsity Coach, but was released with the boundary changes.  

In our old ward Stephanie was the Cub Scout Committee Chair, but was released with the boundary changes.  Stephanie was also volunteering with the Gilbert Education Foundation as their STEM Committee Chair (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math), but due to increased responsibilities elsewhere resigned in August.   Stephanie saw her 2012-2013 preschool class move on to kindergarten.

We had one of our last family campouts in June when Jerika was home from BYU.  Her boyfriend Brandon (now fiancé) joined us.  Over the summer we had additional camping trips, but not all of our children were able to go with us.  *Sigh*   Seasons of life come and go … I’m not sure if I’m ready for not having my girls home.

Jerika, after 2 years, quit her job working for the dental call center.  She appreciated the work, but was glad to move on and develop different skills.

Gideon, after being at his school since second grade, has transferred to a new school this year.  He was grateful for a Halloween party this fall where he could see his old friends. 

Thanksgiving.  We and our children were all home for Thanksgiving.  Now that Jerika is getting married, this blessing will be less frequent.  We enjoyed this Thanksgiving with all our hearts.

Other news ...

Both Kyler and Tori were able to participate in our stake’s three-day Pioneer Trek. 

Stephanie joined her sister Becky and Jerika and Brandon at the Timpanogas Storytelling Festival in Orem and had a wonderful time.  
 

Stephanie and the boys (Jerry, Kyler & Gideon – I remember the days when it was “Jerry and the girls.”  *sigh*)  spent five days in California in October over Fall Break.  We enjoyed fun and games with cousins, visiting the Monterey Aquarium and the San Francisco Exploritorium.  We loved spending time with Grandma Susie and members of her family.

New Beginnings …

Kyler began participating in the high school’s new aerospace engineering program.  Basic engineering design is the focus for the first two years, with aerospace being the emphasis for the 3^rd and 4^th years.  This is in partnership with the local branch of Jerry’s company, Orbital Sciences. 

With the Varsity Scouts, Kyler had his first experience snowboarding in February.  Then, in August, he had his first chance with water sports and went wake boarding.  Kyler has a blast on this adventure trips!  Kyler is now the new Team Captain for his Boy Scout Varsity Team, which will be a new experience for him.  

Kyler and Gideon also purchased lambs this fall to raise and sell in the spring.  This is their first experience with raising livestock.  Another first for our boys is participating in the Orbital Family Rocket Launching Activity.  They really enjoyed it.

Gideon played baseball this year.  In past years he played for the town’s Park & Recreation league.  This year he played for the first time on a National Little League team.  He really grew from the skills focus and in one game he hit two triples. 

Gideon began Webelos this year and has earned his Webelos rank.  He enjoyed Cub Scout Day Camp and worked hard to earn his Aquanaut and Scientist badges.  Gideon began playing the cello this year in his school orchestra.

Three weeks into the school year, Gideon and I received the news that there was space for him in the district’s new program at a different school.  After much prayer and weighing options and feelings, he and I decided the new school would be a good experience.  At his new school he has enjoyed building a Rube Goldberg machine (click here to see a Myth Buster’s example of a Christmas Rube Goldberg machine), building spaghetti bridges, his first science fair, and writing letters to NASA and universities.  It has been a unique and engaging experience and he is enjoying his new school and new friends.

Stephanie attended the BSA leader training called Woodbadge.  This was a very new experience for her.  She is almost done with her last ticket item (goal).

Tori began working as a seasonal worker for Party City and then Carter’s.  She has enjoyed the benefits of employment.  She has been able to use her Spanish speaking skills to help customers and has been excited about that.  Tori also received her driver’s license last spring and has been a big help to her mom by shuttling her brothers places and running errands.

In our new ward Jerry has been called to serve as the Boy Scout Assistant Varsity Coach and partner with a good friend of his.  They have begun preparing for the 2014 Mountain Main Rendezvous.  Jerry also bought a new motorcycle this past spring and is enjoying his commute more.

In our new ward, Stephanie has been called to serve as the Education Counselor in the Relief Society.  She is enjoying her opportunity to get to know the sisters of the ward.  She has begun a weekly email for all the sisters so they receive the weekly announcements and notes from the Sunday lesson. 

She also began a new school year with her new preschool class.  They are adorable and such fun to teach.  She is implementing a new lesson theme this month based on the book The Polar Express.  She is excited to share it with the children.

Stephanie has begun giving Professional Development presentations at local schools regarding the characteristics and needs of gifted students.  It has been a positive experience and eye opening to many teachers and principals.  She is also a member of the district’s newly formed Gifted Education Parent Council.

The dedication of the Gilbert Temple has been announced!  It will be March 2, 2014, with the youth of the region having a Cultural Celebration of song and dance on Saturday, March 1^st.  Kyler will be participating in this unique experience.

We went on our first of many-to-come family boating experience.  We had fun tubing on the water!

Jerika began her new job as a Teacher Assistant for one of the Physics professors at BYU.  She really enjoys teaching and science.  This job is just plain fun for her!

Jerika is beginning a new life with Brandon McKeon with their marriage at the end of December.  We are excited to have Brandon as a part of our family.

We are in our third year in our new home and our first year in our new ward.   Though many things come to an end, there are also many new beginnings before us.  We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a New Year full of your own new beginnings, filled with the love and tender guidance of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Much love,

Jerry, Stephanie and family