Anna and Chloe’s Talent Day

 

In Anna’s choir class after their concert they always do “talent day”.  Each student has to perform in front of their class.  They can do small groups or solos.  I love that their teacher makes them do this.  This year was extra scary because they’re in concert choir which is girls and boys.  Anna and Chloe worked up a number that Anna had done for Musical Theatre Workshop called “My New Philosophy” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.   All the other kids stood up and did current songs, but these two incredibly brave girls stood up in front of their 9th grade peers and totally performed!  I’m so impressed, because I think I was a fairly confident kid, but I NEVER would have had the guts to do this.  Their fellow students loved it, they got a standing ovation.

Christmas Card and Letter 2012

Merry Christmas

Joshy is getting heart-breakingly old and turned 3 last July. Fortunately, he is making these toddler years very fun and entertaining. He senses exactly when he needs to soften his dictatorial demands with his cherub charm that completely wins us over. He has a great imagination and loves to play with action figures. He named his favorite guy “Jenter”. He lost him and was so sad, but the kids found it, put it on the porch, rang the doorbell and ran. Josh opened the door, saw his long lost little action figure lying on the porch and in the most delighted voice squealed, “Jenter came home!!!!” We love Jenter, but mostly we love Joshua.

Benny is 6, and losing teeth by the second. He's always had a smile that embodies everything adorable, warm, cozy and sunny, but you add some big old gaps and it does not get cuter. Fortunately, he still mixes up some words like when he drank a slushy and yelled out, “Frain breeze!”. Ben is a first grader and is loving school. He also played soccer and basketball this year. He is a great athlete, and hands-down the most enthusiastic guy on the field or court. At the ripe old age of 6, he's definitely our most self-sufficient child. He also gets sick the most, I often wonder if that's just so I have a chance to take care of him sometimes. ;) We love Benjamin.

Nate is 9 and in 4^th grade. He has the best teacher in the school and he loves her. In the last year he has suddenly developed opinions about his hair and clothes. He eats more than all of us combined and is still always hungry. He loves to tease, but his smile and sense of humor make him irresistible and hilarious when he chooses to use his powers for good instead of evil ;). Nate is your typical rough and tumble boy, but has a soft spot for little kids (especially Josh) and animals. He loves all things sports especially basketball, LeBron James and football. He played flag football this year and loved it. We love Nathan.

Abby will be 12 in January and is loving her last year in elementary school. She is a great friend and is so blessed to have such fun, quirky, inclusive girls around her. Abby was in our city's production of “Hello Dolly” last summer and loved it. She also played soccer and still takes ballet and piano. She is super responsible and really kind of keeps things going around here. She does also know how to let loose though and keeps us very entertained. Abby isn't the least bit shy about telling us who her current crush is and all the ways he is so dreamy. The position of “Abby's current crush” tends to have a high turn-over rate. We love Abigail.

Anna is 14 and in her last year of junior high. A.maz.ing. She is pretty slammed with a heavy school load and has spent many hours playing with Josh, Ben, neighbor kids, stray cats, or anyone else she can find to avoid doing her homework ;). She's still playing and loving soccer with a great team. She is a delightful combination of fun-loving and free spirited with the biggest conscience known to man. “How Do You Solve a Problem like Anna Maria” from The Sound of Music describes her perfectly (how do you catch a cloud and pin it down?). We are so grateful to have such a sweet, cheerful 14 year old who still likes us most of the time. We love Anna.

Last summer we got around to cutting ties with Josh's binkies. We chose the sending-them-to-the-moon-via-balloons method. I anxiously anticipated trauma and drama on his part as we tied his beloved binkies to the balloons. I was taken by complete surprise when I found myself choking down sobs as those stupid balloons so peacefully and smugly drifted away with the last bit of babyhood in our family. Aside from those occasional moments, I am really enjoying this phase of life. I love still having young ones, but am also loving watching the big kids come into their own. Life is good.

They say golf is great for networking. I have come to realize just how true that is. Brennan continues to make more and more contacts for more and more golf. He also manages to turn many of those contacts into actual business, but mostly more golf ;). Brennan was recently released from working with the 12-13 year old boys in our ward. Several of these cute boys were literally in tears when they found out he wouldn't be their leader anymore. He was too. I love that about him -- that he has so much in common with 12-13 year old boys. Just kidding, I love his ability to connect with people and set them at ease. We feel very blessed to be at the top of the list of people he loves. We love Brennan.

Merry Christmas! We devour your letters, cards and pictures. We are so grateful for each of you and for this time of year to reflect on the gift of our Savior. May His peace and love fill each of our homes throughout this new year!

Love, The Wrights

Nate

The other day, Nate was singing a song and told the girls that a “Spanish rapper” comes in at end in his version.  Here is his version:

Halloween 2012

It was a beautiful one this year.  We’ve trick or treated in enough blizzards not to take it for granted when you don’t need a coat, let alone a jacket on Halloween!  I always hated ruining a perfectly good costume by putting a coat on over it. 

We kicked off the season this year with a fantastic party thrown by Eliza and Abe at their house for their cousins.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get great pictures, but it was a great party.  They decorated ghosts, played musical chairs, bowling with a pumpkin,-ghost-ghost-mummy, mummy relay, and told spooky stories.  It was so cute and well planned.  I know she was worried about keeping the older kids’ attention, but they loved it!

Here’s Bob the Builder playing, ghost-ghost-mummy (duck-duck-goose)

Listening to Abe’s spooky story

The cute party favors

That was fun!  Monday before Halloween Joshy and I met Eliza, Belle and Peter at my Dad’s office for their annual Halloween luncheon.  After a yummy lunch, the Governor always gives a book to each of the kids and then all the kids go trick or treating to the offices around the Capitol.  Last year it fell on a day my kids were out of school, they were so sad to miss out and begged me to pull them out of school.  No go.  Josh had fun though and got lots of loot.

Then, finally the actual day of Halloween arrived!  Our elementary school has a parade, followed by a performance of Thriller by the 6th graders and then class parties.  It’s such a fun tradition for the 6th graders to do this fun dance, and it’s quite a rite of passage.  I got some video of the performance, but you can’t really see Abby cause she’s a few rows in.  There’s a boy on the front row that’s a really good dancer though – so enjoy:

I got to help with Abby’s class party and made these babies:

They were a pain, but turned out cute.  Here are all the kids in their Halloween glory:

Joshy the reluctant Cowboy

Ben the Crocodile Wrestler

Jimmer Fredette

50’s girl

Zombie Soccer Player

Primary Program

 

Our ward had it’s annual Primary Program on Sunday.  All the kids in the ward between the ages of 4 and 11 sing all the songs they’ve learned that year and they have several of them give talks and lots more give little speaking parts.  Abby had a speaking part and did great, she has such a great memory – she had it down in no time.  Ben didn’t have a speaking part, but sang his heart out and loved to make eye contact with us to make sure we were watching.  Whenever he caught our eye, he beamed from ear to ear.  So cute. 

Nate was asked to speak last year and said, no thanks.  This year, my friend, Buffy, is the primary president and asked me if I thought he would speak this year.  I told her I had no idea, but that I’d ask him.  He happened to be at her house playing with her son that day and she mentioned it to him and he agreed.  I was a little surprised but so glad.  She brought me a paper with his topic and I didn’t really even look at it, just filed it away.  That was sometime in the Summer. 

A few months later, as the program date approached I knew we needed to work on it so I pulled out the paper with his assigned topic.  Tears filled my eyes as I read:  “Receiving a blessing  and the power of the Priesthood in your life”.  Just a week or two before that was when Nate received a blessing from my Dad and Brennan after our California trip.  Before the blessing my Dad asked Nate if he had faith in Jesus and that he needed to in order for it to help him.  In the blessing he was told that this would be a foundational moment for his faith and testimony.  I immediately called Buffy to tell her how inspired she was and thanked her for this opportunity for Nate to really ponder and share his experience with a priesthood blessing.  Here is the talk he wrote.  (I helped him put the events in order etc., but these are his words):

October 29, 2012

Power of the Priesthood

by Nate Wright

My name is Nate Wright. I have been asked to speak about receiving a blessing and the power of the priesthood in my life. I went on a trip this Summer, to California. I got very sick for 5 days during our trip. We didn't know what was wrong, we went to the doctor and figured out that I had gotten heat exhaustion. I missed out on a lot of things.

I was still sick when it was time to leave. We drove 5 hours to my Grandma's house in St. George. We stayed there for two nights, and I was finally starting to do a little better and eat a little. Then we we drove back to our house for 5 hours. We thought I was better, but in the car I started feeling sick again.

My Mom and Dad were worried and thought about taking me to the hospital. We finally got home. I was happy to be home, but I still felt sick. My Grandpa came over to help my Dad give me a blessing. My Dad asked my Grandpa to give me the blessing. My Grandpa told me I had to have faith in Jesus and that the blessing would help me. Grandpa and my Dad put their hands on my head and blessed me that I would be healed. I felt better right after that. I thought about how the doctor couldn't help me, but the priesthood did.

I know that the Priesthood can bless us and I am grateful for my Dad and my Grandpa being willing to share it with me. That blessing helped me know that Heavenly Father and Jesus really love me. When I have the Priesthood someday I am excited to help others like they helped me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Nate is our child whose actions we never attempt to predict.  Brennan and I were so nervous as we sat and wondered if Nate would really stand up and give his talk.  He did.  He stood tall and read loudly and clearly his sweet words of faith.  Brennan, Me, Anna, my Mom and Dad all sat and listened with total gratitude and tender emotion as we watched this beautiful boy touch us all.  There were a couple of years he wouldn’t even go on the stand to sing with the other kids in past primary programs.  How much he has grown and gained in just 9 years.  We love him so much and are so grateful for his progress, and for the reminder that these children are not just ours.  Heavenly Father is loving them and creating opportunities for each one of them, all of us.

One more thing, every time we put Joshy to bed for a nap or bedtime we sing “I Am A Child of God” and “I Love to See The Temple” .  He loves those songs.  During the program the primary kids started singing “I am a Child of God”.  Josh was lying on the floor as they began singing, but after the first three notes of that song, he shot up and with a huge (he says “fuge”) grin on his face he looked at me and said, “MOM, They’re singing my song!!!!”  He was so thrilled that the whole primary would pay tribute to him like that

Abby’s Storytelling Festival, round II

 

Last year Abby participated for the first time in her school’s storytelling festival.  She got 1st place and went on to the District and then got to perform at a local college. 

On Oct. 24th, Abby participated again in her school’s storytelling festival.  She got 2nd place!  We’re so proud of her, she worked so hard, choosing the perfect book, memorizing it, getting down just the right voices and movements.  It’s so fun to watch her.   Here’s her performance of Wodney Wat.

Wodney Wat, Abby, Storytelling Festival

Fall Break!

We’ve had a gorgeous Fall this year.  That perfect combination of sunny but cool and crisp and colorful.  We usually head out of town for Fall break, but this year we were feeling a little travel-weary since our big CA trip was just a little over a month ago, so we decided to have a little stay-cation.  It was perfect!

Thursday morning we got up and went for a family bike ride.  This was the first time in forever we’ve all had a bike (except Josh, he rode in the trailer).  We have so many great trails nearby, that we finally utilized – it was a blast.  The only hitch was my newly tuned up bike blew a tire about 1/3 into our ride.  I walked back to the car while Bren and the kids finished their ride and then met me back at our car.  It was perfect weather and such a fun outing.

After that, we headed home for a quick shower and change of clothes and then went bowling.  It was so much fun.  Josh would get so excited and do some serious celebrating after his turns.  There’s something just so magical about doing things as a family.  There’s still some whining, and occasional grumpiness, but for the most part we get to remember why we love each other so much.

The next day, Brennan had to work, so the kids and I joined up with Eliza and her kids for a fantastic walk through a favorite forest/park and then brought lunch to eat with my Dad on a rare day off for him to celebrate his birthday.

The boys couldn’t get enough of going off the trail to forge new paths.

Lots of dirt “surfing” and bum sliding going on.

a few little tantrums

and lots of tripping by Joshy

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend and a much needed break from homework, carpools and early mornings.  We were so grateful to have such wonderful weather.

Columbus Day

I’ve never gone too far out of my way to celebrate Columbus Day, but then again I’ve certainly never avoided celebrating anything.  When given the chance to party – I’m in.  My parents both had Columbus Day off of work so they were dying to get out and do something.  I had to break it to them that the kids were still in school, but that didn’t deter them.  They invited everyone who could to meet them at this beautiful little nature preserve just 15 minutes from our house.  My family and my Sister and her kids were available, so right after school we all met up for a fantastic outing.

My Dad, Nate and Abby

My parents brought their canoe, which we haven’t used for years.  My kids were apprehensive at first, but then every one of them fell madly in love with the serene, scenic rides around the perfect-sized pond.  Abby decided that jet skis and motorboats were not for her, canoes on a little pond are just the right fit for her.  Anna even ventured out by herself, I’m sure having romantic thoughts of Gilbert Blythe rescuing Anne Shirley from her “Lady of Shallot” mishap. 

We brought a picnic dinner and had such a wonderful time feeding ducks, riding in the canoe, wandering around the beautiful trails and enjoying some of our favorite people’s company.  It was a definite highlight, and hopefully a new tradition!

I walked away for 2 minutes and this is best they came up with for life-jacket distribution

Conference Weekend

Conference weekend was wonderful, as always.  These bi-annual weekends are so completely restorative and restful.   It’s just so nice to have a break from our regular meetings and responsibilities  (that I love, but they can get hectic), and enjoy church from the comfort of our own home (or my parents’).  We can sit around in jammies all day or listen while being productive.  Then, you add the blessing of hearing incredible, articulate, inspiring messages from some of the purest, smartest, most spiritual people in the world, throw in some good gathering time with family and what’s not to love?

During the Priesthood Session Saturday night, the kids and moms (this year, just Eliza, Mom and me) meet at the pumpkin patch for the kids to pick out just the right one.

Then we head back to my Mom’s so the kids can paint them.  It’s so fun to see what they come up with and how different they all approach this.  Some of the kids are done in 2 seconds and some could spend 2 hours.  They all take it pretty seriously though and are so cute and impressed by each other.

Not every grandma would turn this many kids loose with paint in her lovely home!

The kids love this tradition!

Sunday, we gathered again at my parents.  This time, Ryan and Macy and their kids came, and Davis and Melissa too.  The kids worked really hard at conference bingo and then we ate a great dinner together, followed by a little show by the girls.  It was a perfect Conference Sunday.

 

Sunday morning session at our house – another great reason for church at home!

This and That

 

The other day, they repaved our street.  This busy guy cleared his busy schedule and got a front row seat.

When I picked the carpool up after school and turned onto our street, every kid in the car (there were a few extra for a total of 9) every one of them ooohed and ahhed very sincerely.  They barely waited for my car to stop before jumping out to grab their bikes and give the new road a go.  I love that it was so exciting.  I love that kids appreciate the little things.

The first day of school rolled around a few weeks ago and sadly, Anna, the big 9th grader, left too early for me to remember to get a picture of her, but here are the others:

 

Ben the 1st grader and Abby the 6th grader

Nate the 4th grader

Then last week, Joshy had his first day of our little preschool co-op.  Me and two other Moms take turns having them over once a week for some play and songs and activities.  I’m so excited and of course, so is he!

Can you even begin to register how cute that little face is?

In my 14 years as a Mom, this is my first time having all my kids gone at the same time (on a regular basis)  I’ve had them gone with a baby napping, but never all gone.  I’m trying not to focus on how sad it is, because it’s just once a week and he’s only 3 so I still have a few years before he’s gone full time.  It was fun to go shopping all by myself!

This weekend was our school’s Fall Festival.  My kids LOVE that event.  Brennan and Anna missed out to go to Anna’s soccer game, so me and the rest of the kids went.  They each got a handful of tickets and Abby and Nate disappeared with their friends while Josh and Ben and I focused on getting rid of their tickets.  They played games, rode rides and ate lots of junk.  What’s not to love?

 

Abby and Paige duking it out

It was a fun night and so many people went to so much work to make it happen.  There was one kind of painful part though.  They had a dance floor and a dj which all the kids love.  They did that last year and it was a big hit.  This year, someone decided it would be awesome to have 3 of our local NBA team’s dancers there on the dance floor with the kids.  I felt so bad for these girls, they had to stand on that dance floor, the only adults, and dance.  Everyone knows they can dance, but they weren’t about to break into full dance mode, so they just sort of awkwardly stepped back and forth sometimes with an admiring little girl but most of the time just kind of on the perimeter of a bunch of kids.  Wow.  Well, come to find out, they had to endure even more.  When we got home Nate was telling me about how much fun he’d had with all his friends and all the crazy stuff they did.  Then he proceeded to tell me about how at his friends’ bidding (what can you do when your buddy dares you?) he ran up and spanked one of the dancers and then put his hand to his ear in the shape of a phone as if to say, “call me!”.    I was kind of dying, but tried not to make too big a deal as I tried to calmly say, “Wait are you serious?”  (I was shocked, it’s kind of way out of character for him.)  “Uh, honey, you can’t spank people, especially females.”  Oh dear.  We talked to him again when Brennan came home and was so cute and is super embarrassed.  So, if you happen to be reading this, please don’t tease him or say anything to him about it.  I thought it might be funny to him someday though so I had to record it. 

Anna’s super busy with Soccer right now.  Her games are further away this year so I haven’t been able to go to all of them, but fortunately a lot of her teammates’ parents are great photographers and have posted tons of great shots.  Here’s a few of my favs:

Here’s our tiny girl trying not to drown in her uniform

 

She may be small, but isn’t afraid to tangle with anyone.