Christmas

Like many of you we were also very busy the past few weeks. Carson had a performance at school, he dressed like a reindeer and sang lots of fun songs and even learned to sign "Silent Night". Dave has been busy helping Bishop finish up tithing settlement. Adam finished out the semester with a few heavy duty tests. We think he did pretty well on them but don't know for sure yet. I finished up the shopping and wrapping in the nick of time and we were all able to enjoy a relaxing, simplified Christmas this year.

Dave and I decided to try to keep it small and guess what...the boys were just as happy as last year. They really liked the gifts they received and we heard no complaining. I did struggle with this little part of me that wanted to do so much more and give my kids the world, but I knew they didn't NEED anything else. We are busting at the seams in the house!

Christmas Eve was spent at my Dad's parent's home. We ate dinner and then had a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause! After that excitement we enjoyed the scripture account of Christ's birth along with the kids dressing up to act out the story.

The kids woke up early and loved what Santa brought...Adam got a MP3 player, Carson got a radio control truck and Brady got a ball popper train. When we finished opening up our gifts we headed over to my parents house where we ate and opened more gifts. The kids played all day long and were so happy. They slept great that night in their new pj's from Nana. What a wonderful Christmas!

The Nativity Program at Grandma Joy's house.

Adam with Santa & Mrs. Clause at Grandma Joy's house.

Adam got a keyboard!

Both boys got lots of books.

Brady likes his piano.

Good Night!!

Pinocchio

This past week our 2 oldest got to perform in a production of Pinocchio at our local community college. Adam was cast as a urchin who then gets turned in to a donkey and Carson was cast as a jack in the box. They practiced very hard and Mom got very good at driving them to practice twice a week and making costumes! The play ran for 4 nights and the boys did such a great job. This was Adam's 5th play but Carson's 1st, I wasn't sure Carson would enjoy it but he did. We were very proud of them.

The Urchins...A Rough Group!

Adam is on the back row on the very left.

Carson (Jack) in his box.

Adam in Action

The Sad Donkeys

The Big Finish (I couldn't see Adam)

Polar Express 2009

This year was our 4th year of riding the Polar Express and it was just as great as before. We drove to Flagstaff on Saturday and got caught in lots of snow. We are very much desert rats and were a little caught off guard by all the white stuff, but the kids loved it! Sunday we hung out a bit then drove to Williams and checked in to the hotel, had dinner, put the kids' pjs on and then boarded the train. We really have this down to a science! The train made a magical journey to the North Pole while we enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate and read the book "The Polar Express" by Chirs Van Allsburg. When we got to the North Pole we saw Santa and his Elf, Bernard! We stopped for a moment and Santa got on the train and then we headed back to the train depot. We then sung lots of Christmas songs while we waited patiently for Santa to make his way through the other train cars. When he finally made it to us the boys were so excited, even Brady. Santa presented each boy with a beautiful silver bell and wished them a "Merry Christmas". The boys went right to sleep when we returned to our room, they were pooped out!

The view out our room's window.

Santa handing Brady his bell.

The boys and their bells...please excuse Dave's expression!

The Wright family with Mrs. Clause.

I am so happy that we have been able to make these memories with our boys. Dave and I look forward to it each year. Hopefully we can continue it for years to come.

Thanksgiving Done The "Wright" Way

This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house. Dave got busy and cleaned out the big shop, then painted the floor. It looked so nice inside we decided to hold dinner out there. My sister in law Kami helped me put together a menu and then we made assignments. We hosted 17 people for dinner and it was great.

My favorite part of having family here is watching the cousins play and staying up late playing games with the adults and eating ice cream.

The Wright brothers are starting a tradition of making a HUGE dutch oven breakfast for every one. This year turned out much better than last year. Thank goodness the 'women' were not expected to do much because Kami and I woke up early to hit the Black Friday sales and we were tired!!

Girls Weekend

This past weekend I had the chance to get away with some of my family for an all girls weekend. My Mom, my sister Amy and my sister in laws Amanda, Amy and Josylyn and I went to Phoenix for the weekend. It was so much fun!

I didn't take a camera so please click HERE to go to my sister's blog to check out our photos and hear about our great trip.

Dave stayed home with the boys and I just wanted to say that he is so wonderful. He is always supportive of me doing things like this (not that I do them often), he understands that sometimes a mom just needs some time away. I love you Dave!!!!

New Calling

Today was a very special day, it was Stake Conference today and I was set apart as the new Safford Stake Primary President. I have known for a few weeks and it has taken me on quite a roller coaster ride of emotion. I feel very blessed to be trusted with this calling. I feel very inadequate in my abilities to served the children of our stake, but while I was being set apart I was blessed to have "confidence in my calling" and I much appreciated that. I am only 31 and don't feel old enough to have such an important calling. I have never been the president of an auxiliary and never had the opportunity to prayerfully call councilors. When I was called I was handed a list of 1600 sisters and told "good luck". I humbly went to my Father in Heaven and was blessed to be able to come up with 3 names in a matter of 2 days. Dave and I went to the temple and I left with the sweetest feeling, knowing that what was about to happen was right and good. I know I will be so blessed as I serve the Lord. I am thankful to have such a supportive and loving family and husband. I am so blessed.

My sweet sister, Amy, has served as the Stake Primary Secretary for the past 4 years. I can't believe the growth I've seen her go through! She is confident and not afraid to take on difficult challenges. Her testimony has grown so much! She has taught me much and I will continue to lean on her for help and guidance as a voice of experience. Thank you Amy!

Fire Safety

This past week Carson has been very focused on making our family a fire safety plan. He was inspired by my sister Amy's family who recently held a FHE on fire safety. He has spent the past few days drawing a very elaborate floor plan of our house and outlining every escape route; he thought of every scenario! He presented his plan to us last night for FHE, below is his floor plan. Got to love our Carson!

Halloween 2009

About a week ago the weather here took a turn and with a huge wind storm ushered in autumn. The drop in temperature seems to make my fall decorations look a little less out of place. Our weekends have been so full we didn't get a chance to make the annual trip to the pumpkin patch and had to settle for a grocery store pumpkin. I didn't take pictures of the kids carving the pumpkin this year, I told Dave that every year's pictures looks the same...our kitchen table, the pumpkin and Dave in his work clothes, I'm sure you can picture it.

I started thinking about Halloween costumes back in July. Partly because I am a planner and partly because I can find costumes on Ebay much cheaper during the off season. I told my kids that if they are not allowed to watch it on TV they are not allowed to be it for Halloween, this narrowed it down a lot! Adam chose to be Harry Potter, Carson a bat and I decided that Brady would be a monkey, I really tried to talk Dave into being "the man in the yellow hat" but he declined.

The older boys had their annual costume parade at school, Brady and I went to watch. It is so fun to see all the kids proudly display their costumes. Saturday night we all met at my parent's house to take pictures of the cousins, then we attended our building's Trunk or Treat and then finished off the night at my Grandmother's house. Everyone looked great this year!

We had a princess (Emma) and 2 of the 3 Musketeers (Frank & Jack), the Queen of Hearts (Reagan) and the white rabbit (Travis), baseball players (Hunter, Rusten, Camm). They all loved each others costumes.

A Little of This and a Little of That

Enough time has pasted since my last post which means that I have things to write about. I have not taken many pictures but that won't stop me from posting. So here goes...

The boys are doing well in school as confirmed by our parent/teacher conferences. Adam is still struggling with math but doing better. He is a great reader and writer. Carson is a fantastic kindergartner, he has figured out the rules and isn't going to time any more. About a month ago his teacher called me and asked if she could have Carson go to a 1st grade classroom for reading time, she said that he is such a great reader and was getting bored in class. At our conference she shocked both Dave and I by offering the choice to move Carson to the 1st grade permanently. She wants it to be our decision, but thinks he will do very well in 1st grade. WOW! We have a lot to talk about.

The boys auditioned for the Eastern Arizona College Children's Theater production of Pinocchio. We will find out on Monday what parts they will get. This will be Adam's 5th play but Carson's 1st.

I had the opportunity to take a part time job and am so excited about it. I am working for Andrea Stanley as a photography assistant. I get to help pick sites to shoot at and get clients posed. Thus far it has been a blast! She creates amazing photos and I am so privileged to work with her.

This past weekend was the county fair which is considered a holiday here in Graham County. The schools let out on Friday and there is a big parade held down Main St. I took the boys to the carnival Friday afternoon to ride the rides and then we returned as a family on Saturday night to walk through the exhibits and look at the animals, it's a family tradition! Dave's brother, Erick, and his family joined us for the weekend and we loved having them here.

I have been busy writing and producing the children's primary program in our ward. This is my 4th year doing this so it isn't as daunting as before. I always make sure that my boys know their parts even if they are the only ones. It always comes together at the last minute and I know the kids feel the spirit as they testify of the things they have been taught.

I have little to say about Dave and Brady...Dave is working hard and keeping Bishop Payne on his toes. Brady is growing so fast, he runs everywhere! He can say daddeeee, baby, shoe and blankeeee.

Well, that's about it. Hope all is well with your family. I'll try to post more often, that will make my Dad really happy.

Mormons Made Simple

I stumbled across this great website called Mormons Made Simple. It is so cute! It's a great place to start for anyone with questions about The LDS church. My kids loved the videos! Could be a good Family Home Evening activity.

Rain?!?!

You know you live in Arizona when...

1. It begins to rain and your son says, "It's raining...how weird!"

2. It begins to rain and the kids act like it's Christmas morning...running, yelling, dancing and screaming with delight.

3. It begins to rain and your son says, "Mom, I think this is the first time Brady has seen rain." Brady is 16 months old.

4. It rains for less than 30 minutes and your husbands says, "That was a good storm."

5. Only 10 minutes after the rain stops you can't tell it ever rained. ((Sigh))

Reguardless...we loved the storm last night. Praying for more.

Chubby Girl Runs 5K

This is not the most flattering photo of me but it does prove that I was there.

This morning I rolled out of bed and did something that I have NEVER done before. I ran/walked a 5K and the best part was that I was not last, almost last but not last. My sister in law, Amanda, talked me in to doing it, she ran the 10K because she is training for a half marathon. My other sister in law Josylyn ran with me and bless her heart she did not leave me. I know I slowed her down but I am so thankful to her for hanging in there with me, I could not have done it with out her.

Happy Birthday Dave

Today is my sweetheart's birthday. I am so thankful to be married to such a wonderful man. I won't list 39 reasons why I love him because if you know Dave at all you know why he is such a great guy. I'd like to thank his parents for raising him to be so respectful to women and a big thank you to his Mom, Judy, for letting him and his brothers play with their "guys" (dolls) growing up, it has made him a very gentle and caring father.

I love you honey!

p.s. Any of the Wright brothers who would like to claim their guys...they are in my closet, please come get them!

Wright Weddings

For years now I have enjoyed helping people plan and decorate for their special day, be that weddings, receptions, showers or other events. I truly enjoy this and hope to do it for many years to come. The town I live in does not have much of a market for event planners, so I do it from the comfort of my home and use word of mouth to keep myself busy. I decided to gather all my photos and put together a website where I can showcase what I love to do.

Check it out at http://www.wrightweddings.webs.com.

Some of you may see yourself in my photos. If you prefer I do not use your photo please let me know.

To my special friends who help me pull off these amazing events...I love you and am so thankful for you! You know who you are.

First Day of School

As many of you we also started school yesterday (8/12/09). Adam is in 3rd grade and Carson started Kindergarten this year. They were both excited but Carson especially. He woke up so happy and couldn't wait to get there. He is Mrs. Smith's class, she is so wonderful, a real Mommy to her class. He is so lucky to have her. Adam is in Ms. Shaw's class, the same as last year. She got to "loop" up with her 2nd grade class, which means that most of the kids are the same as last year. They also have the same classroom, so Adam pretty much knew what to expect. She gave them a ton of homework to do over the summer...computer work, workbook pages, summer memory box and reading logs. Adam was turn it all in!

I did pretty good and held it together until we pulled up at the school and Carson got out with his backpack on, then I lost it. Good thing I wore sunglasses! Dave was able to take the day off to be with us and I am so glad he was there.

This morning I put the boys on the bus and started crying again. Adam caught me this time and told Carson. As Carson was walking up the stairs of the bus he called out, "Don't cry Mommy!". I'm sure the bus driver thought I'd lost my mind. Today is sure peaceful and quiet at home. Brady isn't sure what to think about all this alone time and I'm sure I had more time to myself when the older boys were here to entertain him. Hopefully soon we'll get used to the routine.

This is our traditional first day of school picture taking spot. The tree has grown lots in 3 years.

A Little R&R

This past weekend our family went on a mini vacation to Tucson. The purpose was to shop for school clothes and get a little time away before school starts, but I ordered the kids some stuff online and felt pretty good about their wardrobes. So we just spent the time at the pool instead! We stayed at the Westin La Paloma Resort and here is my review of the place...it was probably a really nice place 20 years ago and I can tell they are trying to keep it a nice property but it's still an old place. The one great part of it is the pool area, it has a 177 foot water slide and a separate kiddie pool. The boys LOVED the slide and by the boys I mean Dave too. All in all it was a great trip, but if you're looking for a nice resort in Tucson call me and I can give you a few suggestions.

No wise cracks about Dave's tan lines...

While in Tucson we took the kids to the I had never heard of this place before, we are so glad that we got to go. It is full of all kinds of animals...not live animals mind you...but animals just the same. The boys loved it! It was a really great place to stay out of the heat and learn about the animals of the world.

I am so happy that my kids are still young enough to enjoy being with their parents. We love making memories with my family!

5 Reasons I Am Not A Good Mommy Tonight

After a long day I pause to reflect on the reasons I am no longer a good Mommy tonight. They pushed me too hard and I just snapped...bad Mommy.

1. Brady has 6 teeth coming in at once.

2. Adam took the spray sunscreen into his bedroom and saturated his stuffed animals.

3. Dave worked late and didn't get home until 8:15pm.

4. I missed working out because Dave got home late. I need my exercise.

5. Carson doesn't seem to hear a word I say...I swear he likes me to yell.

So after all this I have been pushed over the edge...I am no longer a good Mommy. No, there was no physical abuse but there was plenty of strong words. Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day!

4th of July Fun

We got to spend our 4th of July in Eagar, AZ. It was time for our Slade family reunion. My grandmother and her kids were in charge of putting the reunion together so that meant that me and all my brothers and sisters got to help out. Some of the family chose to camp up on the mountain while we were so lucky to get to stay at Dave's brother's house in town. We had so much fun. Here is a list of just some of the things we did...crafts at camp, lots of good food, played in the dirt, watched the parade, ate BBQ, took tons of pictures, played with glow sticks, watched awesome fireworks, played with cousins and enjoyed some great weather!

Eagar really knows how to celebrate the 4th! People decorate their houses with tons of red, white and blue! There are always thousands of people at the parade. I love the sense of community it brings! Dave's brother drove his truck in the parade to advertise his remodeling business and Adam and Carson got to ride in the back and throw candy.

The Slade family reunion was fun. It's always so fun to see family that you have not seen in a long time. On a sad note my Grandmother's brother was hospitalized just a few days before the reunion and he is not expected to live much longer. It was such a bitter sweet reunion. Thankfully our family is strong in the gospel and has an understanding of life after death.

The kids had so much fun out at camp. Brady and Carson liked playing in the dirt and Adam enjoyed taking hikes and playing with his cousins. Dave liked playing horseshoes with the brother-in-laws. I enjoyed the rest and relaxation and of course the cooler weather. So glad we got to go.

Crafts at camp

Brady loves the Tonkas

All the grand kids at the reunion

I made the boys 4th of July tees...cute!

My Mom made these cutes tees for the grand kids to wear. It outlines our their lineage.

Me and Dave at the reunion.

This how we ALL felt after a long few days. Pooped out!!

Body Conditioning 101

The past month my Mom, my Sister, our friend Charmaine and me have been taking a body conditioning class at Eastern AZ College. Our good friend Patti Wren is teaching it. It has been quite a sacrifice for all our families because it is 5 nights a week; our husbands and kids have been so supportive.

The class has been really fun and motivating. We have all lost weight and inches and gained muscles and endurance. We are planning on taking it again during the month of July. Hopefully by the end of the summer we will ready to do it on our own. I know it's not the most flattering picture of any of us but we are really proud of what we have accomplished and want to show it off. Patti had shirts made for us and we are so proud to wear them.

Wright Family Reunion

Eagar Arizona has always been a special place to me. It is where my Grandmother was born and raised and where my Mother spent many happy summers. As a child we always went to the Slade family reunions and loved hearing stories about my great-grandparents and their family in Eagar. Dave's brother, Erick, and his wife Kami live in Eagar now and it was where she was born and raised. So now we get to visit lots more and I get to show my kids why it is such a wonderful place.

This past weekend we got to go camping out on Kami's family ranch. It was really beautiful and the kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and uncles. I use the term "camping" loosely because Kami let us stay in an extra house on the ranch. It had electricity, a nice bathroom and a washer and dryer! It's exactly my idea of camping!

We learned many things on this trip...

Uncle Forest taught this new generation how to cheat at cards...he is the master!

Night fishing isn't as effective as day fishing and a $12.00 Lighting McQueen fishing rod is better than the $30.00 Rocket Fishing Rod.

Ice Cream can be made at home and not just bought at the store and it was YUMMY!

Uncle Erick picks the best camping sites, except for all the cow poo!