Sleigh Ride

On Monday, December 22nd, we were adventurous and decided to go on a sleigh ride deep in the mountains of Cache Valley. It wasn't the sleigh ride we had imagined, rather a sleigh ride through an elk ranch. It was bone-chilling cold, but we had fun and it's certainly an experience not to be forgotten!

Let It Snow!

After driving nearly 930 miles from Clovis to Logan, the kids couldn't wait to play in the snow -- afterall, most of the 13 hour drive was blanketed in white snow and they couldn't wait to throw snowballs at each other. Chandler, part-Eskimo I do believe, was determined to make a snowman. He was experiencing difficulties forming the snow into large body-sized balls and decided on a Little Person. We searched the kitchen for buttons and carrots and stones, but in the end the snowperson had melted chocolate pretzel eyes, olive buttons and twigs for arms. Great job, Chandler, on your first snowman!

Flashback Friday: Late 1970's

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I copied this photo from my mom's blog. I'm so proud of her for blogging and even adding bling to her pictures. I am sitting on my dad's lap and would hazard a guess that I'm 3 -- so 1977. What a cute little girl I was, huh! I love the look on Mike's face (right). I happily remember Mike smiling all the time, laughing, and playing jokes on us as kids -- and he's still like that! I miss my family so much during the holidays and I am excited to be with some of them this year.

Photo Shoot with Nicole

I love these pictures of the kids! On Wednesday, my good friend, Nicole, met us at the pecan orchard behind her in-law's house and we had a photo shoot with the kids. I've been wanting a rustic/earthly picture of the kids to hang in the living room and Nicole has been offering to take pictures for months. It was a perfect day and the kids cooperated -- well, I had to bribe Davis to kiss Olivia, but he did and they giggled about it.

Meet Davis

Is this typical Davis or what! Several parents approached Jason after the 20 minute Christmas program laughing about Davis and his little protest. One parent said she took more pictures of Davis than her own son. Davis is our strong-willed child; if he doesn't want to do something, he won't! Atleast he stood there, REVERENTLY, and sang the words. Who knows? Maybe he was just pretending to sing!

Piano Recital

Olivia and Chandler had their piano recital this evening. My heart melted with joy as I watched them perform FLAWLESSLY! Chandler was so nervous -- it was his first recital and he looked like he was going to vomit. Olivia was relaxed and excited. I taught Olivia for about two years and Chandler for about 30 long minutes. This year Jason and I decided to think outside the Parkin Piano Box and hire a teacher. I still work with the kids during the week -- usually from the kitchen or my room when I hear them struggling for the right note. Music brings a beautiful spirit into the home and I hope that my children will continue to find joy and happiness in playing the piano.

San Francisco

I love big cities and San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to visit. We decided to spend the weekend in SF after visiting with the Wrights in Palo Alto. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees! We drove to Sausalito, played at Golden Gate Park, tried to go to the California Academy of Sciences (line was 1/2 mile long), saw friends from Clovis (The Alders), went to Union Square and Ghirardelli Square, ate yummy food, etc. Another good friend, Ray Montenegro and his wife, Laura, were also in SF for the weekend and we were able to meet up with them at Union Square for the tree-lighting ceremony on Friday night. An added bonus was a live concert from Elphaba (ok, all you WICKED fans) prior to the illumination of the tree. I was in heaven.

Davis in a park with an incredible view of Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge.

Of course, I had to take a picture of the famous chocolate name. We ate ice cream there. Oh my, it's better than Tillamook (if your taste buds can imagine that, all you Oregonians).

Olivia with Alcatraz in the background. Union Square minutes before the tree was lit.
Alcatraz in the background.

Thanksgiving: The Wright Way

Turkey Day 2008 was absolutely wonderful and delicious! We left mid-morning on Thanksgiving morning and drove to Palo Alto to spend the day with Jason's good friend, Bruce Wright and his beautiful family. Jason and Bruce are very good friends from the Glendale and BYU years. In fact, Jason and Bruce were roommates in the Parkin Provo condo until a pretty brunette moved into the batchelor pad and Bruce was left homeless. Nearly 12 years have come and gone since we last saw Bruce and Jennifer and it was great to re-connect while eating a yummy dinner!

Blessed In Sedona

A year ago this week, our little family was staying in Sedona, Arizona. Red rocks, azure skies and breathtaking views surrounded us during a time of emotional and medical uncertainty.

I am thankful to have a beautiful girl! At times I miss her as a little child: Barbies, dress-up clothes, entertaining Cinderella skits, girly-girl Church dresses, pink sleeper jammies, and being home all day, following me around the house! She continues to amaze me and I cherish the time that I have with her.


I am thankful for my boys. I am thankful for the strong-willed personality of Davis. I know it will carry him through periods of trials and opposition. Davis has taught me so much in these 5 years including patience, unconditional love, and persistance for which I am truly thankful. I am thankful for his green eyes because they remind me of Jason. I am thankful for Chandler's kind words and his ability to make me smile without even trying. He has a kind heart and is a friend to all. I am thankful that we named Chandler after my family because I am reminded of my loved ones so far away.

I am thankful for Jason. He has endured a physically and emotionally challenging year and I am thankful that he hasn't given up on me or his Savior.

A True Blog About Blah, Blah, Blah

1) I was pulled over for the first time by a police officer last week. Yes, it's true! My July 2009 registration sticker was sitting in the glove box. I flashed my beautiful smile and the officer kindly walked away. How stupid can I be to stick the dumb sticker in my glovebox and not notice for 4 months! Please tell me that I'm not the only one that has done this.

2) I sat on my "You Can Advertise Your Business On My Billboard" butt for two days at a PLC conference. Thank goodness for Post-It notes and text messaging. Alice and I passed digital and paper notes back and forth -- in front of our vice-principal who was also passing digital notes. Today: Trying to figure out if one of the teachers across the room was wearing an artificial hair clip. It took us several hours to decide that it was her real hair. Yesterday: Checking out the hottie male teacher from Coalinga -- but the warts on the back of his head turned us off, as did the rolled denim jeans. Do you agree that teachers make the worst students?

3) I'm re-connecting with too many friends on-line and I'm hogging the computer. Hogging? Think of a synonym for hogging.

4) I'm craving a Sonic Blast. Peanut Butter Cups with extra Peanut Butter Cups, please. Did you know that Sonic only charges an additional 40 cents for extra candy? Did you know that it takes nearly an hour of running to burn off the calories consumed in one of those delightful treats? Now, is it worth it?

6) I'm pumped for the BYU vs. the lame Utes game on Saturday. GO COUGARS! If you can tell me the colors of these two teams, then you know you're Utah football.

7) I'm fed up with the Prop 8 battle. I love, LOVE the statement from Elton John -- he clarifies the difference between heterosexual marriages and homosexual civil unions. If you still don't know the difference, go to Yes on 8 homepage.

An Artsy Weekend

Jason and I decided to do something slightly different with the kids this weekend. We introduced our children to the Fresno Metropolitan Museum Saturday morning and later took them to see Clovis West's production of Annie. Yeah for us!

At the Met's re-grand opening, we enjoyed an entertaining puppet show, children's activity center, ginormous feathered dinosaurs (and they were U-G-L-Y), peacocks, crafts, endless flights of stairs in a flourescent green stairwell, masked creatures running loose, and smiles by all. The young family scientist, Chandler, was in HEAVEN. I whispered to Jason about an hour into the tour, "he hasn't stopped talking!" I enjoyed reading about Archaeopteryx, my feathered friend from a BYU ornithology course, and took my time walking through the exhibit while Jason chased the boys around (hee, hee, what a nice wife).

Who are these masked creatures?

Saturday evening we took the kids to see one of my favorite stories of all time: Annie. Olivia and I saw a traveling production of Annie this past May and I was excited to hear that it was being performed at the Mercedes Edward's Theater in Clovis. Our friends, the Barberichs and Kelloggs, met us there with their children and everyone enjoyed the show and yummy Coldstone icecream for dessert. I loved, LOVED, the actress that played Ms. Hannigan -- she was absolutely amazing and my favorite performer. (And I loved, LOVED, my chocolate peanut butter perfection treat.)

I'm so thankful that I can share the Arts with my children and friends. I'm especially thankful for the creativity of others and talented artists, actors, and performers everywhere.

Bach Children's Choir

Sing! Sing! Sing! Olivia and Ryann have been singing in the Bach Children's Choir this Fall. Olivia absolutely loves it! She recently had a recital and I was so impressed. I have a love for anything musical and I'm thankful that my children are able to develop their talents.

My Poor Baby!

It was a rough day for my sweet Chandler. After working months to pass challenging levels and to FIND YODA, Chandler was two levels away from finishing his Legos Star Wars II when the crisis happened. The one and only YOUNGER BROTHER erased Chandler's hardwork. And I don't believe it was accidental, either. Chandler has been upset for HOURS -- he even cried himself to sleep! What to do? What to do?

Will a hug make the pain disappear, Chandler?

I couldn't help but smile because I wish my problems were as minor as a lost video game.

Mommy's kisses make it all better! As if!

Thoughts

I took this picture in Stamford, England in November 2005. Jason and I were walking through a sculpture garden and I was intrigued by the outline of the people against the blue skies. I've been thinking alot about my trips to England and this picture came to mind. It illustrates how I am feeling. We must find our balance and continue to climb higher-- toward Heaven -- no matter how difficult the climb may be.

Wise Words from Chandler

I picked up my little second grader from school today and he had some big words of advice. Said Chandler, "If you vote for Obama he's gonna take money right out of your back pocket." Guess it was today's hot topic on the playground. Last week he shared comments made by friends regarding Prop 8. Raise your hands if you're ready for election day to be over? I'm ready to move on, to accept the results of History 2008 and to hear my little ones talk about recess and what they ate for hot lunch. Amen.

Halloween

Oh how we love Halloween! The Witch, Frodo Baggins, and Obi-Won Kanobi had a great time running from door to door. After about an hour of trick-or-treating, we came home to hand out candy to the neighborhood children and dig into the goodie bags.

Mikey

The one and only Michael Chandler spent Wednesday with me and my family. It was so good to hang out, to laugh, to "show-off" Fresno (ha!), to eat, to reminisce, and goof-off with the camera. Mike took me to dinner at the Elephant Bar and we had a great visit -- just brother and sister. Thanks, Mike. I love you!

Mike is one of my closest friends. I wish everyone had a brother like him. I can tell him anything.

Take Courage

My Arizona friend, Julie, posted this picture on her blog. Arizona is also voting next week on a prop similar to Prop 8. I love this picture!

Charlotte n Jack

My sister, Jessica, and her sweet family spent Friday night with us in Layton. It had been years since Jason last saw Jess and her family. Charlotte LOVED Jason! She went to him and stayed with him the whole night. Thinking the attraction would rub off overnight, I was wide-eyed to see Charlotte cling to Jason on Saturday morning! Thank goodness I had Jack to cuddle with! What a perfect baby!

Can I take him home?

The birthday girl and her favorite person.

Charlotte is trying to escape my grasp.

Panoramic View

Jason's parent's beautiful home sits high on a hill in Layton with breathtaking views of the Salt Lake Valley. It's humbling, inspiring, and relaxing to lean against the rails and ponder the beauty of the land below. Special thanks to Dave and Carol for their hospitality this weekend!