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!