Good Times in San Diego!

Before the summer passes by I thought I ought to post a bit about our week in San Diego with Brett's family. We had such a good time at the beach, Lego Land, in our fancy hotel in Indio, and of course, a fun and memorable time with family. The highlight of the trip was the tribute dinner and evening we planned for my father-in-law, Dick. All of his children shared such wonderful thoughts about their father and I left feeling grateful to be apart of such a good family. My kids loved playing at the beach with their cousins and I was content to sit and watch the waves with my Ipod. The weather was beautiful, our beach house very accommodating, and simply, just a very relaxed vacation that was much needed around here!

No fancy hats at this polo match! Just good ol' times, with good ol' friends!
Brett and good 'ol Dollar. Both of them worked up quite a sweat.
Noelle with her cousins, Reece, and Tate. They loved the beach and played non-stop!
I think this is Camille and Claira. AKA: Partners in Crime
This was before we entered into Lego Land. We aren't much for amusement parks but we had a great time. The weather was perfect and so were the rides for our kids ages. I just couldn't get over the vegetation of the park- it's soooo green and beautiful flowers everywhere! I loved these matching T-shirts that Uncle Jason had made for the family. I thought it was the perfect Family Reunion shirt. Their all BIG BLUE fans and if you don't look closely you will think it says MICHIGAN!

Hard Work

"Thank God--every morning when you get up--that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you a hundred virtues which the idle never know."~ Charles Kingsley ~

Today I would like to be idle and go to the pool, go shopping, watch Tevo-ed Top Chef, and So you thing you can dance,............. but instead I will iorn, sew, sweep and mop floor, start the laundry, clean my car, and prepare for visiting the Motherland next week. My parents forced me to work hard, and for this one life- lesson they taught me, I am ever grateful that I was called home from school to clean my room, carry luggage and bags of food up slick, steep mountains, load logs into buggies, wipe off tubs, clean storage rooms, pick berries and apricots until my hands were bloody, and haul bucket after bucket of water out of the pump house.

So tackle your tasks, get the job done, and think of the sense of accomplishment you'll feel when all is complete!

Thanks Tiff for the great quote!

Thanks Mom and Dad!

My parents drove down last week to come and help us with are back yard and to receive some dental care. Not only was it fun to have them here with our family, my Dad was a huge help in our yard. I always appreciate his optomistic outlook when problems arise and his "make-it-happen" attitude! He poured us a beautiful new pad of concrete, built a brick wall, and leveled our yard out quite nicely so it's ready for REAL grass! Yep, that right, REAL grass. He told Brett if we put fake grass in he would disown us:) I know it was expensive and quite a hassle for them to drive down, but I hope they know how much we appreciate all their hard work and more than anything, just coming down to here and being a part of lives in AZ!

My confused son

Taft has just figured out how to say our first names. I asked him what my name was and he correctly replied "Nicole." I asked his what Daddy's name was and he said "Uncle Brett!" Many of you probably have children who call my DH this, but I just thought it was too funny coming from his own son:)

If you need a good laugh to jump start your day check this out: "Ticket off Tuesday" www.thewildeparty.blogspot.com.

It's about private blogs, ex-boyfriends, and it's flippin' hilarious! Caution: If your easily offended and don't get the "Wright's screwy genes," don't read it!

A BIG shout out to Chal and her brilliant writing skills... she definitely deserves a column!

Noelle's Baptism

Wow! My little girl is growing up. It seems like only yesterday that Noelle entered this world as our perfect, adorable, baby girl. I remember bringing her home from the hospital and being so excited to have this sweet little baby to love on that I couldn't sleep. I would just stand by her crib and was filled with amazement at what a blessing she was. Of course she still is that adorable, amazing girl, but with just a bit of sass!
Now 8 years later it was another sweet blessing to see Noelle baptised and confirmed a member of the Church. I really wanted Noelle's baptism to be special and memorable for her. We made the usually preparations for the event and really tried to teach her about the gift of the Holy Ghost and the promises she would make with Heavenly Father. Everything went as planned and I am grateful to all the family members and friend who also assisted in making Noelle's baptism special. Each of her Grandmother's gave beautiful talks that I think really touched her heart. It's kind of silly, but I think I'll remember Noelle's baptism better than my own. I'll never forget seeing Noelle's face and the hug she gave me as she walked out of the water and into the dressing room towards me... such a BIG smile full of genuine joy! I know that the Spirit was present at Noelle's baptism and I pray that she will never forget those sweet feelings of peace, happiness, and love.

Due to my lack of pictures, ( I'm so bad at taking pictures during special occasions,) I thought I would post this picture I had found that Brett had taken after her baptismal interview. The smiles on both of their faces and their teary eyes says it all. I think the interview was quite the the Daddy-Daughter bonding moment for them. I should be more grateful to have such a husband who teaches his children so well and delights in sharing his unwavering testimony with them at any given opportunity.

Thanks again to all of you who helped make this day unforgettable!

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Mother's Day

I've so enjoyed seeing everyones post on Mother's Day! So many of you have expressed great appreciation for the fabulous mothers in your lives... I love it! Unfortunately, it's takes becoming a mother to really recognize the great sacrifices our mothers have made.
I wanted to post something before Sunday, but life just got busy. As usual my kids and husband tried to make the day special, and yes, they succeeded. I got breakfast in bed and I think Brett did enough dishes to last him for a month! I worked on my RS lesson, Gifts of the Spirit, most of the morning and felt pretty confident and excited to teach until the Bishop walked in to listen.. ha, ha. Actually, he didn't throw me off my game too much. I think it went well enough, I don't think he's ready to put me in Cub Scouts, yet:)
This morning as I was cleaning my kitchen I came across a great quote my sister, Amberlee, had given me about my Grandmother Mary Musser Wright. My father was her 15th and final child, and all though I didn't know her for long, I was five when she died, she lived a life of unwavering faith and dedication to her family and the gospel. I have read her journal many times and I'm always moved by her testimony, profound wisdom, and the way she endured many of life's challenges. My Mom once said she was like a "spiritual healer," not in a blasphemous way, but everyone would go to her for their troubles, and she would listen, and when it was over, life was better! I would like to be more like that to my friends and family... often times we are to "busy" to really take time to listen.
Coincidentally, I was searching the web for a pic I could post with the quote and I stumbled across a second cousin's blog, Ann, and she had put this beautiful collage together. Thank you for allowing me to use it Ana!

My Grandmother Mary Hill Musser Wright
Great Grandmother Mary Caroline Hill Musser
2nd Great Grandmother Mary Caroline Sorensen Hill

"Father, I ask thee to help me teach thy charges, that my sons may learn the finer things in life from day to day; so that if it must be they will have to travel far from the home hearthstone into the wide and uncertain world, they will possess the strength and wisdom to choose wisely their course; that they may be leaders of men because of their childhood teachings. And may I, myself, develop those qualities that shall fully equip me to administer nourishment to the spirits of these sons as I have fed their bodies while in babyhood; that, growing into manhood they may be clean, strong, and courageous in the great battle of life; and above all, that they may have deeply bedded in their souls a faith in God that shall be eternal."

~Mary Musser Wright

So even though this is a bit delayed, THANK YOU to my Grandma Wright and to the fabulous Mom and Mother-Law I have been so greatly blessed with in my life, I love you!