chchchanges....

Like the popular Beatles song....chchchanges that change the world. We have had some changes to our ward recently that might not change the world, but they certainly affect our community of close knit families. Once again our ward has split- this time in half. Yes, our ward had gotten so big that we had to be split in half. It has been a big change to go from a ward of 700 to a ward of 350...everyone will now actually have a calling (or two :o))! To be exact our small community is now part of three different wards!

Since I have been primary president I have seen our ward split twice. The first time we lost about 20 kids. This time we went from 185 kids in the primary and 60 in the nursery to 92 kids in primary and 30 in nursery. I know that 185 kids are alot, but I must admit that my heart was so sad today- I was missing the other 93 kids who are now in the "other" ward. Our primary seemed so tiny!!!! It has truly been a blessing for me to see these kids grow in the gospel and gain a testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel. It has been a thrill to see the deacons pass the sacrament who once were the Val 11 and 12 boys who did not want to sing in primary. I will miss all you wonderful children (and youth now too) who are now apart of a different ward. You have all brought so much joy into my life. For those of you I still get to see on a weekly basis- I am so excited to be your primary president! This is a challenging, but rewarding calling. I would not trade the past 2 1/2 years I have had to spend with each of you for anything. I love watching each of you grow up and gain a testimony!

Farewell to Tball Season...

Last week was Trevor's last tball game of the season. He had so much fun learning the skills of the game. We were really impressed with his ability to catch, throw, field, hit and run. He loved every minute of the game and this is what he looked like when I told him he was too young for fall ball: He will have to wait until next spring to play. Until then here are some pictures from our last game and end of the season party:
The Astros reciting the Little League pledge.

Eating pizza at the party we had at the benches after the game. It was a great way to do it so we did not have to wrestle with all the other teams at the pizza parlors. Plus the boys could run around and play at the park!
The long awaited trophy!! (Coach Matt is standing with him.) Thanks Matt for such a wonderful season!

They may be crazy, but this is one great group of boys!

Singers Company Performance

Monday night Madalyn and Meredith had their Singer's Company performance. Singers Company is a singing and dancing group for girls ages 3-9. Once the girls are 10 (or 5th grade) they get to put on a musical. Meredith was in the youngest group and Madalyn was in the oldest group.

Meredith's theme was Broadway Music. She had a solo in the song "Getting to Know You" from the King and I. She did great! Their director, Katie and assistants (Suzanne and Mackenzie- yes our oldest) do such a wonderful job teaching the girls all the songs, dances and building their performing confidence! A lot of the girls in the group go to church with us. I am currently the Primary President in our ward and it is amazing how much pride I feel watching all these girls perform. I really love all these kids and found myself getting teary eyed watching them sing and dance together. We are so thankful to live in an area with so many kids who share in the same faith! We produce alot of blonde hair and blue eyes around here!
Madalyn's group of 5th grade girls performed a musical. It was called "Camp Wilimaka". The story is about a group of girls at camp and how important it is for them to stick together. All but about three of the girls go to church with us- however those other three may start coming one day :o)! It will be fun watching these girls all grow up together!

Singing "You'll Never Walk Alone"
Take a bow!
They got flowers and Juice It Up certificates from Grandpa and Grandma Wright. They were not able to come because they were having fun on the Disney Cruise! Ryan also missed it because of a business trip-not a good week to be gone as you will see in future post!
Madalyn and her first friend in Ladera- Haylie- they are only seven days apart!
Afterwards we took advantage of the $1 a scoop night at Baskin Robbins- YUM!
Here are all the beautiful flowers the girls got for a job well done!

Kindergarten Hat Day

Trevor's kindergarten class had their annual Hat Parade last month (yes, I am a little late in posting). This was one of those kindergarten projects that the parents get to help with. You know, the kind where your kid gets to pick out what they want the theme of their hat to be and you, as the parent, get to create it ;)!

Anyway, Trevor loves anything Star Wars so he decided he wanted a Star Wars themed hat. So to work we got....we took a graduation hat (left over from the Disney Cruise), cut the Mickey ears off and glued on a pretty cool back round and wired on Darth Vader and some other Star Wars guy (my son would be dissapointed in me if he knew that I did not know the other guys name, but he is asleep right now and I would not want to wake him :o) )! The hat turned out pretty cool- the other boys were so jealous! Trevor wore his hat proud as he paraded infront of all the "big kids"!

We had to print out a "Jedi" sign to cover the "Disney University" patch!
Lining up for the parade to begin.....

Blog to Book

I am so excited! After months of designing pages and adding additional pictures I have finished making our family blog into a book! I cannot believe it is finally done! I received the book last Friday and I must say it looks pretty good. It is hardcover and the pictures and page designs turned out just fabulous. Never mind the little error I made about Ryan's age- I don't even know my own age- just ask my kids :o)! It is just great to have all of 2007 in one book that my family can look back on and enjoy in the years to come! If any of you are interested in doing the samething check out http://www.blurb.com/. It uploaded my entire blog and photos for me to work with- a long process, but worth it!

Bye Bye Birdie

A couple of weeks ago Mackenzie starred as Kim MacAfee in the musical production of "Bye Bye Birdie". She did a great job and loved the opportunity and challenge of all the "star" pressure! "Kim" letting her friend know that she can no longer be the head of the Conrad Birdie fan club. After all she has been pinned by Hugo and is growing into a woman!
These girls sure could scream loud!
Here she is loyal to Conrad again as she prepares to get her "one last kiss"
Why can't Hugo just understand that she has needs??!!
Dancing with Conrad (yes he is also 12, but a lot shorter :o)!
Hugo really wants her back and will do whatever it takes!
Final bow for a job well done!

Mackenzie with one of her biggest fans (Grandma)
Here's another fan...
...and here are some more!

Spring Break 2008

Spring break started with Grandpa Jones, Brooke, Blake and Randy's family coming over to watch General Conference. Then the kids went down to have a sleep over with Rachel and Dallin. On Monday they went down to the beach and played around.

"Cousins" written with the pebbles on the beach
Trevor and Dallin
Mackenzie, Rachel and Madalyn

On Wednesday the girls had their orthodontist appointment in Long Beach so we decided to make a day trip to Shoreline Village. I looked on the internet and noticed that they rent large bikes to ride, but when we got there they were closed (eventhough the sign posted the hours that show they were open :oI). I have not been there in years and I was impressed at how much has changed. It was a great area to walk around- I cannot believe all the restaurants and rides they have now! The weather was perfect and the kids were great to put up with all my reminicing about the area and all the great "date nights" there.




On Thursday my parents took the kids to Sea World. I unfortunately had to work so I did not get to go. The kids had a great time and loved getting wet on Journey to Atlantis! After Sea World we met up for dinner at Chronic Tacos (no pics). It was okay. I had the tostada bowl. The funny thing is that they told me they are famous for their burritos not their tacos- go figure....shouldn't it be called "Chronic burritos"???? Maybe I will try the burrito next time I go.

Shamu
Getting we on Journey to Atlantis
Trevor was on the ride, but Mackenzie is blocking him
Meredith and Trevor infront of the Clydsedale- yes, Trevor still love horses!

On Friday we went with the Clarkes to the beach. The weather was absolutely perfect!!!! The water was freezing, but that is okay, the kids had a ball creating sand castles!

Brynn and Madalyn
Cassie and Mackenzie
Trevor and Ethan

Meredith