Maui without kids 2012

 Our good friends Matt and Kari Call moved from Ladera Ranch to Longmont, Colorado.  We were in the same ward and had daughters and sons the same age.  Kari and Danielle were early morning walking buddies and our kids were really good friends.  It was sad having them move away.  We were missing each other so we decided to take a kidless trip to Maui!

 Matt got stung by a jelly fish when he and Ryan were climbing Black Rock to jump off.  It was extremely painful!  The lifeguards sprayed it with vinegar to kill it and Ryan had to wheel him off the beach in this fancy wheelchair!

 We went whale watching in this tiny boat.  It was great to see the whales unclose, but Danielle was so seasick that she could not enjoy it.

 While there Randy and Cathy surprised us so we were able to hang out with them also!

NJB Basketball 2012

Trevor has joined the Ladera Ranch NJB for the first time this year.  I had to convince him to try it out since basketball is such a great pick up sport.  Plus Ryan still plays weekly and I know that he would love to play with his only son one day!

We got a kick out of his uniform...green and red...Merry Christmas...haha!!  His team is the Milwakee Buccaneers.  He has one of the best coaches in the league and for that we are thankful!  Trevor is enjoying the sport and hopefully will continue next year.  As of now he just wants to stick with baseball and football!

Baptism Program

Meredith's Baptism

Meredith was lucky enough to be able to get Baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on her actual birthday.  She was the only person from our Ward getting baptized this month so she had a private baptism.  The whole family got to participate!  

Meredith before her baptism:

Ryan baptized Meredith.  Here they are all dressed in white (which represents purity) ready for the baptism.

We were proud of her decision to be baptized!

The family....

 ...the real family!

Here is a picture of those in our family who were able to attend the baptism.  We know Elder Shipp was there in spirit as well as a few other family members.

The men who were in the confirmation circle:

She got her first set of leather scriptures with her name embossed on them from Grandpa and Grandma Wright.

I decorated with "winter wonderland" theme:

These were the cake pops Meredith handed out after her baptism.  There were 60+ people who came to support her in her baptism....she sure is loved....ALOT!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Meredith!!!

Our sweet "doll" is turning 8 today!  Today we reflect on the six weeks Danielle lived in the hospital, the trying to not have to deliver early and the sudden urgency to deliver Meredith at 34 weeks.  The doctor and family were all surprised when our 4# 10oz. 16" long baby girl was super healthy.  Small, but mighty!

 We did not know what to do with such a small baby that would fit into her Daddy's hands:

So we just gave her lots of love and she grew and grew.....

Into a beautiful, TALL, little girl!

In our family it is a tradition to get your ears pierced at the age of eight.  Meredith had anxiously awaited for this day to come!  We went to dinner at Farrell's.....

Then walked downstairs to Claire's (Meredith's middle name) and she picked out the perfect 4mm cz earrings!  Here is her before picture. 

The during shot!  She did not cry or flinch, however she said it hurt a lot more than she expected!

The After shot...all SMILES!  She thought she looked so different and grown up when she saw herself in the mirror.  We all agreed!

Happy Birhday Meredith!!!!

Coming up....Meredith gets baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on her actual birthday!!!!