The American Girl Place

On March 7th we finally celebrated Meredith's 6th birthday!  It was two months of waiting, hoping, excitement and anticipation to go to The American Girl Place!!!  The girls all took a trip to The Grove in Los Angeles so we could enjoy the store and dinner.  Ryan and Trevor visited the La Brea Tar Pits- the "boy" thing to do! Trevor is convinced that he wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up.

The Grove- such a cute shopping center!

Mackenzie and Madalyn never wanted an American Girl doll, but they did enjoy the books.  They were, however, so excited to share this experience with Meredith!

Meredith picking out the girls that looks just like her (but without the freckles!)

Meredith so happy with the purchase! He named her doll Tatum Claire Jones- the name she was going to have if we did not name her Meredith Claire.

That evening we had dinner at the American Girl Cafe'

Grandma Wright came along and bought Tatum three outfits so she can be taken home in style!  We loved having Grandma Wright with us...she is Meredith's second favorite (next to Grandpa Wright)!  Sorry...but we all know it is true...

Ryan and Trevor joined us for dinner.  Trevor kept his hood on to hide himself when he first entered the store- it was so funny!  Once he saw another "teenage boy" there he became more comfortable! 

The Cafe' is so cute!! The food was really good too!

There was a box of conversation starters on the table...the kids loved the questions!

Tatum had her own high chair and snack!

Here is dessert! 

 This was an unforgettable birthday for our sweet Meredith whom we just adore and love more than words can express!

ROADSHOW 2010 "It's Not Over Till It's Over There"

This year I had the priviledge to be involved with our ward's Roadshow.  The theme was "It's Original".  Our show was set in the 1940's.  The girls all had to learn how to tap dance and the boys did a stomp number that was a huge hit!  Together they did a swing dance.  Madalyn literally was thrown around and twirled by another YM in our ward.  This really made our youth step out of their box in trying something that was difficult.  They nailed it!  Our youth did an OUTSTANDING job and got a ton of compliments from those in the audience.  I was amazed by our youth.  There was NO DRAMA and everyone had a fantastic time! 

Unfortunately I was backstage the entire time so I have no live shots of them performing.  Luckily it is being put on a DVD so I can view it later! 

Austin, Kolton, Madalyn and Samantha

Besties!!  Such great girls!

Birthday at Boomers

On February 20th Mackenzie celebrated her 14th birthday with a few friends at Boomer's in Irvine. It was a great place to go! They had their independence, yet Ryan and I were not too far away. All the girls seemed to have a fun time climbing the rock wall, driving the go carts and riding the ride that flips you over. Not sure if they ever got to minature golf!

Since Trevor was at a different birthday party at the time Meredith got mom and dad all to herself! She was in heaven!!

Palm Springs 2010

Over Presidents Day Weekend our family decided to have a little get away in Palm Springs and go sledding. I know that when most people think Palm Springs they think HOT, but not if you take the Palm Springs Ariel Tram up to the mountain. On the bottom of the mountain the tempurature is high 70's, but the top of the mountain has beautiful, powder snow!

I forgot to pack Meredith's long underwear for under her bibs, so we had to make due with what we had packed: soccer socks, pajama bottoms, and Trevor's long sleeve shirt. She was sure a fashion statement! Here is right after we got off the tram:
Hiking to scout out a good hill. We put the gear on the sled. I am still unable to sled so we brought a chair along for me to sit in. I was the designated photographer. Thank heaven's for the sled to carry our gear!

Meredith after a face plant at the end of the slope!

Madalyn "ate it" at the end of the slope too!

Trevor and Mackenzie:

One cool snowman!

Later that night we had Mexican food for Mackenzie's birthday dinner

The next day we spent doing this:

How lucky were we to go sledding one day and swimming the next. While I was unable to fully participate in either activity we sure had a good time as a family. I look forward to going back when I can actually sled and swim. We stayed at the Westin Villas and the facility was beautiful! The weather was in the low 80's- perfect!

The kids loved the waterslide.

Happy 14th Birthday Mackenzie Brooke!!

Can you believe this cute little girl..... Has turned into this beautiful 14 year old?!?!
On Feb. 12th we celebrate the birth of our first born daughter. It was a lot of work to get her into the world and even though sometimes we thing her middle name is "drama" she has brought so much joy into our lives!

Not only is she beautiful, she is the perfect first born...leader, responsible, independent, etc. We love her so much and are so proud of the things she has accomplished in her life so far. We know that she will accomplish many great things in the years to come, but for now she gets to enjoy....


Church dances, high school, youth conference, Especially for Youth (in Provo), skyping, and advancing into Mia Maids. May you enjoy this time of your life and remember always that your family loves you and you are a daughter of God!

Happy Sixth Birthday Meredith!!!

Better late than never....

Meredith's birthday was on January 7th, but I did not post that day...so sorry! We will be taking her to the American Girl store so she can pick out her first American Girl Doll in the next few months. But as for her actual birthday Meredith celebrated her sixth birthday on a Mexican cruise with her Grandma and Grandpa Wright. She celebrated with style! She says that she is so spoiled she stinks :o!!

Can you believe our big girl was once this small???Showing off her coconuts at age 3:

Meredith started kindergarten this year and mom has sure missed having her home. Luckily she gets out of school at 11:15 a.m. so she can still be mom's shopping buddy. Meredith has added such a sweet spirit into our home. She is a very helpful, caring, funny, obedient little girl. In Trevor's words: "she's AWESOME". She prides herself on being helpful.
Here are some more recent pictures of mom's little buddy.

Annie 2010- Teen Company

This year the girls were old enough to join Teen Company at Center Stage Studio. This was so nice for me as they were able to be in the same group. So convenient for driving them to practices and we only had to watch one performance. The production this semester was "Annie". It was so much fun! Our favorite number was "You're never fully dressed without a smile". The choreography and singing was very entertaining! Mackenzie had the role of Duffy (one of the main orphans)

Madalyn had multiple roles (three costume changes): Annette, Servant and FBI agent. We loved her roll in the center of the stage as she was catching Rooster!

The Cast: