Happy Birthday Kelly!

Kelly last fall, but she has changed since then. I will have to get a current photo on here later.

Kelly is 12 today. She is such a great help to me. I can't believe she is 12 and starts Young Women's this weekend. It seem like just the other day I was in the delivery room and the nurse told us she bet the nurse of the mom next door that I would have Kelly first. The other woman had been in labor all afternoon. After hearing how fast Ian was born, my nurse was sure I would deliver first. I guess it is a good thing that they only bet a candy bar, because Kelly came 4 minutes after the other baby.

I had time to have an epidural with Kelly, and after Ian's natural delivery I decided that drugged is a good way to have a baby. All in all the labor was just over 4 hours. Kelly weighed 8lbs 9.8 oz. I don't remember how long she was, but she was good sized.
Kelly and her cousin Logan when they were babies. Logan is only 2 weeks older than Kelly.

Last week Kelly placed 2nd in "The Wright Stuff" category at the state Science Olympiad. She and her friend Rachel worked really hard on a rubber band powered glider. Good Job Kelly.
Kelly and Ian in fall of 1997.

Yummy Chocolate

Don and Andrew found a Hershey's bar I had put up. They thought it was really good.

Especially Don, and........




Richard. No wonder he won't eat regular food. After Chocolate baby food is gross.

Richard Growing 2

So when Richard came home I took a picture of him next to a doll. I decided to have Kelly take another with Richard next to the same doll yesterday. Here you can really see his growth. It is quite amazing. I am glad I don't grow at the same rate. Although sometimes I feel it is the same rate :-).


taken 4/9/08


taken 2/16/09 He was mad that we put him down. He really wanted to be held.

Growing Richard

I was looking at Richard and how much he has grown. I decided I would post a few pictures that show the changes he has gone through.


March 29, 2008- 11 days old


March 24, 2008 - 6 days old


January 28, 2009 - 10 months old


December 20, 2008 - 9 months old

Wow, he has really changed.

One milestone, he finally slept through the night in his own bed. YEAH. Now I need to learn to sleep through the night ;-)

Limit Families to Two Children - WHAT!

Lately there has been so much political junk that I get frustrated and upset. One comment I heard was that there are some that think we need to limit families to 2 children. I don't understand that. My children are the greatest gift I have. I don't think my life would be complete without all of them.

Our world needs good kids from good homes so we can have honest and hardworking leaders of the future. Families are so under attack. I am always grateful for my kids. They are growing up so fast. I could not imagine my life without them. I don't understand all the reasons why I have 7 and others don't get that blessing. But I am grateful for the blessing and honor the opportunity I have to raise good kids to be strong and righteous leaders in the community, church and Nation. I strive to live up to the trust Heavenly Father has in me to be a good mom.

I am also Thankful for my parents who didn't stop at two. I wouldn't be here and many great people who are my siblings wouldn't either. I hope I honor my parents in the way I live my life. What great fun to have all my brothers and sisters. They are some of my best friends.

Inauguration Thoughts.

I watched the inauguration this morning and am thinking many things. It was really a historic day. I had to wonder what President Bush was thinking as he walked out for the last time as President. It almost made me tear up thinking about his feelings. 

I have to admit that I am really concerned about our country. It really doesn't have to do as much with President Obama as it doest with the citizens of this country.  It seems like there is this atmosphere of Obama worship.  Literally worship, and it makes me nervous. 

I get the feeling that people are really looking to Obama to save them from their own choices and struggles. The last time I looked the only person able to save us from our choices and help us through our struggles was the Savior. I hope this feeling changes and people realize that our President is just a man, no matter who it is.  

I really pray for President Obama.  This won't be an easy time for anyone to be president, and I hope he can make wise decisions with the help of the Spirit. 

I was interested to note how much Christianity referenced there was in his inauguration. I wonder how that will go over with those who are so opposed to the use of God in our government.

I am so grateful to live in this country and have a system that allows the citizens the right to elect our leaders. I am also glad I live in a country where I can contact my leaders and representatives with my ideas and concerns.

May we all use our power as citizens and support our leaders in their jobs.  Whether we voted for them or not. We are obgligated to stay involved and protect our rights.

Volcano Outing

For our New Years Day outing, we went out and hiked one of the Volcano's out west of town. We would have hiked more, but we only had a little over an hour before the closing time listed at the park. We also didn't want to be hiking after dark. Anyway, it was very fun. The kids are already talking about our next visit when we hike all three volcanos. One thing I learned is I really need to work out more. But I made it and have the pictures to prove it. It wasn't even a hard climb which is even more evidence of my need for exercise. I guess that is my new year goal. Exercise more regularly.


Kelly's camera has a panoramic feature. It was neat to get the view from the top of the Ja Volcano out west of town.

Here is the proof that I made it. Of course you cant tell from this angle. But I did take a lot of the other pictures for the proof that I was on top of the volcano!

This is the family from the back and below them. I like the angle.

Richard took a nap. What a life. It helped me get more work out to wear him. Marlin offered to wear Richard in the backpack and let me carry his backpack. Richard was lighter. Easy choice.

Don and Andrew loved running around on the rocks. They are ready to go again. Don spent half of the hike up on Marlin's shoulders. Another reason for me to wear Richards Backpack. Marlin was free to help Don.

Not the best picture because of the sun. But an ok picture none the less.