Making a Difference

Proposition 8 Passes

Preserving Traditional Marriage

Bob Knoke, of Mission Viejo, Amanda Stanfield, of Monrovia, Jim Domen, of Yorba Linda, and J.D. Gaddis, of Yorba Linda, celebrate returns for Proposition 8 at an Irvine hotel.

Standing on the street corners with my ward, heeding the prophet's voice!

It has been a long few months getting Prop 8 passed. I know that good people can make a difference. When our prophet says in no uncertain terms that he wants us to give of our time and means to pass this proposition because it is a moral issue with very far reaching consequences, we step up and do all that is asked of us. I know that when good people of all faiths and backgrounds come together and seek the Lord's help, the battle can be won. There has been a lot of bad news in my life lately, but I am so glad that this one went our way. It would not have, however, without the enormous effort of so many dedicated, committed, righteous people.

One bright life raft in a sea of worry.

Blessed by Grace: #23

Late is better than I have been doing lately. I took so many pictures of Sunny's new little one, Grace Elizabeth Wright, that it is hard to choose what to post. I have not seen her in a month and hear she has changed a lot. Gracie is a darling, dimpled, dark haired beauty but at one week she was very sleepy and off in her own post-pre-existence world. She was also very loved from the beginning. Sunny was tired and worn out before her birth and worrying if she could handle a new one with her very active 14 month old boys. Then when she called to tell us Grace had been born, the excitement and love in Sunny's voice told me that love conquers all and she was up to and thrilled for the task.
Alex got to be there for Gracie's birth. Can you see how excited all three of them are at this beautiful baby's entry into the world?

Not yet two days old with her adoring mother.

Proud father Steve beams at his minutes-old little daughter. Look at all that hair!

Just home from the hospital and still strapped in.

Charlie could care less about Gracie, but it was love at first sight for Sam. Sunny had to watch Sam every moment because he wanted to kiss, touch, stroke and hold his new little sister. He seemed to know her and be attracted to her from the very beginning. One morning Steve walked into the bedroom to find Riley had just hoisted both twins into Gracie's little bed and they were moving in on her like little vultures. Luckily Steve arrived before they did any damage!

Everyone Wants to Hold Gracie! Will She Ever Be Put Down?

Tristan was so cute with her and held her as often as he could.

Jessie is a natural and will probably be the best volunteer helper in the family!

Sage is experienced at holding little ones and argued over who got to hold her first!

Riley held Gracie often, but this was such a cute picture. The love just beams!

Sam couldn't hold her by himself, but he tried! He wasn't interested in anything else when Gracie was in the room. On the other hand, I couldn't keep Charlie around long enough to get a picture of him with her.

Sunny is so fortunate to have found Ashley. Ashley is Sunny's nanny, but is more than that. She loves the children, is self-motivated to be a wonderful help, willing to work whatever hours Sunny needs her, and is one of Sunny's best friends. She makes a difficult job possible for Sunny.

As usual, I am a little too smiley. I am again as in love with my #23 grandchild as I have been with all the others. (Yes, Jade, you will always be special to me, even if I have 23 more.)

Adam and Bailey picked me up from the airport and drove me to the hospital for my first peek. Bailey got to hold Gracie early. She has had some training already.

Didn't have my camera out when Jade was holding, but she spent half the evening snuggling with this littlest cousin.
Jennifer always grabs the babies up and has the magic touch with them.


Rosemary found a moment to visit on my last morning at the Wrights. She is now finally a grandmother of her own first grandchild. Laura just gave birth to a little boy, Stockton Reed Reschke. Gracie and Stockton were due about a week apart, but Gracie was a week early and Stockton a week late, so there is about a 3 week spread.

Here is a little window into Sunny's life as she gets Riley off to school with the "help" of Charlie, Sam and Gracie. Good luck, Sunny. Keep remembering it is worth it!

This little Grace, though she has her father's dimples and dark hair looks more like Sunny did as a newborn than any of her other children. I will have to dig out the baby pictures and post some. Who knows how she will change? Post some updates, Sunny.

Oh, look, she has eyes!

Welcome to our family, Baby Grace.

Ethan Max Dickson: 22 and Counting

Ethan Max Dickson, our 22nd grandchild was born on July 11th, just as Casey had hoped he would be. Her labor was quick and relatively easy, hardly time for the epideral to help out. We are as thrilled with #22 as #1 and as much in love. Aren't grandchildren wonderful!

Half a day old! Look at all the hair--it has blonde roots like my kids hair did.

Nana with Ethan
Papa with Ethan

Mackenzie is thrilled with her little brother.

Kayla gets acquainted.
The first family snuggles--no room for Dad.

Papa watches as they all admire Ethan.

JR with his children the first day home.
Mackenzie is going to be a great help!


Kayla is still trying to figure out how this all works.


Casey and Ethan at our house a couple of weeks later. Doesn't she look good already?

Uncle Adam gets acquainted.

Great Granddaddy Price does a little doodle-do with Ethan.


Grandma Marge has the touch.

Ethan's first short trip to the beach.

Aunt Sunny got to hold him for the first time, but I don't think a ray of sunlight got to him!


Aunt Ashley came to visit when Ethan was one month old.

We love you Ethan and are glad you're here!!

Finally! A New Post: Summer's Overview

Summer is almost gone and I really have been a terrible blogger. Ashley, I hope you now will start checking our blogs again--you guilted us into blogging once more, but it took two weeks to even check my own blog for your comments. Sorry to be so boring! Before I am too swamped (Sunny's baby is coming in a week) I must update all that has gone on this summer. If I do what I plan I will enlarge on most of these events in their own space.

...Except this one: The Jones family came to town and we were actually able to get together while they were here. This is the only picture I snapped when they were here. It was Haley's birthday and we tried to fix some of her favorite foods and honor her even if she wasn't in her own home. I don't see or talk to this great family that I love nearly enough. Heidi was still recovering from her incredible jaw surgery and I really had to keep staring at her since she changed so much--even prettier than before. I missed the Bazzill show in Chicago, which is usually a time I get to see many of them at least a little bit. I am glad we had a few minutes.

Haley taking out her candles.

I was in charge of food and decorations at our ward's 4th of July breakfast. One more thing to do. I put this in because it shows Dad and Marge at the breakfast. They came for most of the summer and have really enjoyed our cool weather. We have spent enought time with them and not taken advantage of our time with them here as I thought we would, but have had them over most Sundays for dinner. They only went home one week at the first of August when Spence and Louise and their family used the beach house. That was the same week we went to Utah for Sage's baptism so we only had a quick visit with their family.

THE BIG EVENT OF THE SUMMER!

Ethan Max Dickson was born to JR & Casey on July 11th, exactly three years and 4 months after Kayla was born. This is only important because Kayla was born exactly three years and 4 months after Mackenzie. All of their birthdays are on the 11th of the month. We now know that the next baby will be born on November 11, 2011!

Bailey and Jennifer came to spend a week with us and with Adam. It was so fun to have them here! Here they are with Mackenzie and Kayla outside Jumpin' Jammin'.

Sunny and Steve and their children came the last week in July to stay with us. The house was full! But off they went on an adventure every day: Legoland, Disneyland two days, and the beach. Here is Jessica with Charlie at the beach.

Here is Tristan with Charlie while Steve looks on. Their friend from No Salt Lake, Savanah West is in the front.
As the Wrights left our home, we took off ourselves for Utah for Sage's baptism. It was a very special event. Here is Sage with his two grandfathers. Vic Orvis baptised him and Alan confirmed him. Can you believe Sage is already eight years old!

Todd and Ashley and baby Chase came to the area. Ashley's friends and their spouses from college got together at her friend Liz Ord's family's beach house on Coronado Island for a long weekend reunion. Since they flew into Long Beach we got to see them coming and going. We'll take whatever we can get!

For Ashley

Maybe we can alternate wearing these t-shirts every other day!