A Visit From the Wright Littles

Last month while Sunny's four oldest, along with Adam's Bailey, went to Hawaii with their dad, Sunny and Steve brought their "littles" for a quick visit.

Their Disneyland passes were about to expire and they wanted to get one more excursion in on them. Most people think Disneyland with the "under 3" crowd is torture, but Sunny and Steve thoroughly enjoy the chance to do this. They drove to California late Sunday and most of Monday, went to Disneyland Tuesday and Wednesday, did Sea World on Thursday and drove back home to Utah on Friday. They had a wonderful time. That will tell you why they can be such great parents to eight children!

Riley doesn't need any more decoration to be so cute!

I could not get Sam to look at me. He was fascinated by the Shooting Gallery and did not want to do anything else. Maybe he will be his Papa's boy.

Riley had a blast! She definitely outshot me.

The boys loved having their own guns and shooting!

Even Gracie goes right for the toys. They always route you through the toys and souvenirs when you get off the rides.

Entering California Adventure. This age doesn't need rides to have a good time!

Pushing empty strollers. Halfway through the second day and still smiling!

Papa plays with Charlie and Sam. Sam is slower to warm up than Charlie. We are glad to have this opportunity to be with these little kids. They are so fun.

Papa helps the girls out of bed. Riley is a very good big sister to Grace.

Jen made a better "Nana" than I did (well really aunt.) She read to the boys, played with Riley and spent some real quality time with them. She was really cute with the little kids. Sometimes I am too much Martha when I should be a little more Nana with my grandchildren. It is so hard to achieve the right balance. Everyone has to eat and the messes need to be cleaned. I don't remember my grandmothers, that I really loved, spending any time with me at my level and I don't want to be that way with my grandchildren, but that is where I am headed. I should take a lesson from Jen.

Adam has always loved this handful! It won't be long before they will only be able to be held one at a time.

Sunny and Gracie just out of the shower, getting ready to leave. Sunny is amazing the way she gets everyone dressed and ready and keeps their area organized and then packed when it is time to go. Again, she is made to be a mother of a large family!

Come again soon. We love you and miss you! I don't know when we will be in Utah again. These kids change so quickly, a few months makes a difference.

A LITTLE EASTER AT THE DICKSONS

We don't have a big backyard, but it is big enough for an Easter Egg Hunt for four kids, ages 12 to 21 months. First the dads hide tons of plastic eggs and chocolate rabbits.

Then it is into the hunt--the big kids making sure the younger ones get their fair share.

Bailey treads the narrow path for the prize.

Mackenzie heads off on her own as Adam approves.

Kayla looks through the bushes.

Mom is there to hold the treasure.

Always time for a smile from Bailey.

Ethan really gets into it!

Dad holds the find and encourages him on.

Bailey has a height advantage and bright eyes.

Papa gives a hint...

...and Mackenzie beams at the outcome.

Kayla finds a hard one.

Bailey evens up the take. She is so generous.

Ethan is happy to eat it now. This is his "smile."

Time to enjoy and compare.

Another taste.

Easter is such a nice time for family!

What a nice day! We loved Conference. We had our family for a nice Sunday dinner. We got to enjoy the children having fun looking for candy. We laughed and talked and had a little carrot cake to end the day.

I think that Easter should be the holiday we do the most celebrating, but our ages-old tradition focuses on the birth more than the amazing atonement and resurrection. I don't comprehend all that has been done for us, but I am so grateful to our Savior for his love and sacrifice and that I am privileged in this life to be able to apply it in mine. I am grateful for His life and example. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His application of the Plan than to be with those I want to be with forever. Maybe next year there will be more of us together.

EASTER MESSAGE: STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY

(We definitely felt that earthquake today. We haven't felt one so strongly since the Northridge Earthquake that did so much damage almost 20 years ago. It lasted about a minute which is long, but was very rolling--motion sickness sort of thing, not jerky. We knew it was strong somewhere.)

Kayla, Mackenzie & Ethan in their new Easter clothes.

What an amazing Conference this weekend! I never remember a Conference having such a distinct and timely theme. Elder Neil Andersen, as the last speaker besides President Monson's closing remarks, made reference to this by reminding us that they are not assigned topics nor do they talk amongst themselves about what they plan to speak on. Yet so many talked about how to teach, train and strengthen the family. Elder Andersen himself ended the Conference talking about one way to strengthen this rising generation who live in such troubled times is making sure we teaching them from the stories and messages of Christ's life. I mentioned to Lindsey yesterday that I wish I could now have a "do over" and she reminded me that someone said that these things apply to us no matter our age or circumstances. Start now. I will. There was so much practical advice on how to help our families handle the pressures of this day and withstand the adversary. I can't wait to read and study these talks more deeply. I also loved the spirit of this morning's session. Since it is Easter, the talks were mostly centered on Christ and how to draw close to him. I am writing an action list of the things I was impressed while listening that I should work to accomplish.

Sometimes we do use the time while listening to Conference to also accomplish almost mindless but necessary jobs--like filling Easter eggs with candy for the annual Easter egg hunt later on.

But it is great to have Conference in our home and listen to it in comfort while millions around the world are listening and watching at the same time. Alan felt impressed during Priesthood to tell the Young Adults in our ward what an extra blessing it is to watch live while the Conference is being broadcast. So many people united together, praying for the brethren and seeking the spirit gives an added measure of spiritual reception. I am so grateful for these men who are so inspired with the messages that we need today. I hope we all take advantage of the promptings and direction we received. What was your favorite talk? What did you learn?

A FREE DAY

I have so many unrecorded events I get to catch up on this month. As I anticipated my Saturday filled with the blessing of watching General Conference and also trying to accomplish my normal Saturday errands, I remembered a beautiful day a couple of months ago that had "no hands on it." What could we do with it that would be special? Casey had just had her foot surgery and was totally laid up. So we picked up Mackenzie and Kayla and headed to the newly opened "Mormon Battalion Museum" in San Diego.

They have positioned this covered wagon so the back is open to the big veranda in front of the Mormon Battalion building and you can walk in and imagine that you must live out of this space for months on end.

The first thing we did was visit Old Town in SD which is the area the Battalion building is in. We went quickly through some of the displays and shops and had lunch. Here Mackenzie and Kayla danced on the Fiesta band platform while we waited to eat. Mackenzie is so thoughtful and kind to Kayla--the perfect big sister most of the time.

The Museum itself has been totally redone to resemble the old government building the Battalion helped to construct once they reached San Diego. Inside we were so pleased to see that besides the interesting displays and artifacts, they had a wonderful presentation that looked like they had borrowed some Disney Imagineers to help them use technology to make the show interactive. It was very good and entertaining. We have a real interest in the Mormon Battalion because two of our ancestors that we know of participated in this march: Philander Colton and his young son, Charles, who stowed away to become the youngest member in the Battalion. To our surprise, these two were specifically highlighted and part of the true story told during the presentation. It made it all the more special for us.

Kayla is trying to figure out how you pump your own water. It was a very warm February day and a little splashing felt good.

Mackenzie is trying to get water in another way from a well. The Battalion members helped dig wells that were used for years by the settlers here.

Battalion members were dismissed in San Diego and made their way north eventually meeting with the Saints in Salt Lake or going all the way back to Winter Quarters as Philander Colton did to get their families. Some of the men stopped at Sutter's Mill to work and earn their way home. A few of them participated in the discovery of gold. The Museum has its own stream to pan for gold. We even found a couple of nuggets. Mackenzie's bright eyes mostly found the tiny bits among pebbles and rocks.

Here is an observation tower where once they observed who was approaching their building, friend or foe. Now you can look out on Old Town and see the different landmarks on all sides.

Kayla pans for gold. The apron helped a little.

She liked this little gold rock better than any of the other stones. Who cares what it is worth!

Papa gives Mackenzie a hand. Once she found gold she was quite persistent.

The statue honors these hardy men who made this long march under terrible conditions. We would recommend a trip to this place to anyone who has a free day or wants to combine it with other sights in the San Diego area. Allow about 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the full museum experience.

At the end of the day, we couldn't resist buying the girls the thing they had begged for at the very start of the day. They were so good and so fun to take on our little trip.

Mom had a less stressful day and was all smiles when we got home.

Ethan didn't know that he had missed out on a fun day and we brought him a little present, too. We are very grateful to our ancestors, that sacrificed so much that the church could prosper and that we could have the gospel such a strength in our day.

Good Morning!

We have been morning walkers for many years. It has always been good exercise, but I haven't noticed either of us losing much weight by doing so. As good as the fitness is for us, the walking time is of greater value. We start our day with a time to talk, plan our day, discuss our problems, philosophize, and just be together. It has worked wonders for our marriage. It is a safe time to share. I recommend it at whatever time of the day couples could work it in.

I love the early morning hours, sometimes with the sun just coming up over the hills. The day stretches out clear and promising.

I will quickly tire of pictures of me, so I better find some other subjects. The end of the walk in our neighborhood is the hardest by far...

...the first mile is downhill, the mile back is uphill, and the last quarter is steep. Anyone that has run our neighborhood hates this hill. Walking is bad enough for an old couple with bad knees! Luckily, it is beautiful most mornings in San Clemente, and never cold enough for more than a sweatshirt.Mornings are extra bright because we come home to this cute Bailey just in time for breakfast . Her dad drives her and a couple of neighbors to middle school. She is another bright ray of sunshine to start our day!