Taekwondo!

Emily received her black tip and can now test for her yellow belt. I am so proud of her! 

Boo!

We weren't too scary, but they did get a lot of candy! 

The kids were able to go Trick or Treating Saturday night. Since we are in the South (the "Bible Belt") and Halloween was on Sunday they like to move it to Saturday which is all good with me and the kids. I think that they enjoyed handing out the candy more then getting it! We had a great night! We had more then 50 children come to our door. Sure wish that Dad could have been there to join us! There is always next year!

AUSA Conference

We had 4 days of the FORSCOM FRG Symposium and we attended the 3 day AUSA Conference as FORSCOM delegates. It was informative and we were able to hear some key speakers such as the Secretary of the Army, HON John M. McHugh, the Surgeon General, LTG Schoomaker and Chief of Staff, United States Army, GEN George W. Casey. It actually so happened that I was sitting exactly 3 seats behind GEN Casey. I even got to see the Secret Service guys being all stout and unmovable. It was good to hear them and what they all had to say about the Army and what they are learning about deployment and the Soldiers well being and that they really are trying to help with longer at-home (dwell) time. 

Being in DC was great. We had time to tour around and see the sights. It was great to get to know fellow FRG Leaders better and network with those from the FORSCOM staff. 

It was a great 7 days which I really enjoyed, but it is good to be home. Coming home presented some challenges though as it took us 12 hours to get home. I was supposed to arrive home Wednesday night at 1830, but arrived 0010 Thursday morning. It was crazy with the rain in DC and the Tornados around Atlanta. We were delayed three hours in DC and waited 2 and a half on the tarmac in a holding bay. Then in Atlanta we missed our first connection, tried another but they were full, so we ran for the third gate which we had to beg to get on. It was all too crazy and something I wouldn't want to try again. Whew! 

I had the wonderful opportunity to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Arlington Cemetery. They have great respect for their passed Soldiers. It was a humbling experience.

The Capital Building in Washington, DC

It isn't too cleat but that light at the back is the White House. Before I left Ben and Emily asked me if I was staying in the White House.... Awwww! 

The Jerfferson Memorial

The Franklin Roosevelt Memorial. This memorial was truly beautiful with waterfalls and other statues commemorating his work that he did while in office.

The Lincoln Memorial. Just like the movie "A Night at the Museum II"

It would be really cool if you could go and climb on his lap to see how big he really is! 

The Washington Monument 

It was neat to go see all the monuments and memorials by moonlight. They were more beautiful and stunning in real time! We had a lot of fun!! 

FORSCOM FRG Symposium

I am actually not at home this week as I was given the great opportunity to let Nana do some grand-parenting while I flew to Washington, DC to the the annual FORSCOM FRG Symposium with the Army paying the way. I have been having a great time networking and learning a lot through the sessions that they have. We have listened to key speakers such as Major General Bromberg who is the Special assistant to Commanding General U.S. Forces Command and General Thurman who is the Commanding General of the U.S. Forces Command. It is a great way to learn more so that I can better help the spouses within the unit that Cameron is assigned. I have also had fun experiencing Washington, DC. I am currently doing Day 4 and have 3 days left. I will post more as I have time!

This was a wonderful view as I was landing in Washington, DC.

Some great friends and I took the Metro to Alexandria, Virginia to go to a restaurant called Hard Times. It is a Texas Chili place with 4 flavours of chili.

The Metro. I so think it is just like the movies!

They are apparently ready for Halloween! 

Our New Neighbours: ALLIGATORS!!

We recently spotted our new neighbours in out pond next door. Could you believe that there are TWO ALLIGATORS living next door! One is about 6 feet long. I have only seen the top of the others head. The county will do nothing to remove them as they are not 8 feet long and have not really come out of the water. None the less it is a scary situation for a NON-southerner. I have seen animals living around us in Georgia that I have only seen a Zoo! Crazy!!!

Summer Days Cont.

We had a ton of FUN at Nana and Grandpa's house! We went to West Edmonton Mall. We SHOPPED and we played until we dropped. We went for lots of walks to the corner store for TASTEY treats. Ammon loves ice cream cones. We got our FIRST haircut.

Ammon at the Galaxy Land in West Edmonton Mall. Ben is behind him having too much fun too! Thbbbbt!!!

Going on one of those TASTEY walks to the corner store! Mmmmm...

Ammon loves Nana's little red wagon! He wouldn't come out most days!

Ammon napping while everyone else was sliding down slides and swimming in the wave pool at the water park in West Edmonton Mall. 

Ammon getting his FIRST hair cut. Apparently Dad thought his hair was TOO long!

Cameron was able to meet us in Canada for R&R (two whole weeks). It worked out nicely as We had Emily's birthday and started our travels that night to Flathead Lake, MT. 

My baby girl turned 5! 

Look out from the cabin! What a beautiful view!!

Cameron and his brother Cory on the tubes.  (Cameron is in the red life jacket)

Since Cameron was home I never really was in the picture taking mode. I have to admit that I pulled these pictures from my Sister-in-law's blog (Thanks Amanda... hope you don't mind) We did have a BLAST the whole week we were there. There was a lot swimming, tubing and a whole lot of RELAXING! It was great to be with family and to just have fun! On the way back to Canada we took our time and had fun going through Glacier Pass. 

One of the wonderful sights going through Glacier Pass in Montana

At the top of Glacier Pass. (Going to the Sun Road)

We travelled through Cardston, Alberta and stopped at the LDS Temple (My favorite of the 134 temples) 

Nana kindly let us borrow her Lincoln Town Car for the trip to Flathead Lake. It was a comfortable ride. However we did get a lot of stairs from people as we got out of the car. Funny how that is. We had a great time. We finished Cameron's R&R with an early Birthday celebration for Ben. We took Ben and Emily to Boston Pizza and then to see "Despicable Me".

Ben had mentioned to the waitress that we were celebrating his birthday so they brought him dessert (Mmmm...) and had the WHOLE restaurant sing him "Happy Birthday"!

That pretty much sums up how we spent our Summer. We had a blast and by the time we got home we were all ready to start the SCHOOL year!

Summer Days ...

There has been a lot of happenings since I have last posted. Between the kids, keeping the house clean, getting the kids ready for school and the FRG I seem to find little time to myself. I guess I shall start where I left off.

Emily graduated from Pre-K in May. I was so proud of her. She loves school more then anything. Mrs. Carol was a great teacher who had exciting things to do everyday!

After the kids were finished school in May they had the wonderful opportunity to go to Summer Camp. It was definitely well worth the price. Ben had a week in Paintbox Gallery which was an art camp. The second week Emily was in Kiddie Camp and Ben was in Adventure Express Camp.  They both loved it and with all the field trips and activities by Friday night they were exhausted.

After camp was over we had a week to pack and get ready for our trip to Canada to visit Grandma and Grandpa. It was a 9 hour trip with a layover in Houston, Texas. Being all by myself, I would have to say that it was a challenge with all three children and all the stuff we had to take including a bulky car seat, but we made it.

Ammon is not much of a flyer, but we did survive the flights with the added luxury of two Nintendo DSi and lots of pipe cleaners and toys!

To Be Continued ...

Update!

Yes we are still alive! It has been busy these past few months and I promise a detailed report in a few days!

Mother's Day!

For Mother's Day our Primary President did a great Sharing Time lesson. Four Mothers from the ward were chosen and they were covered from head to toe and the Primary children had to guess who they were. It was great!

Soon after this activity our church ended an hour early due to a fire in the air conditioning system. It proved to be an interesting weekend for the Wright Family!

The kids and I had a great time with a little Sunday activity that involved Painter's Tape and Hop Scotch! It was a great day!

Sand, Sand and More Sand!

We were adventurous Mother's Day weekend and headed to the beach. We had a blast and it was so good that we are going to go again ... but to check out another beach!

Both Ben and Emily could not keep away from the waves. There were also a lot of Jelly Fish that washed up the night before so you had to watch where you stepped.

We had our sun umbrella (bestest buy ever!) and some great beach gear for castle making. Ammon and I stayed away from the water and made sand castles so he could destroy them seconds later. I think though that every time I turned around he was either putting a handful of sand in his mouth or licking his sandy hand!

Ammon is growing too fast for his own clothes!

On our way home our Zuki was not feeling too good and so we had to get it towed! If you ask Ben the ride in the tow truck was the best part of his day! We later found out that it had burned the differential fluid. 

Emily in Knots!

Emily, my dearest Emily has learned how to tie a really good square knot and chances are if you give her a rope or a string she will tie one. One time I was sitting in another room and I hear Emily calling for something a little too busy I ask her to come to me. She replies that she can't and so I go to look for her and find her on the stairs with the saddest face...

Emily had managed to take the tie on her dress and tied a really good and tight knot to loop it to the banister! I couldn't help but laugh and get the camera! She got even more sad when I told her that she might have to sleep there! =0)

At the Park!

When it is cool enough we like to spend time at the park. It always is good to get fresh air! 

A Scouting Adventure!

Ben has had a blast in Cub Scouts. Dad was even able to take him to a camp out before he left. Their last adventure took them to Mr. Pizza's which is a local Pizza place in town with Mmmmm... real good pizza. They let the scouts come and make their very own personal pizza in the back! The staff was so nice and patient as they worked with the kids. Even Emily was able to join in and make her own pizza.

The Scouts having fun making their pizzas!

Mmmmm... even Ammon wanted in on the Action!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY AMMON!

Today Ammon turned one! I cannot believe that my last baby is one already. Times seems to have flown by. We find ourselves in a new home and a new town. I was a little sad when Ammon didn't sleep well last night as he was sick with a "barking" cough. Poor little guy. He still isn't all himself, but he seems ok. I made sure to take lots of pictures for Dad to see too! It was a wonderful day, but with a little sadness as my last baby is growing older and Cameron was not here to share the day with us.

Ammon was so happy with the little golf club set that I got him. I made sure to let him have them while the other two were in school as when they got home Ammon barely had a chance with them! He also got two new outfits (18 months). He is wearing the one that says "ROAR means Hello" and the other one says "KING of cute". His last present was a cute little board with Gears that you can pop on and off and they move when the middle gear moves. He just likes taking them off the board!

He is such a handsome boy

We went to a restaurant in town called "What's The Scoop!" It is a really good place to eat that is small and has a wonderful atmosphere!

Mmmmm... finger licking good! He had to have his Brother and Sister show him how to blow out the candle.

We ended the wonderful and special day with a short walk. Ammon can walk a few steps but pushes anything and everything to get around.