Around the Campfire

A few weeks ago we decided to have ourselves a little campfire on the back patio. Travis needed to experience what it was like to have a smore with campfire roasted marshmallows and all.

Though the fire was a bit smokey and the smell of the trees was missed we all had a great time. Chuck and I were especially grateful to be able to go in the house and sleep in our own warm bed instead of the cold hard ground and waking up with frozen toes.

Dad shared a ghost story from his days as a boy living in Okinawa. He told the tale of the Ghost of Nago. The Ghost of Nago lived in the hills above Camp Mercy in Okinawa. Family friend Nolan Edwards would hide among the cliffs and lay in wait to scare any unsuspecting little kids who happened to cross his path.

Travis made us all laugh at the little innocent comments and questions he had for us.

Mom: "Travis don't put your marshmallow in the water bucket."

Travis: "Why?"

I told Travis to let his marshmallow cool a bit before he ate it or he would burn his tongue.

A little bit later he sticks his tongue out.

"Mom, is my tongue on fire?"

After staring at the smokey fire for a period of time.

"My eye is almost on fire!"

After standing there with his roasting stick in the fire for a time.

"Look it's been 4 hours and my stick is almost on fire."

Mason wanted to know if anyone had ever branded a dog and why when you roast a marshmallow does it get so poofy. He was a great big brother to Travis and taught him well the art of a making a great smore.

Travis loved being able to catch things on fire and not be told to leave it alone. I had to tell him more than once that he had burned the marshmallow so much that it just wouldn't even catch on fire anymore.

Poor Joe finally had to be banished to the house for fear he would catch an ear on fire. Instead of whining from the outside in he was whining from the inside out. He does love to be with his humans.

We had a terrific time and I look forward to doing it again soon.

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Milestones

Today was a day of milestones for the Wright family.

This morning our little soccer player Travis had his 4th game of the season. The Fightin' Frogs team got out there and hustled while Travis once again chased them around the field. "Will he ever get the concept of soccer" I wonder as I watch him half heartedly trot down the field, head bobbing from side to side. Well at least he is staying ON THE FIELD this season and somewhat following the ball. And no more hanging from the goal posts in the middle of a game. Now if we could just keep him from striking up conversations from the opposing team's coach and parents. Yes, we have had to remind him that there is a game going on and this is not time for idle chit chat. Ok mom. Here we go. "Your kick, Travis" Coach Box hollars from the sideline. Ok, maybe Travis does hear us hollering at him as he smiles big and takes his kick. Anyway to the milestone. Fourth quarter and Travis is in. There is an opening and Travis sees the ball. It is wide open and in front of the goal. The lightbulb goes on. He runs. He shoots. He scores. FOR THE OTHER TEAM!!!! Oh well. When we told him he would get a trip to Going Bonkers for a goal we never did specify which goal he had to make. Way to go Travis for your first goal as a Fightin' Frog.

The next milestone is for my Mason. My little boy is growing up so fast. Tonight is his first Homecoming dance. Last week dad went out and bought Mason his first Italian suit taylored to fit. Boy does he look sharp. After a little drama and some flip flopping it was decided that a group of them would meet at GoGo Burger before heading to the dance. "A burger joint before a formal dance?" I wonder. As I drive away I think, "He better not get ketchup on that suit."

Progress

Ok, so after 2 hours this afternoon I finally have a new background. But still no fun little gadgets and gizmos that make pages so fun to check out. I don't know how I ever even graduated high school as it seems I don't know how to follow directions very well.

Poor Deanna. She is patiently waiting for me to contact her so she can help but it seems I just can't get it together. I can just see her shaking her head and sighing.

Thank you Kim for your wonderful blog. I have been watching and learning from you. My aim is to have something someday that is as enjoyable as yours to read. I still haven't figured out how to get my music there though. Guess I'll just continue to listen to yours.

And to my followers, still nothing deep and profound to share. Thank you for much patience and still checking in.

My brain is taxed for today.

Until next time.

I'm Still Stumbling

Ok, it's been months since we started this thing and I still don't understand it. Hopefully by the end of this week I will have had my tutorial from Deanna and you all will have some fresh stuff to look at and listen too.

For those of you who do check in on us periodically thanks for your patience.

Until later this week.

It's been a busy summer for the Frisco Wright's so far and here it is only the middle of July.


Summer started for us with a bang. The Monday after Mason's freshman year was complete, he had to have oral surgery to correct some wayword teeth. Couple of years worth of braces and Mason's smile will rival his personality. Two days later we packed him off to High Adventure camp with the Boy Scouts in Oklahoma.

No sooner had he returned that Friday, than the whole clan loaded up Mom's new minivan (no we didn't head to Beverly Hills) on Saturday to drive to Utah and deposit him at the EFY summer camp at BYU in Provo. He roomed with his good friend and partner in crime, Seton. Though he won't admit as much to mom and dad, we know he had a great time and made many new friends.

A view from along the way
Shiprock, New Mexico:


All told the trip was 2600+ miles or 28 hours of just driving. While it was worth seeing once (though the SE Utah area around Moab was amazing to see), not a drive we'll be undertaking again soon. We cruised through the Navaho nation, Travis parked his butt in 4 states at once (didn't think that skinny butt would pull it off) at 4 corners. Another place worth seeing once in your life. Traveled through SW Colorado and up through SE Utah and the Moab area on our way to Provo. Really pretty spot.



Travis handled it remarkably well but I have to say, the boy will sit for hours with a DVD player and a Scooby Doo movie. He is a plugged in junkie. He makes for a great traveling partner though.

On the way back we dined at one of the best country clubs in Sante Fe , gotta admit, Dad could get used to that lifestyle, courtesy of good friend Dr Bob. In fact we were so busy yacking during dinner, we forgot to take a single picture of the course, the club, the view or us with Dr Bob. Oh well, means we have to go back. :) What a beautiful part of the country. Club sat up on a ridge and the view at sunset was amazing. Of course the golf course was awesome too and Travis kept asking to play 9.


This is Travis in front of the oldest church in America in Sante Fe, where he lit a candle for his Gramin. San Miguel Mission dates back to the 1200's where the native indians used it as a place of worship then built on by the Spanish expedition in the 1500's. We also passed the monument to the Mormon Battalion which would travel from Missouri to Sandy Eggo via New Mexico and the American Southwest. Longest military march in US history. One of the participants would be credited with finding the first gold in the California Gold Rush of '49. We also passed the site of the western most battle of the Civil War.

Mason flew home from EFY just in time to turn around and get on a plane with the rest of the family. And headed where you ask?

Well for sunny (hah! try humid and Africa hot!!!!!!) Orlando where Disney World and Uncle Don, Aunt Norma, Tamara and Greg eagerly awaited our arrival. Needless to say the kids had a blast, Don wrote an op order trying to wear us out but it was a blast, rides shows food walking more walking and we each dropped enough money to send a kid to college for a semester.

It was GREAT!!!!! Travis made loads of new friends and even scored a kiss from Minnie Mouse.


Of course one of our problems was the kids didn't want to get along, NOT. They really had a blast together and Travis thought he was it getting to hang out with the big kids for a change.

Travis and Greg Find Goliath

These are the old people at the Coral Sea. Then Dad Aunt Norma and Travis waiting on the kids (lead by Uncle Don) on the California Test Track ride (they went REALLY fast, faster than Mason better be driving)



Returned home to a terrific fireworks show on the 4th, drivers ed for Mason (time to invest in bumper cars) and swimming classes for the short/cute one. Mason's actually a decent driver and Travis now refers to himself as a guppy.

We have band camp on the horizon and a trip to Seattle for Chuck's company trip. Oh yeah, Da Boys and Da Horns hit training camp soon too! :)

If we've been less than social, this may explain why. Now Dad understands why the start of school is so exciting for both kids and parents.


My soccer stars:

Travis Loves the Wide Open Spaces

There are three states in this picture

Our butts fit in 4 states at once.

Good Buds