Christmas Pictures

Here are some pictures of the boys from Christmas. All the boys had a nice Christmas.

Parker takes a shot with his new basketball. Notice he is wearing a Minnesota Vikings sweatshirt. A gift from his uncle Heath.

Kallsen at his Nana & Papa's house with his Christmas Head Light.

Joseph with his guitar.

A Christmas Basket

Parker and Kallsen have been playing basketball through Upward Basketball. We decided that they needed extra practice at home so they received basketballs and a basketball goal for Christmas. During Daddy and Kallsen's naps, Parker and Mama went out to try the new goal. Here is his 4th shot of the day. After this shot, he consistently made baskets. He is now known as Parker "basketball boy" Wright.

Posted by Mama (aka Sara Beth)

A Present

Friday morning, on the way to school, I asked Kallsen and Parker what they wanted for Christmas. The answers normally have been the same when asking. Which I do at night time right before bed and on the way to school. My belief has been these are times when they're not being influenced by images from magazines, suggestions or advertisements.

Kallsen has been asking for a baby doll and on Friday that changed to a doll house. Parker had been asking for a pink choo-choo. On Friday he just said he wanted a present for Christmas. I asked what kind of present and he answered...just a present...that's all.

I think that will be easy enough.

We're Still Standing

December was the busiest month for our family in a long time. With Sara's (Masters) school schedule, the boys' basketball practices, Kallsen's dance class, my Nutcracker rehearsals, Christmas parades to broadcast at the radio station, my parents visit from Minnesota, Sara's after school activities at work, Joseph's band concert, my company Christmas party, Sara's company Christmas party, dish washer repair man visits and some unscheduled events on top of all that, I am proud to say...everyone in my family is still alive, still kicking and neither my wife or I have been put in an asylum.

WOW, that's one realllly long sentence.

From November 30th through December 20th, we had somewhere to be after work or on the weekends. While that wasn't somewhere for both of us (me and Sara) it did mean that whomever didn't have an event to be at was home, with the kids (or my parents), and no help.

I'm glad that this long month is almost over. I'm looking forward to Christmas and the break we'll get. Then comes January.

In January the boys have basketball practices on Mondays and Thursdays with games on Fridays and Saturdays. Kallsen has dance on Tuesdays and Sara has class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Oh, and I have been invited to serve on the board of the Foothills Center for Performing Arts. It's going to be a busy month again.

We're Flying It Through The House!

Yesterday morning while getting the boys ready for school a little blue metallic plane, similar to a Match Box car, was thrown from the kitchen into the living room. I told the boys...no throwing things in the house. Kallsen then told me, "It's a plane Daddy. We're not throwing it, we're flying it!"

I guess I need to be more aware of what those small metal objects are that almost hit me in the head before I jump to conclusions.

Match Maker

Looking at this picture of Parker, one might wonder about his fashion sense. The more you talk with Parker, the more you learn that he always knows what goes together in his wardrobe.

I asked Parker this morning, after he chose his clothes, if he was sure he wanted to wear his Nemo Pants (camo) and his Tigger Shirt. He did. He confirmed his choice. I said, 'Parker, I don't think they go together.' You see, Parker is very aware of what goes together and what doesn't. So he explained.

Parker pointed to the blue dinosaur on the behind of his red underwear (as he pulled down his pants) and then pointed to the handle of the baseball bat Tigger is holding on the shirt. They are the same color of blue. So, in Parker's world, it didn't matter that the pants didn't match because the blue dinosaur on the red underwear worked with Tigger's bat handle.

And that is Parker's World of Fashion Tip For Today.

Momma's Your Daddy

This morning, while eating breakfast, Kallsen looked at me and said, 'My Daddy!' Parker then said, 'My Daddy!' with a bit more excitement. Kallsen then told Parker, 'That's My Daddy, not your Daddy.' Parker, with a bit of hurt in his voice, said, 'My Daddy!!!'

Then, a bit to my surprise, Kallsen said, 'That's my Daddy!...Mamma's your Daddy...your Mamma's your Daddy!'

Christmas Picture

Joseph had his Christmas concert tonight for the Walhalla Middle School Band. He dressed is a nice black shirt and blue tie. He looked so sharp I took a cue from my Mom and made sure I got a picture (actually several) of Joseph with the Christmas Tree.

The concert was very nice. His 7th grade band is really good. Joseph plays the trumpet and has a gift when it comes to music.

End of the Run

The Nutcracker Suite at Clemson University's Brooks Center ended on Sunday. I played the role of the butler.

Kallsen (my 4 year-old son) takes dance at the Foothills Dance Conservatory in Seneca and his instructor is the artistic director of the Nutcracker and when she heard I was a trained actor, she asked if I would play the role of the butler. Rehearsals were one day every-other week for my role and then the dress rehearsal and performances this weekend.

The show was good and it was a nice mix of professional dancers, students and others from the community. My parents came from Minnesota for the show and they were very impressed with the show. My Dad said it was a much bigger show and production then he thought it would be. I think he was expecting something along the lines of a community theatre production. What he got was a professionally produced production from a Dance Conservatory that knows how to put on a show. My mom was very impressed with the costumes and the set.

One thing I was worried about was whether or not my two younger kids (Kallsen and Parker) would sit through the show without getting restless. I was pleasantly surprise to hear both boys were mesmerized by the show. Kallsen really locked into the show and talked about it that night and a lot the next day. Parker didn't talk much about the show other than to say he liked it.

The Foothills Conservatory for the Performing Arts puts on the ballet the Nutcracker every December. If you get the chance, make sure your make the 2009 version. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

All County Band

Joseph made all county band this year. The concert was in November. I had tried to upload video of him playing with the band but for what ever reason, it didn't work.

Joseph was the first 6th grade student (last year) from his school to get two superior ratings in band. He got one for a solo he did and one for an ensemble he was in. Joseph's band director thinks Joseph is good enough to make all region band and all state band. He is currently working two days a week after school preparing for all region and getting mentally ready for all state band.

This picture was taken while Joseph waited for the concert to begin.

A Quick Update

It's been a while since I've given any sort of update on the kids. Let's start with Joseph.

Joseph made All County Band and is currently practicing for All Region Band. Try outs are in January. He also started Upward Basketball last week.

Kallsen and Parker also started basketball through Upward Basketball. Watching them practice is a lot a fun. I'm looking forward to the games starting in January.

Today is Kallsen's last dance class. We are not sure if we will sign him up for classes that start in January. We know he liked dance but with basketball with all three boys, Sara's master classes and other activities, time may not allow him to be in dance.

I'm in the Nutcracker this weekend and my parents are flying in on Thursday and spending the weekend. Should be a nice visit. I'll post pictures of all the above soon.