Hawaii was fabulous!

Yes - we just got back from Hawaii!
It was amazing! We went with Chad's parents and all his siblings. Our four kids were lucky enough to spend the week and a half with my parents and my sisters all helped out as well. Thank you family! This picture is from the Waiemea Falls area. This is atop the Pali Lookout - it is at the top of one of Hawaii's mountains and it is soooo windy! I had to keep a hold of my hat so it didn't go sailing.
It rained quite a bit, but Hawaii rain is wonderful. Downpour for a few minutes, then it's gone. We were driving past the temple and saw this double rainbow going over it (the second one is harder to see, but it is there!) Talk about a once in a lifetime shot!
This is just one of the amazing shots we got - this is overlooking what is called Rabbit Island, near Mokapuu Beach. Just stunning colors everywhere we looked!
I caught the waves crashing onto the rocks at Hanauma Bay - we went snorkeling here and saw some beautiful fish.
If you have never been to Hawaii, and you ever get the chance, go! It is everything you ever heard. Now that we have gone together, we would love to take the kids when they get older. The beaches are so enjoyable. We just had a great time and were able to spend a lot of time with Chad's parents, which doesn't happen very often. We are so grateful to Chad's family for a great vacation together and my family for helping us make it possible. Mahalo!
(means Thank You in Hawaiian)

Yeah, I'm a slacker, big time!

Wow - I have been lazy!

So, as you can all relate, life just slips by so quickly and I just realized how neglectful I have been. So, here is what we have been up to this summer:

Here is Andrew on the day of his blessing in June - what a sweetheart!

And here is the new Wright Fam all together... Spencer turned 3 years old on June 29. He loved getting these real tools and I (Melissa) made the tool belt to hold them all. Now he can really "help" Chad instead of trying to use his plastic hammer and getting all frustrated because the nails just won't go in! Too bad he doesn't look excited, eh?
Our Stake (Kearns East) was invited to participate in the Youth Parade for the Days of '47 in Salt Lake City. Our float was themed "Hands Around the World". Kaelynee was dressed as a pioneer (she's the one in the blue dress and bonnet).
I also dressed as a pioneer (blue dress) and Marcus chose to go as a Missionary. He even got to wear a REAL Missionary badge with his name on it! Elder Wright! Lucky Chad got to sit and watch the whole parade with Andrew and my parents. He just loves a good parade!

Auf Wiedersehen Oma!

Today our Oma went home to our Heavenly Father. We were able to visit her Saturday night and it was such a good visit. She was coherent and knew each of the kids. We talked for a while, took these last pictures of her, and said our goodbye's. We are so grateful she will not suffer in pain anymore and now she can be with Opa again. We will miss her beautiful German accent, her wonderful stories and the delicious gummy bears she always brought the kids!

Andrew's a Month Old!

We can hardly believe Andrew is a month old already! We have sure enjoyed having him home with us after that scare he gave us with his oxygen levels. We have all spent the last few weeks getting to know him and loving him. His brothers and sister are good helpers and are constantly giving him hugs and kisses. Andrew grabbed the remote, a full bottle of formula and threw himself a wild bash to celebrate and this was him afterwards - totally partied out!

Graduation Day for Andrew!

We were able to be with Andrew when they moved him from the NICU to the nursery. He will stay there to be observed and recieve his antibiotics, but no longer needs the intensive care. He continues to do well without oxygen and his jaundice is just about gone. Good job Andrew!

We have a new arrival!

Andrew Skousen Wright, born Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 5:01 pm weighing 8 lbs 14 oz and 21.5 inches long!

Andrew has put us on quite the adventure! He is currently staying at the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Intermountain Medical Center being treated for an infection and/or pneumonia because he has fluid in his lungs and struggles to keep his oxygen level up.

For a while, we were very nervous because the doctors thought he might have an enlarged heart and were making plans to life flight him to Primary Children's Medical Center. Thankfully, his echocardiogram came back fine and so the doctors have determined it is just his lungs. Everything else about him is good. He eats really well and doesn't cry much at all, despite being poked and prodded all the time!

He will need to stay in the NICU for a 7 day treatment of antibiotics and is currently on oxygen but they are trying to wean him off it. Andrew does not like the oxygen in his nose and has pulled it off his face a few times already. They have also had a hard time keeping the IV in him. They started in his hand, then his foot and have now had to put it in his head, just behind the right ear.

Most of the time, we are able to hold him and feed him which we are so grateful for. It is still hard, though to not be able to bring him home yet. He is such a sweetie!

We are hoping to bring him home next week - Wednesday or Thursday - provided everything goes well. Thanks to everyone for their support and many prayers!

An Update...finally!

Well, we seem to be finally getting over the winter blues! With Spring just around the corner, we are happy to present an update!

In January, we celebrated Chad's 32nd birthday - what an old man! We also celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary - HOORAY! With Melissa being pregnant and finances as they are, we did not do anything spectacular, yet. We are planning a family trip with Chad's family to Hawaii this August so that will be our "big celebration". Thanks to Melissa's family, the kids, including the new baby will get to stay home. (Hooray, again!)

In February, we celebrated Melissa's 33rd birthday, Valentine's Day, and Kaelynne's 9th birthday (all within 1 week) - whew!

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of #4 and had a false alarm this past weekend. Melissa had contractions all weekend, but no progess yet. Due date is still the 24th, but we all know those can be wrong!