Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Wednesday November 25, we went to Salt Lake for the afternoon. We attended the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at the Energy Solutions Arena. If you've never see a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, you've gotta go. All week we had been telling the girls what the concert would be like. Ariana was excited, while Lexie was a little worried about the fire and pyro-technics. We shopped around the Gateway for an hour before the show. The kids insisted on walking through the water fountains, even though it was only 30 degrees. The concert was incredible! It was the first rock concert Lexie and Ariana had ever seen. Ariana said her favorite part was the rainbow colored lasers and when it snowed during the song First Snow. Lexie loved the final song, Requiem (The Fifth), when two of the musicians were lifted into the air on part of the stage. Riley who went for his second time, said his favorite part was when they set parts of the stage on fire. Mom and Dad's favorite is still the story from the song "Old City Bar." Some of the bands new songs were pretty good also. Hope they come back next year.

Snow Day In November

Logan had it's first real snow storm of the season Saturday. Will was suppose to take his Scout troop hiking in Logan Canyon this morning. Instead he had the boys over for doughnuts and hot chocolate. The kids were so excited for the storm they shoveled the snow off the grass in the backyard, (good practice for when the driveway needs it.)

Family Trip To Lagoon

Saturday, we took the family to Lagoon's Frightmares. It's been a tradition of ours the last couple years. This year was extra special because Uncle Jon and Aunt Lori traveled from Twin Falls to go with us. Cousin Myles went on his first roller coaster. Ariana also graduated from the kiddie rides to the big rides. She went on the Bat, Spider, and Colossus with a little coaxing from Uncle Jon. Riley and Dad went on the Wicked roller coaster, a bad idea for Dad still recovering from chest surgery. Meanwhile Lexie's favorite rides were the boats and cars. Last night in her prayers she thanked Heavenly Father for all the rides that didn't go up and down. Daddies thankful for Advil and Mommies thankful that she could play with Myles while everyone waited in lines.

It's A Girl!!!

Tuesday, October 13th Jana went to the doctor and found out we're having a little girl. Riley says it's just not fair and Lexie says she wants the baby to be named after her. The best news, the baby looked healthy and is still expected to make her debut February 28th.

A Summer To Remember????

Summer 2009 will go down as one we'll never forget and never want to re-live. During the first days of August, Will contracted a sore throat while hosting a radio promotion at the Cache County Fair. After three weeks, multiple doctor visits, and countless drugs that had no effect, we were told that he had cancer of the Lymph Nodes, called Lymphoma. He was immediately sent to Ogden's, McKay Dee Hospital for testing. Surgeons performed a biopsy and found what they thought was cancer turned out to be several large masses of infection inside his chest cavity. It's called Mediastinitis. He was hospitalized for the next week as Doctors operated and inserted four suction tubes into his chest (three through his right rib cage and one through his neck.)

While Jana stayed with Will in Ogden, Riley contracted Neumonia and missed the first week of school. Believe it or not, he was so sick he actually wished he was at school. Ariana also showed signs of Neumonia but was over it within a couple days.

After Will was released from McKay Dee Hospital, he was put on bed rest for several weeks and kept on IV antibiotics and pain killers. Doctors had left one of the drain tubes in him, making it difficult for him to breath. He spent Jana's Birthday unable to get out of bed.

A week and a half later Will was able to get out of bed so that he and the family could visit the Logan Temple for our 12th wedding anniversary. We also tried dinner at the Iron Gate Grill but his appetite was so small he couldn't eat. It's the first time he's ever left a restaurant with a doggie bag.

On September 28th, Doctors removed the Picc Line to his heart and took him off all medication. The chest tube was also pulled out except for three inches. Doctors were concerned that removing all the tube could lead to further infection. Jana pulled the remainder of the tube out a week later. He's now able to breath without pain and is beginning to resume his regular schedule.

We have been so blessed through all of this though. We literally lived off of Prayers and Priesthood Blessings for weeks at a time. Add to that the love of Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Co-Workers who helped lift us up and carry us along. We can't even begin to tell you how thankful we are for all of you.

Vacation to Grandpa's Cabin

We took off to Grandpa's Cabin for the July 24th weekend. It was 105 degrees when we arrived in Idaho City, an hour north east of Boise. The shade of the big lodge pole pines though made most of the days cool. We arrived at the cabin Thursday night, just in time to unpack and call it a night. Friday we spent the day hiking and exploring. Friday night Jon, Lori and Myles came up to join us. Saturday we spent time swimming in Mores Creek and going into Idaho City for ice cream. You can't make a visit to Idaho City without eating a Pot O' Gold, the biggest ice cream sundae you'll ever find. They serve it in a gold miner's pan. Sunday we went to church at the Idaho City Ward. We sat next to a young girl who brought her pet caterpillar to Sacrament Meeting. It was a good idea until the jar holding the little crawler broke, right as the Bishop stood up to begin the meeting. Fun times. Monday we drove into Boise to visit Grandma Wheelwright before heading back to Logan. We're going back in August and the kids are already counting down the days.

A family hike through Grayback Gulch loop. (No the dog isn't ours.)

Riley and Lexie holding cousin Myles.

Ariana and Lexie getting their turn holding cousin Myles.


Swimming in Mores Creek.


Lexie, Riley, and Ariana helping with the Dinner dishes.

Family Pictures

Saturday we decided we ought to get family pictures taken. The last time we did, Lexie was only a couple months old. A good friend Katie Burton, who graduated in Photography at USU, took them for us. We went over to Willow Park, early Saturday morning, and did several different sittings around the pond. They really turned out cute. We've had a hard time deciding which ones we want to keep. Some of the closeups she did of the kids are really cute.

In other news, next week were planning on tripping to Idaho City to the Wheelwright family cabin. We want to do some late spring cleaning up there before the rest of the family comes up in August for the Family Reunion.

Riley's 9th Birthday

It's hard to believe, but Riley turned 9 years old on Thursday, July 9th. Seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Makes Mom and Dad really feel old. This year he wants a "real Scout knife," for his birthday. He also asked for a magnifying glass, after he learned how to start fires and burn ants with them. That's my boy!!! We spent the afternoon with he and his friends at the fun park, playing on the soft play jungle gym. After, we came home to open presents, and have some cake and ice cream.

The Shed & Kids Get Painted

After several Saturday's, a couple afternoons, and all day Monday. The shed is finally painted. While we were at it, we also painted some of the children.

Finally done, just before night fall on July 8th.

The custom made stones in front of the shed. Jana helped each of the kids make one.

Riley getting into the True Aggie Spirit of things.

Summer Project

This Summer I told the kids we should plan a trip to Disneyland, Jana said we should build a shed/playhouse. Guess who won. The good news is we had Tuff Shed build most of it. The thought of me having to build something like this brings back nightmares of the fence it took us six months to build. In two days we had our shed. We put it in the back corner of the yard so that it takes up some of our garden plot. It's a win win, a new shed, and less garden that I have to weed. We're working on painting the outside. We told the kids they could choose the colors, (as long as Mom agreed with their decession.) They decided on tan with light blue trim. We've laid carpet in the loft of the shed so that the kids can have a play house. We're going to attempt to sleep out there tonight.

Baby Sis is getting Married

The following announcement was printed in the Herald Journal, Sunday May 3rd, 2009:

Wheelwright-Stevens
Bruce and Barbara Wheelwright of North Logan are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Tamara Jane Wheelwright, to Lorin Edward Stevens, the son of Dr. Lyman and Kathryn Stevens, also of North Logan. Tammy and Lorin will be married for time and eternity, Saturday, May 9, in the Logan LDS Temple. Friends and family are invited to celebrate this occasion with them at a reception and dance Saturday, May 9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the LDS Stake Center, 1850 N. 400 East, North Logan.

Tammy is a 2003 graduate of Sky View High School and LDS Seminary where she enjoyed participating in cheer, drama and 4-H. At USU she was active in LDSSA, PALS, VIDA and Best Buddies. She had the opportunity to complete humanitarian projects in Brazil and teach English in Taiwan. She graduated from LDS Institute and USU with honors in 2007 majoring in elementary and special education. Presently she is attending USU to certify in mild/moderate special education and also loves teaching a cool group of 6th graders at Spring Creek Middle School.

Lorin is a 2002 graduate of Sky View High School and LDS Seminary where he played trumpet in the marching band, pep band and wind ensemble. He also enjoys playing soccer. He served his mission in the Argentina Resistencia mission. Returning home he graduated in 2008 from LDS Institute and USU in mechanical engineering. Currently Lorin is pursing a master’s degree in his field of study where he has worked in research and as a teaching assistant.

Lorin and Tammy would like to express their appreciation and love to their families, friends, teachers, neighbors and all those who have influenced their lives for good and helped them pursue their goals and dreams thus far in their lives. Each of you are cherished. Many thanks and much appreciation go to Margaret Nickell, Julie Griffin, Cristal Robbins, Jean Hanks, Wendy Webb, Jana Wheelwright, Robin Wheelwright, Shalee Thompson and the spectacular faculty and staff at Spring Creek Middle School for hosting showers.

Tammy and Lorin are registered at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Happy Easter 2009

The kids tried to stay up all night Saturday night in hopes of catching the Easter Bunny when he stopped by. They didn't make it much past ten o'clock. Mom and Dad also tried to stay up but we couldn't make it past eleven. Stumped again! All three kids were up at six am, Sunday Morning. We're still working on the whole Sunday being a day of rest commandment.

Saturday we went to several Easter Egg hunts around town. Imagine a hundred kids running down the isles of Albertson's smashing each other to get candy. You ever seen the running of the bulls? It's very similar.

Saturday night we decorated Easter Eggs. In years past this tradition also included decorating children. We did better this year.

Sunday morning with temperatures only around 30 we had a quick Easter Egg hunt in the backyard.

Riley's One Of Us Now

Several weeks ago, Riley said he could not see the board at school. We took him in for an eye appointment and found he needed glasses. He picked out a pair he thought was "cool" looking. That's what happens when both your Mom and Dad have glasses. He's been pretty good about it so far.

Palm Sunday

The Wellsville Mountains still covered in snow.

It may be late, but Spring is finally coming to Cache Valley. The last few weeks Mother Nature has been tricking us with warm temperatures one day and snow the next. This afternoon between conference sessions we had a chance to go out for a walk. It was only 38 degrees but with the sun shinning it was nice.

Playing Hooky

Friday Riley and I decided to take the day off and go skiing at Beaver Mountain. This was Riley's first time ever being on snow skies and Dad's first time in almost 20 years. After a rough start, losing a ski on the lift, we had a great time. Riley picked up skiing really fast. After spending the morning on the beginner run, he was ready to go down the mountain. The weather was beautiful. We both made it home with no broken legs but a severe case of raccoon eyes. We're already planning another trip next week for closing day.

Why you don't buy a pet fish.

Jana called me from the pet department in January with a family problem. Riley wanted to get a fish. Up to this point, we haven't had any pets in our house. Something told me that we were in big trouble.

Well I said yes to the fish. One week later, I get the call that the fish is dead. I got home to find the family in a state of mourning. I was then told we should try and give the fish a proper burial in the backyard. You ever tried to dig a hole in the middle of winter?

It was then decided that we should get another pet to fill the void left by the fish (even though the fish was only in the family for one week). So in February, our family added Topia (a blue feathered Parakeet) to our family.