All I Want For Christmas Is...MY HUSBAND TO SHAVE!!!

This has gone on wayyyy to long. I am to the point of shaving him in his sleep and suffering the consequences for it! A few months ago Jared had 2 shoulder surgeries and decided shaving was off the table till he healed. I thought a nice little beard wouldn't be to bad...this is past the nice stage. I'm afraid for his life!

PUMPKIN CARVING

These are Kiley and Cannon's pumpkins. We made a speedy trip to Wal Mart Monday night so they could carve pumpkins. We baked the seeds with some seasoning salt that turned out pretty good.

HaPpY bIrThDaY kILeY

Kiley turned 12 today. When did this happen?? Anyone...anyone?? I guess they eventually do grow up right before our eyes. For those of you that don't know, she is the only girl in our home. She has endured a lot from her brothers. When she was 8 months old Seth pushed her down the back stair while in her walker....this was an Emergency Room visit. When she was 5 Thomas said he accidentally elbowed her in the eye....this produced a black eye to be proud of. This is Kiley at 6 months. She was such a chubby happy baby.
I love how happy she always is. We nicknamed her smiley Kiley because of this.

I am woman hear me roar!!!

One of my favorite pictures. She found this ladybug and wanted a picture of it. I remember her exact words, "take a picture of me and my Wadybug."

Happy number 12 Kiley Smiley, we love you so much. I was so happy to finally get my little girl the day you were born.

PORTLAND TO COAST RACE 2009

This year my sister asked if I would do the Portland to Coast race with her dentist office. I immediately said, "yes." What a fun experience it was. Our team consisted of twelve women ages 21-55. We had 6 ladies per van, and we had a great group in ours. I only new my sister before the race, but everyone clicked so well. This is a picture of the Oregon Coast at Seaside Oregon. It was overcast when we arrived at the finish line but the ocean was still beautiful. This was how you kept track of the people you pass along your leg of the race. I passed 15 on my first leg and 25 on my second. I think we had about 150 road kill in our van.

This was right before my second leg. It was around 4am and I will admit I was a little nervous about the dark. Oregon is so dense with brush and trees so it was REALLY dark. Here, my sister and co-worker are egging me on.

This was so much fun!! I loved hanging with my sister that weekend getting sore and wet. We laughed so hard. This is something I would do again in a heart beat. Maybe we can convince our other sisters to go in with us!

"OH CANADA"

We had our family reunion in Creston British Columbia Canada over the 4th of July weekend. What a weekend of food, games, food, swimming, did I mention food, and bridge jumping! All of my siblings were there. We had a great time enjoying the beauties of Canada

One morning we headed up to get firewood for my parents wood shed. It was so cool for my kids to experience this. Seth helped split the logs after my dad cut them with his chain saw. My 77 year old father kicked all our trash by splitting the most logs.

I mentioned bridge jumping. This is Kiley taking her turn jumping off. Good thing I wasn't there to see this.

One of my favorite places to go is Twin Bays. This is the Kootney Lake where we took the kids to swim. We could of stayed all day if the mosquitoes would of left and the rain was gone.

A Picture Says....It All.

Well first off, Thomas broke his hand last week while we were at Western Regionals for wrestling. Instead of pulling out of the competition he wanted to keep going and see if he could medal. Thomas ended up taking 4th place. We went to the orthopedic surgeon today and he reset the bone and put on this cast. 6 weeks until the purple "Buffalo" cast can be removed. Also in this picture is thomas' certificate of passing his driving test. He was nervous about taking it today because of the cast, but not only did he pass, he came away with no demerits. They said that is very unusual and he should frame his paper.

Thomas Turns "Sweet" 16!!

My first born turned 16 today. WOW is all that comes to mind. I remember his birth like it happened today. Thomas was 2 weeks late. That's right 2 weeks passed his due date and I kept getting bigger and bigger. Finally after 18 hours of labor with no epidural I might add, they told me a C-section was my only option. This would be my first of four more C-sections to come. Thomas was born June 12th 1993 and weighed in at 9lbs even. What a hard yet exciting day in our lives. Thomas was the first grand baby on my husbands side and number 4 on mine. We love you Thomas. Thomas' blessing day. July 4th 1993
Hanging out with his dad.
I LOVE Thomas' brown eyes. This was a favorite activity with olives. He used to ask me if he could have olives as treats.

My baby is in Kindergarten here.

Thomas loves to wrestle. He has had two outstanding years in high school wrestling. He has been wrestling since he was 7.

Happy Birthday Thomas Jared Manning!

Way to go Sethyboy

We received a letter from the Jr. High letting us know that Seth had been nominated by one of his teachers for a citizenship award. Jared and I attended the award ceremony today. This is what the certificate said...
Even though Seth is friends with many of the energetic students, he is able to make good decisions and do what he is supposed to do. He has a good attitude and is very dependable.
Mr. Vickers
Way to go Seth!!!

My Baby is 6

CANNON ALAN MANNING

APRIL 14 2003 A walk down memory lane....What a roller coaster ride from the beginning. I thought I was done having kids because I had finally got my little girl after two boys. Things were great... I would be done having my kids at 25 and they would all be graduated when I was 43. Wow I had the perfect plan......WHOOPS. I found out I was pregnant with Cannon at 30. Did you hear that...30. This was not on my plan. However I can say without a doubt that Cannon was the best thing that could of happened to us at that time.

Here is our "little bonus" a few weeks old. We almost named him Brett but Jared couldn't do it. I blame Jared for naming him Cannon and all the ENERGY it brought.
I have so many pictures of Cannon, just ask my scrapbooking friends. This is one of my favorites.
Waiting for a peanut butter sandwich! Cannon went through a stage of them. He would get everything out and then call me in. While I made the sandwich he would sit at the table just like this picture and wait. It became a daily routine no joke.

My baby is 6 today and I don't know where the time went. I asked Cannon to stop getting older and be my baby forever. His reply was "don't worry mom, I will get married and we will live with you and dad." Now we just need to break that news to his future wife!!!

TO THE BIRTHDAY BOY

APRIL 14, 1995

SETH HUNTER MANNINGPOOR LITTLE SETH...WAS THIS A FORESHADOW OF THINGS TO COME

SETH LOVED HIS SWING

8 YEARS OLD

FOOTBALL STAR

BASEBALL STAR

SETHYBOY HUNTER MANNING

Today is Seth's 14th birthday. Seth has always been a joy to our family. He possesses so many great qualities that make you love him. He has a quiet honest personality. Sports is his love and plays everything. There could never be a boy born that was more of a clone of his father. Not only in looks but in personality... these two are twins. You will always find Seth playing in the front yard with all the neighbor kids be it football practice or baseball games.

When Seth was born I did not get to hold him for six hours because his temperature was low and he needed to be in the warmer.

Journal Quote:

"After six hours in my room, and millions of calls to the nursery, they were finally bringing you to my room so I could hold you for the first time.You were beautiful...my handsome little boy! The little person that I had carried in my body was finally here in my arms. I love you Seth."

Happy Birthday To You!!!!

GAMES

The kids were playing cranium. I was listening to them while I was making some "thank you" cards in the kitchen. Cannon was cracking me up!! He could barely keep up with the rest of the pack but somehow he and Thomas pulled out the win.

EASTER SUNDAY

Here we go again...another year passes and my kids get bigger. Like Christmas I take a picture of the kids on the stairs. They didn't give me any trouble this time in fact they let me take another one on the table.
What a night. I was waiting for the household to settle down and drift off to sleep so the Easter bunny could make an appearance. However Cannon had a million excuses and Thomas was watching UFC with his dad. I finally decided that Thomas is almost 16 years old and didn't care if he saw everything.
When I grew up the Easter Bunny would spread jelly beans out all over our living room. When we woke up we would get ready for the count down and run in and collect as many as we could before they were all gone. I was telling Seth about this and he wanted the Easter Bunny to do this at our house. I bought a ton of candy and covered the living room. So today after church we had the count down and off they went!! Cannon scored the most because he is spoiled and the older kids went slow for him.

MY GIRL

What a Weekend!! We drove to Denver Colorado for wrestling. Kiley did not want to go and spend another weekend in a wrestling arena. Our neighbors said the would save her and let her stay with them. I must say that I really missed my girl!! She is my big helper and snuggler. After a day I think I was more homesick for her than she was for me. I was sooo glad to get home and see her.

P.S Thomas placed 3rd at the Tournament.

Thanks Grandma!!

My mother came last Friday to watch the kids while Jared and I headed to St. George for a few days. It was great knowing that she was there to take care of everything. The kids loved having her here. In fact they were wondering if I was getting up in the morning to make them a hot breakfast just like grandma did every morning.

A few highlights of the week with Grandma:

*Teaching Thomas to make brown bread.

*Cannon helping with cinnamon rolls.

*Kiley making homemade noodles for chicken noodle soup.

*Seth helped grandma clean the institute.

*Homemade chocolate pudding made with dry milk.

*Hot breakfast every morning.

*Bringing snacks for Thomas after weight lifting.

*Mom saw the boys wrestle.

*All our laundry was done.

Thanks mom for everything. We Love You!!!

Kiley's P.J's are FINALLY done.

After about a million "mom can we finish my pajama bottoms" we finally pulled out the old sewing machine and went to work. Kiley started making these pajama bottoms in achievement days. All we had left to do was hem the legs and put the elastic in the waist. I cannot tell you how many time we had to rescue the elastic from the boys because they were using it as a weapon or slinging items with it like a sling shot. However we sat down tonight and finished them up. Yeah!!!

USA Folkstyle State

This weekend we were in Coalville for the USA Folkstyle State finals tournament. Cannon took 3rd, Seth and Thomas both took first. Cannon was a 45lb Flyweight. Seth was a 128lb schoolboy. Thomas was a 152lb cadet. Cannon is holding his metal. The reason I love this picture is because it was all about Cannon. They love him to death and made him feel like he was the Champion instead of them.

I "Heart" You!!!

Valentines Day....what can I say about a day that women love and men...not so much. I thought I would dedicate a post to the man in my life.

Here's to my:

electric blanket

human calculator

quiet better half

one liner comedian

father of the year

partner in crime

diet coke junkie

math maniac

I Love You!!!!!

Utah State Wrestling Championships 2009

This week wrestlers from all over the State of Utah came together for the State Wrestling Tournament held at UVU. Thomas qualified for the tournament through the Region 7 tournament. It was three days of total excitement and stomach ulcers. After winning his first match and losing by points in his second, he came back around and placed 4th overall. We are so proud of him!!

Wrestling Update

We have been super busy with wrestling these last few weeks. We are getting closer to the end. Thomas had the 4A Region tournament in Orem. In order to go on to State you need to place in the top 4 in this tournament. Thomas battled and ended up with a third place medal. He is headed to State this next week. YIPPEE!!!! When this is all over I think I may see a doctor about an ulcer??

Seth had Junior High State last weekend. He had wrestled hard all year to prepare for this final tournament. This is a 4A/5A State tournament held in Roy Utah. He ended up in 4th place, and ended his Jr. High year with a great season. He is pumped to wrestle for the High School team next year.