Pumpkin Carving

We carved pumpkins Monday night, and these are the results.

The kids each drew their own designs and we went from there.
Ogden's scaaarrry design.

Anna's- we're not sure what to think of this one.

Ellie designed and carved hers all by herself this year. Can you tell?

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

Yesterday was my niece, Alyssa's, birthday, and in all my haste, I never even opened the computer yesterday and neglected to give her a birthday wish. Alyssa is such a sweet girl with an amazing love for animals. She's also one very helpful big sister and babysitter. We hope you had a great day, Alyssa.

Happy Birthday #10!

Caves!

On Saturday we were planning on taking a hike, but Justin got tied up doing some scout stuff, so we didn't have as much time as we planned. We decided since we already had a lunch packed and the kids were all geared up, we'd just go take the hike at the rest stop. We decided to try the new path on the east side this time. It's crazy, but our kids love it there.

Justin and the kids finishing up their lunches.
The kids loved posing for pictures. The girls kept finding a rock to stand next to.

Anna

Ellie

Truman, happy to see we're done!

The girls had so much fun finding little caves to climb in to along the way. We decided that since we had some extra time, we'd take the kids to the elephant hunter's cave just out of Idaho Falls. They had so much fun, Ogden on the other hand, took a while to adjust.

Thumbs up to the elephant hunter's cave.

It was a fun day, and when we were through, we headed to Aunt Lois's for her yummy tacos!! and then played some wii with my cousins Adam, Mitch, and Jaci.

Becky turns the big 3-0!

Happy Birthday to another of Justin's beautiful sisters. Becky and Justin have always been really close and I remember I was so nervous about what Becky thought about me when we were at college because I knew she would be reporting back to the rest of the family. It looks as though she let me pass, barely, I think. Thanks, Becky.

Becky is also so much fun to be around and a great mom to her darling little boys. We hope you have a great day today and we're looking forward to a party tonight!

Happy Birthday, Becky.

Happy Birthday, Sally!

Happy Birthday to one amazing sister!! Sally is so talented and the toughest girl I know, and I'm not talking calves. She practically raised my kids for three months and never complained. We hope you had a great day today, Sally. We've been trying to call but the line has been busy non stop. You are one popular girl.

Happy Birthday, Sally, we love ya!!

Sister Sneak 2008!!

Last weekend was the annual sister sneak with all of the Manwaring girls. There were 9 of us and little baby Izzy, which made for great company. We headed to a great bed and breakfast, The Fox Creek Inn, in Victor, ID. Our night started with pizza and fun times hanging out and didn't end until around 2 or 3 in the morning.

The lady in the back is Julie, who runs the bed and breakfast and if you look close you can see her funny parrot, Girl Bird. Also pictured are Kaylin, Melissa, Emily, and Natalie.
We had a gift exchange where everyone brought 9 of their favorite things to share with everyone. It was so much fun and exciting to see what everyone brought. I came home with some pretty great stuff. Kaylin-craft blocks

Melissa- scent packets for our vacuums

Natalie- biore strips, face masks, and crest white strips, which we enjoyed later that night

Becky- crossword puzzle book and pencil, we had a competition and she killed all of us

Katie- Febreeze lavender and vanilla, I just used this when I changed the sheets this morning

Emily- paul mitchell firm style hairspray

Anna- Witches brew mccall's candle and flipz pretzels, also my favorite

Me- raisins, bracelets, and colored toilet paper that I inherited from my grandma's storage room when she died last year. Justin's family loves to laugh at our colored toilet paper, so I thought I'd share

Elena- Bath and Body works pumpkin pie home spray

Becky, Elena, and me opening our pores!

The next morning we slept in and had a wonderful breakfast prepared by Julie and David, the owners of the Inn.

Becky, Natalie, Katie, Anna, me, Melissa, and Emily

There wasn't enough room at the table for all of us, so Elena and Kaylin ate at the counter with Julie and David. Looks like I must be the favorite sister-in-law. Ha ha!

Becky and Natalie trying to fit in to the Jackson scene.

After breakfast we drove to Jackson to do some shopping and then headed back to Idaho Falls to go to dinner and the R.S. broadcast. We had such a great time and I can't wait for next year! Thanks for all of your work getting it together, Elena.

Good luck topping this one, Katie!

Happy Birthday, Grant!

Happy birthday to the gold medal magnet. My nephew, Grant, turns 10 today. Grant is one talented kid. He wins the pinewood derby every year and just about every race he enters. We hope your birthday is extra fun and keep on running!!

Happy birthday!!