Christmas Day-Part 3

What a wonderful time we had celebrating our Christmas with family!

Kevin gave me the surprise of the decade when he walked into the room with a large present that I really had NO CLUE about. Thank you Kevin for being so sneaky and so extremely thoughtful!

I also wanted to show you my big boy Owen! I can't believe how quickly he is growing up!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! So glad the hustle and bustle over...but as always we look forward to the next Christmas season.

Wesley came down with the flu Christmas night so the celebrating came to a quick halt. And as soon as he recovered it was Owen's turn and then it got me. So thankful we all didn't get it at the same time.

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Christmas Day-Part 2

Okay, so I promise I am almost done sharing some of my favorite pictures from Christmas. Here is part 2 of 3.


Kevin's parent's gave all the babies these little hammers that make noises when you move them...but the toddlers enjoyed them much more. Here is Owen taking a whack at Kevin.


Our happy little Wes.


Owen diving into his Christmas candy with no reservations.


Wesley opening a present (he preferred eating the paper).

Christmas Day

Well, Santa found us in Provo, UT! And Kevin (and his dad) was the first one up! Does this surprise anyone? Owen was next in line which allowed him to play with the car mat that Santa left him without interruption.







I love this picture that Kevin took while he and Owen enjoyed the "magic" of Christmas morning.



Owen letting Wesley admire what they got for Christmas...but no touching!

Christmas Eve

Since Kevin's family is spread out across many states we all decided to meet in the middle (Provo, UT) for a family Christmas. It has been at least four years since we were all together so it was a lot of fun catching up. Kevin's sister-in-law's (Sarah's) parents were kind enough to offer their home in Provo after they found out we were planning on staying in a hotel. They had tentative plans to stay in Colorado for Christmas but actually ended up staying at their daughter's home 10 minutes away...SO, they were extra generous to let us use their home for Christmas. We felt very blessed to enjoy a beautiful comfortable home for the holidays instead of a hotel suite. Thank you Meibos's!

Sunday night we were able to attend a White Elephant Family Christmas Party with some of Carolyn's (Kevin's mom's) siblings. It's always great to see them and get to know them better. We only see them once a year normally.

Then on Christmas Eve we all braved the mall and went to get a family picture. With five grandkids all under the age of three I would say that we did a pretty good job with getting a decent picture.

That evening we put all the presents under the tree in anticipation for Santa, and Owen was quick to identify a few that belonged to him and Wesley. He kept a choice few lined up in front of the tree so he would know just where to find them.



One of the greatest parts of Christmas Eve is opening our Christmas pajamas. My parent's take care of the pj's for the grandkids and Kevin has asked me several times not to get him pj's for Christmas Eve...but I LOVE getting new pajamas!


Wesley opening his christmas pj's from Grandma and Grandpa Manwaring.


This is me LOVING my new Bed Head pajamas! So wonderful!



And here are the little guys in their ADORABLE pajamas! Too cute!

Christmas Vacation-Part I

Our Christmas Vacation actually started in Salt Lake City, UT on the 21st. Most of my family decided to get together in SLC since we wouldn't see over one during Christmas. So we rented some hotel rooms and spent Friday night together. This also worked out well since all of my brothers and two of my brothers-in-law were heading to Las Vegas bright and early the next morning for the BYU bowl game.

We caught up with everyone at Temple Square. The lights were wonderful, but it was WAY too cold. Then we went to the hotel to "warm-up" in the pool...but the pool wasn't warm enough for Wesley's liking and the hot tub was TOO hot we opted for a warm bath instead. After ordering Olive Garden to go everyone one met up in the hotel room Kevin and I were sharing with my parents and had them open their gift from all of us (our annual family calendar).

Before we headed off our separate ways Saturday morning we all met for breakfast at Village Inn. It was nice to spend some holiday time with my family.



Since we had some time to kill before Kevin's family would all be gathering in Provo, UT for Christmas we decided to check out The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, UT with Elena (my sister-in-law) and her four kids.

We had a lot of fun checking out all the fish, rays, sharks, and octopus. I even touched a few things I would have never imagined touching. We all had fun! So much fun that we decided we would brave the mall on the last Saturday before Christmas. Bad idea! I mostly wanted to go so I could get a white blouse for me, shoes for Wes, and see Santa. I did accomplish the first two items, but Santa was WAY TOO busy. Oh well!

We parted ways with Elena and then headed to Cabela's in Lehi, UT. It's always fun to stop by there to check out the "wild life"... AND THEN it was off to Provo, UT until the 26th.

Left to Right:
Row 1-Carter "driving" the boat; posing next to the octopus who was giving us quite the show; Kevin and Owen checking out the sharks
Row 2-Becky and Wes at the ray touch pool (very slimy critters); Alyssa, Halle, Carter, Owen, and Kate; Kate peeking out of the rocks; octopus-first time we passed him was at the bottom of the tank in a little ball so it was fun to see him stretch out; checking out the sharks; Owen "driving" the boat

My Snowmen

Before we left for Utah the boys found some time to go and play in the snow. We have a great big open area behind our apartment building full of snow so Kevin and Owen took complete advantage of it. Owen would seriously stay out there all day. After nearly 2 hours outside Kevin had to brib Owen with hot chocolate in order to get him inside.

A night of food, fun, more food, and more fun!

Friday night was our annual Manwaring Christmas Progressive Dinner. When I think of Christmas this tops the list of traditions. I really look forward to this night.

We started the night out with appetizers in Blackfoot at Justin and Amber's. They served us deep fried ravioli with marinara sauce, a veggie tray, and spinach/artichoke dip with bread. It was so delicious! I had to stop myself from filling up on it's goodness.

Then we hopped in the car and drove to Shelley where Brandon and Emily served us Grinch Punch, a lemonade slush type drink complete with sugared rims. They turned on "grinchy" on us by playing Grinch music, they had a Grinch themed tree, and they even had their dog Addie wearing her reindeer antlers. Brandon read "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and all the kids LOVED it.

Next stop was in Idaho Falls at Jarom and Elena's house. Elena stewed up some Baked Potato Soup complete with bacon bits and cheese on top. It was just the right thing to warm us up. Then we had the most adorable nativity put on by all of the cousins on their new stage in the basement (Thanks for putting it together Nat!). Owen insisted on being a king on a donkey. And Wesley was a shepherd.

Next stop, our place for jello cups. I was in charge of the salad and made layered jello cups garnished with cool whip and a cherry on top. Don't you love how every one's tree is like 3 ft. taller than ours! Ahh, maybe next year.

Then it was time for the main course at my Mom and Dad's. A pork loin roast, rice with cranberries and pine nuts, and rolls! It was so yummy!

And the final stop was at Ben and Kaylin's for dessert. She served a chocolate torte cake with peppermint ice cream.

What a night! Only homes we didn't hit were Katie and Melissa's who both live in Utah. And we were all thinking about and missing them.

Thanks for a fun night everyone!

Ellie turns 7!

My little niece Ellie turns 7 today! She loves to watch Star Wars and was Princess Leia for Halloween. Isn't she adorable?!

And, I had to add this picture of Ellie being a superb cousin and taking Owen for a ride. This was taken the day I came home from the hospital with Wesley.

Happy Birthday Ellie! You are the most tender-hearted and lovable little thing! Hope you have an extra special day.
We love you!

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Today my "little" brother, Benjamin, turns 26! Happy Birthday Ben!



I am sure Kaylin will treat you extra special today. See you tonight for some cake and icecream!

Happy Birthday Kimball!

Today Kimball Ward, my nephew, turns 3. Happy Birthday buddy! We can't wait to see you in a couple weeks.

Love ya!

Guess who's 56?!

Happy Birthday to my Dad! The man behind the camera...always taking the picture, rarely in them. I have got to remember to take more pictures of him.



I have always grown up knowing that my Dad was the greatest! He has only done things that make each of us proud to be his kid. He's one of the greatest role models I could ask for for me, my husband and kids. He is willing to help anyone at anytime and is a friend to everyone. He loves spending time with his family and if there is an event or activity that involves family he is always there. He is always up for fun! He works hard. He is great at doing family history and is the life line in keeping both sides of our extended families in touch. And he only gives 100% in his church callings and duties.

Thanks for being to wonderful Dad! We hope you have a wonderful day today! We love you and we can't wait to celebrate with Clam Chowder and Red Velvet Cake tonight!

Our new place

Things are getting back to normal so I thought I would post a little blog to show you all the things I love about our new apartment. We couldn't be more pleased.

But, first I have to tell my friends in Pocatello how much I miss them. It's nice to have neighbors that you feel you can call or stop in on when ever you feel like company. It's going to be awhile before I have that here in my new "neighborhood" so PLEASE come and see us soon!

Alright, back to the positive things about moving.

In the five years that we have been married I have never had a washer and dryer. Up until this week I was always taking our laundry to a laundry mat or to my mom's. So I couldn't be more thrilled about having washer and dryer hook-ups in our new place. On Black Friday I went and bought a set at Best Buy for $500. They aren't top of the line by any means but I LOVE THEM! These two babies are my pride and joy right now. I have never been more excited to do a load of laundry. I know...how pathetic am I?





We love the vaulted ceilings, the extra bedroom, extra bathroom, and the bay windows in the "dining room". So fun!

I also really love the cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom.



There you have it! A quick tour of our new apartment. We are really enjoying the extra space and the location and we are ready for visitors!

The tree is up!

To me there is nothing better than relaxing at home with only the Christmas Tree lights glowing while you enjoy a glass of eggnog and eat a cookie. I LOVE IT! So, that is what we did tonight. It has been our first night of "normalcy" since we moved. No boxes to unpack or decorations to hang. Just a chance to enjoy each other.



Owen really enjoyed hanging the ornaments on the tree this year. Kids make every thing so much more fun.

Owen had a favorite place to hang his ornaments (I can see five in this one spot).
Owen hanging an ornament.
Becky hanging an ornament.
Wesley, happy as ever, in the crawling position.

Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas!

While I was putting Christmas decorations Owen found the stockings and knew just what to do with them. He is a jolly little elf!



Our Christmas Elf

Celebrating 29 Years

It probably won't go down in history as one of Kevin's best birthday's, but we were able to celebrate in the middle of moving to a new city. We started his birthday celebration by going out to a late dinner Saturday night while his sister Staci watched the boys. We had a very quiet and delicious dinner at Chili's (THANKS STACI). Then on Sunday we started the morning off right with a pancake breakfast and ended the day off even better with a nice dinner at my parent's house and some cake and ice cream.