Sabrina Performs

I mentioned in an earlier post that Sabrina was taking Hula lessons. Tonight was her first performance. She was a little nervous before she began. She was afraid no one would clap for her. They just performed at a ward party, but I think the performance bug bit Sabrina hard! She came off the stage SO excited. She did such a great job. She's the youngest, but she knew all the steps and the words to the song. Her teacher doesn't even sit up front to help. She just lets them do their thing - and she did it! I don't know if it was just because she was so young, or if it's just her, be there were several people that came up to her after and told her they couldn't stop watching her. Aunty Sheba (her teacher) was so proud of her. She hasn't always loved going to lessons, but when she was done tonight she kept saying, "I love Hula! I love Hula! I need to thank my teacher for teaching me hula!" It was a great night for her.

Family is Forever Day!

Today marked mine and Rory's 14th anniversary. What a great 14 years it has been. At times (especially this week) I want to go back to those days when we were so young and oblivious to the world around us. It was just us for hours on end. We could talk and share and laugh and hold hands in the grocery store. And then I realize what I'd be giving up to have that again. I wouldn't for a second give up the chaos that is our lives now. I love Rory more now than I ever did as an innocent newlywed, and I look forward to that love only growing stronger.

Our anniversary also marks that day that we celebrate our Family is Forever day. Circumstances being as they are this week (I'll explain another time), Rory and I weren't able to really get anytime alone. But somehow everything has been put in perspective and all that really matters is family and the eternal nature of it. So, we dressed the kids up, and after picking Ari up from lessons, we headed over to the Logan temple. The kids love this time. They each have picked a special stone on the temple that is theirs. We have a little lesson, hand out small gifts, and mostly just enjoy the spirit and being together. Then we headed out for dinner. It was a much needed night for my spirit. I love these 6 beautiful people and look forward to an eternity spent with them.

Kalista's Buddy

I still remember three years ago when my neighbor called to tell me about something and through the conversation we not only discovered that we were both pregnant, but that we were due within a day of each other. Kyle and Kalista were born a week apart. We started letting them have play dates last year just to give them something to do. At that point we spent more time trying to keep them from killing each other, than actually playing. But this year they've become really good friends. Kyle asks each day when he gets to play with Kali, and the minute Kali is bored she wants Kyle. Their nursery leader says that Kyle is really protective of Kali. Apparently it's okay if he yells at her, but no one else can touch her. They still have their moments, but they're pretty fun to watch

Don't you think these pictures would look darling in their wedding video?

Kali Starts School - Finally!

Kali had to wait the longest to start school. She started the day after Labor Day. Kali was so excited to go she could hardly stand it. When I went to pick her up she said she had so much fun. I asked her if she wanted to go back - Absolutely Not! She is really into imaginative stories right now. She explained to me about the mermaids and tigers that went to preschool with her, and that they all had lots of fun. But she was not going again! The next couple of times she continued to struggle a bit about going. But now she is more excited about it and loves her teacher, Mrs. Paskett. She only goes two days a week for a couple of hours. I'm glad it's not more - I don't know if I could stand the house being that quiet for much longer.

Labor Day Fun

We spent Sunday night and Monday of Labor Day weekend with the Farr family. Sunday night we all got together for family pictures. Here is a small sample of the great talent my sister has. We are anxiously looking forward to getting new family pictures this year. My sister puts so much time and effort into these pictures. We are SO grateful for her time and willingness to help us out!

After dinner at the park we went back to Grandma and Grandpa Farrs for a treasure hunt. The kids had a blast and were definitely ready for bed when the time came. The next day we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and then went bowling as a family. It was SO much fun. Rory and Jordan almost killed us on the way home each racing as if they were 16 and didn't have their whole family in the car. Boys will be boys! In the afternoon the kids decorated t-shirts and Uncle Tosh and Aunt Julie prepared a geo-cache treasure hunt at the high school for the kids. The kids loved playing with their cousins, and we all loved spending time together. Thanks for the fun weekend, Grandma and Grandpa Farr!

Here's a few pictures from bowling. It's hard to take good pictures when you're bowling, it just ends up being a bunch of back sides!

Jake's Baptism

We are so proud of Jacob's choice to be baptized. It was a much anticipated day. Rory baptized and confirmed him. I was so proud of both of them. As Jake came out of the water, Kali leaned over the edge of the font and said, "Dad, can I have a turn now?!?!" It was a funny moment, and one the Bishop said he'd never seen in all the days of participating in baptisms. But what really hits me is the example that Jacob is setting for the rest of the family. The family home evenings and discussions that we held in anticipation for this special day helped Rory, Miranda, Ari, and myself remember and reflect on the covenants we had made. And obviously his little sisters want to follow in his footsteps. We were so grateful for all the family and friends that were able to attend. We even were able to have Grandma Mann with us. Obviously, by the lack of pictures, we were all too busy enjoying the company to take any more pictures. Thanks for sharing your special day with us, Jacob Rory Mann!

Top Of Utah Half Marathon 2009

I decided this spring to train for the Top of Utah Half Marathon. It was a great goal that kept me motivated through the summer. I did it two years ago, but I speed-walked it. This time I wanted to run it. It went really well. There were plenty of people ahead of me, but I wasn't last either! I finished it in 2 hours and 28 minutes.

Excuse the picture, how good can you look with no make up after you've run 13.1 miles?!?!