Arizona Manwarings

January

2012-01-15T16:03:00.001-07:00

Not much going on here, but I thought I would post my bookshelf all filled and in place. I love, love, love it.

Christmas & New Years

2012-01-01T17:00:00.001-07:00

New Years

It was fun to have Grandpa and Grandma Williams here for new years. We had good food, games and barely were able too keep our eyes open till midnight.

Christmas was also wonderful. We were lucky enough to have grandparents from Christmas till New Years.

Here is the kids decorations for our Christmas Eve Dinner. We tried a little Fondue with Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches. It was delicious!

For Christmas Eve we always get a new game to play as a family. This year we got Just Dance 3 and had a lot of fun watching everyone boogie the night away even Grandpa and Grandma Manwaring.

Ready for Christmas morning

After church ready to open presents, finally!

Grandpa and Grandma joining in all the opening fun

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas too !

Piano Recital

2011-12-17T15:48:00.001-07:00

So I have been begging and begging my kids piano teacher to do a recital.

She finally gave in and the kids did pretty good for their first recital.

Megan's Debut:

Braxton's Debut:

And the yummy cake I made:

Thanksgiving

2011-11-30T21:50:00.001-07:00

Here are some late posted photos of our fabulous Thanksgiving with the Owens and Petersons.

The Deseret Museum

Megan made a new friend

Thanksgiving Dinner

After Turkey relaxing time

And the Jumping Club

(You know you want to join)

Thanks Beth for a great Thanksgiving

Lego Robotics Competition

2011-11-20T15:39:00.001-07:00

Braxton has been on a Lego Robotics team this year at school and yesterday was the big regional competition.

JCMS Lego Team

Here they are practicing their verbal presentation on E-Coli

Here they are all set up in the pit waiting for their time to compete.

Braxton’s turn at the robot mission pest control. It worked great in all the practices, but poor BoB( the robots nickname) got stage fright and his mission was unsuccessful =(, however the team ended up in 8th place in the robot missions category. Go JCMS!

Waiting for the judges to start the awards ceremony.

Awards ceremony:

The good news we don’t have to go to state competition and we learned so much that next year we will do awesome.

Braxton High Fiving all the judges.

Halloween Fun

2011-11-06T18:01:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of all our Halloween fun.

Spooky eyes

playing games at the stake

Fall Family Fun Fair

Drilling Pumpkins

Braxton’s drilled pumpkin

Megan’s regular carved pumpkin

And finally our Pink Ninja

ready to get her some candy

Ahhh Fall

2011-10-07T13:37:00.001-07:00

I just love this time of year and today it actually feels like fall here in Arizona. I even have a sweatshirt on.

So to start off the First Fall Holiday of Halloween Megs and I made some witch cookies. Spooky Hu!

What we’ve been up to…..

2011-09-11T13:11:00.001-07:00

Well not much, life has been pretty slow for this family. We did have Beth and her family down for Labor Day Weekend and took the kids horse back riding. They all had fun just spending time together. We love to hang with the Owens family.

The only other excitement here was when our Dishwasher finally died. We wanted to hold out for the Labor Day sales, so we all got to be reminded what it was like in the old days when you had to actually wash all the dishes by hand. I think we all were excited to get the new one.

Yep that is the sigh of relief that it is installed and working. Not his most favorite thing to do, but totally worth the money saved.

The first load that did not have to be washed by hand in 4 weeks.

Back to School

2011-08-08T14:51:00.001-07:00

And once again we are back to a normal schedule of life with school days and relaxing weekends. Wasn’t it just yesterday we were getting out for the summer???

This year was a big step for Braxton as he is headed off to Middle School. That word really makes me feel old. He was excited, I was Nervous.

The Too Big 7th Grader

Megan on the other hand was just super excited. She couldn’t sleep last night and then was up at 5am this morning. I think she is going to drop tonight.

The thinks she is big 3rd Grader

Boys Camp

2011-06-27T12:11:00.001-07:00

So both my boys headed to camp this past week. It was Braxton’s 1st Boys camp and he was super excited. Unfortunately with all the fire craziness going on at our house we did not get any pictures of them heading off, but here are some of their fun week.

It was a great week, Braxton was a real trooper. He got stung by a bee while trying to make his clothes into flotation devices for his swimming merit badge, he sliced his finger open with his new pocket knife, and he fell out of the hammock while trying to sleep one night, but hey what is scout camp with out some scar souvenirs.

Even with all this going on he was able to finish 4 and 1/2 merit badges. Had can’t wait to go back next year.

More Fire Devastation

2011-06-21T11:42:00.001-07:00

So… Just when I posted and thought that the worst of the fire was over, Sunday came with 50 mph winds. It is amazing what high winds will do to fire.

This is from our front yard.

These are pictures I stole from people who were much more daring than I at getting close.

Many people lost homes Sunday night, even some good friends. I am at awe. It is funny I always thought that disasters happened everywhere else and we were safe because we do not have tornados, hurricanes, flooding or other problems, but I learned this week that disasters happen everywhere.

Service for the Firemen

2011-06-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

Check out this link to see my boys helping the Firemen to move out all their donations.

http://azstarnet.com/image_65ae2fd4-9a02-11e0-ba13-001cc4c03286.html

Monument Fire nears Sierra Vista

Boy Scouts from several local troops sort through bottled water for evacuees and firefighters donated by the community at Fry Fire Department Station #2 in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Saturday June 18, 2011. Photo by Greg Bryan, Arizona Daily Star

Our So-Called Calm Summer

2011-06-19T10:47:00.001-07:00

So we thought this summer would be so calm and even a little boring since we were not really going anywhere, but who knew that staying home this year would be where all the excitement was.

This is the Monument fire that started Sunday, June 12th. This is night one right out my front door.

By the next day we thought things had calmed down, but then on Tuesday/Wednesday the winds hit and sent the fire across the Hwy into residential areas and about 1/3 of our ward was evacuated.

After that we thought we had seen the worst, but Mother Nature was not cooperating and Thursday brought a second fire that started on Fort Huachuca and many more evacuations.

Thankfully no lives have been lost. I have witnessed great love and support as many calls have come through our home to find housing for many of our ward members. Hopefully things will continue to get better and families will be able to return home soon.

SUMMER BEGINS

2011-06-03T19:28:00.001-07:00

To start off summer vacation we decided to go camping!

We spent 4 days in Sedona and had a blast.

We finally made it to the red rock slides and boy were they FREEZING!

The boys even tried a little cliff jumping

We took in a beautiful hike

And just had fun!

It was a perfect beginning to our summer.

Were off to see the Wizard…

2011-05-06T13:12:00.001-07:00

Megan got the opportunity to be in the High School play this week. They were doing the Wizard of OZ and asked for munchkins at the school so we signed her up.

Here is our little munchkin practicing for her part.

This was at rehearsals the night before our big debut.

Glenda the Witch of the North and Dorothy just before the Munchkins come out from hiding behind the houses.

The Munchkins singing and dancing, that the wicked witch is dead.

I wish I could have filmed her part, but dumb copy right laws prohibited it. She did a great job and even wormed her way to the front on the night dad came to see her.

Now we just have to work on get these songs out of our heads!

I can’t wait until I’m Eight….

2011-05-02T15:06:00.001-07:00

Megan’s Baptism Day

Saturday, April 30th 2011

We even had Braxton playing the prelude.

1st time in public and he did great.

Afterwards we had a celebration dinner with homemade root beer and Ice cream. It was a wonderful day. And what is a party with out the adults throwing the kids around right . . . .

A Tangled 8

2011-04-17T14:33:00.001-07:00

So my baby girl is 8 ahhhhhhhh… where did the time go. We had a little party for her with some friends, it was all themed around the movie Tangled.

We made paper lanterns and put glow necklaces inside so they would glow.

See the glowing???

I promise they looked better than the picture is showing.

We roasted Hot Dogs on the fire and had a picnic on our new grass.

Then we hit a piñata with a frying pan of course. By the way thanks Lisa for the fun idea the girls loved it.

Finally we settled them down to watch the movie TANGLED in the backyard on the big screen.

Overall Megan said it was a great birthday.

A little piece of green heaven

2011-04-10T18:00:00.001-07:00

BEFORE: Here was our backyard when we moved in, and of course we just couldn’t leave it like this. . . .

So we pulled out those ugly bushes . . . .

Brought in some good dirt . . . .

Built us a delicious and beautiful garden . . . .

Added a super fun fire pit . . . .

Planted us some Peach trees . . . .

And finally got us some beautiful, green, green, grass.

AWWW the perfect non-Arizona yard.

Growing Up

2011-03-22T16:03:00.002-07:00

From playing in the Dirt,
(only a couple weeks ago) . . . . .

To receiving the Priesthood . . . . . .

Where did the last 12 years go???
Can’t believe my little man is growing up.

Snow, Snow, Beautiful Snow

2011-02-27T14:12:00.001-07:00

So I thought everyone would like to know that my prayers for snow in Arizona finally came, and only 2 months late!

Too bad that by the time we got out of church the sun had melted it all. =(

Working Hard

2011-02-13T14:14:00.001-07:00

Braxton has been working hard on a couple merit badges for scouts. His most recent one was in Family Life. He decided for one of his projects to rebuild an old bench that was left at our house when we moved in.

BEFORE:

Working hard???

AFTER:

Enjoying the fruits of his labors . . . . .

BRACES

2011-01-24T18:53:00.001-07:00

Aren’t they lovely!

Crazy Days and Cookie Sales

2011-01-22T16:17:00.001-07:00

AND . . . . . We are off!
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ANYONE?

This past week was the 100th day of school and our school does a Wacky Tacky Day giving ice cream at lunch for anyone who dresses up Whacky Tacky. So here are the kids pleas for ice cream.

Braxton:
Last minute outfit cuz he really wanted that ice cream.

Megs:
Planned for three week outfit. We got the mustaches at a really fun wedding that we went to and she saved it just for Wacky Tacky Day.

Busy, busy, busy . . .

2011-01-04T19:37:00.001-07:00

So I thought instead of posting about Christmas I would post everything else we have been doing. You know all those things that you did around Christmas that always get forgotten because of Christmas.

Balloon Races

Braxton’s 6th grade class made their very own hot air balloons and set them sail just before Christmas break, it was pretty cool to see just how far some of the balloons went.

Braxton’s balloon went pretty far and landed on a shed. Thankfully the wind blew it off so we did not have to climb to retrieve it.

Forgotten Birthday

Ok, so Brian keeps complaining that I am never in pictures, (because I am the only one who takes them) so here you go. My birthday is after Christmas and I usually get forgotten so here is my one picture for 2010.

My 5th, 29th Birthday !!!

It was nice, the kids and Brian made me a great breakfast and I opened presents, then I drug everyone to Tucson for the day to shop and eat at the Cheesecake Factory (Yum).

NEW DO FOR 2011

And, finally I took Megs to get her hair done over Christmas break and here is the new do for 2011. It’s even cuter when we curl it, but I haven’t got a picture of that yet.

1st Band Concert

2010-12-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here is Braxton making his debut on Trumpet at his first band concert.

GIVING THANKS

2010-11-30T21:06:00.001-07:00

This year I have much to be Thankful for, but most of all this year I am truly thankful for an unexpected wedding.

Because of this wonderful day we not only got to welcome Virginia into our family but her two daughters also, and because we had to travel to Idaho for the 3rd time this year. We also got our fill of SNOW . . . .

and, Thanksgiving with family . . .

Arizona Winter Camp

2010-11-14T16:09:00.001-07:00

I guess this is what you would call winter camp for the boys, only in Arizona it is the only camp that the boys aren’t sweating to death.

Braxton had a lot of fun and even completed one entire merit badge. YEA!

Honoring our Veterans

2010-11-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Since we have been up since 6am so that Megan could walk with her Brownie Troop in the Veternas Parade. I thought I could take a minute and wish every one a Happy Veterans Day!

HALLOWEEN

2010-10-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

Well you know we gotta blog about Halloween!

So here we are carving our pumpkins. Notice Megan is the only one working? That is how it went most of the night.

And . . . . . here is our finished products. They looked beautiful, but it has been a little warm here and 3 days later we lit moldy pumpkins for Halloween night!

SOOOOOOO GROSS!

And here they are all lit up only 3 days later, remember so gross with their mold. Good thing it is dark and no one can tell.

But, back to Trick-or-Treating. Here is Megan our Witch.

Braxton being his whatever he made up person so he could wear his hooded cape and carry a sword.

And, here are all the gang ready to head to Trunk-or-Treat.

Then we ended the day with the annual dumping out of the loot and trading candy. My kids were just excited to be able to trade with someone other than each other. The funnest was listening to the girls wheel and deal for their favorites.

FALL BREAK

2010-10-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd better start off with our Girl Scout....

Right before Fall break Megs was welcomed into Girl Scouts. Which she is very excited about, especially because they had cake at the ceremony.

Then we headed off on a road trip to

Grandpas house with the cousins.

Don't they all look so excited!

And that was only after about 2 hours in the car.

Once we got to Grandpas house it

was a Manwaring (Working) vacation.

The boys worked on helping grandpa dig some big trenches

and the girls got to clean windows.

And of course get a ride in the bucket of the tractor.

We spent one afternoon making homemade apple juice

Yummy, Yummy!

And when the kids were bored of pressing the juice

they all had to try bobbing for apples.

We also went to a corn maze which is something new for us Arizonans

Jenny even found us a snack to much on. =)

Over all even though a Manwaring vacation includes a lot of work

we always get a lot of play with cousins and that makes it the best vacation ever.

The Funnest Chore Ever

2010-09-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

We have been keeping 2 liter bottles of water in our shed for years and years for our food storage, and finally we decided to get 5 gallon containers instead. Now came the chore of emptying all those 2 liter bottles out. So we invited a bunch of the neighbor kids and told them to empty all the bottles. Megan said in the end " THIS WAS THE FUNNEST CHORE EVER" I'm just glad she thought so.

And, yes we have begun another season of soccer. So far it has kept us busy and wears the kids out enough that they are ready for bed by 8pm every night.

All's I Want For Christmas????

2010-09-10T20:16:00.002-07:00

Megan was a little bored last night when she went to bed so she decided to pull out her other front tooth. Now we will just call her the toothless wonder, and of course I had to teach her the song

" All's I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"

End of Summer Fun

2010-09-01T15:44:00.004-07:00

Well however much I wish summer isn't really ending here in Arizona yet, but I thought I would post a few last end of Summer Break happenings.

Brian has been trying to decide what next to do in the back yard and has decided to add an arbor to our fire pit / patio. I am not sure I want the area enclosed, he really want to do it.

What do you all think?

Brian has already started Braxton with driving lessons WHAT!!!

Megan and I have decided to try our hand in beaded watch bands. This is Megans first one and we are patiently waiting for our next shipment of beads to come to make us some Halloween ones.

We have been getting a lot of rain and last Sunday went for a walk and got a wonderful surprise.

This Beautiful rainbow.

And last of all Megan finally lost one of her top loose teeth. They have both been loose since April, and finally we got one out now we just need to work on the other one. We might have to have aunt Beth come for a visit ;)

Back to School Again...

2010-08-10T19:25:00.003-07:00

I know it seems like only yesterday we were getting out of school for summer break and now we are back. Every year we have lived here in Arizona the school year beginning date gets earlier and earlier. My greatest fear is that next year we will be starting in July!!!

SOOOOO....

Here is my cute little 2nd grader,

who was totally excited to start school up again:

and my I'm to old for this, hurry quick before other kids see you 6th grader:

Hopefully this will be another awesome year!

V A C A T I O N

2010-07-30T12:44:00.008-07:00

Well another summer is almost over, as we are starting up school again on the 4th of August. I thought I had better get our summer vacation posted before I have to go back to work only to discover that half my pictures have been erased. AHHHH, but here is what I was able to salvage of the fun we had:

EFY at SVU

Isn't this the most beautifulest building? I feel in love, but I am a sucker for the old Victorian style. We tried to get to the top room of the highest tower, but it was locked =(.

We had a lot of fun directing EFY this year, it was probably our most favorite year ever. The kids and counselors were so much fun.

We also got to try for the first time FRIED PICKLES, and all I can say is YUMMY!

After EFY we headed to RFL with my family to do a little camping. The kids enjoyed playing in the water every day, unfortunately all the pictures of us playing are gone and all I had left were of us playing in the river.

Then to finish off our 3 1/3 week adventure we spent a few days playing with the Manwaring Clan:

Braxton made 10$ doing a handstand for Grandpa.

Then grandpa taught Braxton to drive the lawn mower. Braxton thought it was all fun, but really Grandpa got his 10$ worth of a fully mowed lawn.

And, little miss I can do everything you can do DID IT TOO! all by herself.

The kids and parents too just enjoyed hanging out with all the family.

We had lots of fun playing with all our family this summer. Thanks everyone for making our Summer Great!

Summer Begins

2010-06-22T21:23:00.002-07:00

I thought I would start with May,

since it was a very busy and exciting month for us.

We are blessed to have a new temple that is an hour closer for us to travel.(2hrs. instead of 3) The best part has been that we have been blessed to be a part of its dedication. Brian got to spend a lot of time with the youth in getting ready and putting on the cultural event for the Prophet, then Braxton and I along with Brian all were able to be in the Temple for the dedication. I only wish Megan had been one year older and I would have had my entire family inside the temple together. But we are very excited for this new Temple and the new opportunities it has already brought our family.

For the month of June we have been trying to stay busy so that the wait to go on vacation would go by fast. I decided that by the end of summer I want to have a garage sale to get rid of all the junk cluttering our house. I started with the kids rooms and we have super cleaned and de-cluttered their rooms. In doing so I decided that Megan could really use a new, girly bed so we took her only one, sanded it down, painted it white and added a little girly touch.

She loves the new bed, but now we might have to do the same to the rest of her furniture so that it all matches.

We have also been having our yearly swim lessons and both my kids have really become little fish in the water.

Megans biggest feat this year was jumping off the diving board all by herself.

And, for the first time ever Braxton passed a new level of swimming the first time. His teacher said that he worked very hard. He has really become a great swimmer, I even told him that I would no longer force him to take swimming lessons, but I think that now he enjoys them enough to keep going.

Now we are down to 1 week and the kids will go spend some time with Grandma/pa Williams while Brian and I head to Virgina for EFY. I can't wait!

3rd Ward High Adventure

2010-06-05T12:57:00.004-07:00

This week 3rd Ward Young Men went to Sedona. We camped and did day trips around the area we did alot of things from biking, hiking, swimming and caving. Some unscheduled actvities involved dropping tents and a visit from some jedish people. I love being with the Young Men, but I am excited to come home and snuggle with my wife!

FIELD TRIPS

2010-05-18T15:55:00.004-07:00

I love this time of year in school because I get to go on Filed Trips!

1st I went with Megan to Colossal Cave.

The Bus Ride:

Getting wind blown in a bus is always the best part!

At the cave entrance:

Inside the Cave:

I think this was the best cave tour I have been on, you really felt like you were caving. We are defiantly going to go back as a family this summer.

Next, Cochise College Science/Math Fair with Braxton:

This is one of the best field trips I have been on. We went to the local community college and went to different mini classes that were hands on for the kids.

We made a cactus:

Played in the Sand:

And learn about conserving water:

Now all the fun Field Trips are over, I guess we will just have to create some more of our own for some extra summer fun.

Easter, Birthday, and Scout Camp

2010-04-27T16:06:00.005-07:00

So I have been sitting here all afternoon waiting and waiting for the repairman to come fix my dryer and as I am approaching the 4th hour of waiting, I thought why not up date my poor neglected blog. So here goes . .

EASTER!!!

We had Beth's family here for Easter, so the Easter Bunny was kind enough to give each kid there own color of egg to find. Here is what they woke up to.

The kids looked very hard to find all there eggs. Even Zane got into the action. I think his favorite thing to do was find the kid's bags and grab their eggs.

Next on the agenda was Megan's Birthday. I am sad to admit that not many pictures got taken because mom was not feeling well that day. But, she had a wonderful day which she had planned completely out for us:

It began with presents at a breakfast of crepes, then dinner at Texas Road House, where she had to ride the bull. Then on the weekend she had her best friend sleep over and we ended with a swim at the city pool.

She said it was a great Birthday. I am so glad!

We end with Braxton's 1st overnight scout camp out.

He and his dad had a blast!

Been to long…

2010-03-22T21:50:00.001-07:00

Ok, so it has been way to long since I updated our blog. Tonight I pledge to do better!

Lately we have been to busy to enjoy the nice spring weather we have had and so on Saturday we loaded up in the truck and headed to the mountains where it was rumored that water really does flow in the dry creek beds of Arizona.

And yes the rumor is true, I was so excited that I had to take pictures. Besides I may never see this again and now I can have the lasting memory of once was.

Even Ruffert got in on the enjoyment of a true spring outing.

Aren’t Dads great to take the time to roll up your pant legs only to have you get them soaked anyways!

We also were able to do a little hiking and enjoy the beautiful view of our little town of Sierra Vista, AZ

ALSO….

I am sad to say, but my little boy is getting big. Braxton had his 11th Birthday this past week, became an 11 year old scout, and decided his next goal in life is to be taller than his mom by his next Birthday. (which will not be too hard to do)

2010 STARTS OFF GREAT

2010-02-05T13:43:00.006-07:00

We began with the kids having a crazy 100th,

wacky tacky day at school

isn't she beautiful?

We planted 3 peach trees in the backyard.

I can hardly wait for that 1st ripe, juicy peach.

Megan finally started Ballet

(she has only been asking me to let her for 3 years now!)

and, Braxton took 3rd place in his last Pinewood Derby race.

His car is the Gold Mini-Van

(didn't you know that mini vans are cool now)

FINDING SNOW IN ARIZONA

2010-01-12T13:41:00.008-07:00

This year for Christmas we decided to give the kids a trip to SNOW!

So our gift to them were sleds and snow clothes and we headed to Greer, AZ for 3 days of fun filled sledding, snowball fights and Hot Cocoa

This is the cute little cabin that was ours for 3 days. The kids loved it especially because it had 8 beds in the little attic where they all got to stay.

Here is Megan making her first ever SNOW ANGEL!

The kids were ready to go find the sledding hill, but the parents were not, so they improvised and got dad to pull them around the yard for a while, which motivated the parents to hurry!

Braxton and Josh giving it a try!

Braxton discovered that playing in the snow can be very exhausting!

And Finally we made it to the Sledding Hill, and got to go sledding in a blizzard!

But, that didn't stop any of the kids they just kept going, and going, and going and .........

We had a wonderful time and can't wait for another chance to find us some snow!

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT!

2009-12-23T18:54:00.002-07:00

This morning we woke up to SNOW in arizona!

Thanks Santa for the early Christmas Gift

Putting up the lights

2009-12-09T12:52:00.002-07:00

My favorite task of this holiday season, and Brians most dreaded.

This was the first year we let Megan join the boys on the roof

and probably the last the girl just has no fear!

THANKSGIVING FUN

2009-12-02T21:01:00.005-07:00

This year we got to go to Beth's house for Thanksgiving. We love hanging out with the Owens. Here is just a few of the super fun things we did.

Riding four wheelers

Megan all decked out, she actually liked the dirt bike better than the four wheeler. I think she is going to be trouble the older she gets.

THE GIRLS

THE BOYS

Halloween

2009-11-02T15:58:00.006-07:00

Here are the kids ready to go to school on Friday in their costumes.

My Little Hannah

And Braxton as some kind of caped, swords man. Really I think he just wanted the hooded cape and sword to play with so he made up a character to get them.

Unfortunately dressing up for the school Halloween parade was all Braxton got to do, because he came down with the Flu on Saturday afternoon and had to stay home, but Megan was so nice and did extra trick-or-treating so that she would have lots of candy to share with him.

This is the cute skirt I made Megan to wear during the month. It turned out so cute.

Playing with Snakes

2009-10-24T14:57:00.004-07:00

Daddy/Daughter Time

2009-09-28T12:15:00.006-07:00

Gotta love it when you catch them just having fun!

Time to update

2009-09-28T11:47:00.004-07:00

So here is about a months worth since I have not been good at updating.

The kids have started soccer again so I am feeling like we live at the fields.

Braxton is working really hard and already made a goal this year, except it was for the other team when the ball hit his knee and went right into their goal.

Megan is playing hard too, but informed me that maybe after this season she might try dance instead of soccer.

Megans class had an America program and they did a great job. I got to help her class make their cute hats and pom-poms.

Last I got to go on a field trip with Megans class to Apple Annies. We got to pick our own apples and go on a hay ride. Megan and her friends had a wonderful time.

ONLY IN ARIZONA!

2009-08-29T16:13:00.002-07:00

Only in Arizona would you be working in the backyard digging in dirt and find these. . . . .

Yep, LIZARD EGGS!

Braxton asked if he could keep them and watch them hatch, but all the books we read said that it is very hard to hatch lizard eggs without special equipment, but we talked someone who told us to just stick them in a container with some wet dirt and set them in the garage.

SOOOOOOOOO! that is what we did letting Braxton know that they would probably not hatch.

BUT . . . . . .

They did hatch all 6 of them in fact. We could not believe it!

We had to let them go because we have not idea how to feed them or take care of them. Braxton was a little sad, he really wanted to keep one as a pet, but he did good and let them go in the garden.

we told Braxton that whenever we see a lizard scurrying in the garden

that it is probably one of his.

GETTIN READY FOR SUNDAY

2009-08-20T14:01:00.003-07:00

Just thought you would all like to know how the Manwarings get ready for SUNDAY!

Back to School

2009-08-06T20:33:00.004-07:00

Well another School year has begun here in our home & this year I even got a picture of Brian headed off to his first day of Seminary. All went well the kids love their new teachers and even Brian said it wasn't a bad first day.

And here are the kids bored to death because they just had to get out to the Bus that wasn't even coming for 15 more minutes.

Summer Vacation

2009-07-19T16:59:00.005-07:00

So much to blog about and not enough time.

1st I have to put a picture of our awesome corn that we grew. Yes, we got a whole 10 ears of corn and then by the time we got home it was all done for the year.

now on to are fun trip. It started out with 3 straight days in the car driving from home to Vanderhoof Canada ( only about 2300 miles) sitting in a car with only a DS and pillows.

In Canada we got to go horse back riding which Megan decided is the most awesome thing ever. We also spent 2 days at a beautiful lake where Brain spoke at a youth conference and we got to play in the water and do a little fishing.

After the Youth Conference we headed down to Washington and spent the 4th of July with Vicki's family. We had lots of fun playing at the Beach in 50 degree weather (Burrr), shooting off fireworks, and eating lots of CRAB.

Then it was back to Idaho where uncle Blake taught us how to have fun in a canal

After we were all canal jumpping experts we headed to Utah, but I have run out of room and time so I will blog that part of the trip later.

Summer Swimming

2009-06-12T12:28:00.003-07:00

Well another session of swimming lessons is over and both the kids passed YEA!

Braxton was Mr. No Fear this year I am sure height played a huge part.

You always feel safer in deep water when you can touch the bottom.

I was most amazed at how good he did the Back Stroke which has been very hard for him.

GOOD JOB BUDDY!

Megan did great, it might be because she is in love with her teacher, but hey whatever gets her swimming is good for me.

He really did a great job and even had her in the deep water floating alone.

Now we will just have to practice while we are on vacation, maybe we will be able to throw them in a lake or two in CANADA!

A little Angle laid to rest

2009-06-10T13:20:00.003-07:00

Today I am really missing my family as they gather together to lay to rest my little sisters stillborn baby Jeferey Haven Auble.

Last week they discovered during an ultrasound that he had anencephaly, which is a disease that affects the formation of the Brain. It has been a hard couple of days for them and today they are having a memorial service for him at the Brigham City cemetery. I really wish I could be there, it is at times like this that living 16 hours away is the hardest.

They have been truly blessed with many tender mercies from Heavenly Father that have helped them along the way. I miss you all and send my prayers and blessing.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-30T11:14:00.004-07:00

I know this is a week late, but I just got a chance to sit down and post.

Last Weekend we had lots of fun. It all started on Friday when April, an old friend from Brigham came for a visit. We had lot's of fun with a girls night out on the Trampoline and then spent Saturday visiting Ramsey Canyon and Tombstone. I was bad a only got two pictures of the kids a Tombstone so here they are:

Then on Sunday Beth's family came to visit the kids love when the Owens come to play:

The boys went to check out an old Ghost town with Grandpa Manwarings metal detector, but no treasure to be found.

The girls stayed home and played in the sprinklers while Beth taught me how to make these easy, cute skirts. Megan is in heaven cuz she can wear them all summer ( She loves her dresses)

We ended the day with a BBQ, some yummy dutch oven peach cobbler and a backyard movie, the kids wanted to sleep outside, but by the time we headed to bed ourselves they were all inside.

2009-05-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

While the Boys are away the girls will Play

2009-05-08T21:38:00.004-07:00

Megan and I got to do something really fun tonight for girls night

while the boys headed up the mountain for Fathers and Son camp out.

We got to participate in a relay for life cancer walk.

There is a little girl in Megans kindergarten class named Zoe, that is a cancer survivor. She was born with eye cancer and has had many surgeries and fought very hard already in her very young life. Tonight Megans awesome teacher organized for the kids in the class to walk with her. We had a lot of fun waking around the park with all the Cancer survivors here in Sierra Vista. It is amazing to me how many people are fighting every day just to stay alive, I was very touched and amazed at their strength.

Here are some pits of our fun night.

Giving Giving Giving

2009-05-06T11:52:00.003-07:00

OK, so I am a little bored and I really wanted to see what my sister would make for me, so I will do it too.

This is how it works:

The first three people to type "Give Me Something!" in the comments on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and give the same offer to the first three commenter's who will also craft it forward.

Here are my contingencies:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It will be done this year.

4. You have no clue what it's going to be.

5. I reserve the right to make something extremely strange.

6. You must post a picture of what you win when you get it.

Have fun!

UP DATE

2009-05-04T13:01:00.005-07:00

So it has been a while since I have blogged. Not too much has been going on, but I thought I would post some Pitcs of what we have been up to.

Brian has run out of Brick, so for now we are done with our fire pit project! We love it we even made Chili Sandwiches and Blueberry pies over the fire on Saturday and watched a movie in the backyard.

I went on a field trip with Megs class to Patagonia Lake. I know its amazing that there is even a lake here in the HOT, DRY, Desert, but there is.

and, lastly Braxton finally earned enough money to get his DS.

Somehow he coned some poor kid at school into buying all his YuGio cards for 52$, my question is WHO??? sends there kid to school with 52$.

anyways since then this is all we see of him.........

6 Years Ago

2009-04-14T21:44:00.006-07:00

Well I cannot believe it, but Megan will be 6 in only 2 hours.

It has defiantly gone too fast.

So I thought I would do a little trip down memory lane.

Megan 1 Trying to keep up with Big brother would crawl super fast everywhere.

Megan 2, they weren't so terrible.

Megan 3 So good at looking so innocent.

Megan 4 The little princess emerges.

Megan 5 Now the little stinker shows up.

Megan 6 Who knows what were in for next, but here are some pitcs from the Bday. We had to do it a day early because Bishop Dad has crazy Wednesdays.

Megan is always so easy to please all she wanted for her Bday dinner was Hawaiian Haystacks, and a chocolate cake with sprinkles and M&Ms.

and.. . . . . A new bigger bike, of course she chose the Princess one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN WE ARE SURE GLAD YOU ARE A PART OF OUR FAMILY!

April Fool 'in' Around

2009-04-02T12:43:00.005-07:00

So I don't usually do anything really big for April Fools, but I've been a little bored so I planned a fun family dinner.

It started with Desert first!!

Yummy Cupcakes (Mini Meat Loaves with Mashed Potato Topping)

Megan was so excited to get cupcakes, her favorite. Until she licked the frosting!

Then we had Juice (Jello) in cups

It ONLY took Braxton 3 tries before he told me he could not get the drink up his straw.

And last was dinner! Hamburgers and French Fries ( Cookie Hamburgers & Mini Bead Sticks)

Now I am going to need better ideas for next year so please share!

Spring Break

2009-03-20T15:35:00.013-07:00

Today ends Spring Break here in Arizona and

I thought I would just highlight our fun week.

1st
We started with a temple trip, but of course I forgot the camera
so no visual display to show, but we had a great time at the Temple
and swimming in the hotel pool.

2nd
Planting the garden and flowers.

3rd
Sleeping out under the stars and freezing. We are all very wimpy Arizona people now and ended up freezing in the 58 degree night temperature.

4th
Braxtons Birthday and the 1st lighting of the finished fire pit!

He wanted a Fruit Pizza for his cake YUMMY!

AND. . . . . .. . .. . . . .

here is the first lighting of the new fire pit

Getting older

2009-03-18T20:12:00.002-07:00

Well it was 10 years ago that Braxton joined our family.
I can hardly believe that it has been that long.

We are so glad to have him in our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAXTON!

Fire Pit almost done

2009-03-15T18:21:00.004-07:00

So we have been working really hard an the fire pit is almost done.

We are hoping to light it for Braxtons 10th Birthday on wednesday night.

Here are some more pictures.

Fire Pit Project

2009-03-07T11:33:00.004-07:00

Well the backyard fire pit is coming along.

randpa Manwaring is here helping to lay the brick here is our progress so far.

Brian says this is his Captian Jack pose! I know WEIRD - O!

Hopefully by spring break we will be roasting SMORES (yummy)

And here is Megan with her new hair cut.

She wanted to go shorter, but I just could not do it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN

2009-02-20T12:21:00.003-07:00

Today is Brians 38th Birthday

We sure love him and are thankful he is in our life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL

FATHER, HUSBAND, AND SERVENT OF THE LORD

CEMENT

2009-02-16T13:28:00.004-07:00

Well we have started working on the Backyard again and the next project is a fire pit.

So we all spent our Monday off pouring cement.

The kids just had to make their mark, good thing that it will all be coverd with Bricks soon.

Hey, Mom she finally decided when its a good time to wear the boots.

Arizona Winter

2009-02-09T09:36:00.002-07:00

It is just really sad when your children wake you up all excited that it snowed last night and when you get up this is what you discover your children think snow is . . . . . . .

Double Duty for the Tooth Fairy

2009-01-21T19:35:00.003-07:00

So Megan finally lost her fist tooth. It has been loose for weeks, but when her brother got a loose tooth after her and got it out first she finally got a little more determined and out it came.

Two nights in a row for the Tooth Fairy to the Manwarings house.

Fun with Grandma

2009-01-21T19:21:00.004-07:00

Grandma came to visit us and we had soooo much fun

here are a few picts from her visit.

Celebrating the 100th day of school with Megan

Helping Braxton practice his Piano.

On our hike in the Chirichua mountians where we actually did find some snow ha ha aunt Torri.

2009-01-14T13:33:00.003-07:00

OK, so now that the drama is over and she is actually looking much better I don't think she will be too mad at me for putting this on the blog.

A couple days ago Megan can home crying from her friends and said that she and the little boy had ran into each other and his head hit her.

This is what she looked like that night.

AND........................................................

This is what she looked like the next morning!

I know awful hu!
She would walk around all day with her hand on her eye just so people would not say anything. Poor Girl!

But, she braved school the next morning mostly because I told her that the boys at school would think it was really awesome.

She came home from school and immediately informed me that not one boy told her it was awesome.

ALL BY MYSELF

2009-01-05T15:31:00.003-07:00

Well she finally did it.

She started out only being able to go in circles,

but look at her now!

Christmas Wishes

2008-12-24T15:48:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas Everyone

We hope you all have a wonderful holday.

Knee Sugery #3

2008-12-21T18:01:00.004-07:00

Well for all you who want an up date.

Brians sugery to become the incredible hulk went well.

One foot down and all the rest to go.

No really everything went well and He is already up and running almost.

He was very proud that he dosen't even have a limp today.

The only bad news is that the Dr. couldn't really do much and he will probably need another full knee sugery soon.

Undefeated

2008-12-11T19:21:00.004-07:00

Well, they did it. Braxtons soccer team went undefeated for the entire soccer season. The last Championship game was very cold, but we won 5-0.

Braxton was very excited to get the #1 trophy, which is to tall for his shelf. He told me that we would just have to get him a new shelf.

Here are a few Pictures from the last game.

Braxton getting his hand warmers ready. It was a really cold night. He even has on two pairs of gloves.

After the big win Dad still wants to talk improvement.

FOOD, COUSINS, & CRAFTS

2008-11-30T13:44:00.005-07:00

Thanksgiving was lot's of fun.

First we ate, yum, yum, yum. We tried grilling our Turkey this year and it was a huge success. I've never had such a juicy Turkey.
Beth's family came and the kids had lots of fun playing together. The girls did everything from dress up to playing horses.

While the Boys concentrated on more boy things.

And this is why we don't let our Husbands play with the boys alone.

Beth and I did Crafts. We made these cute Christmas Advents and Christmas Pillow cases.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving

Now on to Christmas!

Turkey Program

2008-11-25T13:33:00.005-07:00

Megans Kindergarten class put on a Thanksgiving play for all the parents. They were all so cute to watch.

This was her part in the play.

She learned it really well, She even came home the other day and said, "Mom I think that I am feeling ill and need some medicine"

A little fall

2008-11-12T14:54:00.005-07:00

Yesterday we decided to go up the mountians to take in a little bit of Fall.

I am not sure why as kids climbing on trees and Rocks was so fun, but now my feet are killing me from all that climbing.

We were able to get a pretty food family photo, even the dog was looking

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2008-11-01T10:55:00.004-07:00

Here are the Kids all dressed up!

Tagged!

2008-10-29T14:21:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I have been avoiding all the tagging going on. I was never really one to enjoy tag growing up, but I am really bored today and since I got tagged I figured WHY NOT!

5 TV shows I watch:
1. THE AMAZING RACE ( SO AMAZING TO SEE THE WORLD)
2. EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER
( Braxton and I snuggle on the couch on Sunday nights and watch. I think I like it best cuz I know he is getting to old for that and I don't really know how much longer it will last.)

Those are really the only times I actually sit down and watch TV. I honestly would rather be doing something than just sitting watching TV.

5 Restaurants I enjoy:
1. Chili's
2.Utah Noodle (Even though I only get it when we are in Utah visiting)
3. Texas Roadhouse
4.La Casita
5.Macaroni Grill

5 things I have done today:
1. Went for a 2 mile bike ride
2. Finished the 3rd Book of the Twilight series. (only one more to go)
3. Took a nap YEA!
4. Dishes
5. Going to take Megan to 2nd Soccer game this week

5 things I'm looking forward to:
1. Cooler Weather, so that I can wear my sweatshirts and sweaters
2. The day after Halloween so I can start playing Christmas Music
3. Christmas
4. Thanksgiving with Beth's family
5. When Braxton can babysit, so I don't have to pay anyone any more

5 things I love about Fall: (3 are things that I miss since we don't really have Fall here)
1. Leaves changing color all around me
2. The crisp morning air
3. Sweaters and Sweatshirts
4. Three big holidays in a row
5. Decorating my house for all the big holidays

5 things on my wish list:
1. To move closer to family
2. My kids to grow up with strong Testimonies
3. An Elliptical
4. To lose 30 lbs
5. More time to get everything done

5 people I tag: Josie, Becky, Tiffany, Beth, and Ali

GRAVEL

2008-10-26T18:07:00.009-07:00

Here in Arizona everyone thinks that a front yard should be landscaped in GRAVEL!

Beautiful HU!!! (Before)

Well, we aren't your average Arizona family.

We have finally gotten around to working on the front yard, here is our progress so far.

Finally some green, YEA!

We are a little cheap, so we went out into the desert to find free rock. Its truly amazing how much rock is out there in the world just for the taking.

Of course we had to add the dry river bed that only sees water for maybe 15 min. if your lucky during a good monsoon storm.

And here is are finished product. (After)

Someday grass will replace all the gravel, but for now we will let our fellow Arizonians think that we fit in here.

MEXICAN GENERAL

2008-10-18T21:04:00.003-07:00

This is what we call a Mexican General here in Arizona. They usually come out after the monsoons have ended. As you can see Megan loves them!!!

They really do have very pretty colors and are harmless, just really BIG.

Halloween Trees

2008-10-07T21:02:00.006-07:00

After conference on Sunday we all made some Halloween Trees.

The kids enjoys making theme and it was so fun to see each persons individual design.

Braxton really wanted a Picture of him pretending to eat the tree and,

of course Megan had to have one too.

Our new friends

2008-10-02T14:27:00.003-07:00

The kids and I were headed out the front door to the school bus and found two new friends!!!

Luckily the Tarantula was just a baby one, but for the snake, we had to have the police come a get him out because all the rock throwing was doing no good and I was not pulling it out.

2008-10-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

You Belong in 1989

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatyeardoyoubelonginquiz/">What Year Do You Belong In?

Weekend Getaway

2008-09-30T22:31:00.003-07:00

AHHHHHH the COOL mountain air and FALL. Two things I really really miss.

We got to spend the weekend with Shane & Tammy in Flagstaff

it was so much fun.

We started by going to an Arbouretium

where the kids played in a Sunflower maze.

They had a lot of fun running around it and trying to find their way out.

Then we ended the day with a ride to the top of the Snow Bowl.

Where us wimpyArizona Manwarings FROZE!!!

12 YEARS

2008-09-14T17:54:00.004-07:00

Today is Anniversary number 12.

I can hardly believe that we have been married that long. I have been very blessed to be married to such a wonderful man, and great father.

We celebrated by going to the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee. Bisbee is a little mining town that is only about 45 min. away. It reminds me of Park City in Utah, only before being discovered by any one with money.

Brian reserved the John Wayne room (of course). Beth was nice enough to come and stay with the kids so we could go. She even got all 5 kids up and to a 8am soccer game. Thanks Beth we sure love you.

SOCCER TIME

2008-09-07T13:07:00.003-07:00

Soccer has begun once again for our family.
It started Saturday morning with Braxton's game at 7:30 am. Which was a blessing, because it wasn't too hot yet. Braxton did so good that he even got a goal. Which is a big deal since last year he only got one goal the entire season. YEA BRAXTON.

Megan's game was at 9:30 and we fried. She did really good though especially since last year after the first game she told us she wanted to do ballet instead. I am sure it helped that she is one of the older kids this year. She made 3 goals, but we don't count at that age RIGHT!!!

Don't you love the highlighter yellow uniforms? Megan's coach picked those out special so we wouldn't lose any of our kids at the opening ceremonies. When you have over a thousand kids in one place its nice to have highlighter yellow on.

Fried Crickets

2008-08-31T14:13:00.004-07:00

So every 4 years when Brian teaches about John the Baptist in seminary he cooks up crickets for his student to eat. This year I refused to let him cook them inside the house, trust me they smell soooooo bad.

The kids were really excited to help him until they started cooking then all I heard was GROSS!

Brian tried really hard to get the kids to eat one, but of course they just said you first. Brian had to confess that he had never eaten one in all the years he has done this. Instead with each class he throws in a raisin and eats that while many of his students think he actually ate one, and then of course they all try it to. Well, this year his false advertising failed when he forgot to throw in a raisin for one of his classes and had to really eat a cricket. So how do they taste? "NOT TOO BAD" he admitted.

Music to my Ears

2008-08-24T13:35:00.005-07:00

So, after a year of debating we finally got a piano.

We had to go all the way to Tucson to find this one, but the price was worth it. Brian was so determined, not to make a second trip to Tucson that he even went to 6 of the neighbors, of the family who sold us the piano, to have them help him get it into the back of the truck.

The kids thought that it was so cool to have the Piano in the back of the truck. Hopefully it did not drive our neighbors too crazy.

So, after rounding up the hlep of 4 great friends, we got it into the house.

The kids are having a lot of fun playing it right now. Hopefully that will still be the case after we start lessons.

2008-08-19T11:21:00.001-07:00

http://www.brainfall.com/quizzes/which-disney-princess-are-you/">

Which Disney Princess Are You?

You are Jasmine. You are loyal and would visit the ends of the earth for what you believe. You would never let obstacles stand in the way of true love.

Arizona Rain

2008-08-10T14:41:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of the lates monsoon storm. It usually has ended by the first of August, but this year it is still going and I am very thankful for that cuz I love the rain!

HOME ALONE

2008-08-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, but my baby went to school yesterday and now I am actually home alone every School day for 7 hours! To celebrate I wasn't going to do any house work and just veg, but I got really bored and ended up doing some laundry.

Megan was upset that I would not let her ride the bus to school yesterday morning, but it is my right as the mom to take her on that first day right? Anyway I let her ride it this morning and she was sooooooo excited. Now the question is which project to start on!!!

Summer Vacation

2008-07-31T20:02:00.001-07:00

Well we just got back from a long 38 hour road trip.

First we spent a day with Torri, Tiff, and kids at the Gateway in Salt Lake City playing in the water fountains.

Then we headed to Buhl Idaho for the 1st Victor Manwaring family reunion.

And finally we ended with a couple days at Red Fish Lake with Grandma and Grandpa Williams.

It was lots of fun, with lots of cousins. We sure miss living close to family.

GARDEN TIME

2008-07-04T15:21:00.001-07:00

It has only taken us 7 years, but we have figured out how to grow a garden in ARIZONA. The kids love going out to the garden every day to see what we can pick.

The problem is that only things we have been able to pick so far is Cherry Tomatoes and Zucchini. So if any one has some good Zucchini recipies please send them our way.

WERE ONLINE

2008-06-22T14:34:00.001-07:00

I thougth I would start off with our most recent event, Braxtons day camp. It was three days of sweat, dust, scorching sun, and fun.

The theme was Knights and Braxton learned that he loves to play chess and joust, but what boy dosen't like to joust.

On the last day they invited the family to camp. Megan was so excited to get to go to camp she was up at 6:00 am ready to go.