So we went to see the New Mexicans over this last weekend. I had forgotten how long the trip actually was, and this was the first time I've done any of it in the daylight. The other times we've gone we've been like thieves in the night travelling the redeye there and back. We took the kids and had a couple of days to spend with Daren, Megan, and they're new little precious package Kash. As you can see below this is the proud papa and baby Kash on her blessing day. We were impressed with the special blessing Daren gave and were especially thankful to have been there to love and support them. Congratulations you guys! She's so darling!!

Also while we were there we went to White Sands Nat'l Monument. It's actually pretty cool. It's wierd because you're in the desert and somewhat in the mountains and then all of a sudden you drive up to these sand dunes of white. The kids had fun and it felt so yummy on our bare feet. It was cool... you should all go there sometime ;o)

We had a great time but were glad to get home after the long drive. It was actually about a 1600 mile round trip. We stopped at the Hoover Dam on the way down which is just awesome to me and then at the Glen Canyon dam on the way home which is also really rad in my mind.

We thank you Daren and Meg for having us for a few days. We loved being there and hoped that all the crazy children we brought didn't talk you out of having four more of your own. Love Ya!

This is precious of my children I think. The funny thing about it though is that they look like they are all in three separate pictures and placed into one... is there agreeance or am I seeing things?

This picture was supposed to be at the bottom, but oh well, it's Mc J in Carley's bumbo... she's silly and has lately been a little whiney bucket and is driving her mother nuts. I hope to miss that noise some day, but I for sure don't today :o)

So, it's been brought to my attention that I've been holding out on all of you with pictures of the littlest Mannimal of the zoo. Carley has really grown. She's already 3 1/2 months old. She weighs at least 15 or 16 pounds and as you can see still has her light brown hair that's crazy most of the time (and her mother seldom makes it cute with a headband or anything). She is really smiling and starting to giggle. She's had a couple of spells with the runny nose and now a cough, but so far she's stayed out of the doc's office and is obviously not in danger of being underweight anytime soon :o) Rylan and McKinley still love her and like to cuddle and hold her. She sleeps through the night every night (which I just love!) Things are good and we are just enjoying our cute baby Carley!

This is the Bumbo. It's kinda cute and as you can see it sets her right up and she's in the same room with us and doesn't have to be laying down or on the floor or in the swing that's pretty low to the floor too. You'll see shortly that the other kids like it too :o)

Funny face mcgoo there... She makes some good ones.

Where does time go????

Seriously, where does it go? Time has just been flying by lately. I see it has been quite some time since we've checked in. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and as quickly as things are going it will soon be a Happy 4th of July!

We are doing well here. Just the usual stuff. Runny noses, vacation from school til tomorrow for Rylan and I, attitude in full bloom for McKinley, work, family fun, granny in the hospital, Carley with a bad cold (again), car too small for the crew we like to travel with, playing with cousins, enjoying movies, new church callings, blah blah blah. I could go on forever.

One cool thing happened today (among many). We were sitting in the livingroom visiting and all of a sudden out of our front window a big beautiful falcon landed on the patio chair and looked in at us. Ammon just absolutely loves that kind of bird and this particular one seems to visit the neighborhood often, but today he got especially close and it was really cool to see him and get a good look right up close.

We hope you haven't forgotten us. I am checking in to say we're still here and I am looking forward to catching up on the blog buzz.

Our little 2 year-old going on 12...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MCKINLEY JEAN!!!

This was the party we had for her. Her b-day is actually on the 17th and we had the cousins and grannies and aunts over that live close and it was really fun. She got spoiled and is cute with her new toys and scooter. McKinley is such a 2 year old. The drama is going strong and the precious moments are extra precious lately. She is talking so well, singing the ABC's and other songs, getting really close to being potty training ready, and loves to give hugs and kisses. She has gone to her 2 yr. doctor visit and weighs 27 pounds and is 34 inches tall. Most of the time she looks like a rag muffin, but when she decides to let me do her hair and primp her up she is such a beautiful little girl and has the most awesome mean looks and fun faces. We love you Mc J and are so glad you're two... may we all survive these next couple of years with our hearing and sanity. LOVE YA!

We're still alive!! :o)

It's been awhile since we've put anything new up and our munchkin has changed so much! Isn't she cute and chubby :o) Carley is growing, growing, growing, and starting to smile. We took these pics to try and get something cute to send out to everyone. the outfit is compliments of Sage and Amee. She is adorable in it.

This here is Jetta Lundin :o) I had a funtime babysitting for Dayna and when the munchkin got his clothes so dirty he had to have a change, all I had was pink stuff out of McKinley's drawer so I tease them now that they have a cute baby girl named Jetta... his dad was not impressed if you can imagine such a thing...

This is what we looked like for Halloween. We had Captian America, Kinley The Duckling, and Carley the Pumpkin Head. We had a lot of fun and filled our bellies with sugar for the year.

Newest Mann moments

Well, here's a little bit of what we've been up to. The girls and I share a little quality time in the car when we wait for Rylan at school. It's fun with McKinley putting on "lips" and making a mess of our makeup and playing around like silly girls. Carley is growing fast and getting chubbier everyday.
This is little Carley and her grandma KaSea. We sure enjoy living close and having fun with her. Thanks for everything and for being kind and cuddly mom.

This poor little fella was hiding from his daddy when he came home and seriously not 3 minutes after he said, "mommy I'm gonna hide from daddy under the bed" he was dead asleep... yep under our bed.

Okay, so obviously McKinley has been up to more than being precious and putting on lips. I asked her to help me take the clothes out of the dryer and when I walked out of the room for 2 seconds I came back and she was in the dryer thinking she was so cute... actually it was pretty cute so I had to snap a shot :o)

And this is little Gus. Owen and his cute family came to meet our newest munchkin and visit us. I can't believe how cute he is and how fast he's grown. What a good little crawler he is and oh I can't wait til he's crawling out of the dryer and putting on "lips". Owen, you better put some pictures when he does. :o)