Home Sweet Home

Idaho and the Manwarings

Kim & Lampee's Family, Garland, Utah

We flew in to Utah and began our extended family adventure in Garland, Utah (which is almost in Idaho).

Kim and Lampee have the cutest kids ever: Eva, Will, Luke,

and Spencer.

Luke and Breck bonding in the back yard,

and Merinda bonding with their cat (he was a sweetheart, even after being tossed around like a toy).

Becky & Shaun's Family, Burley, Idaho

 We then drove to Burley, Idaho where the kids had fun getting to know their uncles, aunts, and cousins again. Aunt Beth & uncle Jake, and their family (from Arizona), also stayed the night.

 Breck got a crash-course from his cousin Blakely on dirt-biking. She asked if Breck wanted to ride the larger bike but his over-protective mom said the smaller one was just fine.

 He was then instructed where to go by his uncle Shaun (who races dirt bikes competitively).

And then they were off!

 There were enough dirt-bikes for everyone to have a good time.

 And who wouldn't have a great time riding uncle Shaun's custom made trails full of moguls, hills, jumps, switch-backs and anything else you would want to do on a dirt-bike. Not to mention all of this backing up to a picture-perfect backdrop (I wouldn't mind having this as my backyard!).

 Did I mention crash-course? Yep!

 Just glad he was on the smaller dirt-bike (and that mom's can see into the future!).

This adorable baby is Emma, the youngest of the Manwaring cousins.

There is something so irresistible about babies (and kittens). Emma's mother is second from the right, Becky, who was hostessing. Luckily, there was no shortage of babysitters (at least not until 3:00 in the morning). 

Here is Emma with her real father (at least she thinks he is her real father).

Grandpa Manwaring & Grandma Virginia, Buhl, Idaho

Breck mowing grandpa's lawn before the big get together. 

Grandpa barbecuing chicken and hamburgers.

Virginia, aunt Becky and aunt Lynn preparing the rest of the delicious food.

Breck's birthday fell on the last day of scout camp right before coming out to Idaho and Utah.

So we celebrated it while all together in Buhl. Aunt Lynn made him this amazing cake that was just as yummy as it was cleverly decorated.

It was great catching up with many of the aunts, uncles, and cousins on the Manwaring side.  

Some of the best moments are just sitting around the kitchen table reminiscing.

Grandpa sharing some of his treasures and collections with Breck.

Grandpa taking the grand kids for a ride in his tractor (I love the expression on Eva's face).

Merinda admiring the beautiful scenery.

And Brad, enjoying a nice little bike ride in Grandpa's neighborhood (the most scenic one in Buhl).

Everyone fell in love with the sweet little kitten Grandpa rescued from the side of the road. When Grandpa found him he was practically dead, but Virginia nursed him back to life. Her nursing background must have come in handy.

Or maybe it was her love for the little kitty that got him through.

But seriously, how could anyone not love that adorable little kitty face?

Breck and Merinda could not get enough of that little kitty. 

They even got into arguments over who got to hold the kitty,

and sleep with him.

It was a sad day when we had to say "goodbye" (to the kitty, that is). We will also miss the family, but they didn't tug on our heart strings quite as much as this little guy (I'm really not a cat lover, but it is true that this one put some kind of spell over me, and over all of us!).