Happy Thanksgiving

Victor admiring one of his perfectly cooked turkeys!

 Brad came home from the hospital Thanksgiving day so we really didn't plan on doing anything for Thanksgiving this year knowing that he probably wouldn't feel up to it. Especially since the surgery site was in front of Brad's neck and the surgeon said he would have a really sore throat for weeks.

 The Holts were so kind and invited us anyway, just in case.

 And good thing they did, because Brad was miraculously healed, and enjoyed the full meal (which was absolutely delicious) 

and amazing desserts, without any problems at all. He even had enough energy to stay and visit entirely too long!

Aubrey, Breck & Iris, and Merinda spent Thanksgiving weekend in Buhl, Idaho with Grandpa Manwaring and Grandma Virginia. 

Breck helping with the meal prep (at least I hope that's what he is doing).

Iris and Merinda also helping out in the kitchen. Virginia just amazes me with how much cooking and cleaning she is constantly doing for all of the family (which includes my bunch about every other weekend)! We sure love and appreciate everything she does, and the overwhelming hospitality she and Victor give our kids every time they visit! 

 Brittney spent the whole week of Thanksgiving in California, exploring Sean's neck of the woods, in the Bay area. Above, is a picture of Sean's childhood home, which is father built. 

 They stayed with Sean's childhood friend and his wife, and Sean's older sister Christy, who is the last of Sean's siblings to still live in the Bay area. 

Definitely one of the highlights for Brittney and Sean (since they are such foodies) is eating amazing food like Brittney's breakfast of Egg's Benedict with Hollandaise sauce over fried chicken n' biscuit, with a side of hash-brown potatoes, and Banana Foster pancakes. Dang! 

 They had a great time seeing all the sites with Christy,

 especially San Francisco!

And of course they had to visit the Full House house, since that was one of Brittney's favorite shows growing up.

 They also got some epic pics of the Golden Gate Bridge!

 Other than the unseasonably cold weather, they had a very memorable visit!

Fall Happenings

Brittney and Merinda's cute Halloween costumes. Merinda was Winnie the Pooh (not to be confused with Princess Leia).

 Merinda and Iris going out to eat for Iris' birthday. 

 

Merinda cheering on Aubrey and her softball team at BYU-I.

 Brenden and Ashton, the team's captians, Aubrey, and the rest of the cheering squad, are all from Georgetown, KY.

The team's winning picture (they took first place in their tournament).

 Aubrey visiting Brittney in Salt Lake City,

 and attending her Chile mission reunion (Aubrey with her Mission President and his wife).

Aubrey spending time with her old mission companions (and one of their babies, who has the cutest smile ever!).

 Visiting Bea again in Florence, AL during one of Brad's business trips down south.

 Bea's son Bruce, Bea, and me

Then stopping by the Wrights in Franklin, TN on our way home.

It was so nice going to the Temple with them, and hanging out for a couple of days.

 Debbie's Facebook post ... dinner at Hogwood's was pretty amazing (as well as the company!).

 Even though it was a little cold and rainy, 

the Fall colors were still so beautiful 

during my morning run in Pinkerton Park!

 Our kids (and spouses) who attended Victor Manwaring's (Grandpa) 80th birthday party in Buhl, Idaho.

Eating dinner with all their cousins.

 Victor with all the grand kids (and spouses) in attendance. 

Victor with all the kids in attendance.

 Brad was there via FaceTime from India.

Victor with his better half, Virginia. 

 Brad spent a week in India for work. Above is a picture of him visiting Victor's good friends (Brad's parents served a mission in India several years ago).

Other great pictures from Brad's trip ...

A family of five on one motorcycle, 

 strays hanging out in front of the Kentucky Fried Chicken,

 a family Brad watched from his hotel room,

 and other third-world living.

 Brad did say the food was really good, above is a typical meal which is usually eaten with your hands and some Naan. Brad did get a bad cold while in India (hmmm, I wonder why?) so when he went to the pharmacy to get some cough drops they tried to sell him just one. Brad looked at the guy and then dumped out the entire container and said "this is how many I need!"

 Catching up with Brad's old boss and friend Tak, and his sweet wife Miho.

Brad survived surgery on his cervical spine. He had two vertebrae fused and a bunch of bone spurs removed (it took the surgeon over 40 minuets just to clean-up all the bone spurs). He was in good hands however, the same neuro-surgeon that performed my brain surgery did his surgery. He is now home recuperating, and will hopefully be back to his old self (minus the nerve pain and weakness) by the time we fly to Utah/Idaho for Christmas!

Empty Nesters!

 What's the first thing you do when you're an empty-nester?

 You go camping and rock climbing at Red River Gorge, of course!

 Since we are beginners at this rock climbing thing, we chose to climb via ferrata, a type of rock climbing using Rebar for feet and hand grips. 

It's a great security feature, but does not make the climbing any less scary (at least for me who is deathly afraid of heights). However, after a few freak-out moments, and some deep-breathing exercises, I was able to conquer the beginner and intermediate levels. 

Cabin where we received instructions and our gear. 

Climbers on the rock's face, on the advanced course.

Brad started to climb one of the more advanced levels but decided he was too fatigued, and that he would try another day when his muscles were fresh.

 Even the climb down was a little sketchy.

 But, we survived, had a great time, and plan on eventually conquering all of the levels!

So, what else do you do when you're an empty-nester? You go out with friends to your favorite Mexican restaurant and try to sing karaoke for the first time!  

That too I will do again, only next time I will choose an easier song, that's slower and more within my range! I must redeem myself!