Kid's Birthdays. . .

Breck enjoying his non-traditional birthday cake (banana pudding dessert) on his 13th birthday.You can tell it is still summer because of Breck's summer haircut, and poison ivy all over his face.

Breck reading about the Canadian fishing trip and adventure he will soon take with his dad and grandpa.

Next in line was Brittney who turned 17 this year. She too enjoyed her non-traditional cake of pistachio pudding dessert.

Brittney's main gift was contact lenses. Here she is previewing what she will look like once she starts wearing them.

Merinda's birthday comes next, around Labor Day weekend. She turned 9 years old! Her obsession: the latest Percy Jackson books. Favorite gift: her cousin Rachelle's hand-me-downs (from Justice no less!).

Merinda wanted a more traditional cake with just a simple request that it's theme be Percy Jackson and the Olympians! She didn't seem to mind too much that Percy wore camouflage with a beret, or that Annabeth had black hair and glasses. Ms. Dodds, Hades, and Minotaur were closer to their true selves, but I made name tags for all the characters just in case.

Last but not least was Aubrey's 15th birthday. She didn't request any particular cake, so I made her a funfetti, silly-band  cake (with real silly-bands).

Aubrey modeling her new comfy reading chair. . .

And sapphire, diamond, and gold necklace she received from her Grandpa Manwaring.

Fishing in the Canadian Wilderness

Grandpa Manwaring, Brad, and Breck had a wonderful time staying and spending time with the Gulbransons', celebrating the 24th of July (which Breck has never done before) with old friends, visiting at church, and going on a three-day fishing exertion. All of this took place approx. ten hours north of  Vancouver, Canada, in Vanderhoof, British Columbia (where Brad grew up).

For the most part, the fishing part of the trip was a big success, with the guys catching their daily limit (well, almost) of Rainbow Trout.

Breck was thrilled  to learn how to put (and keep) a worm on a hook, and gut a fish (the expression on his face says it all).

Everything was going great until I get a phone call at home, with very poor reception, from Brad who said they had taken a wrong turn and were lost, with the truck high-centered in a mud pit.

I called the entire Manwaring family trying to get a hold of someone, while the guys spent three hours trying to dig themselves out.

Brad and Breck then walked six miles to the main road in order to hopefully be rescued (which they were - Thankfully).

After the whole ordeal was over, and with nighttime quickly approaching, Grandpa Manwaring had just a few words to say. . ."Now let's go fishing!"

(Again, I think Breck's expression says it all!)

The last few days of their trip, Brad, Breck, and Grandpa, drove through Ferndale, Washington (where Brad lived as a teenager), Bellingham, Washington (where Brad & I lived and Brittney was born), and drove on beautiful Chuckanut Drive (sp?) along the Washington coast, before spending a day in Seattle (In this picture Breck is viewing the city from top of the Space Needle). 

On the way to and from Canada, Brad and Breck had the opportunity to visit with family and friends. Aunt Vicki took good care of everyone while at their home in Olympia, Washington, and while spending time in the Seattle area. Breck enjoyed shopping, going to the movies, and getting to know his cousins Dallin, Alyssa, and Blakely (who was visiting from Idaho) a little better.

Male Bonding in Canada

Brad, Breck, and Grandpa Manwaring spent an adventurous ten days together in British Columbia, Canada. Here Grandpa and Breck are standing in front of an old cabin used during the gold rush.

In this picture Breck is bailing hey with the Gulbranson family on their 6,000 acre farm. It was good for Breck to see the meaning of real work!

Breck even got the opportunity to go horse-back-riding for the first time in his life. . .

while viewing the beautiful Canadian country-side!

Other highlights included spending time in the Gulbranson's trophy room,

and flying in their single-engine Cessna!

Breck as the co-pilot (good thing I didn't know about this until after the fact).

View from out Breck's window.

Camping in Tennessee

We were finally able to go camping this year as a family at Big South Fork river and recreation area, in the Cumberland Plateau, located in the western Appalachian Mountains. We chose this location because it was fairly close to home, hopefully cooler due to it's elevation, and contained hundreds of hiking trails. Here, Breck is getting to know some of the local creatures, however, the most prevalent animal to watch for was the black bear!

This is where the phrase "Happy Camper" comes from.

O.k. this is a little better!

Even though the camping and hiking were extremely hot (in the nineties with ninety percent humidity), the scenery was breathtaking, and worth the heat.

Breck and Aubrey enjoying the view at the end of Angel Fall's trail.

Everyone exploring Twin Arches, largest sandstone arch complex in the Eastern United States.

Breck standing at the bottom of the gorge.The cliff-sides and  hollows were incredibly green with trees and shrubbery that served as an umbrella to everything below. The river beds contained abundant amounts of fish including largemouth bass, and freshwater mussels.

Just one example of the many beautiful wildflowers indigenous to the Big South Fork area. 

Sister's Reunion Part Two

While in Heber, we though it would be fun to surprise Jared at work. He gave us the grand tour as we enjoyed the opportunity of meeting some of the great people he works with.

No reunion would be complete without taking family names to the Temple.

Next on the schedule was dinner at Taco Amigo and family get-to-gather at PG park, for old time sake.

Even though it began as a Sister's Reunion, what a treat it was to have the whole gang back together again, and not forgetting Dad as we paid our respects.

I had so much fun, and hope we can fulfill Mom's dream of making this reunion an annual event. Thanks Mom for putting this together, for everyone who sacrificed their time and money to make it happen, and to Melanie, for putting up with me and my camera despite being over seven months pregnant!

Sister's Reunion Part One

This past week I spent a wonderful five days in Utah for our very first Sister's Reunion. Cindy flew from Grangeville Idaho, Melanie drove from Abalien Texas, and I flew from Georgetown, KY. The "Sisters" that were able to participate included (from left to right) Brie, Sasha, Mom, Cindy, Carolee, Melanie, and Me (Alicent).

We had a fun time eating good food, like raspberry-filled donuts (not available in the South or Midwest), and getting our hair done (notice my hair before, in the first picture, and after, in this picture) compliments of Mom and her salon.

Other highlights were a day of pampering with manicures and pedicures ...

and spending a night at a cabin up Heber canyon among the beautiful Pines and Quaking Aspens, which included a fabulous dinner with chocolate lava cake for dessert (again all compliments of Mom).

 We had a good time taking a break from our busy lives to catch up, take personality tests, share goals, and just enjoy each others' company.

 

May Highlights

Merinda had fun playing Merryweather (the blue fairy) in this year's K-3rd grade drama production of Sleeping Beauty. Here she is standing next to some of the other fairies, including Flora and Fauna. 

She had fun "hamming" it up for the camera.

Merinda was nervous but did a great job singing her first solo.

Merinda with her good friend Katelyn, who played Briar Rose.

I had a fun time going with Merinda on her field trip to the Kentucky Horse Park. This Fall, the Horse Park will host the 2010 World Equestrian Games, right here in our little town of Georgetown, KY. Many people are still trying to find places to stay and are paying a going rate of  $1000.00/day (I am seriously thinking about giving up my house for three weeks!).

Merinda learning how to guide her "show horse" around the rink.

May Highlights Continued

No, I did not really turn nineteen, even though I feel that young! I forgot to buy a number "3" candle, so this year I had the privilege of being 19 again instead of 39 years old (I will definitely need to forget the number "4" for next year!).

I had a wonderful Birthday & Mother's Day despite the fact they took place in the middle of a very hectic month of May.  I enjoyed the calls, gifts, spending time with family & friends, and watching Iron Man opening night!

With the end of May came the end of Seminary. I will miss my Seniors Shay and Sean, but can't wait to see everyone back next fall, including 18 new students!

My Seminary class again, only this time they are revealing their true colors (and yes, I am also showing the real me).