Family Pictures

You would think by the time you have grown children that you could actually take family pictures without any issues...but I am telling you, it never gets any easier!

After trying to make it as convenient as possible for everyone in regards to what to wear (casual, similar color scheme), where to take the pictures (Sasha's backyard with her husband Chris taking the pics), and when to take them (right before a Heelis family get-together), there was still plenty of attitude! Like trying to decide where and how to stand.

Then noticing that Breck couldn't even iron his shirt for pictures!

Chris then telling everyone to frown instead of smile (thanks Chris, not helping!)

and Sean missing the memo that is was now okay to smile!

Finally great smiles all around...but Brad's head is cut off.

Okay, this is better!

Some of these have funky lighting, but we'll take them!

Just when everyone thinks we're done, Mom (yes, me) has the audacity to ask if we can take a few pictures on the deck stairs!

Me getting mad at Brad

because he won't move his big feet!

While Sean (who loves taking pictures anyway, not!) tries to keep it together.

Finally we got it! ...except for Merinda, who's eyes are closed!

Okay, this is as good as it's going to get!

Just ONE more picture standing in front of the field?...Please?! (Sean going to his happy place)

Brad pinching everyone, and me losing my cool! (Sean still focusing on his happy place)

Okay, we've almost got it people! 

Just kidding, Sean's losing it!

Brittney trying to console her husband.

I'm determined to smile for the picture, even if no one else does!!

 Okay! We've got it! That's a wrap folks! (Thank Goodness!)

 Merinda's roommate took these pictures of Merinda her first semester at BYU-I. I thought they turned out so cute that I'm posting them (also because I feel bad that she never got senior pictures taken, but with two weddings and two graduations all in the same year, there's only so much one can do!). 

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!