Memorial weekend - we got a yard!!!!

We had a great Memorial Weekend. A bunch of friends and family pitched in and we were able to get our yard and sprinklers put in! I had a bunch of pictures of everyone that came to help and an awesome picture of all of us crammed around our little kitchen table enjoying a steak dinner. Unfortunately, Evan must have deleted them from the camera. I can't find figure out what else could have happened to all those pictures. I am so sad! Anyway, here are a few shots I did have of the yard going in. We put rocks in the swell in front of our house.

Evan played with our cute next door neighbor.
He tried to help daddy with his dump truck.
Here's a shot of Patrick, Chase, and Kendrick laying the sod. We're so lucky to have such great friends! Patrick's brother Matt and his wife Krissia came up the day before to help us with the sprinklers. It was so nice to have them here!
Evan wanted to help dig the trenches.

Our trip to San Francisco

We left Evan with Nana for five days and took a little trip to San Fran. Our hotel was less than a block from the "crookedest" street in the World. That was the first place we went.

I think my favorite part about San Fran is the landscaping. It's amazing that they can make such a crowded place so beautiful with flowers and greenery.

We found this little lookout above a beautiful garden, not far from our hotel. The view was amazing.
Alcatraz...... Most of our trip was overcast and a bit rainy. The weather was actually perfect for all the walking we did. Those steep hills and streets were killer!
Next we visited Hyde Peer and took a tour of the ships.
Day two: We decided to walk to the AT&T park. It was about 6 miles from our hotel but there was a lot to see on the way. This is just one of the many beautiful parks we saw.
And one of the many cathedrals.
We made sure to wind through China Town.
By the time we got to the park I was exhausted and starving!
We ate like kings and had a great time at the game. The Giants beat the Rockies 1-0.
After the game we walked back through Union Square, took another break to catch a movie, saw some more parks and cathedrals, and ate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory in Union Square park. Even after all the walking, I think I still gained 3 pounds that day. By the time we got back to the hotel we were too beat to move.

Day three: As if I wasn't worn out enough, we decided to rent bikes and ride our way across the bridge to Sausallito. Even though it wore me out, I think the bike day was my favorite day.









Once in Sausallito, the sun peeked out for a bit. We decided to ride our bikes 9 more miles to the next ferry port (I can't remember the town). We made it a few miles and it started to downpour. My jacket was not waterproof. Although, I was enjoying the sights, I was miserable. Thank goodness Patrick decided we should turn back and try to catch a bus back to our room. Hours later, we made it to our hotel. The night was still young but I was in no mood to go out. We ordered take out and enjoyed the rest of the night in.


Day Four: I was sick of pictures. We took a bus to China Town and walked to Union Square for some shopping. Patrick and I were both shopped out, so we took another bust to Golden Gate Park. By the time we got there we were too tired to walk around. LOL. We took another bus back to our hotel, and spent our last night eating clamb chowder on Fisherman's Warf, and visiting Ghiradelli square for a sundae.

All in all it was an awesome trip, but it took me days to recover. I guess I need to workout more. :)

Planning a baby free vacation

Patrick and I are planning our first trip alone together since our honeymoon. I thought I would never be brave enough to leave our baby boy with someone while we go out of town, but things definitely change. Evan gets to spend 4 fun filled days with his loving Nana, and I am sure he won't miss us a bit. Although, I am sure I will miss our little darling every moment, I am definitely looking forward to the uninterrupted adult time. I honestly don't think I have been away from Evan for more than half a day since he was born, and that only happened once. I am shamefully looking forward to the break!

I am thrilled to spend some time exploring a new place and getting to know my husband again. We've been mommy and daddy for so long, it will nice to just be husband and wife for a few days. And thanks to Nana this trip is going to be as fun for Evan as it will be for us. I just hope that after Nana takes Evan to the Zoo, the aquatic center, the discovery zone, and the farm (or whatever fun places she has planned) he will still remember who his parents are and want to come home with us. :)

We're Having a GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

“What Is A Little Girl!”

She's a bundle of sweetness,
brightness & fun

The beauty of springtime,
the warmth of the sun

She's Innocence covered with mud,
sand, & soot

She's Motherhood dragging
a doll by the foot...

She's a composite picture of
giggles & tears

Of tantrums, excitement,
amusement & fears

A bundle of mischief
and often a tease

A creature of moods
not easy to please...

Who'll capture your heart
with her pixie-like grin

Or chatter and beg till your
patience wears thin

But obedient, naughty,
mischievous or coy

She's Mom's little Darling &
Dad's Pride & Joy.

Enjoying the Spring weather!

Evan sat in front of the window all morning looking at the kids playing outside, while I packed for a trip to Salt Lake. I felt soooo bad!
I tried to make it up to him when we got to Salt Lake. We spent two whole days playing outside. He loved all the playgrounds around, especially the slides!

Sporting Uncle Holden's sunglasses.
And a chocolate milk mustache. What do you think, am I as cool as Holden??? :)
When we got back home the weather was still nice, so we took Evan down to the river and let him run around.
He had a blast chasing the ducks!

Easter!

Evan got spoiled from the Easter bunny this year!
He wasn't quite sure what to think at first.
He figured it out fast enough.

Alright, double fisting the candy!

General Conference

I am so grateful for the opportunity to watch General Conference this weekend. For the first time in my life, I wondered if I would be able to watch Conference in my home or if I would have to go to a Stake Center to see the broadcast. Thank goodness, it is available in Idaho as well as in Utah. I don't think I would be able to attend with a rambunctious one year old at toe. How blessed we are to have the opportunity to hear our church leaders in the comfort of our own home!

I had the opportunity to think about how blessed we are to live in a place where the Gospel is so easily accessible, to have church houses around every corner, and Temples within a ten minute drive. It's incredible how easily these things are taken for granted. Now that I don't live in Utah, I miss the knowledge of having our dear Profit living, almost literally, right down the street. I miss being able to walk the grounds of the Salt Lake Temple any day of the week. And I miss being able to see the glorious silhouette of a number of Temples as I drove up and down I15.

It's amazing how the words of our Church leaders are always exactly what you need to hear. Today the messages that stood out for me were all about Temples, and Temple work. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to go to the Temple. I am grateful for the blessings that are available to us by attending there. I am grateful for the knowledge that our families can be forever, and I am grateful for the knowledge and guidance we can receive to help us return to live with our Father in Heaven as eternal families.

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and I know that The LDS Church is the True Church, HIS church, and I know that this Church has been established on the Earth to guide us back to Him. I am so grateful for the Gospel, and the Savior's light in my life.

Publish Post

Little Mann Walkin'

Evan's been walking for about a month now. I thought he was into everything before, now I can hardly keep up! It's so weird to turn around and find him standing right behind me. I love it though! One of my favorite things ever is to walk around with him holding onto my hand. We walked all over the mall that way. It was so cute, and so much fun!

Grandma and Grandpa Mann

We had the wonderful opportunity to go and visit Evan't great grandparent's. Grandma Mann cooked us a delicious lunch and we had a blast visiting and getting to know them better. Grandpa Mann showed us some of the great memorabilia he's collected, and told us a bit about his fascinating life and his travels. Grandma Mann showed us some of her amazing needle point art. Evan had so much fun playing with them and getting to know them better. We can't wait to go visit again!

Evan's 1st Birthday Party!!!!

Evan had his first Birthday party on March 5th at his great Grandparent's house. He had tons of family and friends come to help him celebrate. Almost all of his cousins, grandparents, great grandparents, and aunts and uncles were there. It was an awesome party, and Evan got spoiled with tons of great gifts. Thank you to everyone that helped make Evan's first birthday so great! I am pretty sure Evan had a good time. :)


Mmmm cake!!!
So many toys.....so little time........
I'm not sure who was more excited about the toys, Evan or Daddy.


This was my first attempt at cake decorating. Evan loves music so I made him a guitar cake. Thank goodness my mom was there to help! It was more difficult than it looks.
Ahh.....Evan's all time favorite toy, ribbon.


Yay! More ribbon!!