Get Well Soon Grandpa

In August, Grandpa Mann had his foot operated on to repair some damage done a few years back. The surgery was quite extensive and entailed a recoop time of about 12 weeks. Unfortunately, the procedure needed to be done a second time, so the time has now been extended to early spring. Ours prayers are for a complete recovery, so that life can be enjoyed once again--by both Grandpa and Grandma!!

Hard to Believe It's Over

How is it that we spend so much time preparing for the day, and it flies by in an instant. The kids were so thrilled with their holiday gifts. Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful goodies we received. The best gift was being able to enjoy our family and friends through visits together and phone conversations throughout the season. There is no better gift than appreciating all that life has to offer.


One of Caleb's many wonderful gifts included a hockey helmet, hockey gloves and not one, but two hockey jerseys. One from his Grandma and one from his Nana. His joy for these has been seen the past three days, as he has alternated which one he wears. Unfortunately, tomorrow he won't be able to wear either since I am not doing laundry! I am sure he will be disheartened, but such is life!


Emaleigh also received a bounty of wonderful goods. In fact, we have hardly seen her in the past three days. She has been busy enjoying all her new treasures!


We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your new year is filled with much joy and love.

It's Christmas Time

How do we know it's Christmas time in our house. The arrival of the annual illness!

For the past three Christmas' the Mann household has endured some form of illness during the week of Christmas. Two years ago Craig had the flu and Caleb got an ear infection on Christmas day. Last year the kids ended up with strep throat on Christmas Eve. This year Caleb caught the flu bug on December 23. I guess the bright side is it gets one day earlier each year!

Although he wasn't his usual chipper self, he still managed to make us laugh around 10:30 last night. Here is what we encountered when we went to check on him before going to bed.

An Early Arrival from Santa Claus

Yesterday morning, we woke up to find three bags outside our of bedroom doors. To our surprise, Santa had left us some goodies and a note telling us he arranged a trip to Winter Park, CO for us to enjoy the day skiing. Wow! What a wonderful gift. It was a beautiful day! The snow fell lightly most of the day, and the skiing was impecable. There was fresh powder and very few skiers around to get in our way. While the temperature hovered around 15-20 degrees, we were prepared with all our gear! Caleb only complained once about his hands being cold. At lunch we realized the inside of his mittens were soaking. Not sure how, but it was enough for us to decide he needed a new pair. The lady at the shop was extremely helpful. In fact, Caleb wanted to go back a couple hours later to thank her and tell her they were working great!! (Gotta love that boy. He's always had such a kind heart.)It was an absolutly perfect day. But as our family always says...anytime we spend together is the best gift we could ever receive!

Ready for a day of skiing!

What a pair these two make!

This year Ema and I ended up with matching hats! I never thought I would dress my daughter and myself the same, but this hat was just too cute to pass up!

We ended our day at Mary Jane. The car was parked at the base and we didn't want to have to walk very far. (we were a little tuckered from skiing for 7 hours!) To our surprise, we got a little off course and the kids ended up on a blue that seemed much more like a blue-black. Caleb was overjoyed. He'd been wanted a challenge all day. Ema was a little more trepedacious. She certainly was a trooper though. She made her "pizza" all the way down and made it without falling! We are so proud of how both of them have improved in just two seasons. Amazing that just two years ago they received one lesson.


Ahhh...looking forward to our next day skiing.

Watch out Shirley Temple!

Emaleigh has the most beautiful long silky hair. In fact, I am definitely living my hair envy through her. I was never able to have long hair. It just wouldn't grow. If you've ever seen pictures of me when I was little, you know that I could keep the curls, but it wouldn't go past my chin. Well, Ema is the exact opposite. She can grow the hair, but she can't keep the curls. That is until now. Her Nana loaned her a set of hot rollers and with a little patience here is the result!

Move over Disney on Ice

This year Emaleigh decided to participate in the school choir. Her first performance was a Christmas show on roller skates. Wow! A performance where it would be singing to a group and on roller skates at that! She had a role as the planet earth, and a bell ringer. You go girl. We are so proud of you. You were amazing!

Trying to ignore a few butterflies while waiting for the first show to start!

Our Planet Hero!

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle All the Way

The final performance at Skate City

Reliving Our Youth

Last Thursday, my best friend Susan and I were at a fundraiser for the school where we teach. As I rolled up behind her, I noticed she was not wearing skates. "Oh no," I said. "We're doing this! Get your skates on girl!" With much laughter, we managed to get a few circles in, and share our memories of coming to Skate City when we were in junior high school. The things that were shared will never leave my lips! I just have one question. How did we ever think this was fun? Loop after loop after loop. Not much excitement for the grown up in me!

The Choice Has Been Made

With much consideration, we decided to go with the short needle Christmas tree this year. Emaleigh really wanted one that looked similar to the blue spruce, and it just seemed be calling out our name! "Yes, I am the tree for you Mann Family!" Not too mention the fact that it was clear many others had been eyeing it. The snow never lies. Footprints circled the tree from other onlookers. Fortunately, our orange ribbon indicated that this tree was taken. It was waiting to make its home with the Mann's.


It's hard to believe our little Mann is now old enough to cut down the tree.

Our day was filled with much fun. Although it really only took us about thirty minutes to cut both our tree and Grandma and Granpa's tree, the weather was so beautiful we decided to hang out for a while.

The snow was perfect for sledding and having an impromptu snowball fight instigated by our great kids!




And of course what trip to the snow covered mountains would be complete without a snowman?! Even fellow tree cutters stopped by to admire our freshly made creation!


What a wonderful holiday tradition that seems to get better with each passing year!

Change...Who Needs It?

I just couldn't do it. I tried. But it didn't feel good. The black just seemed a little stark. Hard on the eyes. It's funny though. My biggest complaint about my Mann is that he doesn't deal well with change. When we first moved in together I wanted to rearrange a room and he freaked out. He couldn't understand why I would want to change something that was working just fine the way it was. "I just wanted a change," I would say. Well after 13 years, I am beginning to see his thinking. Maybe we are more alike than I thought. Maybe he is just wearing off on me.

Ahhh...there is comfort in the familiar!