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!

Welcome Advent

Sunday, November 29, 2008 marks the first day of the advent season. This is probably my most favorite part of the holidays. Advent means the coming of Christ. The time when we wait patiently for the arrival of the Son who provides eternal life. What a glorious time of year. A time to celebrate the most important 'Birth'day of all. For our family, it is a time when we focus on teaching our kids the importance of giving and sharing of ourselves. It's a time for a renewed understanding of why we feel it is important to believe in Jesus. Without Jesus, there is really no reason for Christmas.

The other day Caleb and I were writing his letter to Santa and he misspelled the word Christmas. It was then that I realized something interesting. Of course it is obvious that Christ is the first part of the word, but my eyes seemed to focus on the second part. Mas. If my memory holds I believe mas means 'more' in spanish. More Christ. Wouldn't it be great if our materialistic views of the world would realize the value of having 'more Christ' in our lives than 'more things'? I am guilty of wanting to spoil my family and friends during this season. However, I find some solace in knowing it is important for me to give more of myself to Jesus. I know it should not be just in December, but everyday. Finding that special time of day to relish in my relationship with Christ is what I hope to do more of this holiday season. Afterall, wouldn't that be the best gift to give the birthday boy?

Enjoying Life's Moments

Yesterday we received our first snowfall where Caleb could actually put on his snowpants and head outside to play---really, by the time the morning ended most of the snow was gone. Gotta love Colorado! Much to Caleb's delight his friend Logan came outside to play, too. The two of them had snowball fights, made the first snowman of the season, and even enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa at Logan's house. Thanks Mr. Chris and Ms. Jen!

EMBRACE CHANGE

So, if you've been checking over the last couple of days, our blog has been a little off. I tried to import a new template and it messed everything up. Therefore, I decided it was time for a change. While I really appreciated the calming feel of the last template, I am enjoying the boldness of this one. Life is about change isn't it?! It's about creating your own history. Placing your stamp on life. Sharing with others so they can learn alongside you. It's about making a statement that shows your true colors. Well here are my colors--for this period of time anyway. I am EMBRACING change!

People Are Funny!

This year Craig vowed he was going to take advantage of the variety of benefits Pepsi offers to their employees for free. One of these is tickets to a variety of sporting events. Well last night was over the top. I have never been to quite an event.

Let me set it up for you.

An Air Force Hockey game.

For those of you that don't know, Air Force has never really been a very good hockey team. Until recently, that is. Last year they won their division championship, so this year the games are a little more crowded. Certainly not sold out, but more seats are being filled. Good for them. They certainly deserve some support. They are ultimately defending our country so that we can maintain the lifestyle that we tend to take for granted.

Anyway, last night was an experience that I will certainly remember for a long time. You see, the AFA was offering free hotdogs, popcorn and soda through the end of the first period. Now you would have thought they were giving away free automobiles with the number of people that showed up for this game. I have never seen this stadium so packed. We arrived about 30 minutes early. Usually we arrive 10minutes late and the stadium still has more empty seats than filled ones. We barely found a spot to sit. By the time the first period started the stadium was standing room only. People were lined up on both sides behind the nets, plus blocking stairways just to see the game.

The free food was being dispursed in the basketball stadium area. The line to get the food came out the entrance of the basketball court, wrapped around the entrance doors past the nets for the hockey arena, and past the third entrance to the general admission seating area. CRAZY! What people won't do for a can of soda, a box of popcorn and a 50 cent hotdog!!

I know what you're thinking. Did we stand in line? WELL OF COURSE WE DID! We had to get our money's worth for our FREE evening!

Even with all those people the evening was a blast. Air Force blew Sacred Heart off the ice. We left just into the third period with a score of 4-1. On the drive home they scored two more goals. I am not sure what the final score ended up being, but it certainly was a memorable game.

How I Met Craig

Saw this in a friend's Blog...loved it...wanted to share it with you all!

1.Where did you meet?
At the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. He sold bear food...I sold giraffe food. We were 16 years old.

2.What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
What a dork! I had to teach him to tally up the money we made for the day and make a new bank for the next day. I was in a rush because I was going out on a date. He was so slow to process and all I could think about was the date I was going on...funny thing is I don't even remember who the date was with now.

3.Do you remember what he/she was wearing?
A teal shirt with the zoo crew emblem khaki shorts and green and white adidas shoes. I am sure he must have been wearing undies and socks, too, but I don't recall!

4.Where was the first time you kissed this person?
At our friend Englebert's house. We were out on his deck.

5.Where did you go for your first date?
The Will Rogers Shrine.

6.How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
Three months.

7.How did he/she ask you out?
He didn't really...he just took me on a wild goose chase through his neighborhood and then we had birthday cake with his family...his sisters were celebrating their
9th and 12th birthdays. Now they are 30 and 33. Our daughter is older than his little sister was when we met!

8.Has this person ever proposed to you?
Of course! We got engaged 16 years ago on Thanksgiving weekend. He took me to the jeweler's on the way back college in Greeley. We bought the ring and when we got in the car he pulled it out and asked me to marry him!

9.Do you and this person have kids together?
The best ever! Emaleigh Rebekah who is ten and Caleb Craig who is seven.

10.Have you ever broken the law with this person?
Well I don't think so, but I never say never. I am sure we have been known to speed on occasion!

11.When was the first time you realized that you liked this person?
At the zoo's end of the summer picnic when I offered him my pickle!

12.Do you get along with his/her family?
Yes!

13.Do you trust this person?
With all of my soul!

14.Do you see her/him as your partner in your future?
I will be forever saddened if we aren't together.

15.What is the best gift she/he gave you?
Himself

16.What is one thing He/She does that gets on your nerves?
Waiting for him to get ready. His pacing is a little slower than mine...well a lot actually! You know that song "Waiting on Women" by Brad Paisley...well I think it should be called "Waiting on a Mann!"

17.Where do you see each other 15 years from now?
On a beach in Florida watching the waves crash in...sipping pepsi's on our lanai!

18.What causes the most arguments?
What arguments?!

19.How long have you been together?
21 years! On January 7th we will be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary. We were just saying at dinner tonight..."where does the time go? It hardly seems possible we have been together so long. It seems like just yesterday we were falling in love!"

20.Are you Married?
Thanking God for this everyday!

The Search Begins!

The year Emaleigh was born we started a new Mann Family Tradition. A tradition that (I must sadly admit) I did begrudgingly for many years. The tradition of cutting down our own Christmas tree in the beautiful Rocky Mountains near Woodland Park, CO.

Over the years we have had many memories...

THE GOOD Sledding with the kids, hot cocoa and candy canes, searching for that perfect tree, and of course trudging through the snow knee deep.
THE BAD Craig having to carry the tree and the video camera only to trip and give himself a black eye. Ema not wanting to walk on her own. Caleb not wanting to pee in the wilderness, so he went in his pants instead.
THE TENDER Ema giving up her special baby blanket by leaving it on a rock for Jesus to come get it. (I just know He will be holding it for her when she gets to Heaven. I just hope I get to be there to witness it!)

Now that the kids are a little older, they really love searching for the tree. Last year, we started a new tradition going up a few weekends early before the snows arrive. This gives us the chance to take our time and really search for the perfect tree! Craig and the kids were so excited they could hardly wait to use their special tree hunting tools.

With Emaleigh being in fourth grade this year and learning about our state symbols, she decided we needed a blue spruce-CO's state tree! They were a little hard to come by, so she conceded with these three:



The weather was a bit chilly at first, but by the end of our hunt it was warm enough that the kids begged us to stay and play. They even made their own slingshots.

Surprisingly, on our way back down the mountain, it started to snow!

While I didn't start out enjoying this tradition, I must admit that is one of my favorites to start our holidays off...

...that and Turkey Dinner at Grandma's. This year we are having it today, as they are heading to AZ on Tuesday until Christmas.

A Party for Our Ema-bear!

Ever since we can remember we've had a nickname for Emaleigh. Ema-bear. I think is stems from her nursery being decorated in bears. This weekend she celebrated her birthday with her girlfriends at the Build-a-Bear Workshop. Emaleigh has been a fan of Build-a-Bear from the time her Grandma Mann made her first one when she was just 2 years old. A brown and white dog named Fluffy. Yesterday, along with 4 of her favorite girlfriends, she made her 5th Build-A-Bear friend...a cuddly gray koala named Birthday Wish.

Her party was a huge success. Amazingly, Craig and I hardly saw her! She spent most of her party hanging out with with her friends. So different than the other parties we've had for her. I guess this is the sign of her growing up. Not so sure I'm ready for it, though!

Treats for all

Willy Wonka and Laura Ingalls
Halloween is always such a great time for the kids. This year all the family came over for soups and grilled cheese. The weather was a balmy 70 degrees. A little warm for soup, but it was enjoyed, none the less!



Woaa! Now that's a load of candy. I'm sure the dentists will enjoy us this year. Perhaps a lesson in giving and sharing with others is going be taking place real soon!

Happy Halloween G.G.

Today we went to visit G.G. for Halloween. The kids and I had the day off school, so I thought she would enjoy seeing them in their costumes.







HAPPY HALLOWEEN G.G.

Bah Humbug

Of all the holidays I really do not care for it would have to be Halloween. I'm not sure why. I used to enjoy it when I was a kid. But now, all I can imagine is twenty 5-7 year olds dressed up in costumes confined in a small space for 6 1/2 hours. The chaos, the noise, the lack of attention for anything other than playing and partying and eating tons of sweets. Not to mention having to dress up myself in a costume that seems a little ridiculous. Ughhh...Bag Humbug. Oh, one day I am sure I will appreciate it again. One day when I am old and gray and retired that is!!!

Okay...I guess I have to admit that they are pretty cute, and the smiles on their faces when they share what they are dressed up as it priceless.



In case you're wondering, I was the mouse from one of my children's books called If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. The kids really love it, because I keep my bag filled with cookies that of course I share with them!

aMAZing

On Saturday, we headed to Denver to visit our first corn maze. The kids had a blast. The maze itself wasn't as complicated as we had hoped. It only took us about 15-20 minutes to get from the entrance to the exit. However, the kids really enjoyed trying to ditch the adults. There favorite was doing the mini maze because they didn't have to have any supervision. Welcome FREEDOM!