December 2011

I need to get better at posting on the blog and I will for 2012.

Chad is continuing to run and still wanting to do a marathon someday -- finding the time is another story - so it's preparing for another 5k or 10k. Chad continues to enjoy working for JPMorgan Chase Bank.

Jennifer continues to volunteer at the kids school and is constantly in the car taking the kids back and forth to school, going to the gym, shopping, volunteering at the school, taking them to programs, hip-hop dance, sports, friends etc....

Jackson, Ashlee, and Gavin all took swim lessons all summer and were part of the Hillside pool. Jackson was on the swim team and improved dramatically this summer.

Jackson is in 6th grade this year and has a ton of homework every night - he just had his band program at the end of November where he is playing the trumpet. He is going to continue swimming and probably do track in the Spring. He just became responsible enough to have his own cell phone - we'll see - huh?

Ashlee was student of the week this last week at school and loves her teacher(Mrs Holdren) for 2nd grade at school and continues to improve in school. Ashlee has taken on hip-hop dance and is preparing for her first recital this Thursday, we are all excited to see the big production.

Gavin is still Mama's little baby, but has grown up so much and has started Kindergarten this year. Gavin has started to progress greatly this year and just had his 6 year old party a few weeks ago at Chuck E. Cheese where he had 10 friends come and celebrate with him. He is wanting to start up soccer in the spring.

December 2010

This was a great Christmas, Jennifer and I got most of it done early - although it was still a little stressful for Jennifer with all the kids Christmas parties, my work party and throw my birthday in there. Jennifer and I went by ourselves to the work Christmas party and got a little last minute Christmas shopping done. The kids spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa Wuthrich's house

Jackson got a DSI XL and Super scribble nauts the game- of course a bunch of winter clothes and other odds and ends. Uncle Greg and Aunt Suzanne gave him and Gavin remote control helicopters which have scared little Simon to death.

Ashlee has been wanting a tent/fort for the longest time -- so she got a princess castle fort and the leapster 2 game system --which she has been enjoying. She also got a ton of clothes and games for her new leapster and a purse form Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Greg.

Gavin got transformers from Grandma and Grandpa and also got a leapster 2 game system with the Toy Story 3 game system. Gavin also got a tent that he and Ashlee have had campout slumber parties in the living room all week--this week while I am off work.

Jennifer and I both got running shoes as we continue to get into shape we also bought a gym/pool/rec center membership which the elipitical machine is causing Chad a lot of pain --Jennifer is a machine and continues to push Chad. Most nights Chad and Jennifer are able to work out together --and then go swimming with the kids after - there is a kids area/ daycare while we work out - -this has been a great thing for the family.

Thanksgiving

Well this year Chad had to work the day after Thanksgiving so we spent Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Wuthrich - with Grandma Stokes. No, Jennifer and Chad did not spend the night at Wal-Mart this year. We had a nice meal -Jennifer made some fantastic sweet potatoes, and fancy beans, and of course 5 pies to choose from apple, cherry, chocalate, and of course a couple of pumpkin pies.

After the big meal we all went to Flatirons Theatre and saw the movie Tangled - which was a disney movie spin on the story of Rapunzel. We all had a great time and now as I am writing this post Jennifer and I are pretty much done with Christmas shopping the first week of December- it feels

June 2010

We all had a wonderful time at Park City, Utah at the Mann Family reunion. We really enjoyed Park City and it is the kids new favorite place for now. Jennifer and I were able to do a quick getaway to Salt Lake while Mom and Dad Mann watched the kids. We went to temple square, the Joseph Smith Memorial, tour of the Lion House and lunch there, and had a brunch at The Grand Hotel, and were able to spend some great quality time together.



When we got back to Park City we took the kids to see Toy Story 3, which we all enjoyed, and then explored our condo a little. We stayed at the Marriot Mountainside resort. Unfortunately Jennifer got sick that night and the next day-so the kids and I went to the first night of the family reunion and the kids met Ryan and Olivia and met a lot of cousins, and other family members for dinner that night.



The next day Jennifer was feeling better and we enjoyed plenty of time by the pool with the kids and every night gathered with the Mann clan for dinner and various activities. The last day we did the alpine slide, the alpine coaster, and the zip-line. It was all a blast, and the kids thoroughly enoyed it. We all had a very relaxful time, and enjoyed spending time with family.

May 2010

Chad ran the Bolder Boulder in 1 hour 1 min and 6 seconds- 44,420 people - the bad news is he lost to 16475 people - next year he is confident he will finish under an hour- his next challenges are to run a marathon and a triathalon. The family came and supported Dad by being there at the finish line and then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Wuthrichs for a Memorial Day bar-b-que. The kids are off for the summer and we will be leaving to Park City for the Mann Family Reunion in a few weeks.

Spring Break -March/April 2010

We are all excited for Spring break and some time to rest and get things in order. Spring has brought many new beginnings for our family. With the new addition to our family - Simon, who we got from the Humane society and after the first week in our home he seems to have fit right in, he seems to especially love Jennifer. But has also become Chad's running partner, and has become quite fond of Ashlee.

Chad is continuing to run and prepare for the Bolder Boulder which is the end of May. Basketball ended up on a down note losing to the University ward and Chad ended up fouling out of the game. I guess there's next year - huh?

Jennifer -if you haven't heard already -made the GCD Design Team for their altered projects. She continues to make some amazing layouts of the kids. She is getting ready for teacher appreciation week and the kids school carnival. Being the head of all volunteers at the kids school keeps her really busy. Mama's little baby (Simon) also has taken a lot of time- getting him into our routine.

Jackson has started Spring soccer and of course the first couple of games always seem to be cancelled due to Spring snowstorms. But Jackson did well last week with 3 shots on goal but just a bit outside. Jackson continues to do choir and is preparing for the end of year program.

Ashlee loves to be outside and ride her bike and play with friends. She of course has found a new best friend in Simon, and is very good at taking him out to go potty and playing with him. We still haven't decided if she will do swimming, dance, or cheer leading this summer, she changes everyday???

Gavin continues to enjoy his DS and the WII - he got a new game for his DS that he calls Marion and Jones instead of Indiana Jones. Gavin enjoys playing with Brody next door and playing with Simon as well. He just had his leader day at school this week and Jennifer was there with him- and had to place all the cups out and fill with Apple juice and apparently couldn't wait and took a sip out of all the cups- you gotta love the little guy!

February 2010

We are getting ready for Valentines Day, and Jennifer is glad to be done with all the kids Valentine's Day parties at school. She had another card picked up by a magazine called "Cards"-I am so proud of how creative Jennifer is and continues to create incredible cards, layouts, and projects of all kinds, she is truly amazing.



Chad is still in training for the Boulder Bolder with Jennifer and a few minor setbacks with sickness and injury but will continue running hard. Chad is enjoying Church basketball and actually is back to where he can play the whole game.



Jackson is done with basketball and has won his last basketball game. He continues with choir a couple of times a week and scouts where he is working to get his webelos and just finished getting third place in the pinewood derby - very close to getting first but not quite - after getting 2 thirds and a second place- our last chance to get a first place will be with Gavin.



Ashlee had a great time at her Valentine's party and is little miss photogenic as you can see on Jen's blog. She continues to be into fashion and clothes and loves to look fabulous, we are looking at geting her into cheerleading or ice-skating -we'll see what ends up happening.



Gavin continues to be our little video game junkee, we have to watch him closely to keep him to an hour a day. He was excited yesterday to hang his little bird feeder that he made in school in the little tree (about the size of a bush)in the backyard and asked Jennifer when she tried to throw it out - "how will the birds get their food if I don't hang it outside?" Who can argue with that.

We hope you are having a super week! and enjoy this update and pictures.

February 2010

I have committed to myself and to Jennifer that I will be updating our blog more regularly. I will go back and update our trip to Atlanta for Mom and Dad Mann's 50th wedding anniversary and Disney Cruise, which we had a blast.

The kids are growing up too fast, Jackson just finished up basketball this week and they finished on a high note with Jackson's team winning. Jackson ended up 4-4 and is starting to do much better on the offensive end scoring an average of about 2 pts a game -which is about an average of 20pts a game in the NBA, he is now on to soccer in a few weeks and continuing to do choir at Monfort school, which he really enjoys.

Ashlee is excited to start ice-skating and cheerleading -one of the 2 we will find out this week, Ashlee is doing well in school and is of course our social butterfly with a little attitude at times. Ashlee can't go without a story everynight and wants to have a sleepover in her brothers room every night. Her new favorite stuffed animal is Jazz the dog -one of her Christmas presents, but bunny usually tags along as well.

Gavin loves Wee Love Preschool and was the leader this week, he will be playing in the father/mother and me soccer through the city. He loves to play Lego Star Wars and Lego Batman on the WII and bounces the entire time playing and stays in good shape this way. Gavin is Mommy's angel and loves every Monday where Jackson and Ashlee are in school all day and he gets to spend the day with just his Mom.

Jennifer is doing some fantastic layouts and was just in the CRICUT newsletter with an awesome valentines project-and has been published in several magazines with cards, layouts and other various projects. Her creativity continues to amaze me, she is truly talented and is expanding her talents with photography by taking another class in June of this year. She continues to be the volunteer of the year at Monfort school- being over all the room mom's for the entire school, the school would fall apart without her.

Chad and Jennifer are running 5 days a week and preparing to run the Bolder Boulder which is a 10k race on Memorial Day. Chad has found a new passion for running and after this 10k race he will be training for a marathon sometime next year.

January 2009 Events

Gavin is finally potty trained -YIPPEEE! We had promised to take him to Chuck E Cheeses if he got rid of his diapers, and he has been telling us I want to to lunch with Jesus, we finally figured out he was saying I want to go to lunch at Cheeses. So we took the kids to Cheeses and had a good time, I whooped up on Jennifer in the basketball game which she usually always wins.

Ashlee is loving gymnastics, and since Chad is in Windsor for a couple of months until he takes over a new Chase branch in Ft Collns, he is able to see her do her stuff, and then Chad, Jennifer, Ashlee and Gavin have been able to do lunch every monday.

Jackson is finishing his basketball season, they have won 5 games and lost his first game last week. Jackson will go down as the defensive player of the year after clothes lining and tackling a player last week. Jackson has played hard and learned alot this year. Chad has promsed to take him to a Nuggets game in the next few weeks. Also Chad and Jackson just finished making his pinewood derby car and looking to get 1st place this year after a close 2nd last year. Jennifer will of course make sure it looks good.

Jennifer just finished another big month of scrapbooking and several layouts, and cards were purchased for a big trade show and also had another layout published. She is so creative and of course you can see all of her work on jenthecrazyscrapbooker,com.

Chad is getting all of his staff hired and getting ready to open a new Chase branch in Ft Collins on Harmony & Corbett, in April. We also just booked a Disney cruise for August before we go to Georgia for Cassidy's wedding and Mom and Dad Mann's 50th wedding anniversary. We are all excited and working out daily to prepare to get in our swimsuits.

Christmas morning

I guess Chad can finally start adding to our Blog. Jen got a laptop for Christmas and should give Chad no more excuses to not update the family memories. Chad can no longer get lost or run out of gas with his new Tom Tom Navigation System. Jackson is on the fence of believing in Santa anymore, but this morning I think he believes. He got 3 WII games (Sonic Unleashed, Ben10, and Disney Sing IT) and Kirby and Transformers for his DS, and numerous new clothes. Ashlee was ecstatic with her Bratz guitar, makeup and array of clothes. Gavin could have received a bunch of rocks and would have been excited, he was so happy to get new trucks and Handy Manny toolbox, he was so excited, even down to the cereal he received in his stocking.

At this time of year we can't help but be thankful for all of our wonderful blessings and beautiful, healthy family. We also reflect on the birth of the Savior as we had our annual Christmas Eve reading from Luke 2, and this year we were honored to hear a beautiful solo of Silent Night by Jackson. It is amazing how fast they grow-up. Jackson has a beautiful voice and a talent for music that he definitely didn't receive from his Dad ???? Following our annual program the kids made their annual reindeer sandwiches and appetizers and we all sang Christmas carols and the kids watched christmas programs before heading off to bed. Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Merry Christmas to all!

Wow...it's getting bad...

We haven't updated in a long time...I think most of you know to check my scrapbooking blog as I do update that more regular. We appreciate all of the emails and calls to let us know that you all miss seeing pictures of the kids! We promise to get this updated more often ;)

Let's play catch up shall we ;)

School has started for Jackson and Ashlee...they are both off to a great year! Jackson is in third grade this year and Ashlee has started Kindergarten. They both love their teachers and are progressing well.

Here's some photos of them heading back to school ;)





If you notice from Ashlee's back to school photo...she is missing a tooth. Right before school started Ashlee lost her first tooth. She was so excited! And the tooth fairy was very good to her ;)



Over Labor Day weekend Jackson decided to test his super hero skills and jumped from the 4th stair (to the bottom) into a dark basement and managed to break his arm. We had to wait out the weekend in a splint before going in to get casted, so we thought....but this actually was so bad that he had to go into the hospital for surgery where we fully expected Jackson to have to have pins put into his arm. We are so happy to report that the doctor was able to get his bone to stay into place without the use of pins. He then was casted in the office 2 days later and wore a cast until the first of October. According to Jackson the "moral" of the story is don't jump blindly into a dark basement...I have to remind him the "moral" of the story is just don't jump off the stairs! Yes, he is all boy!

Here he is in his red cast:



If you missed it over on my scrapbooking blog I talked about how Ashlee started gymnastics! She loves it! and is really looking forward to the cheer team next year. (I told her she has to have a full year of gymnastics first). Here she is:



Jackson was bummed that he had to sit the season out from soccer due to his broken arm...but rules are rules ;)

So if you have made it through all of this rambling...I bet you are wonder where our 3rd child went to ;)...Gavin is growing up way to fast! He now is in a "big boy bed" and we are working on him giving up his diapers...but so far he assures us he has no problems keeping them a bit longer...

Gavin is hilarious! He is the entertainer in the family! Here he is posing for me with a writing pen behind his ear...



Alright...wow if you made it through all of that...thank you! Now that we are pretty much caught up again...we hope to update more often!

If we haven't heard from you in a while...shoot us an email or give us a call.

Where has time gone...

Wow it's been a while since I have last "blogged" over here...this has taken a back seat to my scrapbooking blog...that's for sure :)

So since my last blog...

We traveled to a wedding...Greg and Suezann were married mid-May...it was a wonderful union...lots of family and friends were there for their special day. We are thrilled for both of them!

We did have a bit of an adventure on they way to the wedding (in Utah)...our tire blew on the way there and we ran out of gas on the way back...both required a 911 call...and some adventure for the kids. :)

We got back into town on Monday and the kids finished up their last couple of day of school. There were so many parties and end of the year things to finish up in just a few days but we survived and now are happy to just relax and enjoy our summer break.

Jackson and Ashlee are getting ready to have their birthday's...where has time gone...I will have a 9-year-old and a 5-year-old...my babies are growing entirely way to fast...here is a photo of them together...and a photo of Ashlee that I am putting on our wall...Jackson is going for "retakes" LOL (not really re-takes as I am just doing the photography myself :)...but he is in an interesting age/stage of some interesting smiles...LOL...hope to post his picture soon.





Jackson is in full swing with swimming season...we have had a hard time getting there on time...it's just seems to be so early when you have 3 to get ready plus yourself...but we are trying our best...I think we have been "on-time" only 2 times...LOL but we always make it :)

We also played the ever popular "candy bar" game with the kids...they had a blast! Of course we have to wait for Gavin to take a nap as he is allergic to peanuts...and all the candy bars are made around peanuts...so here is a few photos of Chad and the kids...











We hope you all are enjoying your summer :)

End of another soccer season

It's hard to believe that soccer is already over...we thought we had one more game due to the fact that one was canceled due to weather...but unfortunately, it will be played the weekend of Greg's (Chad's brother)wedding...so it's officially over. Jackson had a great season scoring on average 1-2 goals a game! I thought Jackson would be really bummed but he came off the field and said "Mom I guess it's on to swimming"...so I guess he is ready for a full summer of swim meets and practices.

Here are a few snap shots that I got on the field this weekend. (sorry they are blurry...but my battery was just about to die...)

So it's been a while...

Since I post last...so I guess I should do a quick "catch up"

Let's see...

Spring Break: We packed up the car and headed out on a 8-hour road trip to UT to spend a week with Grandma and Grandpa. The kids had a good time just relaxing, eating out way to much, shopping a ton, and enjoying some (yes) ...SNOW. It ended up snowing almost the entire time that we were there. Now if we didn't live in CO then this might have been a "treat" but we had already seen our fair share of snow for the year. We made the best of it and had a great time.

Saturdays: Lately, you can find us on the soccer fields! Chad is once again coaching Jackson's soccer team and Jackson is such a joy to watch. He really has come a long way..and is really enjoying the sport.

Tues&Thurs: You can find us at the pool. Not for Jackson (yet) but Ashlee is taking some swimming. She is really enjoying her swimmming lessons...and is starting to get more comfortable in the water!

Mon-Friday: You can find us all running around like chickens with our heads cut off...at least for another 3-weeks or so...until school gets out. It seems like there is just way to much to accomplish in the next few weeks.

Speaking of a lot of accomplish...I better get back to cleaning...I will leave you with some pictures of the past month. We hope you are all doing well.

Enjoying Spring Break

Well it has been a while since I was able to blog...but we are enjoying a lot of family time this week in Utah...and will be home soon...I will update with some pictures when we return.

Stop and Count the French Fries...what does that mean?

Ok...so a few of you have asked me what our family motto means...so I thought I would share here on the blog...in case anyone else is wondering...;)

Here it is...




What a strange motto to live your life by right? Well let me explain! At my husband’s graduation from the Marriott School of Management at BYU, the main speaker talked about “counting the French fries” and it just stuck.

He related a rough period of his life…he was going through a masters program and had 2 small children and a wife. They were extremely poor! It was a rough point in their lives. His wife spent the majority of the time with the small children as he was either in class or studying.

Well one day they were at McDonalds…going out to eat at that time was a very big deal as they were very poor. The children started fighting over “who had more French fries” and his wife sat there and counted out each child “equal fries”. The children were delighted that they both had “equal fries” and that moment just stuck with them!

They realized that when our life gets rough or things don’t seem fair…to take time out and count “the French fries” or in other words…count all of the blessings that we have.

My husband and I have applied that to our life as things get tough…and life isn’t easy…we often stop and “count the French fries”! We are greatly blessed.

I hope that clears it up...LOL...Yes...of course I had to scrap it...

Awh...Valentine's Day...

So it's been a few days...and I wanted to blog about our Valentine’s Day...but time and a long weekend got in the way!

Valentine's Day was fun...I love the holiday...and I would have loved more to go out with my husband alone without kids but that just wasn't in the cards this year.

So I started the day surprising the kids with some altered mailboxes (little mail boxes that I picked up from the target dollar spot and altering them...see my scrappin' blog to check it out).

I then was surprised with a dozen pink long stem roses from my sweet husband (I regret to report that I didn't take a photo...LOL) but Ashlee wasn't as happy as I was...you see...she didn't get any flowers delivered to her...

A few hours later Chad showed up with a cute bouquet of Daisies and carnations for Ashlee...she was delighted! I pity the boy who is brave enough to date her...she is way too spoiled!

Here is Ashlee with her flowers....




The day before Valentine's Day Ashlee had her school party...here she is decked out in her Gymboree Valentine's Day clothes!



Don't you just love Gymboree!

Mid-Day on Valentine's I headed on over to Jackson school to do the room mom thing...I had made over 100 sugar cookies and planned to have some other goodies brought in...it all turned out great! The kids had a great time...and I still felt pretty good and not crazed afterwards...LOL.

Later that night I made dinner...and the kids headed to bed early...and we relaxed...we have some big plans in a few weeks...so I guess you could say our "Valentine's date" will come later in the month.

So it's been awhile....

So yes...we have been MIA....

Sickness has hit our family! I think this is the year for our family as far as sickness goes...I have also heard that many of you have been under the weather!

In the last month we have had strep, colds, fevers, chills, nausea...you name it we've had it...and knock on wood we hope it is gone.

Jackson had his first Pinewood Derby this past month and his car did very well...in fact he ended up taking home 2nd place...but you all know how competitive Chad is...he had to challenge the winner to yet another race and Jackson came out victorious...so they both Jackson and Chad proudly reported to me they "tied" for first place. I say "reported to me" was home sick...I was sad that I had to miss it...but the boys had a great time! Jackson also earned his first bobcat badge so Mom is back to the drawing board on getting yet another badge on his shirt...you would think that I should earn something for sewing on all of these badges...perhaps I should contact the scout master? Or is there someone at a higher level? (LOL)

(A little more about the car) Jackson was so cute as I helped him decorate his car...he told his Dad that Mom is just amazing at making things look good. He was very proud of his cute little car...Chad was all about the speed and Mom was all about the looks...so I guess you could say that Chad and I (oh and I guess the Jackson..LOL) work well together ;) Poor Jackson...he was born into such a competitive family...LOL

Here is his car (he named it the batmobile)





Here is our little cub scout as he is heading out (Dad grabbed a picture for Mom as...she was running a fever of 102!)



Here are a few fun pictures of us just hanging out during the past month....very random and all involving sports ;)







Well...We're sorry we have not blogged in a while...I know many of you have asked us what is going on...but tomorrow Ashlee has her Valentine's Day party at school and Jackson will have his on Thursday. We hope to have lots of pictures to share after the weekend!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day everyone...we hope that cupid brings each of you something lovely :)