Enjoying the journey!

We will be in Utah in less than two weeks. This is the little cottage in Canyon Rim (Salt Lake City) that we will be living in for a year; it's adorable inside as well!

Nate's love for Ava is astounding; he kisses her about 20 times a day!


Jack lost his first tooth. Yeah!

Some pictures of our wonderful Christmas Eve with family and Christmas Day.

We are moving to Utah!

Dave was offered a job in Salt Lake City this last week; we are ecstatic!! When we moved to Arizona 11 years ago, we told ourselves we would only stay one year, then move back to Utah. Well, we're 10 years late, but better late than never. I am so excited for our children to experience four seasons...bring on the snow!!

My family

We have had a great start to the school year. Clark and Lauren got back their AIMS test scores, and they both got "exceeding" in all three areas- not easy to do! Clark, Lauren, Nicholas and Jack are getting fantastic grades...Nick and Lauren are on the Honor roll, Clark has a 3.75 GPA, and Jack is now reading small chapter books! Clark finished the diving season, he is a phenomenal diver! Nate is so smart and funny, and is so good to Ava; he is constantly kissing her and telling her how wonderful she is. This Thanksgiving we have so much to be grateful for. We are truly enjoying raising these amazing children.

I'm back...I think

I've finally found a spare moment to blog...six children keep me on my toes! Ava is growing perfectly; she absolutely completes our family! We are all so in love with her. Hope you enjoy these pictures.

the first full week of school

It has been a great week for the kids...well except for Nate who really misses Jack. I feel like as a parent I have a child in almost every phase of childhood: Clark in high school, Lauren in middle school, Nick in the fourth grade, Jack starting Kindergarten, Nate is a pre-schooler, and Ava is the newborn. I love it, these wonderful children will keep me on my toes.

Dave gave the children father's blessings last Sunday. We all felt the spirit, and each child has already made good friends, and is happy at school. I hope this is one of the best years yet for them!

My Freshman is on the Varsity team!

Sorry I don't have pics up yet...just had to share the news. Clark found out today that he made the Varsity Swim/Dive team as a diver!! This was his first full week as a Freshman at Williams Field High School, and needless to say, it's been fantastic! He has a red Varsity locker (I guess JV has black) that's gigantic...just like his ego! ;)

Ava Piper Manwaring

Ava was born on Saturday, July 24th at 9:03 a.m. She weighed 8lbs. 1oz. and was 21 inches long. She is such a sweet happy baby. We are all completely smitten with her!





Clark is changing Ava's diaper, he did a great job.



Look at all these children! I'm the luckiest mom in the world.



I never got around to posting how big my belly was...Nate would ask to "kiss" Ava several times a day, so I just had to get a picture of him.