we had popcorn for dinner last night

That's how things have been going around here lately. I know there are people who are much busier than we are, so I'll try not to complain. BUT, I would love to have a week where we didn't have literally rush from one thing to the next. So popcorn was the meal of choice last night. But if I'm being honest, it wasn't the first time. And I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.

starring...charlotte and ryan!

I honestly have no idea how many cousins I have. I'm pretty sure it's over 30, but it could actually be around 40 or so. I have lots and lots of fond memories of playing with my cousins when I was young. I have lots and lots of fond memories of going to BYU with several of my cousins. And I still see a lot of my cousins very often. I know I am lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful extended family and that is a great source of happiness for me.

My brother Trent and his wife Sarah had a darling baby girl just a five months after Ryan was born. So in addition to my sister Janelle's three darling kids, Ryan has a little cousin who I hope he'll have as much fun with as I did with my cousins.

A few weeks ago, after a family dinner, we sat Ryan and Charlotte together and suddenly the Mano Family paparazzi took over. It's not the best quality, but here are a few videos of the newest grandkids in the Mano family...

flashback friday

This really isn't much of a flashback as it just happened a week ago, but it's one of those classic embarrassing moments, that I really shouldn't share, but am going to anyway.

It was Sunday morning and Tony and I were proud that we were up early. Well, Tony always gets up around 6am or so. Me...the time I rise from bed depends on a number of factors that I won't bore you with. But on this Sunday we were both up early, we enjoyed breakfast together and we were going to be on time to our 9am church (not early, but right on time).

It was ward conference and as we entered the building, I heard our Stake President talking - I thought it was a bit odd, but thought maybe he had some announcement or something. We sat down on our usual back row but it was really crowded. We were squished together and I needed some space so I looked around for another seat - which I found several rows ahead.

So we got up and moved about ten rows up, got settled in our seats and heard the speaker mention Daylight Savings Time!! Tony and I immediately looked at each other with wide eyes and a face that says "ohmygoshweforgotdaylightsavingstime!!"

The thing is, everyone around us saw my face as I was turned towards the rest of the congregation. People around us patted us on the back and said things like "impeccable timing!"

The sequence of events couldn't have been timed better if we tried. To make matters worse, we had to leave after Sacrament Meeting because I had to fly to NC. So all in all, we attended about 10 minutes of church.

Which, for all the embarrassment, was quite enough for me.

Frankly, I like forgetting about Daylight Savings in the fall much better. Tony and I did that a couple of years ago and instead of walking into church an hour late, we arrived an hour early and walked into an empty building.

(We may or may not have just skipped and gone out for breakfast!)

I bet you don't have one of these in your baby's room...

We had a doozy of a weekend.

First, Tony threw his back out. Doing what you ask? Standing. He was carrying Ryan in the carseat and if you've ever carried one of those, you know how awkward it is. Still, he was just standing.

Second, Ryan caught his fourth cold of his short 7.5 month life. And this is a bad one. He had a 100.5 fever over the weekend and woke up about every 20 minutes during the night. We had him sleeping with us (more on that later...) which meant we were waking up every 20 minutes. On Sunday I had to play for the choir in church which left a gimpy Tony who couldn't really pick up a sick baby at home. And just for fun, Ryan threw up on me five FIVE times yesterday.

Third, we had a pipe burst in our crawl space under our house. Saturday monring around 10am I heard a hissing sound in my office. It sounded like water which is not a sound you want to hear inside your house. Long story short, we had a burst pipe (a bushing to be exact) and we had a small pool underneath my office. This is one time I was glad we don't have a basement.

The rest of the day was spent working with plumbers and flood restoration crews to make sure we don't have a mold situation on our newly reconstructed house (which would be bad. very bad.).

So now we have a big ole tube extending from our crawspace opening in Ryan's room to Ryan's window. Which is why he is now sleeping in our room.

How was your weekend?

people we love...Aunt Daphne

It only took me about five minutes after meeting Aunt Daphne for the first time to understand that this was one incredibly special lady. Aunt Daphne is Tony's dad's sister. And since Tony's parents have both passed away, I feel like Aunt Daphne is the closest I'll ever be to having a mother-in-law in this life.

She's something like 92 years old and about this time every year, she gets really anxious for the winter thaw so she can get out and work in her garden. In my book she she has just the right amount of spunk - she'll tell you what she thinks and is lovingly honest.

Most of all, I love to hear her talk about Tony's parents - she has such love in her voice when she talks about them. She misses them dearly and you can tell when she looks at Tony that she sees her brother in Tony's face.

Dear, sweet Aunt Daphne...we love you!

a boy and his daddy

I'm still on the road...I fly home Friday and if I'm lucky, I'll get on an earlier flight than my scheduled 11pm arrival into SLC.

The Spring High Point Market starts in just a few weeks and I really should stay until the end of Market on April 8th, but how could I stay away from this little boy?

I've been working around the clock so I don't have much in me to write, so for now, enjoy a few pics from a couple of weeks ago. We drove down to Moab and Tony and Ryan were playing on the bed. If I could figure out how to upload one of my videos, you could hear a little boy laughing in pure delight as his daddy teased and played with him.

Sure love my boys...

are you Japanese?

If anyone thinks traveling for work is glamorous, let me change your mind with one phrase: Table for one please.

That is the phrase I repeat all too often on my business trips. Nothing makes me feel sorry for myself more than eating in a restaurant solo. I always take a book with me so I can keep my mind occupied and that usually does the trick. Usually.

But that really isn't what I was planning on writing about.

Last night I was eating my healthy meal of grilled chicken and steamed veggies (I'm learning to eat healthy on the road...but that isn't what I want to talk about either). And I was reading my book "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey which is totally fascinating.

I was so absorbed in my book I didn't think about work, Ryan, Tony or anything else that usually distracts me. And then my waitress came to my table and said, "I'm sorry to bother you, but are you Japanese?" People ask me these types of questions once in a while, but this one took me off guard. I replied yes and then she asked, "do you have any people over in Japan in the earthquake?" I said yes, but that we've heard from everyone and they are ok. And as far as I know, their families are ok too.

This sweet Southern woman just about broke down in tears and said "I'm so happy for you. I've been praying and praying for those poor people. I'm just heartbroken for them." I was amazed at her earnestness and she talked to me. I thought "wow - you would think she was part of my family or even that she was Japanese." And then I realized, "it wasn't just about the Japanese people she cared about, she just truly loves and cares about people. Period."

Like so many, I've thought so much about the people who are suffering, who have lost family and who have died. And I've also been so touched by the stories of compassion, rescue, resiliance. There is much that I admire about the Japanese character. It makes me proud to be of Japanese heritage when I hear that there is little or no looting. When people are industrious and making the best of their situations AND doing their best to take care of the elderly around them. When people are working hard to get back on their feet so they can then help others.

Like my waitress last night said, I'm just heartbroken for the people. But it's not just heartbreaking, it's also heartwarming.

In the midst of such a tragedy, I love that there are so many stories of the wonderful Japanese spirt. That not only warms my heart, but also gives me hope.

And oddly enough, I'd love to go over to Japan and help the little old couple I saw on a youtube video make chopsticks out of bamboo.

happy birthday mom!!

I love this picture of my mom. To me, it shows a lot of what I love about her. She's beautiful, she's classy, a bit spunky, she loves her family and she's a great grandma (as in she's great, not that she's a great-grandma).

Seriously, there are too many things about my mom to write about. She is one amazingly talented woman who is loved by all who know her.

And I feel blessed everyday that I was lucky enough to have her as MY mom. And now I'm grateful that Ryan will have her and my dad for grandparents. We love when they watch Ryan for us, but as we tell them all the time, most of all, we want Ryan to really know them.

Luckily we get to see them fairly often - since Ryan's birth, we've almost seen them every month. Which is a lot, but still not enough!

Anyway, happy birthday to my lovely mother.

We love and love and LOVE you!

for rent...

Our tenant emailed us just a few days ago and said she was suddenly transferred out of state and is vacating in a week. So, if you know anyone who is looking for a home to rent, we've got one! This is my house that I lived in before Tony and I were married. I love this home and was sad to move, but it didn't have good work from home spaces for both of us. So, here's the ad:

Beautiful Sugarhouse home - 3 bed/3 bath - $1500

Great location - near 15th & 15th and Emmigration Market

3 bedrooms (1 in basement)

3 bathrooms (1 in basement)

2 car garage

Washer & Dryer included (washer & dryer are in the closet of the 2nd upstairs bedroom)

New A/C and central heat

1900+ square feet

lots of light

built-in bookshelves and bay window

basement wired for home theatre

Sorry - absolutely no smoking or pets. Landlord pays for water and garbage. Tenant responsible for yard care, snow removal and utilities (except for water and garbage). $500 deposit + last months rent required.

Contact Natalie at 925 876 4282 or nmano@yahoo.com or Tony at 801 828 0808 or tsmart_1111@hotmail.com

Ryan and Abby

One of the things I look forward to is the day when Ryan and Abby can run around and chase each other. I have great expectations for these two. Abby is the perfect best friend for a little boy and I think that's exactly what they'll be...best friends.

If Ryan is crying, Abby will run and get us. If Ryan is playing on his own, Abby will lay down and nap next to him. I believe Abby has learned not to lick Ryan, but I think she sneaks one in when I'm not looking.

They are fascinated with each other. Ryan loves to watch Abby. Once in awhile I'll let Abby lick Ryan's feet and he'll squeal with delight. And if I'm feeling really generous, I'll just sit Ryan down next to Abby and let them interact. I don't allow Abby to lick Ryan's face (yuck.), but I will let Ryan reach out and pet Abby and I even let Abby lick Ryan's hands (but I wash them right after).

Ryan has no fear of this animal who weighs almost 3 times his weight. He will reach out and put his hands in Abby's mouth - and Abby who is so gentle and sweet, just looks Ryan straight in the eye and gives her the most loving lick you've ever seen.

All the licking really grosses me out and I try not to freak out when Abby licks Ryan (or me for that matter). I've heard that babies that grow up with dogs in the home have a stronger immune system so that's what I'm focusing on.

But even if Abby isn't providing the service of strengthening Ryan's immune system, she's worth it.

girls night out

Last night my two good friends Amy and Marcia came over sans children for an evening with the girls. It was just what I needed.

I've known these two for years - since our San Francisco days and it doesn't matter how much time goes between our visits, we just pick up where we left off. Don't you just love friends like that?

Except Amy is leaving us. She and her husband and three adorable girls are heading to Costa Rica for five months (we hope!). We're excited for their adventure, but it makes me wonder why we didn't get together more while she lived just a few miles away.

I've been feverishly looking at flights to Costa Rica, but sadly, we've decided it's not in the cards for us this year with Ryan still so young. It took a lot to get him healthy and we just don't want to jeapardize that (yet at least!). So for now, we'll be looking forward to the blog to live vicariously.

And thanks to Amy and Marcia for a fun night...here's to many more!