How cute is this little lady???
Shots of Ruby on the front porch on Sunday, May 31st!

New This Week....

Here are some new updates from the Mann household...

1.  We successfully made it to/from Spokane for Bloomsday on May 3rd.  The five of us did great on the walk, completing it with Grammie and Poppy in about 2 1/2 hours.  The boys were in the double stroller and Ruby was in the front pack.  The Smiths stayed back at the hotel as Micah developed a nasty stomach bug that surfaced about 30 minutes before we left the hotel for the big race... sad, but we are happy that Micah is better and we look forward to doing it with them next year!

2.  Grandpa and Grandma Mann visited for a week.  During their visit we took an overnight trip to Leavenworth (and stayed at our favorite hotel, The Enzian), visited the zoo and spent an afternoon at the beach.  Overall, we had excellent weather for a May visit to the northwest and it was a great opportunity for the children to spend some time with their grandparents.

3.  We now have a pet caterpillar.  He/she is a fuzzy yellow bear and will turn into some kind of Virginia moth if he makes it that far.  The boys love him.  We have discovered that he likes to eat lettuce, strawberries, apple (maybe) and the nectar out of the rhodedendron flowers.  Keep your fingers crossed that he makes it to a cocoon!

4.  Aaron has learned to climb the fence and does quite well at it.  Bryan jumped the fence last week to retrieve a ball and Aaron was immediately interested.  While he tells me that he "jumps" the fence, he is climbing it, but I'm still impressed!

5.  Jonah likes to be difficult.  He seems primarily interested in making Aaron's life difficult and not listening, being generally disagreeable.  On the upside, we've been putting him on the potty and he's made a few poops in the toilet!!!  Life after diapers may be in our future... NOT!!! :)

6.  Ruby gets prettier every day.  We pierced her ears on May 9th; she and her cousin Micah had a "girl's date" with their mommies for the special occasion.  It is probably the most girly thing we'll ever do with her in the near future!  Right now she seems to be entering a growing spurt and wants to eat all the time.  I'm trying to accomodate her the best that I can!

7.  Bryan and I are doing well.  Ruby has been pretty fussy, but we're working through that.  Otherwise, we're keeping our heads above water and trying to enjoy the chaos!  We are excited to be facilitating Financial Peace University at our church this fall and are preparing for that!

Love to all,

Bree