Christmas times two... Utah and Michigan

Archie was hanging out with Gram; they strolled around while Ben and I ice skated- here is Archie 'watching' us.  He is a trooper. 

My hat was my favorite part of my outfit.  
Manker family photo!  This is everyone so far... Ben, Kate, Archie, Zach is next to Ben, then Christy and Alex, and Ben (Manker) is next to Alex and Laura is in front of Ben, then Mom and Dad.  Yeah Family!
Here is Arch with Uncle Alex, they bonded, it was nice.  
Archie got some t-shirts and a new silver rattle from Oman from his Uncle Zach.  He LOVES his rattle, he can hold on to it and shake it, although I am pretty sure he doesn't know he his doing it.  

We had a really nice Christmas morning in Provo with Grandma and Grandpa Brady.  Archie has a couple of pictures with his loot, his Christmas pajamas were his favorite:) He got a new hat, new mittens and new socks.  

Merry Christmas!

So the Neil Diamond ticket was my Christmas present and it was perfect. The concert was so much fun, and I had a lot of fun being there with Michelle, we danced and swayed and sang along with Neil- he told us too. The arena was almost full, we think some people opted not to go because of the weather... but it was fine driving back. He sang lots of his classics and a few new ones, and in between talked to the crowd, actually a funny guy. He sang to the people behind the stage, yes they sold seats behind the stage. Mr. Diamond ( as he was referred to over the intercom) felt bad that people actually bought seats behind him, so he sang them a couple of songs! There was a Santa Claus, lots of middle aged ladies, and us--- it was amazing. I haven't stopped listening to his music since we got home. He even showed pictures and video of himself growing up as a kid in Brooklyn. Best concert ever.
Merry Christmas to all! Ben and I are off to Michigan today, well be back in time for the semester to start. Love to all!

Neil Diamond is here!

Okay so for Christmas Ben bought me a ticket to see Neil Diamond in Salt Lake City... I am so excited-- it is tonight! The weather is getting worse and there are supposed to be blizzards and lots of snow and all sorts of fun winter time happenings, but Neil is already here-- I just called the arena where he is performing, they said there is no way the concert will be cancelled because he is here! Sooo, off I go with two of my dear friends to see Neil. We are packing our blankets, granola bars and water just in case. Happy Friday to everyone!

Arch's hair recession pattern

I have been joking with Kate that the tremendous rate at which little Archie is loosing his hair , he is becoming a regular Franciscan Monk. I have done my best to pluck and groom it along the way, but it seems that he lost most of it on the top and still kept enough tufts in the front and back that he may well end up spending his formative years explaining to his friends and family that he did not take a vow of monastic servitude. I'll let you all know if he looses the halo tuft and/or ever grows hair back in on top. For now, he only responds to Sir Franciscan Archi-'bald'

Hanging with mom... literally...

Archie and mom; we caught half of his smile on camera!

The little helper...

Archie helping Grandpa with the vacuuming!




Archie helping Daddy with his homework... he was a big help.

Dec. 7th

It was yesterday, but there were so many significant events so it deserves a post. Fist, happy birthday to Uncle Sam, brother-in-law Sam, and if Ben were writing, big brother Sam. Second happy birthday to Archie, who is now one month old, way to go kid! Third it was my turn to go to church while Ben stayed home with Archie, it was fast and testimony meeting, I loved it. Fourth we had some good friends over for an Indian meal, it was delightful. What a good day.
Well, Archie has definitely changed in the month that he has been here with us. He has gained some weight, thank goodness, but he still has those long, skinny legs, and giant feet- which we love and thank his Dad for. He smiled at me yesterday, which for him might have been more of a grimace, but to me it was a smile. He has started to make noises at times other than when he is upset or in need of something. I wouldn't call it cooing yet, but he'll get there- he likes to lay on his back and watch his toys, and he likes the noises they make. He pumps his legs and his arms like he should be swimming- he gets a little crazy with his movements, so hopefully that means we'll have lots of fun playing in the pool someday:)
He is a growing boy, he eats well, sleeps pretty well and is a joy to be around. At night he hangs out with Ben, from about 8 pm to 1 am while I get a few hours of sleep, they play and frustrate each other, but I am sure they mostly have fun. Then from about 1 am on I am on Arch duty. It works out, we both get a block of sleep and Archie gets to have both parents all to himself, one at a time.
I can't believe he is growing up so fast, he is still so little, but I found myself missing the time when he was first born and just tiny! He is heavier now, but he is also holding his head a lot better, looking around more, making eye contact with both of us, letting us know his likes and his dislikes... I love my family.

Chub.

Tummy time

So this is Arch enjoying his tummy time. I wonder about this kid sometimes, I mean I love him more than I could say, but he never seems to get upset (unless he is hungry) and I am afraid it is just building up.
He doesn't cry when he takes a bath, he doesn't cry when he is forced in to tummy time, and he doesn't mind having his diaper changed. What a good boy! That isn't to say that he doesn't get upset, he has his moments, don't we all...?

Arch-face

These are pictures of Archie at his baby blessing. We did it at home last week when we had more of our family in town for Thanksgiving. It was precious. My favorite picture is Grandpa Archie holding baby Archie-- I love them both so much.

Christmas is here!

We decorated our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving, I couldn't wait. I meant to take pictures of us doing it, but got too excited and just took picutres of the tree. It is small but it is lovely. It spins and glows in the dark! We listened to Christmas music and had a great time, someday when we live in our own place we will go and chop down a real tree, we can't miss out on that tradition.
The tree was in the closet behind many of Susan's Christmas decorations; my loving husband took on the boxes and the low ceiling of the coat closet to fetch the tree, so it was almost like chopping down our own.