Ignorance is Bliss!

Well, American Idol just ended for tonight so while I let the voting frenzy die down a little before I vote I thought I would blog.

Saturday night we went to the final performance for the season of the symphony and all the numbers were incredible. There was a guest pianist and the entire symphony played some amazing pieces that showcased many of the individual instruments in a beautiful way. We thoroughly enjoyed it and were sorry to see it end.

Mother's day was wonderful! I've received beautiful, thoughtful cards, gifts, sentiments, and phone calls from my husband, children and grandchildren. Chris and Emily came over for the afternoon and dinner too. Thank you all so very much. Your love has enveloped me completely. I love being a MOM.

Today has been a day of lots of noise, for a day off, because our new furnace and duct system is finally installed. Yep, it was supposed to be installed last Tuesday but to our dismay and relief it had to be postponed. Let me explain.

Last Tuesday the workmen from One Hour heating and Air came with our new furnace and took out the old one and discovered some sever problems with the duct system in the attic and the crawlspace under the house. The ducts were all wrapped in Asbestos and several of them were bent, cracked, and actually not connected to the vents where the heat should have been coming in. To our dismay, several problems from this were evident; 1) asbestos can be leaking into the air that is being heated and pumped into the house, 2) the heated air wasn't getting into some of the house vents and rooms they were in but was heating the attic area instead (which could have caused a fire, and 3) the return air duct was squashed half way and therefore the return air was partially coming from the attic and under the house instead of being recirculated from the house. Not healthy or effective. No wonder our PG & E bill was outrageous and our house never seemed to get very warm and never quickly.

The long and the short of it was, a different company of specialists came on Saturday and took out all the old bad ducts from under the house and from the attic in about 4 hours. Then today between the hours of 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM all new ducts, vents, filter system, boots, a two stage 93% effective furnace, and a new digital "really cool" thermostat was installed. Our front driveway looked like something from a space movie but it sure was pretty and shinny.

The new heater has a great fan system that will circulate the air in the summer too, to help keep the air cooler all over. We are very happy and relieved that the unsafe conditions of our home (that we didn't know about but that we could see ourselves once the old furnace was removed) have been fixed and our home will be safer, healthier, and more comfortable. Yippee!!!!! (By the way family, the vent in the dining room that we were afraid someone would fall down is new and fits snuggly so no more fears!!!) However this new furnace also means it will take us longer to be able to go on our mission; but it will happen.

No Excitement this week!

This week has seemed so boring because we have been so "up" this past month that now it is kind of that let down you feel right after the holidays. We had such a wonderful month last month...how could we feel any other way?......



We knew what we needed to do...so we went over to Brook and David's the night after we got back so that we could see how much Carter has changed...well he is getting a little bigger and he's still so adorable. I missed him while we were gone. That helped us cheer up :o)



Saturday night we went to a concert that was hosted by our Stake but many churches participated in the talent. The ticket price was food for the local food bank. The Gym was practically full and so they did get quite a bit of food. There were great performances ranging from Solo singers to choirs and everything in between. There was a barbershop octet group of men, a quartet "recorder" musical number, a really great guitarist that had his own rhythm accompaniment that he worked with his feet, a horn / woodwind quartet (French horn, clarinet, Base Sax, and flute) that played Gershwin selections that were really incredible just to name a few. We all clapped our hands in rhythm to many of the numbers and really enjoyed the entire evening. It lasted for 2 hours but didn't feel that long. We all mingled and talked together as we ate delicious cookies afterward. It was fun talking with new people. I hope they make this an annual event.

Yesterday I went to the DDS cause I have a tooth sensitivity and now I'm scheduled for a root Canal next week. I just got DDS insurance through Dad's work and now I get to use it. Hurray??

On to planning our next fantastic event....OUR REUNION. I can hardly wait but I need your feedback so watch your emails regularly.

BYU Graduation

We had a fantastic time in Utah. The weather was totally unpredictable. The first two days there it snowed and rained and was bitterly cold even with some sun. Then it gradually warmed up and by Monday when we left it was in the upper 70"s. I guess when they talk about the Utah weather and say, "Wait 5 minutes and it will change." is pretty true. We had a very nice visit and lunch with our good friends, Judy and Charlie Prosser Wed. afternoon on our way to Orem. We hadn't seen them in a few years so it was great getting together and sharing our families news. In Orem, we stayed with the Dunford Grandparents in their beautiful home. They are very hospitable people and now good friends. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting with them each morning and evening before and after our days activities.



The Commencement exercises on Thursday were uplifting and inspirational. Elder Bednar and Elder Samuelson gave really good talks, but what would you expect. We recorded it at home so that we can watch it again and make a copy for Jeff. George, Seneca, and Emeric came down from Idaho Falls for the two days ceremonies and got there about 30 Min. before it all started. It was wonderful having them there too. It has been 3 years since we saw the kids. They are great and we had a blast together. We all went out for a Mexican dinner at Casa Rio (I think?). Good food and great company with all the families there. Jonny Koehle and Ryan McAdam were there too.
Friday was when Jeff "walked" and received his diploma case with a sample diploma inside. It was quite exciting seeing him receive his bachelor's degree. What a thrill for his wife and parents and all who love him.
The speaker were excellent and I was wishing that we could have recorded that too. The topic of one was "Love is a Conversation" where he talked about how important relationships are that you make throughout your life. Really great food for thought for all who listened. That night we went to Draper and to the home of Jeff West and his wife and family for a big Taco Salad dinner. It was fun meeting a few more of Rachelle's family. They were celebrating the graduating from BYU of their son and his wife too, so we all celebrated together. George and his kids headed back to Idaho and Jeff, Rachelle, Richard, Jonny K. and I all headed up to the trail to hike the Y!. We didn't hike but enjoyed the view.








Saturday we went with Jeff and Rachelle to SLC and to the Cemetery to see the resting places of the prophets. We hiked all over with a map telling us where they were. It was a fun but also special experience paying honor to those extraordinary men and their wives.







After that we went to the Lion House Pantry for Lunch and then to Brigham Young's Beehive House for the tour. Wow, what a beautiful home.









I took a few pictures but my favorite room was the formal dinning room.





Went to church with Jeff and Rachelle in their branch and got to lead the music in Relief Society as Rachelle was conducting. She is the RS president. It's a small group of Saints who all live in their Apt. complex but really nice people. After church we played games and talked at the apt. and then went to the Dunford's for a delicious chicken enchillada dinner, dessert with more of the Dunford Family we hadn't seen yet, and a lively game of Mexican Train dominoes until midnight.

Monday we packed, spent some time with Jeff and Rachelle and then all went to Deseret Book before we left for the Airport. It was a fantastic trip. We really do enjoy Utah every time we are there.

Awesome April Continues

Saturday the 19th of April (Happy Birthday, Christy)
was the first BIG outing for the newest of the Mann family. We all gathered in Sacramento to participate in and witness the Baptism of Abigail Lynne Philpott so
David and Brook took Carter on the first long trip of his new life and theirs with a new baby. He did remarkably well. They sure are a cute little family.







David gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and Carter slept "like a baby" through the whole baptismal service. He was as good as gold.












Abby was one very excited young lady. Here she is with John in her very special baptism dress that her Grandma Ford made for her mom, Noelle, and her sisters to wear. It's a very special family tradition. They sure look happy! She is one very prepared child. She was glad that the water was warm in the font when she felt it.


During the Baptismal service, John sang a beautiful song that he had written for her baptism. I hope that I can convince him to record it for the family to hear often. I would love a recording of him singing his songs that he has written for the members of his family. It means a lot to all of us.
After the baptism was done, Abby got dressed in her beautiful new white dress complete with a special necklace and bracelet. What a very happy family on such a wonderful occasion. There were many family and friends there. Abby received several special gifts to mark the occasion and then we all shared refreshments and watched a video that her Aunt Emily Mann made with pictures from her first 8 years of life. Then we all went back to the house and had a yummy Lasagna dinner together. What a fantastic Saturday.





So today, Tuesday, Carter is two weeks old and now he has a new cousin. Yep, today Kathleen and Mark had their new little boy. Richard and I were hoping that he would be born before our trip tomorrow and here he is. Mark called this AM to say Kathleen was in labor and we kept touch all day and then went over to Kaiser here in Santa Rosa about 5:00 PM. He was born just a few minutes before we arrived and so we got to see him right away. Their son, Joshua, was there for the birth and Kathleen said that he was a great help to her giving her hugs when she would have a contraction.


They don't have a first name for him yet but think that his middle name will be Lucas. He weighed in at 8 lbs , 14 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. He was very alert and looking around a lot at all of us taking his picture.









That's one more very happy family. Congratulations Kathleen, Mark, and Joshua!!





We are filled with gratitude to our Loving Heavenly Father for these abundant blessings in our family.

I love this April!

Last week was so fantastic and just a part of this amazing month.

I spoke with Christy on Thursday night while Richard was at High Council meeting. All is well in Texas. Aaron and Riki went to prom on Saturday night with a large group of friends in a limousine. I haven’t checked their MySpace pages yet to see photos but I’m sure they are great. Christy was in an rear-ender but didn’t get hurt…only her new van which is now fixed. I know how that feels. At least her’s could be fixed. I spoke with Jason too and he is getting all A’s except for one B++ in school. He is really smart! He’s into the gifted program at school now and looking forward to a field trip to Texas A & M university. Beth has just graduated from bartenders school and is working events, such as weddings and big parties etc. It’s tough being a single mom…you’ve got to do what you can to make ends meet.

Saturday we worked in the “VERY WARM” weather in the yard. It felt good but we had to turn on the sprinklers to keep the plants alive. Not enough rain yet this season in Santa Rosa.



That night was the Santa Rosa Symphony program that we had tickets for. It was wonderful!! It is the Symphony's 8O th Anniversary in Santa Rosa. Bruno Ferrandis is the conductor and so incredible to watch. He is tall and thin with very long fingers. He is young but I can’t help thinking he reminds me of “Icabod Crane” in stature. Richard agrees. He is extremely animated and the Orchestra responds beautifully. The guest artist was the pianist, Christopher O’Riley playing Bartok, Concerto No. 3 for Piano and Orchestra. The whole evening was phenomenal with 3 selections in all!! Our seats were front row balcony...Yippee!

The bass Horns, the Woodwinds, and Percussion are my favorites!!

Sunday afternoon we went over to Brook and David’s to see how the new little family was doing. They are doing great! We hadn’t seen them since they got home from the hospital late Thursday night, but we’ve been in touch everyday. Carter is a good baby. He sleeps well but eats all the time so Mommy and Daddy are trying to take naps whenever they can between feedings. David went back to work Monday and I helped out a little by doing some laundry for them. We love having them so close and look forward to watching Carter grow before they take off to Utah in the fall.

He is so precious!!

Carter Pierce Mann

He is here and he is beautiful! Carter Pierce Mann made his debut at 11:20 PM on Tuesday, April 8, 2008. Brook and David were fantastic in the whole miraculous process according to Noelle and Kysa (Brook's good friend), who were with them and helped with moral, emotional and physical support. The Labor was long starting at about 9:00 AM but was worth the work.



He weighed in at 7 pounds 3 Ounces and is 21 inches long. He was so alert and just perfectly content to look around and makes cute little baby noises as we all took our turns holding him. What a thrill to have this precious little one join our family.




I waited from 9:30 AM with Brook's mom Julie and gradually as the day progressed, more family members joined us. When he was finally born there were 9 family members in the waiting room. Chris was there with us too.

We love you, Carter!!

We had such a wonderful time seeing Abby in "Annie" with Chris and Emily and Noelle and John on the 29th of March. We totally agree with them... She was fantastic! Her great personality came shining through and as Emily said...she stole the scenes with the orphans. We are so proud of her.




Our visit with Mom and Dad and tour of Larry and Becky's new home and celebrating Larry's birthday with them was a great way to start our weekend. We are thrilled for Larry and Becky. Their home is lovely and we know they will have a lot of fun making it their own as they decorate it to reflect their personalities.

Last week I watched Aaron and Liesel Hall's children, Sabrina and Joseph. They are 3 and 15 months old. We had a great time playing, reading books, and watching Disney movies together.