Lots of kids, Tall Trees, and one sssssnake.....

This past weekend we we were invited to go to the Sequoias with some friends. and we couldn't have been more excited because we didn't really have anything planned for the summer... SO our trip goes a little something like this.... On Saturday morning we got up early loaded up the van and met up with the other 3 families. With all of us we had 8 adults and 17 children..that's alot of kids....LOL we got on the road and headed to our destination... it was a nice scenic windy road kinda drive... which I got a lil nausea by the way... we got up there and headed to the Trail of 100 giants... what a fun, adventurous perfect trail for the kids... they were all excited to see the really big trees... and were running all over the place... us adults couldn't even keep up with them... LOL.. the weather was perfect and the sights were awesome.... after the trail we decided to find a spot for lunch... "boy did we pick the spot".. we set up the picnic and enjoyed the company, and food..and let the kids just run around the lil site... as we were all in " adult" conversation.. all of a sudden Jayden screams " AHHHHHHHHH a snake...if you know jayden he is quite the jokster.. so I said " jayden are you joking" and then he said" no MOM im not... so I was like " WELL THEN GET OVER HERE" .... he ran over to me.. so the men preceded to check it out thinking it was just a little something.... OH NO it was a huge rattle snake... the bad thing is the kids had been playing in that very spot the whole time..... at that point we all decided to clean up and head home...it was all very exciting in that exact moment.. but on the way home I couldn't help but think how the situation with the snake could have turned out alot worse with one of the kids... and I thought about how I am so grateful to be apart of the gospel and thankful that we said a group prayer before we left.. and that we are truly blessed and watched over...... Thanks to the Fergusons for planning this great trip and making us apart of it.... we had a great time....

The beginning of the Trail
Josiah all geared up and ready to go....
Kam had control of the wagon ...for the walk....
Jayden found a big hiking stick...
The first big tree we came to...
The trees had lil caves in them
Kala walking on a log across a stream
good spot to take a pic
we came to a fork in the road.. didn't know which way to go....
Hey get down from there...
Look how tall the trees are ..thats my husband in the lower left corner... and he is a pretty tall man..
Ty liked these trees that crossed each other....
awww.. finally finished the trail
our friend Kyle taking a siesta.. before lunch...LOL
our picnic site.. before the snake event
Josiah and Kaden.. talking baby talk...
and here is the big snake after its head was cut off..... yuck :)-
sleeping soundly on the way home... notice the fork in josiah's hand... he is obsessed with forks... I guess he loves to eat.... it is not rare for him to fall asleep with a fork in hand..LOL

Michael Jackson

I am so sad that he passed... and it really didn't hit me til this a.m. as I played my favorite song " man in the mirror".... as they show all type of coverage across all the channels... I can't help but get emotional..especially when they show him as a little boy.... my thoughts are that he has been in the spotlight since he was 5 years old.. and he never got to live a normal peaceful life, and now he can, and be left alone...I can not judge him for the things he was accused for... nor can anyone prove it....and why is it that they have to bring up bad things to remember him... why can't they just celebrate his life and accomplishments.... I don't even understand how they can bring that stuff up at a time like this.. I mean geez he is gone already..anyways that is my early morning ramblings.....

Random Silliness

Hello my fellow bloggers... it has been awhile since I last posted.. it's been a little busy and hectic here in the Manu home... why you ask?? because it is Summer Vacation and ALL the kids are home... you can imagine what I have been upto... some things off the top of my head would be.. breaking up fights between the kids, listening to whining and the constant phrase " I'm bored", blocking off the kitchen due to excessive snacking, taxing the kids to their various activities, washing and brushing Kala's hair practically everyday after swimming..., and counting down the days til summer is over....LOL.. those are just to name a few...Josiah is now 20 month old and weighs 35 lbs. and is 38 inches long.. update on the pacifier, he gave it up all by his self just all of a sudden he lost interest.. that was so easy.. he is talking up a storm..and loves to sing and dance...We haven't done any traveling so I don't have any exciting pictures, but I do have 1 picture and a 2 videos to show you of our younger 2 children... who are definitely are the comedians of the family.
On Father's day I was making dinner and I noticed how quiet it was... so I look around to see what everyone was doing.. Ty was reading, Kala, Kam and Josiah were all asleep... but wait!! where is Jayden?? so I look everywhere and Then I look behind the couch, and this is what I find.... LOl..




LOL at these videos... a couple of weeks ago we went to the pool and swam for lile 3 hours... we got home and Josiah was hungry and thirsty... and obviously tired too.... he would not let me put him to sleep.. and he wouldn't let go of the chips.. it was so funny...