"Sick" days and Halloween

Woohoo for time to post a blog so soon :).
We had a bit of a crazy week. Last Sunday evening, Taya had an elevated temperature, and since the daycare has a policy of making us take Taya to the clinic if she gets a fever there, we decided to keep her home. Tuesday we took her and she developed an elevated temperature within in a hour of being there, so I spent most of the day home with her and also Wednesday morning (Ethan took the afternoons). 2 of the kids at daycare were diagnosed with the swine flu, so they were being very cautious. Luckily, on Wednesday I noticed 2 new teeth, which was most likely the cause of the elevated temp. Below, a few pictures of our time together early in the week.

BEDTIME
A VERY NICE SEAT!

HELPING WITH LAUNDRY.

NIMA SQUIRREL WATCHING...

...THAT PESKY SQUIRREL. (it taunts Nima)

Grammy was in town on her way back from Connecticut. She was able to see Taya in her Halloween costume. We even got some relax time, which consisted of Ethan watching a movie while Grammy and I fell asleep. It was nice to have her here and she will be back in a few weeks :). We can't wait!

GRAMMY SUCCESSFULLY ROCKED TAYA TO SLEEP SEVERAL TIMES DURING HER STAY.

SWEET SLEEPING ANGEL.

Remember that driveway project I mentioned in my previous post? Well, it was completed this weekend. This was the site out my front door for most of yesterday. We even had to DVR the Husker game to watch later! It was fun to have Chad, Maria, and Alex Kruse over for the day (many, many thanks to Chad for helping Ethan with the cement) and also have our neighbors Jason, Lindsey, and Eli Mosel over for lunch and the game (also many thanks to Jason for helping).

THE "MIXER" AS ALEX CALLED IT...

'BEFORE'

SOME OF THE SPECTATORS (Maria, Taya, Alex) AND THE WORKERS (Chad, Ethan [in orange], and Jason)

HARD AT WORK (Chad in gray, Ethan in orange, Jason in red)

ALEX AND TAYA

With some of the extra cement, Ethan filled in a hole under the downspout and it was the perfect canvas for some hand/paw prints.

ALEX'S HANDPRINT

TAYA'S HANDPRINT

THE FINAL PROJECT (Alex, Taya, Eli, and Nima)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN--TAYA'S 2ND

PHOTO OP WITH DAD-O

WITH MOMMY...TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE CAMERA

WITH LAINA BAYLES (daughter of Ethan's boss)

WITH ELI BANKS (Eli is a monkey and he made a cute one)

Currently it is 66 degrees---a gorgeous fall day! Ethan is golfing; Taya and I are going to go outside and play. We all took Nima for an early walk this morning after church so we're soaking in as much fresh air as possible. We hope you had a safe Halloween.

Love, the Mann's

Fall means...

These pictures are in reverse chronological order...it will take me forever to get them in the correct order and we all know it takes me WAY too long to post as it is.
Fall means...
...FOOTBALL...
We were fortunate to get tickets to the Husker game today. Although it was about the most terrible game ever, we enjoyed the atmosphere and we had very good seats. Thanks Papa Les.

Fall means...

...Halloween...

Here is a sneak peak. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fall means...

...Taya is growing...

These are two of Taya's favorite toys. They are magnetic and go on the fridge. One is "Fridge DJ" and the other is "Animal Farm". They keep Taya busy while I work in the kitchen.

Fall means...

...funny faces and super smiles...much like the other seasons of the year.

Fall means...

...swimming lessons!

Fall means...

...family. Ethan's aunt Kathy and uncle Terry from Washington came through Nebraska on their way to New Jersey. Omi and Papa brought them down to meet Taya and see our house.

Fall means...

...the cutest plummer's crack ever :)

Fall in Nebraska means...

...SNOW

Ethan is working on redoing the parking pad in front of our house. We had a beautiful fall day on hand a few Fridays ago so Ethan went to work with a sledge hammer and a crow bar to tear up the old cement. When I got home I said, "Honey, didn't you know it's supposed to snow tomorrow?" He answered, "it's only supposed to flurry with no accumulation". Above is what we woke up to the next morning.

Ethan and I also went on a date on Friday. We saw the movie "Couple's Retreat". It was really cute and funny, but we think you have to be married, with kids, with a house to fully appreciate.

Fall means...

...birthdays! Ethan and I celebrate birthdays one month apart. Happy late birthday to Ethan (#27) 10-3 and early birthday to me (#27) 11-3.

Hope all is well.

Happy weekend... :)

Fall is in the air!

It is my favorite time of year. We have been enjoying our evening walks with Taya bundled up in the stroller and me in my sweats (I love sweatpants weather!). I have been making some apple crisp about once a week to utilize the apples that are in season this time of year and also because the smell of apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg can't be beat!
Taya continues to get more fun every day. I have never spent so much time around a toddler, but they are characters! Some of the cute things Taya does is she likes to read and will sit with a book and jabber away or else she will back into your lap and want you to read to her. Her daycare owner told me one day Taya started backing toward her clear across the room. Her hair is getting very curly and is oh so cute. She is miss independent and will do voice influction so you know when she is telling you to do something.
Most recently we went to a wedding this past weekend in Atkinson, NE. Congrats to my high school classmate Miles Mundorf and his new wife, Becky. We were also able to stop in Wayne at Omi and Papa's (minus Papa) to get some pumpkins and for lunch. Grammy was also in town for the wedding and to visit us. We took a 'stay-cation' on Monday to go golfing.
Wish Ethan a happy 27th on Saturday!

Could it be true?

Yes, it's been a while. We are very busy here in Omaha. We have been to a wedding in Ogallala, a birthday party in Lincoln, visiting grandparents in Wayne, and to a parade here in town. During the week I have been busy preparing for interns and working on my Master's; Ethan has been working more on his research and doing some golfing. Below is a sampling of some photos over the past few weeks. I do not have any of my brother's wedding uploaded on the computer, so those will be coming (Taya looked SO cute in her dress).

We have babysat Eli Banks a few times this summer when both Ryan and Em have had to work. Taya enjoys having a human playmate during the weekend.

My brother's wedding was at the golf course in Ogallala. Taya had fun playing on the putting green. At that time (August 22) she was still mostly crawling, but she was taking steps here and there.

We went to Lincoln for my cousin's daughter, Emma's, first birthday. We bought her Taya's favorite toy (lovingly known as Mrs. Potts) and Taya recognized it right away. Emma we hope you love her as much as Taya!

Grammy was in town for a long weekend before heading out to Connecticut. Taya enjoyed some special time with her.

Taya moved over to the toddler building at daycare last week. She is loving it! She is very tired at the end of the day. Every day we get a report from the owner that Taya is "eating really well, she gobbles down all of her food".

We went to the SeptemberFest parade with Emily and Eli this morning. Em and I enjoyed some good conversation as well as Wheatfield's pastries and lattes! Eli and Taya had their own special treat as well. Taya was really interested in the music and the big balloons, such as the monkey below. **For those of you interested, Ethan and Ryan went golfing.

Eli and Taya were interested in the puppies beside us. Taya recognized them because they look like Nima.

They get along very well together. After communing in their strollers, they took a nap then played at the house for a couple of hours.

Emily and Eli Banks

I forgot that I didn't post Taya's one year stats (for those of you interested).

20 lbs 4 oz 29 inches long

She is now primarily walking. She gets around very well and loves the new challenge of stairs!

Have a great week (or great couple of weeks, depending on when I sit down to post more pictures!).