Deal or No Deal

"Dealing" with Easton is really pretty fun. I'm not sure where he learned his negotiating skills but he has become quite the deal maker. For example the other day he had taken off all the couch cushions and I asked him to clean them up. He said, "No! Here's the deal: I'm going to jump on this cushion for ten minutes and then I will clean it up. That's the deal." Every once in a while he'll give me a choice by asking, "is that a good deal mom?" And I usually say yes just because I'm proud of him for making a compromise. I probably let him get away with too much, but I think his reasoning skills are so funny!

Other stuff lately...

Caught Easton sucking his stomach with the ShopVac. Later that day caught him sucking Callan's stomach with the ZipLoc Vacuum.

There's been lots of wrestling going on. Callan's being initiated pretty early.

Easton has been asking me to turn up the radio when he hears his favorite songs:

"Country Girl Shake It For Me" by Luke Bryan

"Crazy Girl" by Eli Young Band... the best is when he sings the line, "silly woman, come here let me hold you..."

and "I got the moves like Jagger" by Maroon 5.

He knows a good song when he hears one. I love it.

We had an FHE about bodies and spirits in preparation for Grama Manning's funeral. We did that thing that everyone does where you have a glove for the body and your spirit is the hand and the body can't move without the spirit inside... you know. Well Easton decided he was going to use the gloves to help the men dig the hole in the ground at the cemetery. So not the point. It didn't go very well.

Callan is making a lot of progress with crawling. It won't be long until he's everywhere. Sometimes when he gets really close to reaching what he's after, Easton sits on him. I get mad at him of course, but secretly... I don't mind if he slows down the progress a little:)

Callan's top teeth finally came in. There's a pretty good space in between them so he'll probably have "hippo teeth" like his brother did for a little while. So cute.

In Loving Memory

Dec. 12, 1917-Sept. 24, 2011

OAKLEY — Freida Mai Manning, 93, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, in Oakley, Idaho, from age-related causes.

She was born Dec. 12, 1917, in Kimama, Idaho, the 10th of 12 children born to John and Amalie Schlager Mai. She graduated from Burley High School as salutatorian in 1936, from Henegar’s Business College in Salt Lake City in 1937, and began her career as secretary to the registrar at Albion State Normal College. Freida married Linford Hart Manning on March 23, 1940, in Twin Falls, Idaho. This marriage was solemnized Aug. 19, 1960, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Freida was widowed at age 43 when Linford died in 1961.

Freida served in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Relief Society, Young Women and Primary. She was a member of EZ-Does-It Home Demonstration Club, Toastmistress, Gray/Pink Ladies and the Community Concert Board. She was named 1963’s Cassia County Mother of the Year and received special recognition from the Cassia County Fair Board for her prize-winning home canning in 1986. Most importantly, she was known for her selfless service, faith, endurance and love for family.

Survivors include four daughters, Linda (Joe) Newbry and Joan Allen of Twin Falls, Marjorie (Erik) Woodhouse of Oakley and Laura (Dan) Bradshaw of Eagle; 13 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Ivy Manning Brown and Thelma Manning Pace. Freida was preceded in death by her parents; husband; stillborn daughter; son-in-law, Joe Allen; and a great-grandson, Brady Orville Heiner. Her deceased siblings include William Mai, Della Weimer, Mary Martin, Fred Mai, Lydia Miller, Sam Mai, Alex Mai, Pauline Wenz Perkins, Sara Mauer, Clara Payne Pitts and Rose Williamson.

The family extends sincere appreciation to IHC Home Health and Hospice caregivers for their loving care, kindness and friendship.

A service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at the Oakley LDS Stake Center in Oakley. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley at 3 p.m. Viewings will be held Thursday, Sept. 29, at Morrison Funeral Home, 188 S. Highway 24 in Rupert, from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral service Friday in Oakley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mini-Cassia Community Concert Association, 991 Sandy Glen Lane, Burley, ID 83318.

Grama Manning, Mom, Callan, Courtney, East 2011

Grama Manning & East 2009

Grama Manning, Karston, and East 2009

Mom, Grama Allen, Grama Manning, Easton, Courtney 2008

Tyson, Grama, Courtney 2010

The boys and I traveled to Idaho and back today for my Great Grandma's funeral. How many kids can say they were at their Great Great Grandma's funeral? I thought that was pretty cool for my boys. Some of my memories of Grama include:

Her Thanksgiving pies (and one particular instance where she forced me to eat rhubarb pie at her house. No one else was there so I have no witnesses and no one believes me.)

Dressing up in the clothes in her attic and her letting us take some things home from her attic when we left her house.

Her tiny house altogether: there were gold flakes in the white door handles, I remember how it smelled, I remember picking raspberries and putting them in empty ice cream tubs, hanging on the gates of the horse corrals... I remember lots about that house, which surprises me.

Her cards-she always took the time to write long personal messages on birthday cards.

And lots more, I don't have the time to think of everything right now, but just know she was loved and we're happy she's in a happy place!

I can't help it!

I love it when they match!

Callan's top right tooth finally broke through yesterday and the left one is SO CLOSE! It has been quite the process. Poor little guy has been so sick to his stomach! Has anyone else experienced this with teething? I know it sounds weird, but I just think it has to be related! He is spitting up like crazy and he's never really been much of a spitter. He just seems so uncomfortable and his hernia is poking out big time cuz you can tell it's just full of gas. I switched to Similac "Sensitive for Spit Up" formula which so far hasn't helped at all. I've given him Tums, Mylanta, Mylicon... don't know what else to do for the poor guy! It's mostly at night and when he tries to lay down for a nap - and man I feel bad for him if it's anything like the acid reflux I experienced every time I tried to lay down when I was pregnant with him! Hopefully the other tooth pokes through and it all goes away!