Lauren playing the harp

This video is of Lauren practicing the harp with Grandma Irene in Hawaii. We are working on getting lessons for her. She really seems to enjoy it and has had very little instruction up until now.

Newest member of the Manning zoo

Meet Fro the guinea pig. Fro has a mohawk in the front and a comb-over in the back, almost like a mullet :) We got him from a girl that works at the PetSmart that was going off to college and needed a good home for him. The girls love the fact that he is NOT noctural, like Oliver the Hamster. He is wide awake and ready to play. They also love the squeaking pig noises he makes. He is still getting adjusted to us and sometimes it takes awhile for him to warm up. We have only had him for a few days and already he is making a lot of progress so we know that shortly he will be running into our laps. What a little lovebug he is!

Circus came to town...

Wow it has been SO long since I have been to the circus. Ringling Brothers came to Phoenix this past week and we were lucky enough to get awesome seats at an amazing price thanks to a friend of mine. I forgot how much I love the circus. The girls were amazed at the magic and all the acts but I think the elephants, horses, zebras and tigers were the favorites.

Hawaii

The girls at the beach in Ka'anapali, one of the last days there :( We had a great trip!
One of the pools at the Hyatt with a great waterslide. We took one night to stay near the beach and enjoy a pool. The Hyatt had great ammenities. Besides great pools, jacuzzi and waterslides, they had penguins, flamingos, cranes, parrots and Koi. I definately want to go back there.

Poor Hailey kept up as long as she could. She played so hard that she passed out on Uncle Chris. She even missed the ice cream on the boat ride back :)

I saw my first, second and hopefully last centipede. It actually looks smaller than it was. The two we saw were each about 5 inches long and it look alot to smash them :(

Dad, Shawn and I on the Trilogy boat ride over to Lanai. What an awesome boat ride, so much fun. I love the rocking on the waves. Grandma and the girls sat on the trampoline and got DRENCHED. Not a piece of them was dry and we got a great laugh. I think those girls can talk Grandma into anything.

Jessica, Lauren and I on Lanai getting ready to snorkel in a natural coral reef. It was windy so the water was very choppy. Hard to get in and out with the crashing waves but well worth it. It was Lauren's first time snorkeling and she loved it.

I have a new found respect for people that break open coconuts. It is so hard! We found one in the middle of the street so we stopped and grabbed it. Cousin Shaun and Jessica spent an hour with a machete, a hammer and bare hands trying to get it open :) It was worth the wait. How cool! The girls got to try fresh coconut.

I have always wanted to swing from a vine and now I got my chance :) I tried once at my parents house but it broke :( This one was the perfect vine, found it on the road to Hana.

Lauren, Hailey and Jessica tried next. I think everyone needs to say they swung from a vine at least once in their life!

Hailey was trying to carry the bunch of bananas back to the house so they could ripen but she was grossed out by the ants and the sap, not to mention how heavy it was :)

Here is Grandpa in the front of the house cutting down the banana tree so the girls can have fresh bananas everyday. It's amazing how fast the trees grow!

Girl Scout Court of Awards and Bridging

Friday was our Girl Scout Troops Court of Awards and Bridging Ceremony. I was anticipating this day for so long and was so stressed out about it. In the end it was very emotional for me. One of the moms did a slide show that brought me to tears. I can't get over how far the girls have come this year. From little girls that were quiet and shy to girls that can do so much without us. Watching the slideshow made me realize how much we have done and how far they have come. The girls have done so many service projects this year and have helped their community so much.

Lauren receiving her awards

Look what our wonderful girls and parents got for us! I can't wait to wear my sweater when we take the girls camping.

All of us together before eating :)

What a cute cake. Costco even let us put everyone's name on the cake!

Dance Recital

Lauren and Hailey had there big dance recital the middle of May. What an exciting night!! Lauren was in 4 dances- Hip Hop, Tumbling, Jazz and Tap and Hailey was in 2 dances - Jazz and Tap. I absolutely Love going to watch my girls dance and to be able to watch 5 dances was great.

Lauren falling into splits in tumbling- Wipe Out
Hailey in Jazz- Splish Splash I was taking a bath. She is the littlest one but one of the strongest with her hip shaking...

Lauren in Hop Hop to Camp Rock

Lauren and Hailey in their tap dance- Would you Like to Swing on a Star

Wildlife World Zoo

Every year at Lauren's school the kindergarteners and kids studying birds get to go to the Wildlife World Zoo. I didn't get to go last year so I was excited to be a parent helper this year. It is a far drive but such a fun place to go. The first picture is Lauren holding a Lori bird, they eat apples right out of your hand. It is such a neat experience.


You also get to feed the giraffe. They had a baby giraffe out there but he wasn't tall enough to reach up to the food :(

They have a new aquarium as well, the only one in Arizona but I didn't get any pictures. They have a ray touch tank, tons of fish, alligators, turtles and more. We only had 3 hours there and it wasn't enough :( I hope I get to go with Hailey's class next year!