Goodbye to the Mansells

I know I haven't not posted here in awhile (ok,ok for over a year!).  I tell myself that this is the way I should journal my son's life, but the days come and go and here we are a year later.  I won't try to catch up on all that I've missed so I'll just start where we are with no guarantees or pressure for regular posts but tonight was an event that should be documented so here it is.

Drake's nanny, Jenn, for over two years now is moving as her husband got a job in Santa Barbara.  She has been really great to us.  She is flexible, respectful and been so great to Drake.  Her little girls are just adorable and Drake has learned so much! He's learned primary songs and fun little sayings like, "You get what you get and don't throw a fit."  He knows where California and Washington (Gideon's house) are on the map of the US. He knows colors, letters and numbers.  He has spent hours at their house and grown so much. 

Tonight we went to a going away party for them.  Drake was having a great time playing with all the kids.  I didn't really think that Drake understood what it meant that they were moving.  We were getting ready to leave the party for the night and we told Drake to give Jenn a hug.  Just following the hug, he burst into tears.  I realized that he did understand that she was leaving and he knew this was the last time he would see her.  She then started to cry and me also.  Sam told me he had to step outside for fear that he too would tear up as well. He hugged all her little girls and cried most of the way home from the party. 

I think this may be the first time that I cried for the hurt my child felt.  I mean, I too will miss Jenn and her family don't get me wrong.  But to see the hurt my son felt about it was overwelming.  I am sure this will not be last time this will happen, but to feel it for the first time was heart wrenching.  I know we will probably see Jenn and her family again, but I am sure that Drake will miss the daily trips to the park, the bike rides, the yoga and the hugs from some darn cute little girls!

The Christmas Tree

Drake and Santa at the Christmas Tree Lot
(Drake was a little scared of Santa.)

Playing with the trees and trying to decide which one to pick!


Dad loading up the tree!


Decorating the tree with mom!


Mom's masterpiece! Viola!

Uncle Ben's Bike

In November, we went into the city to visit Uncle Ben. We ate some down home cooking, chicken and waffles at Little Skillet, Yum! Drake loved riding Uncle Ben's bike and riding on his skateboard. Uncle Ben Rocks! (He also watched Drake while he napped so Sam and I could do some shopping in the city, Nice!)

The Lillians

Our friends we knew when we lived in Michigan, The Lillians, came to visit us in November. It was so fun to see them. They have two cute little girls, Lucy and Brynn, and Drake was in heaven!

The passing of great man

On November 14th, as I was getting ready to walk out the door to work, I got a phone call from my mom. She was sobbing and saying, "He's gone, he's gone". At first I didn't realize what she was talking about. Then it hit me. My grandpa, the only one I had really known my whole life (my other grandpa passed away when I was two) was gone. I dropped to floor, hugged my little guy and cried. It was a sad day and I rushed off to work (the show does not go on with out me) and mourned for my mom who had lost her dad that day.


The consolation to this kind of thing was that I got to see my family when I otherwise wouldn't have. We stayed in a huge vacation rental home in Lehi, UT (of all places!) that had a hot tub. Sam and I had not brought swim suits so underwear (or in Sam's case a shirt wrapped around himself) made do to enjoy snowy evenings in the nice warm tub with family. I enjoyed cuddling with my new nephew and watching Drake and his cousin play so cute together. It was great to see my family, immediate and extended.


We had some really great services (viewing, funeral, grave dedication) for my Grandpa. He was so well loved and respected. He had been a volunteer fire fighter for many years and it had been a true love of his. My cousins and I sang "Daddy's hands" (not very well, might I add-but who gets a lot of practice in these situations?) and my mom sobbed through the whole thing. My grandpa's casket was transported to the cemetary on an old fashioned fire engine that my grandpa had helped the fire dept procure. It was so neat to see. They also gave him one "Last call" at the grave where the fire dept went out over the radio on a speaker honoring his memory. It was really neat to see so many people honor such a great man.


The next day, my sister had to get up early to head home before the snow storm hit in the mountains and that was really disappointing. It was just too little time! Most of the family though headed to the Fireman's museum so we could leave his medals there next to his Father's. Drake had a blast playing on the Fire Trucks as you will see. He was truly a light during a somewhat sad time.


I am thankful that families are forever.

Grampy and Drake

Dad and Drake

Technically he wasn't supposed to be playing on all these trucks, but who's going to say no to this cute little guy? We got Drake a Fireman piggy bank to always remember his Great Grandpa by.

Catching Up

I really want to be a better blogger. Sometimes I ask myself, Why? Is it really that big of a deal? I was thinking about my son's significant moments in life ie crawling, teething, walking, first words, etc and realized I only had a vague idea as to when these things happened. I felt sad that I had not written it down that day (or shortly thereafter- in some cases I have here). I really want to document his important life's moments so our whole family can view his and our life's history. This is why I say it is a big deal and why I should make it more of a priority. So, please bear with me for the next week (that is my goal) while as I try to make up for the past few months of absence.

Happy, Happy! (Happy Halloween in Drake talk)

The Halloween Festivities began when we headed to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. Drake was intrigued by the parade and the fact that they "throw candy" of which some hit Drake in the head as he was on his dad's shoulders. He has talked about it several times since. We ate all things pumpkin and headed to this pumpkin patch. Again, Drake can't stopping talking about "pumpkin patch".

The night before Halloween we went to the ward party. Sam dressed up as something that resembled Charles Manson, I dressed up as a scarecrow and Drake made his debut in his dragon costume. We trick or treated around the church and Drake got his first "taste" of what Halloween is all about! Unfortunately we forgot our camera so no pics.

Halloween day we had Sam's family over for dinner which consisted of brains, fingers, and worms. We then made the trek around the neighborhood. Drake loved getting candy! He would take his dragon hood off after every house but I easily coaxed him into putting it back on in order to get candy. We had a blast. He didn't say "trick or treat" but when asked what the dragon said he let out a big roar!

The only post halloween problem is his incessant request for candy. When he wanted candy for dinner we pretty much had to nip that in the bud. He is now getting over that somewhat but sure has a sweet tooth like his mama.