Dear Dad,

I missed you. I missed you during the Super Bowl, of all things. It wasn't even the Cowboys! (Is it ever?) But, I missed you.

We wouldn't have gotten together for a big party. But, I would have called you. We would've chatted a bit about football...maybe the Cardinals. Maybe the fact that we couldn't cheer for the Cards because they're always playing the Cowboys...and where do my loyalties lie.

We would've eventually talked about the weather. It's beautiful here. I'm sure it's snowy and cold in Utah.

I would've said Good-Bye and most of all...

I Love You.

Oh Christmas Tree...

I just wanted to share some pictures of Mikey's little "hot rod" tree that we put up at the cemetery for him.

On December 23rd, Leavitt's has what they call their "Luminary Display". They light over 6,000 candles in honor of our loved ones that have passed. Here are a couple of pictures from that beautiful night...

And last but not least... Cindy went up on Christmas Eve and lit a candle at Mike's grave. Now we had some very wicked weather that day and on Christmas day as well. I mean it was basically a blizzard! But with a little help from his sweet spirit... that candle stayed lit until December 27th, when it finally burnt down to the bottom! What an amazing sight...

the big kid...

With the Christmas season well on its merry little way, I thought I would try and do my best and try to enjoy it. Only 1 problem... all that I can think about is Mike! So, since he is always the biggest kid when it comes to this holiday, I thought that I would post a few pictures of Mikey when he was little kid! how could you not just love this innocent little face???

May this Christmas season bring out the big kid in all of us!

~Happy Holidays~

Love,

The Mannings

FREE TO BREATHE...

Even though we were not in North Carolina for the real 5k... we decided to have our own little "walk-a-thon" here in Ogden. We had a great time! We wore our "For the LOVE of Mike" shirts and walked the trail outside McKay Dee Hospital. The only thing missing was Mike, but I know he was right there with us... and he is now & forever "FREE TO BREATHE!"

Enjoy the photos...

~We love you Mikey~

Michael B. Manning

March 18th 1946 ~ October 29th 2008

~If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember... you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think... but the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.

~Winnie the Pooh

SPOOKALICIOUS!!!

~Mike is always the first to make everyone laugh... so in the spirit of the Halloween season here is another great laugh from Mike. These photos were from a costume party 2 years ago. He has got to be the sexiest drag queen I have ever seen... don't you think? Move over Dolly Parton, there's a new cowgirl in town!

~HAPPY HALLOWEEN~

Real memories...

Okay, the memory of camping with Dad and Ang is a little faint.





But, I remember a particular fishing trip at Flaming Gorge...It was me, Dad, and Jamie. We had sooo much fun. Jamie was playing the limbo on deck with "Chubby Checker". She would dance and dance to her choice of music.

Dad, of course, sat there arm on the steering wheel, shaking his head.

So, we were out on the rocks fishing. My dad was teaching me how to really fish. We were in a bass hot spot and determined to catch one. We were pretty dedicated anglers. Jamie was across the little cove from us...rockin' out on the rocks. As it started to rain, she was singing "Feels so goood comin' down" (Old 7-up commercial). Of course, she starts squealing because she accidentally caught a fish. We ran to help, but it was gone before we got there. She proved her method was the most effective by catching another just a couple minutes later.

Dad and I just sat there shaking our heads.


I love the Gorge. Cold mornings and chocolate licorice. Funny, I don't remember catching that much!


I love you Dad!