Christmas...finally

Now that I have received multiple death threats...okay, not really...but I have been reprimanded for not updating my blog. IN MY DEFENSE...we have been out of town the past few weeks!

Anyway, just for all that...you all get to look at a MILLION Christmas pictures! :)

We spent Christmas in Ohio with my side of the family this year. Everyone was there, and we had a great time. (The plane trip there and back is another story...)

My parents waited to put up the Christmas tree until we all got there, so these pictures tell the story from putting up the tree to Christmas day.

This is Joey and our nephew Michael on our way to find the "perfect" Christmas tree. They are riding in the sled that the tree goes in. Joey had a great time with his cousin Michael. He hugged and kissed him an average of 50 times a day.

My brother Aaron thinks he's pretty strong to pull a pregnant lady and a child!

Doesn't he make a cute star on top of the tree?!

Joey got to help decorate the tree. He even got to put a few up by himself...which means he just kind of tossed it on the tree.

And then mommy got to help Joey put some of his ornaments on. Notice the belly sticking out...say hello to little girl Manthe inside!

Joey playing peek-a-boo with Papa and Elmo.

Cute little boys in their jammies.

Joey is trying to get Michael to wear Gramma's headband.

Joey was not too fond of Santa...deathly frightened might be a better phrase.

My dad used to dress up as Santa when we were little kids, so now he has resurrected the Santa suit for the grandkids.

He got over his fear long enough to pose with mommy.

Wouldn't he make a cute Christmas card?

Eyeing the pre-opening madness.

Joey helped everyone open gifts. Thankfully my family was nice enough and patient enough to let him do that!

Joey could not stop hugging his Aunt Esther...I think he has a crush on her.

My dad cooked an amazing Prime Rib for dinner...makes a pregnant lady proud! It all was wonderful!

We took a family picture later on in the day. It was kind of hard to get the kids to smile at nothing, but at least they are looking at the camera!

Thanks for bearing with all my pictures! We spent this past weekend in Kansas with Joe's family. Joey got loads of gifts again, including a Joey-sized Elmo. I'll post some of those when I get them from Jennifer.

We also had our five-year anniversary this weekend. I forgot my camera at home, so I don't have any pictures, but we had a great time. Grandpa and Nana babysat Joey over night, so Joe and I got to go out to eat and spend the night in a hotel...it was wonderful!!

Put him to work!

Joey helped Daddy shovel the driveway on Thursday.

I'm thinking maybe we should get him a smaller shovel?????

Oops...Face plant!

He's okay. :)

Christmas trees and snow

Joey had fun helping decorate the tree. When we put turned the lights on, he tried to blow them out. It was pretty cute. He is learning to not pull off the ornaments and lights.

We had our first snow of the season over Thanksgiving. Joey really likes the snow this year.


I got too cold outside with him, so I brought some snow inside onto the rug for him. Of course, he had to see what it tasted like.

My parents were here for the weekend, so my dad took Joey back outside to play in the snow. He made a makeshift sled with a garbage bag. Joey had a blast...until he face-planted, that is!

This is kind of a random picture, but I love it. This is what Joey does when he reads a book to himself. I don't know where he got it...maybe he sees me reading books lying on the couch.

We have been home for the last few weekends, so we are enjoying some relaxation time. I'm starting to feel more energetic and less nauseous, so that is wonderful!

The Manthe's as elves??

I promise to post new pictures soon, but for all of you who haven't seen us as elves yet, check out this website!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1150444360

Make sure to have your volume up!

The "joys" of my pregnancy...

Here are the top ten things I "love" about being pregnant...

1. being nauseous if I'm hungry

2. being nauseous if I'm full

3. heartburn

4. I'm sooooo tired

5. my pants are getting tight and I'm only 12 weeks along!

6. gas...need I say more?

7. does EVERYTHING need to get bigger?? the baby isn't growing on my thighs!

8. going to bed at 9:00 and still being soooo tired

9. having my 17 month-old try to jump on my belly

10. hairy legs...like I have the time or energy to shave these things!!

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In other news...aka Joey news...

Can you guess what Joey had for lunch? :) He definitely got a bath after this meal!

Joey loves to go for horsey rides on daddy's back these days. He actually gets a little mad at Joe when Joe says the horsey is all done.

Joey helping daddy give Simba a bath.

Joey had some friends over for dinner (okay actually mommy and daddy did...) and then he got to take a bath with Logan and Olivia.

Joey loves to walk around in these tennis shoes of mine because he can slip then off and on all by himself.

We're all doing pretty well...of course except for those wonderful pregnancy "joys" I have. Joey is growing more and more everyday, and he talks like crazy. I'm pretty sure he's not going to be the shy introverted type of little kid. Can you say "attention on me please!" :)

Couch Potato

Is someone trying to look like his daddy??

He loves to crawl up on the recliner and watch "Melmo" (aka Elmo). He also likes to stand up on the recliner though...not so good.

It's Official!

I'M PREGNANT!!

This is the ultrasound we had earlier this week. I am due May 30th. I've been feeling nauseous off and on, but that's how I was with Joey too. Other than that, I'm still working and doing well.

SUPERMAN to save the day!

We took Joey around to our close neighbors last night. We only went for about 15 minutes, but he had fun.

He has quite the ornery look in this picture...because he is touching something he isn't supposed to be, a "no-no."

And here is Joey getting in trouble for touching the no-no. Now, you may think it is mean to punish Superman, but here's how it went: Joey pointed at the object, said "no-no;" went over to the object, touched it, looked at us and said "no-no;" and then proceeded to pick up the object, all the while saying "no-no, no-no." So you see, what choice did we have?! :)

All-in-all it was still a really fun night, and Joey had fun with his bounty when we got home.

FINALLY!!

A few weeks ago we went to the zoo. Joey loved seeing all the animals close up.

These are Joey's friends Logan and Olivia.

This picture kind of looks like a mug shot, but I thought Joey looked pretty cute. He is all big boy these days.

Joe's grandpa, Papa, celebrated his 75th birthday and we were all able to celebrate with him.

Joey discovered that he loves gummy worms---maybe he has my sweet tooth! He took a handful, went outside and sat down to enjoy them.

Joey and his favorite person.

Thanks for being patient since I haven't blogged in forever. I'll try to get back in the routine. We are taking Joey, aka Superman, trick-or-treating tonight for the first time so I'll post some pictures of that soon! Have a great day!

Yes, I'm still here!

I know, I know...I've been horrible at blogging these past few weeks. And I don't have any pictures today, but I promise I'll put some on next week.

I am leaving today for Florida. My first official time away from Joey. I am going for a work meeting. It will be fun, but I'm sure I'll miss my family. Luckily for Joe, my parents will actually be in town this weekend, so he doesn't really have to be a single dad! I'm not sure how that worked out! :)

Joey and I did go to the zoo yesterday, so I have a few cute pictures. He loved it! He is getting so good at making monkey noises and fish faces. :)

Alright, I promise to post pictures soon!

Happy 50th Birthday Dad!

We want to wish my dad a happy 50th birthday today!

All of us kids surprised him this weekend and gathered at my parents' new home in Ohio. He was quite surprised. It was a very fun and special weekend. We love you Dad!

Little Maestro

This one's for you, Jennifer! Joey loves to sit by himself and play the piano.

And this is my VERY godly son. He prays an average of about 8 times during every meal. :)

He hasn't learned to close his eyes yet, but he does make sure everyone around has clasped their hands together to pray before he can go on eating.

We have really been enjoying having my mom here this week. She came last Friday and is here until tomorrow. I've been getting lots of sleep on my days off, and the kitchen is miraculously clean every time I wake up! :)

Go Huskers!