Officer Joey

I love the way Joey's mind works. He is so analytical (maybe he gets that from me???), but he's also very creative. He often is making up inventions and games.

This day he dressed himself up exactly like his build-a-bear, Officer Pete.

Adorable. :)

piano recital

Joey had his first piano recital this past weekend. He just started taking piano lessons in August, so it's been fun to watch him get better. He seems to really enjoy it too!

That's his sweet piano teacher standing behind him, Mrs. Linda.

And here's a video of one of Joey's piano pieces that he played...

 



Joey piano recital from Michelle Manthe on Vimeo.

dressing up

Joe and I had our small group Christmas party on Sunday. We were supposed to wear "ugly" Christmas sweaters. Thankfully, we were able to borrow some from one of Joe's co-workers. It was a fun night!

These two girls love to dress alike. Since Norah wears mostly hand-me-downs from Kylah, they don't often get to match. But every once in a while I get them something matching, and they love it. I love it too! (but not enough to go buy a whole new wardrobe...)



Don't they look so sweet (and mischievous...)

Christmas parade

We had our town Christmas parade on Saturday. Joey got to walk with his school's float and hand out candy. He was pretty excited to be a part of the parade.

Kylah was supposed to walk with her school, too, but decided at the last minute that she really wanted to see all of the floats. Since she would have had to walk a long way, I think it was a great decision! (and I'm not sure why Norah looks like a little hoodlum...)

I thought it was a really fun parade, and the weather was beautiful!

decorating

On Sunday night after we had gotten home from Nebraska (and had a nap!), we went and got a Christmas tree. I love having a real tree, and Joe complies. :)

 

The kids are always so excited to hang their ornaments on the tree. We have a hodge-podge of handmade ornaments and store bought ornaments. I love it. 

I gave the kids free reign this year to put the ornaments wherever they wanted. Joey was pretty good about dispersing them around the tree.

 

Norah hung all of hers pretty much in the same spot.

Kylah got to put the star on top of the tree this year. 

I've been a little slower to get in the Christmas spirit this year for some reason, but I've been playing Christmas music nonstop and enjoying looking at the lights on our Christmas tree, so I'm getting there! Unfortunately I haven't done any shopping...

 

I am enjoying an Advent book we are doing as a family the month of December called Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. Meredith bought the book for her family to do too, so we are enjoying knowing the Adairs are doing it with us while they're in Australia!

Thanksgiving 2014

We had a fun time in Nebraska over Thanksgiving. All of my brothers and their families and my parents met at my uncle's house in Fremont. Him and my aunt have a great old house that we can all fit in. It's cozy with all of us there but so fun!

 

On our way to Fremont we stopped for a night with the Nunamakers.

The kids had so much fun playing together, and we adults got in plenty of games of Settlers!

I can't believe how big Joey and Logan are now!

On Wednesday we headed to my aunt and uncle's house. We enjoyed a laid back day of playing games and relaxing.

 

I think we had 33 people around the tables for Thanksgiving dinner. Chaotic but fun!

Here the kids are waiting for their turn to say what they're thankful for.

I love my mama!

Papa was able to get the kids out back for a while and get a game of tag going. 

I did a lot of snuggling with my kiddos and nieces. I think this snuggle was after a nice nap Norah and I had just taken. :)

We love having little babies around again. Mia wasn't a big fan of Joe. I think she cried every time he looked at her! He was trying to get on her good side here...

The boys love their Papa (I think the feeling is pretty mutual!)

There were iPads and Kindles played for countless hours. I'm not a fan of it because I think it makes our kids just want to play them more and more and not be creative, but they were on vacation too, so they got a good amount of time playing them. 

It was so good to see my grandma (Nona to the great grandkids)

Kylah got lots of snuggles with her daddy.

My cousins both have girls that are older. My little girls LOVED playing with these older girls, and they were so sweet to my little girls. 

Sweet Olivia.

I love Mia's chubby, squishy cheeks!

Luca was teaching Nona a thing or two about the Kindle. 

I think my mom had a baby in her arms at all times. :)

 

The weather was beautiful the last day we were there, so the kids actually spent quite a bit of time outside. Uncle Pete put all the kids to work cleaning up sticks and leaves in his backyard. 

 

My dad made some fabulous pizza the last night we were there. Luca was his helper.

My friend Sarah stopped by to see us on Saturday night. Her little daughter Berkely is the same age as Norah and they are so fun to watch together. 

It was so good to see them!

This was just a highlight of our fun time over Thanksgiving. You can imagine how chaotic it gets with that many people in one house, but I love the chaos and family all around. We played lots of games and had lots of good chats. And of course, the food was fabulous.

We were thankful to get home on Sunday and enjoy a little less chaos and quiet (well, as quiet as three kids can be...)

 

When we got home on Sunday afternoon the kids of course asked if they could play the Kindle, phone, or watch of movie. The answer was N-O! We told them to go play together.

They set up this whole double wedding ceremony with their animals. Joey was the pastor. It was adorable. I do love when they are creative!