Thursday, October 20, 2011

Twice Delivered


Seasons have been passing by quickly and it has been a long time since I've posted anything on this blog.so... I think it's time for an update.
It's fall 2011 ...Homeschooling has been going fairly well this year. Grace is in First Grade, Ethan and Franklin are in Forth Grade, and Brendan, Collin And Daniel are in Sixth Grade. Alyssa is almost done with her nursing program at college. Wow!
The boys Band (Twice Delivered) has greatly improved. They have led worship in front of about a thousand people. The Band has even been requested to play a few gigs and another is one is coming up. Grace has been just amazing with her vocal lessons also. I truly am blessed to have such talented children!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Time...


Time has been passing by so quickly I can hardly keep up.
Alyssa is doing well in her second year of college .




...Brendan Collin & Daniel are 9 years old.

Ethan and Franklin will be 8 in January.

Grace is 4 but she thinks she's the same age as the boys.

Just a colorful blur filled with joy and trials .

The boys are practicing Christmas songs for their upcomming recital.

Grace is taking ballet and tap dancing.

Alyssa will be home in a couple weeks for Thanksgiving..

....Life is good!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Spelunking Christmas !


This year, when we Took Alyssa to college in Missouri, It was the last time we were together as a family for a photo. And..Since we traveled to 505 feet below the earth's surface in a Marvelous cave to get this picture.... We thought.. 'This would make a splendid Christmas card'!

...But I thought..something is missing from this picture...



...then it came to me..




..I got the tree!
... Now there's a Christmas card picture!


....Merry Christmas

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Smash Brothers!



The Boys have been in a bowling league for three years now. It's so cool that all five can be on a team together...They love bowling too..

The first year they took first place, and the second year they were the second place team. We are now almost halfway through their third season and we are currently in first place again.

This year, rather than just using their last name for their team name...They came up with Their own name...



THE SMASH BROTHERS

...And They Smashed Their Competition Again Today!


Friday, December 5, 2008

O Brother, Where ART Thou?


No...This is not the Soggy Bottom Boys...At least not any more ... (Whoa, I was just having diaper flashbacks for a second.)




The Triplets are just attending their Art class.










Mr. West is a really cool, retired art teacher, who makes himself available to our homeschooling community.

He truly is a gifted artist. Not only do the children learn, but he makes it really fun for them as well.


This class is fantastic!




...And the artwork is pretty amazing too!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The Blue Brothers !




The boys have all been going to this awesome music academy




Ok..So we don't really have a name for our up and coming band yet, but I'm sure it will be something colorful.

The boys are all taking music lessons, following in the footsteps of their older sister,
Alyssa. (who is still playing the piano while away at college.)



Introducing...

Brendan on the Drum roll..

(Mr. Bobby McManus is his instructor)



Collin kick'in it on the Keyboard

(with his instructor Ms. Elaina)




Daniel on the Lead Guitar

(with his instructor Mr. Chris)



Ethan bang'in out the bass

(with his instructor Mr. Tom)



and lastly.. our Acoustical Genius Franklin

(with his instructor Mr. Ben)





And I thought our house was loud before...

Our neighbors said they were excited about it too...er.. maybe it was elated...ha!

I'm thinking about maybe painting the van and going on the road!

Monday, December 1, 2008

OHHHhhhh Christmas Tree !


Each year, on the day after Thanksgiving, our family drives up north. We have done this year after year, from the time our oldest daughter, Alyssa, was our 'only' child. We have, over the years, endured; cold, rain, snow, sleet, a very pregnant wife, multiple diaper changes, pushing crying babies in strollers thru snow covered fields, and many other untold dangers...



All in pursuit of........ the most perfect, " McManus Family Christmas Tree"!



This year...was no exception !!!!!


...We picked it out..




We cut it down...




..We brought it in the house and had our traditional cutting of the twine ceremony...WOwwww, it looked smaller in the field !!



Then we decorated it...


Later that night...

...The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And Mom up in bed, and I on the couch,
Had just settled down for a ......

.....When out from the other room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the dining room I flew like a flash,
Then I heard the really loud "CRrraaasshhh"!!!....

..When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But our amazing Christmas tree fallen over...broken bulbs everywhere..geeeeesh..what a mess!

It was just too much for the stand...Sue strongly suggested a smaller tree next year...I think we just need a bigger stand :)

(we cleaned up the mess.. the tree looks awesome again, all strapped to the wall and such.)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hang Ups!


There she is... My little fashion statement! Just look at her all bundled up in her matching ensemble. matching scarf, hat, coat. Which can only mean one thing...Its cold out; which means, winter coats; which means, winter coats for a family of 9..Yiiks!




AND...
Our standing coat rack has taken one coat too many, and is now going on to coat rack heaven!



Soooo...
I built a Coat Closet...with 18 hooks...times 2... I hope 36 will be enough!!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!



My sons were helping me unroll the giant wad of twinkling lights the other day and I could'nt help but think of

Christmas Vacation...

OURS!








Hope you have the Hap -Hap -Hap Happiest Christmas ever!!!

I know we will!!!


Monday, November 17, 2008

Twins!!

The boys were having a snow day today. It seems everything is done in multiples around here! It has been a very long time since I've posted anything. But I figured now that I'm homeschooling the boys, and they only have their bowling league, music lessons, and Royal Rangers( of which I am the Commander of 15 Boys), not to mention we are also hosting a Small Group, I've got plenty of extra time to post on a blog. Life is Good! Gas prices are reasonable again. Christmas songs are playin on the radio. Alyssa will be coming home for Thanksgiving. Who could ask for anything more!