Thanksgiving Performance

November 26th

Ronan's preschool put on a little Thanksgiving play for all of the parents (families), and his class got to dressed up like Indians. He was a little bit timid at first, but once he saw us in the audience he relaxed and ended up being pretty goofy. They sang some silly songs about turkeys and recited Thanksgiving poems. It was really sweet and we were so proud of Ronan! He had quite a group there to support him: me, Josh, Griffin, Memaw & Papa, Uncle Erik, Sadie, Cohen, Grammie & Grandpa, Great Grammie, and Great Aunt Diane! It was the day before Thanksgiving, so that's why we had extra family members in town. It also happened to be Griffin's 2nd Birthday! We celebrated later that evening with just our family and then a few days later with the rest of the fam.
Here he is looking a little shy at the beginning.

Ronan's class

There's his smile. (:

Great Grammie, Gr. Aunt Diane, and Grammie
(such a family resemblance!)

We all got to go into Ronan's classroom to enjoy some cider and pumpkin bars that he helped make. Ronan was so excited to introduce everyone to his teacher.

Earlier in the week when the class was working on this art project Ronan was asked what he was thankful for, and he replied, "My new house, my family, and my Papa". (: Very sweet!

Showing off more of his artwork.

Couldn't resist a quick picture with our little "Indian". As this picture was being taken Josh was joking around with Miss Julie for not using the term Native American when teaching the kids. It doesn't fit as well in the songs I guess. (:

On the way home our little Birthday Boy fell asleep while trying to take his shoe off. He was already wiped out and his birthday was just beginning!

In my next post I'll write about the rest of Griffin's b-day, but I thought this was a cute picture from this same day. Erik came over to hang out for a bit and see our house. He was in town visiting from Seattle and hadn't been to Eugene since springtime. He and Ronan were just chillin' at the bar having their own little conversation. (:

Happy Birthday, Ethan & Macey!

Amy and Jon had a party for Ethan & Macey on November 14th, the day after their 2nd Birthday. They invited several friends and family over for snacks and cupcakes, and we all had fun hanging out together! Our boys loved getting to play with all of their cousins on that side of the family!

Ethan and Macey seemed to really like having everyone over to their house. In this picture they are anticipating more tickles from Grandpa. (: Such sweet smiles!

Griffin with his November B-day buddies...being held on the half-wall by Daddy/Uncle Josh (:

It was fun watching Ethan and Macey open their presents...they were so excited about their new toys! Here they are trying out their new doctor kits. I'm sure they always share this well, right, Amy? (:

Blowing out their candles!

Ronan and Grammie Lermo taking care of baby Emma. Ronan was so excited that Emma held onto his finger. (:

A group shot of all the kids:

Dylan M., Macey, Griffin, Ethan, Lydia, Ronan, Audrey, and Dylan C.
(baby Emma & baby Adalie were sleeping at the time)

Gramma Green with Ethan & Macey
They share the same birthday!

~The Green Family~

Bits of Progress

We received our temporary occupancy permit on November 14th and started sleeping at our new house that night! (: We were so excited to finally get to move in! We had already moved the majority of our things from the other house a few months prior to that, so we just had to pack up what we had brought with us to my parent's house. There continues to be several projects to finish up, but it feels great to be able to enjoy our house and spend more time together as a family. We all enjoy having Josh around more, and he is definitely enjoying this time with the kids (and me) and having a bit of a social life. (:

Here are some pictures of a few of the rooms of the house. Still nothing on the walls...lots to do, but we're getting there!

front of house

the den

front door and entryway

entryway and view looking up to 2nd floor balcony
(Josh did all of the welding on the railing)

view of kitchen from stairway

Josh polished and installed the granite countertops, and did all of the tile work in the kitchen and bathrooms.

1st floor bathroom

the playroom

I will post pictures of the other rooms soon....when we get things set up a little more. (:

Painting with Memaw

These pictures were taken during the time we were living at my parent's house. Memaw is so good at getting the kids involved in cooking and art projects! It's great because sometimes I feel like we get so stuck in our routines at home that I forget to make time for projects with the kids. I feel so blessed that our kids get to grow up close to both sets of grandparents. They learn so much from spending time with each of them~art, music, creative play, and so much more!

Ronan painting a picture of lava and fire. (:

Griffin painting with yellow (or "wellow" as he says)

Happy Birthday, Finley and Cohen!

November is a big Birthday month for our families...starting with Finley(the first of the Novemberists~as my Dad calls them) on the 6th and Cohen on the 7th! Katrina and Kenton had a party for Finn at their new house with lots of family and friends. Finn was super excited about his new toys, especially his play kitchen and riding backhoe!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Finn!

Opening Presents
All of the kids were excited to play with the new kitchen set! It can be tough when there are lots of little kids wanting to try your new toys, but Finn did a great job sharing!
I think we got almost all of the kids on the couch for a group picture.
Ronan, Griffin, Ethan, Cohen, Tyler holding baby Emma, Sadie, Macey, and Finn in front.
The next day we celebrated Cohen's 3rd Birthday at the Chase's house. He had a Spiderman party, and Becca made a really cool ice cream cake for him. They even served chocolate milk, Cohen's favorite drink, which was a yummy treat for everyone! (: It was fun hanging out at their house and watching Cohen open his presents. He is really into super heroes, army guys, guns, and games!

Big sister, Sadie, was ready to help out if needed. (:
New Incredible Hulk jammies!

Ronan trying out Cohen's new Hulk gloves

Fall Photo Shoot

I took these pictures back in early November on one of the last days that we were living at my parent's house. My mom was watching Finley, Sadie, and Cohen that morning while their mommies were working, so when Ronan got back from school we all decided to get outside and enjoy the dry weather. Ronan wanted me to draw a map and pretend that we were explorers in search of various treasures: leaves, acorns, mushrooms, moss, etc. The kids really got into it and enjoyed running around the block gathering pieces of nature.

Finley and Griffin

Ronan finding sticks
Finley and Cohen

Griffin and Finn jumping in a pile of leaves.

Finn~having so much fun in the leaves (:

Sweet Sadie

a mushroom!

Griffin taking a little rest.

Ronan is definitely happiest when he gets to be outside!