Yancy Concert

Last Sunday night, our church hosted children's Christian artist, Yancy, in a Christmas concert.  Our children's department uses her music every week for the kids to dance and sing to.  For a couple of songs, she needed a children's choir.  Ethan was excited to sign up and participate.  He practiced and practiced and knew every word to the songs he was going to be singing with Yancy.  It was so fun to watch him (and the rest of the concert).  I've put together a little video of his singing.  And you'll notice towards the end, Nora had a blast too!!

Ready to go! (When did he start looking so big?!)

Nora is ready to get the concert started

Yancy (not Nancy)

Children's Choir

Ethan is singing his little heart out :)!

So fun to watch!

Nora, dancing to the music

Ethan and his friend, Soren between shows!

Check out the video collage!

Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus

Monday night was the Tate & Lyle Children's Christmas party at the children's museum.  Santa and his Mrs. were there and it was a great time!  We had pizza, pictures with Santa and of course some playing in the museum!

Santa, Mrs. Claus and 3 Collier Kids!

Silly Ethan, having a good time

Watch out!  She's a crazy driver!

Christmas Tree Fun

On Sunday, we picked out our Christmas tree!  We went to Ace to support the Boy Scouts again this year and quickly picked out the perfect tree :).

She's such a ham!

Silly kids!

That's the one!  Atley's first Christmas tree!!

Ethan sitting with Atley 

Atley's 1st Christmas ornament from Grandma Karen and Grandpa

Ethan decorating the tree

Both kids loved decorating!

Throwing the poof balls (for lack of a better description).  This is their favorite part of decorating.

Nora and Daddy putting the star on top.  Ethan got to do the star last year.

Finished the decorating with these crazy kids :)!

I'll try to get a better picture of the tree (and the kids in front of the tree) before the season is over.

2 Months

Atley was 2 months old on Sunday.  She is such a good, sweet baby.  She eats every 3-4 hours, sleeps 6-7 hours at night, likes car rides and is starting to smile all the time!  We had her 2 month check up yesterday and she is growing like a weed!  She weighs 12 lbs, 3 oz- 75% and is 22.5 inches long- 50%.  Poor girl had to get 3 shots yesterday, which made her a little sleepy and fussy yesterday, but she seems better today.  She has a cute little "angel kiss" (red birth mark) on her left eye lid.  We love her to pieces, her brother and sister still adore her and want to hold her any chance they get!  Here are some pictures from our photo shoot on Sunday!  We love you Atley Jane!

Parents in Kindergarten

Today was parent visitation day for Ethan's kindergarten class.  I was so excited to get to see him at school and see a little part of his day.  We met in his classroom where they were finishing up some things on the smart board.  Then Ethan made a Thanksgiving story bracelet with beads.  Next up was a Thanksgiving play (see video below).  Ethan was a "Pilgrim Man" and did a great job!!

Pilgrim Man, Ethan

With the other Pilgrim Men

Working on a special Thanksgiving Feast shirt with Daddy

After the Thanksgiving play, we went with the class to PE.  It was fun seeing their typical PE class.

Jumping jack station

Some cup stacking fun!

1. Swing 2. Jump  ;)

Scooters!

I had such a fun time visiting Ethan at school.  He is definitely learning a lot and loving school!!

Weekend With Friends

This past weekend, our good friends the Lloyds, came to town for a visit.  They moved to Chicago at the end of the summer and we were all sad to see them go.  It was a great weekend spending time with them (and lots of other friends!)  The pictures I have aren't the greatest quality, but they do the job!
We all decided to go to Saturday night church service and stayed behind afterwards in the cafe area to let the kids run, play and have some dinner (a perk of being friends with the pastors).

Terrible picture...but this is just 5 families represented!  We have a lot of kids between us!

The 4 "Big" boys are back together!
Soren, Brennan, Camden & Ethan

This is why we have to get together at the church instead of someones house!  So.Many.Kids!

Nora and Mayleigh!

Megan, Me, Erin, Jessica and Callynn (Emily left before we got the picture :( )

Kids were obsessed with playing Ring Around the Rosie

Sunday morning, we went to the Talty's for some more play time.  It was a loud house full of kids!

The girls (minus Atley) having some snack!

Callynn was LOVING holding baby Atley!

Ethan and Brennan are pretty fierce here!

Mayleigh had to love on Atley some too!

2014 Basketball

Ethan has finished his 2nd basketball season.  He really enjoys playing and he is so fun to watch!  He has improved a lot since last year.  He made several baskets this year and has gotten good at dribbling up and down the court.  He's quite the little athlete and is always ready to move on to the next sport after one has finished. (First baseball, then basketball and now golf.)  Here are a few pictures from his last game and a short video from his season!

 

The team after getting their trophies

Ethan's #1 fan ;).

Showing off his trophy

Stay tuned for golf edition :).

Halloween

Finally getting to my Halloween post!  We had our good friend's, the Koskinens over to trick or treat with us and everyone had a great time.  It was a COLD evening, so Emily and I stayed at the house with the babies while the dads took the "big kids".  They made their way around the neighborhood and came back with buckets full of candy and goodies!  Here are some pictures from our night.

Trick or Treat Gang

A muscular Luke Skywalker, striking a pose!
(We had to put his coat under his costume)

Pink and Black Kitty

Ethan and Nora

Atley was a cozy skeleton :)

Olen and Atley in their matching costumes

Running down the sidewalk

Ethan is excited about their first stop!

Trick or Treat

These cute trick or treaters came to my door too!