Thursday, December 23, 2010

2010 Manz Christmas Letter


2010 Manz Christmas Letter
Greetings All!

This Christmas Season finds the Manz Family in very much the same state as last year, Iowa.  While we dream of traveling the world and setting our feet on each continent, here we sit.  As you can see by our picture, however, we did fulfill a promise to do something with that money we got for the MG last year…we bought another mouth to feed.  Yes, the 1986 Airstream Excella 32 Foot Travel Trailer pretty much captures the image we wish to project...that of being an overgrown gas hog that’s 25 years behind the times.  But we all have our weaknesses.  Ours happens to sleep six, unless your kids won’t sleep together in the same area code, which ours won’t.  Anne and I happily await the day when the children will want to sleep in a tent outside the camper.  Then we will continue to wonder why we bought such a big camper in the first place.  But its loads of fun, and you should see other drivers risking their lives to get around us on two-lane roads!  We took a two-week long adventure with the Airstream to Northern Minnesota this summer as a warm up to longer, more challenging escapades, the travails of which we hope to recount in future Christmas Letters.

Trinity continues to demand constant attention, leaving a trail of carnage everywhere in her wake.  Makes me wonder what it will be like when she starts dating.  When she’s not reaching for knives on the kitchen counter or pressing her face to the fireplace glass, she enjoys having us fish in her mouth (she’s got teeth!) for foreign objects that might constrict her airways.  Adam loves creating totally epic floods in the sandbox and playing with trains, cars, airplanes, boats, and trailers of any kind.  He’s in Pre-Cool, as he calls it.  Kelly has yet to graduate from Kindergarten, but she’s already embarrassed by the random lunchtime appearance of Daddy at her school.  Leah enjoys dance and cheerleading classes and the spotlight. 

Anne and I will celebrate 10 years together on June 23, 2011.  On that day, we hope to slip in a quick supper at Sister Sarah’s in nearby Algona, and return home as soon as possible so we don’t have to pay the babysitter extra.  It’s been a great ten years and I couldn’t have imagined finding a more lovely and amazing wife than Anne.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt continues to require an inordinate amount of my personal energy and time.  After unsuccessfully lobbying for office hours to begin at noon each day, I recently recanted those demands with my usually-extremely-agreeable co-workers and settled for starting the work day at 8:30am.  However, I don’t let myself enjoy work until after the noon hour.  That way, I can keep my head held high and imagine that my personal integrity has not been compromised in any way.  As far as work goes, some local high schoolers can tell you about my more peculiar personal traits they encountered while on a Mission Trip this year to Philadelphia.  Who knew that it’s “unlawful” to try ringing the Liberty Bell?  I’d elaborate, but unfortunately, I’m running out of space.

Peace to You and Yours,

Matthew Anne Leah Kelly Adam Trinity

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Monday, December 13, 2010

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Friday, December 10, 2010


This one's for Lois...Gladden's dresser in background.


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Thursday, December 09, 2010

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Monday, December 06, 2010

Tuesday, November 30, 2010




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Various Artists

I'm so proud of those whose blog links reside on this page...they have kept up their blogs so well! Alas, I have not. I will try to be better about this. Matthew

Monday, October 25, 2010