New Year, New Things

Here it is the end of January. I am posting to let you know that we are in the midst of some fun changes. During one of our Christmas Eve services, while I was working, I was presented with the opportunity to take a new position overseeing all of kidMinistry at one of LCBC's new campuses. After much thought and prayer as a family, we decided to follow God's lead and take the job. This means the entire family will now serve and attend at the new campus. We are excited to see how God is going to work through us here. It is a huge undertaking, but so far so good. We have our first gathering tomorrow evening to get volunteers and then to launch on MARCH 7th!! One bonus with this job is I will have Saturdays off starting in March, woo-hoo, and I get a "real" office, not just a cubicle.

We just finished all our sickness. Lizzie had strep throat and Hannah had a stomach bug. Thankfully, it hit all at once, I didn't get it, and it only lasted 2 days.

Christmas was relaxing (our goal was met) and we had fun hanging out with friends and family over the break. We made about 36 loaves of Pepperoni Bread, 100s of butter creams, and enjoyed the snow. (I miss it now)

We attended Jackson's Kindergarten Information night and got all the stuff to register him in March. I can't believe it.

Well, I should go to bed...big day tomorrow! Pics will come soon.

Getting Ready for Christmas

We have enjoyed this month very much. Every year it gets more fun as the kids get excited for all that goes on during December. We started off the month going down to New Jersey for Thanksgiving and getting our Christmas tree at the farm down there. It was a last minute decision and we were lucky to have Aunt Liz, Uncle Chris, Ben and Ryan join us with Mom-mom and Pop-pop. It was a fun trip. Jackson, Ben and Lizzie were BFFs the whole time. So cute!!

Pop-pop and Hannah

Of course someone suggested walkie talkies which we almost lost in the forest.

Ben and Lizzie, awww...

Buddies

Poor Ben was disinterested in pictures!!

We enjoyed an end of fall snow storm this past weekend. We ended up with about 10 inches I think and the kids loved it outside, although when asked if they wanted to go out today, they said, "No, it is too cold." It was hard for them to walk and not sticky enough for a snowman, etc. They had a good time just playing and going for a quick walk.

Some of the items from "the lists" this year:
Lizzie: a REAL elf, drum set, Nintendo DS
Jackson: Mario Kart, and something that changes every day
Hannah: (consistent every time we ask) A Barbie with a red dress and a dolly that has a bottle :)

It is so neat to hear them talk about Christmas and as parents we are trying to help them realize why we celebrate Christmas and that it is all about Jesus. Hannah was funny when she asked me when I was going to have Baby Jesus...oh Hannah!! She also continues to link Santa coming and snow and thankfully she got it. I was worried she was going to be very disappointed when there was no snow. She did think Santa was coming on Saturday night though.

Jackson has been doing so great in school and is my little love bug. He is so sweet and was so excited to bring home a gift for us for Christmas!!

Lizzie is anxiously awaiting the wearing of her new Christmas dress. She just got finished telling me the "list" of boys that like her and rolling her eyes, uggg!! She was laying in bed the other morning just waking up and I seriously looked at her and couldn't believe how old she looked and teared up, not ready for all of this!!

Joe thankfully has been busy with work and is still enjoying working with his brother-in-law, David. They seriously could be a reality show in TLC, they are hilarious together!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and hope to have some Christmas Outfit Pictures soon!!

10 Years!!

Delinquent again!! Our accomplishment this month was our Anniversary trip. Joe and I took a cruise to the Western Caribbean for our 10 year Anniversary. We had such a great time spending time together as husband and wife, not mommy and daddy. (We did miss these roles throughout though).

We decided after our last cruise 7 years ago, that we were going to do another for our 10 year with Jenn and Eric Smedberg again; and so we DID!!

The kids were well taken care of thanks to wonderful relatives and they all had a great time.

This was our ship (the biggest in the world until last week)

First Formal Night

Eric, Jenn, Me, Joe in Jamaica

My favorite place, Cozumel, Mexico, we rented scooters (my new "happy place")

Month of September

Here we are in mid-October and just now posting Back to School Pics. Ugg...let me start with right before school and a fun, but too short, visit with my cousin from Pittsburgh. Shelley and her family came through PA on their way back from visiting in NJ and offered to stop and visit. We met in Lebanon with Ashley and Aiden and played at a playground there. Here is the crew!!

Lizzie started school at the end of August. ALL Day First Grade. Here she is waiting for the bus.

Jackson and Hannah are enjoying the perks of being the only two during school days and Jackson has adapted to being the "oldest" and enjoys helping Hannah now! I have to say I feel like a free woman with only 2 kids. Here they are at the park.After the playground that day we walked down to the creek and there were a ton of ducks eating breakfast I guess, the kids could have watched them all day.

Jackson started school at the end of September. Here are Hannah and Jackson his first day.

Mommy and Buddy Boy outside his school.

Hannah and her "friend" cousin Emma.

Not a lot to comment on this month. Soccer started and is now just about done. Poor Jackson got rained out last week and this week, so he is done now. Lizzie still has 2 left. I coached her team, which has been an adventure. They both have been enjoying it. I am playing again, but have only made one game so far.

We are gearing up to leave in 8 short days for our 10 year Anniversary trip on a 7 day cruise. Woo-hoo!! Joe and I can't wait to get some time to relax and enjoy being together as a husband and wife. Of course it wouldn't be possible without the many family members involved in watching the kiddos while we are away!

Some funny quotes:
Hannah is always asking, "Mommy, Daddy is your cousin, right?" she can't say husband very well and gets it confused.

Lizzie when asked what she wants to be when she grows up. "I want to be a Veterinarian, or work at Barnes and Noble." Aunt Dori will be proud!

Jackson likes to tell me about his school day and he tries really hard to remember his friends' names and make new ones each time he goes. He says, "I asked Randy if he would be my friend." I can just picture that cute conversation.

Growing up...

I am going to quote my cousin, Shelley, from her recent post:
"Perspective--I watched the "big kids" getting off the school bus this afternoon and it struck me that my kids will never love being with me as much as they do right now, at this stage in their lives. Once they grow older, they won't think I'm the coolest person in the world anymore, won't fall asleep on my shoulder every day, won't want me to hold them constantly, and will be totally content to entertain themselves. Even though parenting a young child is ridiculously hard, I appreciate all of these precious moments when nothing makes them happier than to just be with me."

So as I am thinking about my oldest going to school ALL DAY tomorrow, getting a little filled up, that just reminds me that those extra moments I have with each of my kids are worth every second. Here are some pics:

Lizzie's First Day of New Beginnings Nursery School,
October 2005 (sniff, sniff)

Who could forget our unforgettable camping trip the hottest, humidest, week of the summer. We discovered fishing...

Here's what we mostly caught

At the park:

my techy
Lizzie lost a tooth and learned how to ride a 2 wheeler all in the same week

While visiting NJ, Aunt Dori took us all to the Please Touch Museum

Cousin Ben and Hannah

We all got to visit with our good friends from NJ (this picture is minus the Jackson 3 kids)

Working hard, or hardly working?

August has been a busy one for us here at the Carter home. I have been busy with work as we just revealed our new building and kidMinistry area "kidVenture Island." Joe and the kids were real troopers as I worked almost double my normal hours the week before. Here are some cool pics of opening weekend. I can't wait for Phase 2 when the new 2 year old area "Oyster Bay" will be opened.

This is the check-in area as you enter kidVenture Island

This is the slide Lizzie can go down to her room, Lava Beach

This is Lizzie's room, Lava Beach, for 1st and 2nd Graders.

This is where Lizzie goes for 2nd service, called the Wheelhouse. It is a place for kids whose parents are "serving 1 worshiping 1" that is a little more laid back for them since they have been through their programming already.

Jackson's and Hannah's areas are part of Phase 2, so you'll see them in 6-8 weeks. Woo-hoo!! We also have more pics on the facebook page.

Some Video!!

We were fortunate to receive a hand-me-down flip video camera and have been practicing with it the last few weeks. Here are some fun clips we've captured.

We were talking about Grady the other night at dinner and we mentioned that he was almost 5, wow it's hard to believe, and Jackson all of a sudden started to get that wiggly chin right before he cries and filled all up. He got upset because Grady wasn't going to be 4 like him anymore. They are like best buds when they are together it is so cute. Here is the dance off they had. Take note of a few things: Lizzie's unique dancing in the background and the music that is playing is a fun flashback to my High School days. Too bad our kids inherited our dancing skills!!

Here are some pics from the 4th of the kids.

Can you feel the happiness here? Lizzie is arguing of course!!

Lizzie and Daisy (Aimee and David's Dog)Best Buds, Jackson and Grady

Hershey Park Clips:
Jackson again taking the easy going rides, Hannah sticking her tongue through the chain while waiting in line, and Lizzie, Hannah and Joe enjoying the "big" scrambler with their arms up!!

After bathtime the other night...

First corn on the cob
Lizzie trying to make her tooth loser, watch out Mom-Mom!!

CO, HP, and more...

Ok, so I am posting twice in one month, I know--amazing!! We have had a wonderful month, me especially, starting with my long weekend away in Colorado with my Messiah College friends. I realized we have known each other for 14 years this August. Wow!! It was so much fun and very relaxing. I LOVE Colorado and its no humidity.

Helen Hunt Falls (Cindy, Beth, Me, Mary Elizabeth)

Garden of the Gods (Me, Cindy, Beth, Mary E.)

Mary E and Cindy, it was VERY Cold!!

Beth was the hostess with the mostest and had everything planned out, yet it was such a relaxed schedule. We had a 6 hour day with a Mary Kay Rep and I now wear a little makeup. (Joe loves it!!) We hiked (some rough trails) drove to the top of Pikes Peak and visited some fun hang out spots and met some of Beth's friends. It was just so relaxing and we had such a good time reconnecting, which is always so easy.

BTW Joe and I "celebrated" our 14 year dating anniversary on June 4th. Actually, neither of us remembered it until later. That is amazing to me.

Here is an action shot of Lizzie on the new slip 'n slide, a favorite!

Hannah and her first "play date" working together to let the water out.

We are able to go over and enjoy Hershey Park a ton again this year with our passes from Christmas, thank you Carters!! Hannah especially is obsessed. She asks 5398 times a day if 1. "Daddy give you the passes?" (after I got home from CO and we were set to go over to HP and I realized that Joe still had the passes, she is scared since we ended up not being able to go) 2."I go on frog hopper?" every time.

Here she is on her favorite ride. She is fearless we are learning.

Another favorite, the truck convoy. Lizzie is a serious driver!
Jackson on the train. Just his speed!
Hannah and me on the train!

Finally, a new addition to the family. Baby Ryan was born on the 28th and is very healthy and going home tomorrow. Chris, Liz and Ben are very excited.

Quotes: Hannah, "Mommy, we go to Hershey Park later? Later Mommy?" Obviously, you can figure out my answer when she asks.

Lizzie informed me in the car today that she has all her dreams in her "noggin" and she has the bad ones in the bad box and the good ones in the good box. She also told me there are a lot of rules for her dreams. She then went on to tell me all the people in the good box. "Corbin Bleu, Nick Jonas, friends from school, you, daddy..." in the bad box two things "alligators and cheetahs!"

Sorrryyy!!

I am very sorry I have not kept up with this. No excuses. Here are some updates:
Let's see starting back in April we were busy with Birthdays. Lizzie FINALLY had her day after all the complaining about attention on Hannah. She had fun celebrating many times as we visited many family members. Man, I can't believe she is 6 already!! Her big accomplishment is jumping rope. Apparently, she is exceptionally good at this as I was told by her PE teacher on the side. She is very proud of it and has now moved to jumping the hula hoop we purchased. I can say, when she wants to do something, she works and works to do it the best she can and then some.

Joe started umping baseball again and has been busy with that when he makes his games. He has been so busy with work (thank the LORD) that he has even had to call out of umping. He has been able to squeeze in a few days of golf here and there though :0).

May came and went with a Mother's Day Tea, more umping and oh did I mention I started my 3rd season of soccer as goalie for the Just for Kixx team! I love it, every Sunday for 8 weeks in the evening. Jackson was last but not least with his birthday and loved it all. He is excited to be 4 because it means preschool and soccer in the fall (although it took a while to explain it wouldn't happen as soon as he turned 4). Now if we could be as excited about getting out of pull-ups!! We also had to trade in our leased Town and Country and decided to purchase a 1999 Dodge Durango. It is great and still seats 7. Joe likes it better than the van, and I am beginning to, also. Hannah is constantly singing "Happy Birthday to you" with all of the celebrating we did, so hopefully that will slow down too.

Birthday Girls at their Carter Family Party

Mom-Mom playing the pebble game (look at Hannah cheating and opening her eyes!)
AWANA graduation-Jackson Cubbies year 1
Lizzie getting her Sparks award, notice the heals
Aiden and Lizzie at the Reif Birthday Party
Hannah and Daddy relaxing on the swing.
Opening gifts at the Reifs
Cousin Ben playing with the new toys

June is here and maybe life will slow down a bit, I hope. Lizzie is done school on the 9th. We have already made 2 trips to Hershey Park with our passes. We were able to get some new furniture for our deck and have been enjoying eating outside and debating what is growing in the field behind the house (we have decided it is corn)!

I am preparing for a trip to Colorado this week to visit with my good friends from Messiah College, Mary Elizabeth, Beth, and Cindy! I can't believe it has been over 10 years since we met Freshman year. I will be away for 5 days while Joe is a full time stay at home Mom. He'll do great and already has stuff planned!!

I still love my job and I am excited as we move forward with more plans for the 2 year old area at church. Lots of change!!

Life is good and I am enjoying taking notes on the little conversations I hear in the car or while I am making lunches. It is really cool to see how the kids interact with each other now that they are a little older (sniff, sniff)!

New Birthday Shades

Some good ones:
Jackson and Hannah were doing errands with me one day and this is what I heard in the back seat--Hannah, "I love you one." Jackson, "I love you two." Hannah, "I love you three." Jackson, "I love you four." and so on and Hannah would not count right and Jackson would help her know what to say next. (of course this had all followed a screaming battle over a toy in the back a few minutes before, but that is what makes life so fun)

We buzzed Jackson's hair and Joe said one night after rubbing his head, "Oh, I messed up your hair." Jackson replied, "No, it stays like that!"

After teaching the kids the "real names" of their parts, Hannah now enjoys saying the names at the most opportune times, like in Giant or at dinner, of course it is not whispered either and doesn't help when the other two laugh at her.

Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. We had fun and got to see Mom-mom and Pop-pop when they came out for a visit Saturday night into Sunday.

We painted Easter eggs on Saturday. Hannah was in charge of painting on the sparkles and Jackson and Lizzie did the dipping and deciding on colors.

We got up early on Sunday and put on our Easter outfits (thanks to Aunt Dori and Gran) and went out to see that the Easter Bunny had visited our house and hid lots of eggs. We actually got a pretty good picture of all 3 kids together (one out of about 15 that were taken). I love the new camera for just that reason!!

PS, I had a wonderful Birthday weekend in NJ, by myself. I went down on Friday afternoon, walked our old route with Irv and slept in a little on Saturday. We then shopped from 9-7 on Saturday stopping at Houlihans for lunch. It was one of my best birthdays ever!! Thank you to everyone who made it fun!!