JOE

This is a tribute to my wonderful husband, Joe!! I could not be the mom I am and the woman I am with out the support he gives and love he pours out. He is a great father and I am in love with him!! I could not do this life without him by my side!! (He feels slighted that it always seems I am a single mom in these posts and he is not mentioned...so there!)

Summer Ends...

We had a fun, hot, busy summer and excitedly began the fall and school this week. Lizzie started 2nd Grade this year on August 30th and Jackson started Kindergarten on September 2nd. Lizzie was sad, but is now glad to be back with her friends, even with her fresh stitches in her chin from Sunday night. She even saved a seat for her brother on Thursday for his first bus ride home from school. He looked so little next to the window, but had a good time on the short 2 minute ride. Here are some pictures from the first days.
Hannah was a little sad that first lonely afternoon with no big sis or big bro, but very quickly picked up on the positives of having me all to her self and being able to pick what she wanted to listen to, and read what she wanted to, and have whatever seat in the cart she wanted at the grocery store. I am really thankful for this special time with the two of us and can't wait!

We also have been helping Mom-mom and Pop-pop with renovations on the new house. We went down the other weekend to work and it was fun! It was neat to see each of us "adult" children take a task and complete it throughout the day. Joe pulled out the old master bath toilet, sink and cabinet and installed all new pieces. Brian tore out all the old carpet upstairs and pulled out every nail in the floor. Chris used a hammer and broke up all the flagstone in the entry way. Liz painted all the molding from brown to white. I worked on getting all of the nails out of all the molding and prepared it to paint. The kids enjoyed helping me and would occasionally come down to pull a few nails or dump out the ones already pulled.

Yesterday, the kids had off for Labor Day Weekend and I scheduled follow-up dentist appointments to have cavities filled, tooth pulled, and visit to pediatrician for stitches to be removed. Jackson did great with his cavity at 9:00. Thankfully Mrs. Carter met me to help as I took Lizzie to get her stitches out and then to go back to have her tooth pulled. It was a little stressful, but was fine in the end. She was tired though and we had a good time having a "family movie night" watching Camp Rock 2 on Friday.Saturday was relaxing, we decided to wash the work van and our car and it was a beautiful day!
Then we came in to cheer on the Irish who won!! Joe made ribs all day and enjoyed them with Lizzie at half time!!
Cute Quotes:
Jackson was still numb after he had his cavity filled and I asked if he was ok because he was being really quiet. He said, "I can't talk because my talk is all numb!"

Lizzie, the drama queen, after getting hurt and before her stitches said, "Why does this always happen to me?"

Horses

So for Lizzie's Birthday this year, we decided to give her 2 horseback riding lessons. She was asking about them for a while and the kid loves horses. She reminds me of myself at her age. I would dream about riding up and down 9th Avenue on my own beautiful horse and of buying the house next door to have enough space for my horse to live.

Anyway, Joe and I gave them to her this year and we finally were able to connect with someone we know who gives lessons. Jackson and Hannah came along to watch.

Waiting for the lesson at the barn.

The first lesson is an hour so that she can learn about caring for the horse and getting it ready to ride. Lizzie was very timid at first, since the only horse she had seen up close was a pony at Aunt Dori's school fair.

As she began her lesson, she got comfortable and had fun learning about the different brushes, cleaning the horses hooves, and putting on the saddle and bridle to prepare for the ride.

The horse's name was Chester, Chesie for short, and here he was talking to Lizzie as she was brushing him.

Jackson and Hannah were great sports and endured the hour well.

Looking for mischief I believe.

She was taught about moving up and down with the horse and had VERY tired legs the next day. Poor kid, her helmet was too big and kept falling over her eyes.

What a good brother!

All done and posing for shot.

It was all a fun time and we are being reminded to schedule another lesson soon.

Some fun extras:
Hannah has some new words that she likes to say in her very high pitched voice (I think my sister-in-law Liz said something about remembering when Hannah is talking that it is not an emergency every time!):

she likes to say "probably" a lot now, for example: Mommy: Hannah what do you want to eat for lunch? Hannah: Prob-a-bly...Peanut Butter and Jelly.

she also refers to the sandbox as "the sand in box" and says it fast so it all runs together.

Lizzie lost both her front teeth within one week of each other. The first came out the day of a sleepover and she insisted the the toothfairy would know she was at Alyssa's and would still come to collect the tooth...nice!

Jackson likes to write me notes and his latest is "i lof u" he is my sweet boy :).

We are going to Disney!!

We are planning our trip for September 25th thru October 2nd. The kids are so excited and we can't wait. We will be driving and we are taking Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop Reif with us.

We also have been having fun getting the Reifs situated in their new homes. Chris and Liz bought 15 9th Ave and Mom and Dad bought a house over near Devon Ave in Haddon Heights. We went down on Thursday when they settled and now are waiting to have a painting party. Lots of fun.

Pictures to come...

Week in NJ full of Surprises!!

We try to go to New Jersey for a week every summer to swim and spend time with Mom-mom and Pop-pop. We went down this last week and had so much fun. Since Chris and Liz are all moved into 15 9th Avenue, we got to hang out with them too. We were able to visit the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, swim, visit Ocean City, NJ's Boardwalk, see Mom-mom and Pop-pop's soon to be new home, and surprise Mom-mom for her 60th Birthday (2 times)!

The kids had a great time visiting their cousins and it was a relaxing time for all of us despite the many lies that were being told to keep the Saturday Birthday party a surprise. Pop-pop even had the great idea to stage a pre-surprise party, surprise party, so that mom would think that was what we were all working on that week. She said she knew something was up, but that the first party was it. VERY ELABORATE!! Here are some fun pictures from our visit!! Camera didn't arrive until Thursday with Joe, so unfortunately, no pics from early in the week. PS Joe sadly had to wait until Thursday to come down and decided to cut his finger and get 6 stitches Thursday at work. Poor guy!!

Kohr Brothers-and everyone finished every last bite!

She was surprised...
Might have shed a tear...
Mom said the neatest thing was having such a great
cross-section of everyone in her life in one place: work, friends, family.
The Mother and Mother-in-Law of the Birthday Girl!
(Affectionately known as Gran and Grammy)

Lots of kids!
Lizzie and her newest BFF Erin!

Funny Quotes:
Jackson had a friend sleep over and when we went to take him home the next morning, we pulled up to his house and Jackson said, "Jordan, your house is stuck to your neighbor's just like mine!"

Hannah was sitting with me on the couch and she touched my leg and said, "Mom, your legs are really prickly and are hurting me. You need to get new legs!"

Happy Days!!

We had a fun for Birthdays and are getting ready to slow down to summertime pace! Here are the latest pics from the crew.

We started off with Hannah's Birthday, April 1st (3 years old)

Happy Hannah

Went on to Lizzie's day on April 22nd (she turned 7) with a surprise visit from Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop after school. Here is her "friends party" with her buddy Alyssa.

We had an Ariel, Under the Sea, theme and played Crab Soccer, Sharks and Minnows, Find the Treasures, and of course enjoyed cake and presents.

School Friends :)

Cake!!

We did a week of Rice and Beans as a challenge from church about how the rest of the world lives. We had fun with Life Group and yes, Hannah is eating beans!!

Buddies!

Lauren has a crush on Jackson :)

Jackson's End of School Performance was stellar.

AWANA closing ceremonies: Hannah was a Puggle and at one point grabbed the mic to sing.

Getting her end of the year surprises.

Jackson was a Cubbie.

Lizzie was a 2nd Year Sparkie.

Joe's Birthday/Father's Day Gift, a smoker for his ribs!!

The Reif Birthday Party, Cousin Aiden and Lizzie

Lizzie, Hannah, Jackson and Brayden

Brayden and Jackson (only 3 mos apart)

Hanny

Lizzie Girl

More Cake!!

Snuggling in the morning!

Jackson wanted to go mini-golfing for his Birthday, May 29th (he turned 5). It was funnn!
Hannah taking a shot.

Little Man lining up.

Lizzie getting ready.

Daddy and Jaxy, golfing buddies

The Crew

This says it all...

Cutie!!

Proud Papa and Handsome Man, Jackson.

We went to eat and headed to Hershey Park for some fun in the afternoon!

Enjoying Dippin Dots Ice Cream at the Park.

Jackson only wanted a skateboard for his birthday, so this is his gift. Unfortunatly, shortly after this picture, he went out to try it and feel on his stomach knocking the wind out of him. He has not tried it again :(

Some funny quotes:

Jackson was talking about his birthday and when he was a little baby and he said, "So when I came out feet first, you looked in my diaper and saw I was a boy?"

Hannah told me today she wanted Peanut Butter and Jelly, with out the Peanut Butter :).