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.