Jack Quote

This morning at breakfast:

Jack: Letter K, K, K ,K.......Letter K, K, K, K.......

Carter: Jack, please stop saying that!!! It's annoying!!!

Jack: Letter K, K, K, K............Letter K, K, K, K..........

Jason: Jack, please stop. You're bothering Carter while he's trying to eat.

Jack: No, Daddy!!! I NEED to say the Letter "K"!!!!



Later, while admiring our Christmas tree:

Jack: Daddy, I cwimb the tree?

Daddy: What, Buddy?

Jack: I CWIMB the tree?!?!

Daddy: No, Jack, you cannot climb the Christmas tree.

Jack: Yeah, Daddy, I no cwimb the tree. I too big.

Christmas Decorations and Light-Up Night Parade

We put up our tree and decorated the house today. I always love putting up Christmas decorations, especially putting all of the ornaments on our tree and remembering who gave them to us. Some of the best ones are some that Carter has made throughout the year. We even put the paper chain that Carter and I made our first year here on the tree every year now.

Tonight, Carter rode on the St. Luke Lutheran School float in the Saxonburg Light-Up Night parade. Delvin and Arla stayed home because it was pretty chilly, so Jason and I bundled up Jack and took him. I didn't take the pictures fast enough to get any where you can see Carter on the float but you can at least see what it looked like.

Jack thought it was so great that he got a candy cane thrown to him. He even sat still for several minutes to enjoy it. Now that is a Christmas miracle!!!:0)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We had a great, relaxing day here in the Hoerth house. Arla and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner while Delvin and Jason kept the boys busy. Carter showed Jack how to make a tunnel with our living room pillows. This kept them entertained for quite some time.

Arla and I cooked all the regular Thanksgiving foods......turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green beans, crescent rolls, and apple pie a la mode. As Jack would say, "It was DEWICIOUS!!!"

Since we won't be seeing Jason's parents at Christmas, we decided to have them open their gifts from us while they were here. The boys got to open a couple of their presents as well, which is always a big hit with kids!!:0)

I want to end this post by sharing just some of the many things that I am thankful for:

*An amazing husband who loves me and is absolutely crazy about our 2 boys (and who did the laundry and dishes today because I was busy cooking:0)).

*Two happy, healthy little boys who fill my life with laughter and joy.

*Life.

*Two amazing parents who have always loved me unconditionally and now spoil my boys like crazy!!:0)

*A father-and mother-in-law who raised an amazing son that I am blessed to be married to.

*Most of all......A loving, gracious God who has blessed me with these and SO MANY other wonderful things.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

They Made It!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Hoerth made it to our house today. They had a very long trip coming all the way from Nebraska. We're very glad that they're here and we're really enjoying our time with them.

Jack was actually willing to (somewhat) pose for a picture with Grandma Hoerth.:0)

Carter taught Grandpa Hoerth how to play MarioKart on the Wii.

Jack likes reading to Grandma!!!

We all went out for dinner at King's and we will be heading over to church for the Thanksgiving Eve service soon.

Welcome to Pennsylvania, Grandpa and Grandma Hoerth!!! We're glad you're here!!!

Jack "Funnies"

Jack has been so hilarious lately!! The things that come out of his mouth have us constantly laughing. Here are some of his latest "funnies":

Lately, when he wants to get your attention he says, "Hey you guys!!" or sometimes he'll be even more specific and say, "Hey you 2 guys!!" or "Hey you 3 guys!!. It's so darn cute!!!:0)

On Mondays, Jason is usually home before the boys and I because I have to pick them up from the baby-sitter's after work. Yesterday when we got home, Jack walked in the door, took off his shoes and coat, and went up to Jason and said, "Well, good atternoon (afternoon), Daddy!!". He sounded like such a little man...it was so funny!!:0)

Today at nap time, I told Jack to tell Daddy good night so he could go to bed. He wasn't too happy about this and made a big fuss. Jason said, "Come here!! I want big hugs!!" and Jack replied, "No, Daddy!! I don't NEED big hugs!!". He was so mad when he said it which made it even more hilarious.:0)

Captain Bedhead

Jack woke up with some crazy hair this morning so I had to get some pictures (possibly to use as blackmail later!!).

The little stinker has gotten himself into some crazy sleeping patterns and it's driving me batty. He will go for a couple days without napping, won't go to sleep until an hour or so past his bedtime, and then gets up at 5:30a.m. Then a couple of days later, he will take 2-3 hour naps, go to bed on time, and get up at a decent hour. I don't know how to get him into a normal sleep cycle, but something's gotta give because I am NOT a happy camper at 5:30a.m.!!!

Yesterday, Jack did one of his favorite things with his toy box......emptied it and climbed on in.:0) Who needs toys when you can just play in a box?!?!

Jack "Reading" and Carter Tickling the Ivories

Jack loves to go to the library and pick out books. His favorites right now are Clifford, Blue's Clues, Curious George, and The Berenstein Bears. He likes to "read" them out loud and I finally caught it on video.

The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classes from our school participated in the church service last night. Carter played a piano piece at the beginning of service.

When Jason called the kids up for the children's message, Jack ran up with the other kids and immediately said, "Daddy, I need chocolate!!!". This got immediate laughter from the congregation, of course. Then Jason asked the children to close their eyes and imagine all the yummy food they would be eating on Thanksgiving. All the children, except Jack, did as they were told. Jack, though began listing the things he would be having....."Daddy, I have donuts!!!........I have lunch!!!......"I have cookies!!!!". Everyone got quite a kick out of Jack and Jack got quite a kick out of eveybody laughing at him.:0)

A Good Night For Ice Cream?

It is thirty-something degrees outside tonight but we were in the mood for some ice cream, so we bundled up and headed to Bruster's. Some people may think that ice cream is best enjoyed outside on a warm,sunny day, but we find it just as yummy and delicious sitting together in a nice warm car.:0)

Snowy Day

We woke up this morning to a blanket of snow on the ground. It was coming down pretty good but eventually stopped later in the morning. Then the sun came out and made it a beautiful winter day!!

One of the first things Jack said to me was that he was NOT going to wear his boots. We usually have to ease him into doning full winter gear so this was not the least bit suprising to me. He did put on his heavy winter coat but fell to the ground screaming when I tried to put on his new, adorable Elmer Fudd-style hat. I settled for the winter coat with the hood up and tennis shoes. Like I said, we'll ease him into it.:0) He dropped Baa (the raggedy-looking sheep in the picture) in the snow and he kept saying "My Baa and my shoes are too snowy!!"

Carter on the other hand loves bundling up and wearing his boots. They get to go outside in the snow at recess as long as it's not too cold out, which he loves.

I thought I looked awfully cute in my winter gear, so I had Carter pose with me for a picture.:0)

Not Ready!!

As you can see in the picture, it is snowing here and has been since early this morning. I definitely have mixed feelings about this.:0) I don't really mind snow, especially in December (who doesn't love a white Christmas?) but I do not do well with cold weather. I also do not enjoy the fact that winter, with snow and cold temps, last for a good 6 months here in Pittsburgh. It starts as early as late October and we have been known to have snow on the ground in early May. I really do love having 4 seasons but not when winter is the longest of them.:0)

I guess, looking on the bright side, it is an excellent day to watch the Steelers play!!!

Jack Quote and Cute Boys

We were driving on the highway this morning and a state trooper flew by us without his lights on. Jason and I both commented on how he better turn his lights on or he's just a speeding cop and that's not too great. Jack overheard our conversation and turned to Carter and said "Carter, turn your lights on!! You need to turn your lights on, Carter!!!"

Just wanted to share that "funny" and a couple of pictures of our cute boys.:0)

Sleeping Animals (and Trees)

Jack: "My animals are sleeping. My animals are sleepy. I sleepy too."

A Morning With My Boys

The boys and I spent the whole morning out together today doing all kinds of things. Carter doesn't have school the rest of this week because the teachers are at a conference (so is Jason) so he got to go to Kindermusik with Jack and I. Miss Samantha has any siblings that come to class hang out in an adjoining room to our classroom during class time. Drew's older brother, Carson, was there too so Carter had someone to play with. They made a fort out of the tables and chairs.

After Kindermusik, we headed over to the library there in Butler so the boys could pick out some new books. Both of my boys are such readers!! I love it!!

After we got our books, Carter had a quick check-up with his orthodontist. Everything looks good. He has to go back in 6 months to see if he will need anymore orthodontic treatment. Then we ran into Michael's real quick so I could get some things that I need to make a few Christmas presents. Then we headed to McDonald's for lunch.

I'm not really sure what Jack is doing in this picture, but his face is pretty darn funny!!






We had a great morning together although I'm not feeling very good so I'm a bit pooped now. I need to go try to nap while Jack is sleeping.:0)

Carter Quote

I took Carter with me to run some errands today while Jack was napping at home with Jason. One of the places we went was Bath & Body Works to get some Christmas gifts. I bought some body sprays, lotions, etc. and in the car on the way home we had this converstion:

Carter: "Mom, what are those spray things for?"

Me: "You know, girls wear them to make themselves smell good."

Carter: "Why?"

Me: "Because we like to smell nice. Don't some of the girls in your class where fruity or flowery sprays?"

Carter: Disgusted......"I don't know, Mom, I don't smell girls!!!"

Frustrating!!!

Seriously, is it really too much for me to ask to get just ONE decent picture of Carter and Jack together?!?! I'm sure you can guess which of the two makes this endeavor quite difficult.:0) Anyway, here are some pics of my recent attempt:

This is the best one....I guess it's not as awful as I thought.

Yeah, Jack's not even in this one. He fell off of Carter's back just as the camera clicked.

And inevitably this is what every "photo session" with our boys turns into.:0)

Jack Quote

A couple of days ago, we moved all of Jack's Brio track and trains up to his room because that will be where his new train table will go when he gets it for Christmas. Right before his nap today, he lined Thomas and a few of his friends up on the floor to play with them later. After I left the room, I heard Jack talking so I stood by his door and listened. Here's the "conversation" I overheard:

Jack: "But Thomas, I have to go to sleep now. Good night, Thomas. Sleep tight!!"

Thomas: Silence (of course!!)

Jack: "No, Thomas, I have to go to sleep now.

Thomas: Silently beckoning Jack to get out of bed and play with him.

Jack: "But Thomas, I have to go to sleep!!"

This "conversation" went on for another 5-10 minutes but Jack resisted the temptation and eventually konked out. Too funny!!!


As long as I'm posting, I'm going to brag a bit about how well Jack is doing with potty training. I feel I have earned the right to brag because this has been a long, hard time coming (or so it seems to me). He is consistently going pee and poop on the potty and has only had a handful of accidents the whole week. Our biggest challenge now will be getting him comfortable going other places besides our house. He is definitely skeptical about using other potties. I know he'll get it eventually. He is already doing such a great job and I am so proud of him!!!:0)

Patriots 3, Jets 4

Carter had another football game last night and his team (Patriots) played the Jets. Jack did not take a nap at all yesterday so he was quite cranky by evening time, so my wonderful husband offered to stay home with him so I could take Carter to his game. It was nice to go and actually be able to pay attention the whole time.:0)

Carter played great, throwing a great pass as QB, making a great running play, and also playing very well at defense. He was a bit disappointed that they lost but I reminded him that as long as he has fun and plays his best, that's all that matters. That's a hard concept for a 10-year-old boy. They're so competative at this age. Come to think of it, even when they grow up to be men they never lose that do they? I frequently catch Jason arguing and yelling at our Wii. As they say, boys will be boys!!!:0)

Jack's 1st Dentist Appointment

I took Jack for his very 1st dentist appointment and those of you who know him will not be at all surprised to hear that he was quite skeptical about the whole thing. He wouldn't sit in the dentist's chair so he sat in the little kid chair that they had in the exam room. When Miss Nadine (the dental hygienist) got gloves out to put on, Jack freaked out thinking that she was going to put them on him. We assured him that the gloves were for Miss Nadine and that settled him down a bit. He did let Miss Nadine look at his teeth and count them. He especially liked her little mirror and played with it the entire visit. When Miss Nadine got out her tooth polisher and toothpaste, Jack absolutely refused to let her use it on his teeth. I wasn't too surprised and we just decided to wait until next time to try. When Dr. Fitzgerald came in he also let her look and his teeth and count them and she said that they look wonderful!!

A Day At Home

Jack and I didn't have Kindermusik this week which worked out really well with our potty training plans. Since we didn't go to class, we practiced our Kindermusik songs and instruments at home. It's really very liberating (and quite hilarious) to dance around the house with an adorable 3-year-old in his Thomas the Tank Engine undies!!

One of the skills taught in Kindermusik is listening. Jack holds his little hand up to his ear and says "Do you hear dat?!?". We were listening to footsteps on the Kindermusik CD.

Every time that you sign up for Kindermusik, you get CDs, books, and and instrument to go along with the session. Jack got a bowl xylophone which, as you can probably guess, is a xylophone in the shape of a bowl that you play by stirring a wooden spoon inside of it. It makes a really pretty sound and it's very fun to play!!

Here are some other ransom pictures that I took today:

Working hard on the laptop!!

Cheesy face!!!

Look at those cute, little tootsies!!!