BUSY DAY

Part I: The Arrival

We picked up Uncle TAP around 7pm at the train station last night. Hannah was so excited to see the "choo choo" up close and personal. As the train pulled up the the station we were only about 3-4 feet from the enormous train. Hannah's eyes were as big as soft balls. "Mama, Mama, look choo choo" she kept repeating. As Uncle TAP got off the train Hannah got to talk to a REAL conductor, which was the highlight of her life.
After the train excitement we proceeded to a local restaurant, TJ Rockwell's, for a nice meal. The kids were great and everyone ended the meal with the "world's smallest sundays." I wanted to share photos with everyone, but I forgot my camera.
The kids went to bed at 10pm (which is way past bedtime) and the adults stayed up to watch the ninth season of the Simpsons. Great Times!!

Part II: Harrisburg, PA

We got up this morning at 7:30am and started the day. We had a yummy pancake breakfast. Hannah loves to make pancakes. TAP was going to make his famous German pancakes, but we were short ingredients. Bummer!!

After our breakfast we loaded into the car and went to Harrisburg. We took a fun self-guided tour. Tom was able to meet the senator Brian works for and see the Senate floor.

Part III: Hershey, PA

Hershey, PA was the next stop of the day. As soon as we arrived we went on a Trolley Tour of Hershey, which was very educational. I learned a lot about the area!! Upon arriving back at Chocolate World, we rode on the Factory Tour Ride, which is the highlight for Hannah and Carter. There are a lot of singing cows. On our way out Uncle TAP took Hannah over to a mock factory where she became a "factory worker." The Factory took her photo for an ID and then she packaged Hershey's Kisses off the assembly line. She loved it.

We love having Unc TAP here!! Hannah and Carter have been screaming through the house as Unc TAP runs after them to tickle them or reveals their hiding place. I am wondering if all the extra energy is from the chocolate Unc TAP has been sneaking to them all day?!?!

Welcome Uncle Tom!!

My brother, Tom, is arriving tonight. We are so excited to see him!! I haven't seen him in over a year due to his travels over seas. I am so HAPPY and EXCITED to share he will be in the states for at least 18 months due to his new job with the CS Monitor! WAY TO GO little bro!

Hannah keeps asking when Unc Pap is going to be here. For years I've called my brother by his initials, TAP, so when I talk about him to the kids I always say Uncle TAP... so Hannah tries, but it always comes out Unc Pap.

Carter has yet to meet the infamous Unc TAP!! This will be there first meeting and I can't wait!!

I must say that it is funny that he got out to see my mom and Stephen's house before I did and now he will see my house before they do... that is WILD!!

Anyway I am sure there will be further posts about Unc Pap's visit.

Photo of the Day

I just love this photo. She is hiding behind our floor lamp. This is her favorite spot in the house. She is actually trying to hide from me. She didn't want her picture taken... guess she will have to try a little harder next time!!

The Bear

Carter's most interesting Birthday present arrived today from Grammy and Pappy. I must say that it is a big hit!! Everyone is having fun with it, including daddy!! Carter is sitting on the bear in the above photo reading his monthly magazine subscription to My Wild Baby Animal, which is from the Wildlife Federation.

Thank you Grammy & Pappy

Share Carter's Big Day

Note from Hannah

Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing to express the importance of accessories. For casual wear like this simple brown turtle neck and basic jeans I put on a flowered belt to add some more color to my outfit. I also like to add a headband to hold the hair out of my face so that my young features are highlighted.

I have also posted a photo of the outfit I am referring to.

Thanks,

Hannah Grace
your fashion consultant

Happy 1st Birthday, Carter!!

We can NOT believe our baby is ONE!! Happy Birthday, Babyzilla!!

Thank You

Dear Aunt Potty,

Thank you very much for my new outfit!! My mommy and I both love it!! I didn't let Carter open his presents yet because his birthday is tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait that long to open my present. I think I will need to help Carter open presents tomorrow because he doesn't really know how, but that is what big sisters do!! I will let you know how Carter likes his gifts.

Miss & Love you LOTS,

Hannah Grace

Cozy Coupe

As a parent I have had moments when I think if Hannah and Carter could only understand. The funny part is that one day they will. It is so funny how things work. As a child you love mom and dad and they can do anything!! As a teenager you wish your parents would just vanish or at least realize that your life is harder then any thing they went through in life. As a college student you start to gain a more respectful view of your parents. THEN it happens... you have a child of your own and suddenly you look at your parents in a way you never have before... How did they do it? So many times I think of my parents and all they did and I thought it was so stupid, but now I am doing it!! ha ha ha.
Anyway I found this picture of myself (age 5 1/2 with Bright our puppy) the other day while going through a box of photos. I thought it was so cute because Hannah also has a cozy coupe, which is the Little Tike's red car in the photos. Hannah's car has a ton more features like the keyless remote, but it is the same car. So I hung the photo on the refrigerator. When Hannah came across the photo she said, " Hannah". I tried to explain that it was mommy, but like the snow she wasn't going to hear it. So I began to think about it. Hannah is just like me. She is the bossy older sister that loves her children that she doesn't have yet ( that came from my diary when I was 5 years old). It is like I am living through what my mom had to go through with me. Some days I love it and other days I just respect my mom for dealing with it.

Remember to tell your parents how much you appreciate them today!!

Pockets

Hannah is so excited about pockets. She loves to show you how she can put her hands in her pockets!! Thanks goes out to Grandma for the hair bows!!Hannah looks out the window for Daddy's car to drive up the driveway!!

She really misses her Daddy when he is at work.

'jammies'

We had a great day yesterday!! We went to the Senator's Holidaysburg Office with Brian. I wanted to take the kids to the railroad museum, but it was closed for the season. So we played with the toys at Toys R Us for about an hour. I bought Hannah a little $5 umbrella stroller for her baby. So after leaving Toys R Us we went to the local mall where Hannah pushed her baby around the mall for 2 hours. She would tell people that this was her baby. She told one man "Shhh. my baby is sleeping". In one of the stores they had a mirror and Hannah would drive the baby doll up and say look baby (just like I do with Carter.) Hannah also walked around the mall making phone calls on her mobile phone (kids toy). We stopped in babyGap and found these PJs for the bargain price of $4, they were originally $25. YIKES!! At least they have pants so we don't see any bare bums!!

Hannah and Carter discuss their new 'jammies':

Hannah tells Carter, " I love mommy more because she is a mommy like me"

to which Carter replies, "Dada Dada Dada"

The sad part of the day was when we arrived home to find that Gus went to fish heaven. Although I don't think that Hannah or Carter noticed. As you can tell from the above photography.

Early Morning

This morning Carter woke up at 5am. That is why I was up blogging so early this morning (see earlier blog entry). He was very happy, but he did not want to go to sleep. So he played in our room this morning while Brian and I showered and got ready for the day. Brian left for work and I got on the computer. At about 8am Hannah woke up and came in my room to watch Barney. Some morning she just wants to cuddle before we start the day. Carter was playing in the exersaucer and watching the movie when he suddenly realized he got up way to early!!

Bed Time

As I have stated before in earlier blog entries parenting is a learning experience. Just when you think you have seen it all something always surprises you!! My darling little Hannah looks so cute in her night gown. I put her to bed and she lay in bed babbling (I think she was having a conversation with a doll) for 45 minutes or so. I was watching a movie with Brian and since she wasn't unhappy I let her talk. After the movie I went in to check on the kids. Carter was curled up with his blanket sleeping away. The only movement was the pacifier in his mouth. Next, I looked into Hannah's bed where she was sound asleep. WAIT!! I looked again to see that her bare bum was sticking up in the air. OH MY!! I couldn't believe it... she had taken her diaper off. This is when parenting becomes such a challenge. I wanted so badly to crawl into my bed and close my eyes. Both our kids were so cute and SLEEPING!! However, I decided that I had to wake her to put on a diaper and a onesie, to prevent further diaper removal. I guess the thought never occurred to Hannah before now because she always wears some type of bottom. Now with her girly night gown she has open access to the diaper. Thankfully Hannah did go right back to sleep and there were no more surprises. Can't wait to see what kinds of things we learn today!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Wish we were there to celebrate with you!! We miss you and are sending lots of love!!

Happy Birthday, Nancy!

I had a great 27th Birthday. My mother-in-law is in town and watched the kids so Brian and I could go out for a nice, romantic dinner at a nice restaurant in town. We enjoyed a good dinner and then watched football in the bar. It was a really nice time!! The only part of the night that wasn't wonderful was my card...

I'm not sure what Brian is trying to say??

This morning we went to church and saw our friends the Colemans.




"Bird" Anna says as she points across the parking lot.













You just got to LOVE that hat!!




"Hey baby, you are looking really cute in that hat" Carter says to his date at Boston Market.


Hannah is too busy talking on the phone to order her food. So Grandma and Daddy went to place an order for her.

What can I say? When the Turk Family and The Coleman family go out to eat with the kids we leave behind a mess!! Here is Anna putting up a sign to warn anyone walking into Boston Market that the floor may be hazardous near our table.

Carter shows off his hat.

Happy Birthday Mama!!


After a fun lunch I went to the outlets with mom to go shop around. We found a book store that was going out of business and all the books were $1 or $2 each. We also found some cute kids clothes, birthday presents for Carter and a really nice jewelry box.

Carter models his new outfit.

Hannah's FIRST night gown!!

Yeah, Grandma is here!!

Hannah and Carter were both so happy to see Da-Ammah (Hannah's new version of Grandma). Hannah waited in the window seat most of the day saying " Da-ammah where are you?" Mom had so extra time off work so she came to visit for Nancy's Birthday. We are so glad she is here!!

Looking for a Hair Stylist??

Look no further... I have found my next calling - BEAUTY SCHOOL!!

Today I decided to cut Carter's hair. It went really well. So well in fact, I decided to cut Hannah's hair and that went so well I decided to cut my hair.

I am looking for opinions on my new long bang look? I was reading the other day and this seems to be the new style?! What do you think?

Cookies

My chocolate children are so cute!! I baked fresh cookies tonight and Hannah was hot on the cookie (or tookie as she says) trail. She is such a good big sister that she decided to share with her brother. I'm not sure I have words for the feelings I have?!

HATS

It was actually COLD today. It has been such a mild winter. We haven't even seen snow yet?!?!?!

Early evening it started to snow a little and I took Hannah over to the window. "Look Hannah it's snow" I told her.

"No. No. No. Mama that is rain. It raining" Hannah replied.

I tried so hard to get her to understnad, but she just wouldn't have it!!

I really want to get a ton of snow because we have this great little hill in our back yard that would be so fun for the kids to sled down. It isn't huge, but it would be perfect for Hannah and Carter!!

Chocolate World w/ the Turks