What A Difference A Year Makes...or 10!

Yes, we have been incognito. I will blog about our Christmas soon. In a word - FUN!


Here we are last NYE...
Having fun playing with Aunt Julie and Aunt "Gloria" Laura.

We will be in the same place tonight, yet with a much sassier 1.5 yr old and the same crazy boys. What a difference a year makes!

Wish I had a picture from 10 years ago...remember ringin' in 2000 and thinking your money would be gone and your computer would crash?! Andy and I were in Vail, Colorado for our first (and my only) ski adventure. What a difference 10 years make!

Happy 2010 and be safe!

From Our Family To Yours

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas, filled with family and friends. Hoping your loved ones celebrate the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus' Birthday!

After our morning together, we will head to Grandparents Goshorn for lunch and off to Yoder and the Sorg Family til' Sunday. Then back to the Goshorn Family. Whew! We will have pictures to post of our birthday party - Jesus is getting a Texas Sheet Cake this year - yum!

Merry Christmas!

Festival of Lights

We made our annual trek to The Festival of Lights at The Zoo with The Markarian Family last night. It was a cold one, to say the least, but all the kids did great. Gettin' home to a warm bath and a hot pizza hit the spot!

Tuesdays with Jack

Here is Jack with one of his favorite people, Grandma Goshorn.
Too cute not to post.
Love you, Grandma!
And Happy Anniversary to you and Grandpa!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

The boys were so excited to wake up to snow this morning. After lounging the morning away with Dad watching "Home Alone 2" they had a quick lunch and headed outside. They made 2 snowmen with Dad, had lots of snowball fights and tried to make a fort with buckets. Brooke even got in on the action for awhile. I am sure this is the first of many snow days!


Brooke is thinking "I am supposed to be seen in public dressed like this?!"


Happiness is...


...hitting Dad with a snowball...


...and still warm enough...


...to make snow angels (whether there is enough snow or not!).

A Fun Week for Jack

Jack had a big week at school.
He had his class Christmas Party on Thursday.
(I don't show pics from his classroom or classmates as I don't know how parents would feel about it.)
Before we went I took these two misfits out to McD's for a snack -


Hey Mom! Can you let me eat my cinnamon roll?

Friday was Jack's Christmas Concert. Grandparents Goshorn, Uncle Eric and Uncle Pete all came for the festivities. It was pretty cute. Sat there thinking "Is he really this old?"

Yep, he sure is.


Here are the Goshorn Kiddos post-performance. Will watched with jealous eyes, as he would have given anything to be up there performing, too.


And Brooke just wanted everyone to see her fur boots. Don't worry - faux is fun!

Must Be Doing Something Right

A few highlights of my day:

Upon receiving a Christmas gift in the mail (that he thought was really cool) Jack said:
"Mom, we will have to send them a thank you note."
My heart smiled. Go ahead - say it...MR. ETIQUETTE.

Tonight at 715pm, after a long day with only 1 nap, Brooke walked over, found her paci, walked past me and, while waving, said:
"Nigh-night."
And proceeded to go upstairs to her room and wait for me to catch up, so I could put her in bed.
YES!

We were also playing this afternoon (actually, trying to keep her ticked-off little self preoccupied, as she wanted to be outside playing in the cold with her brothers) and I started to count her toes...and she counted 2-9 all by herself. Go ahead - say it...CHILD PRODIGY.

And last, but not least, not sure if this goes in the "Something Right" category, but I started to get everyone off to bed the other night and Will had their little Leap Frog keyboard out. He turned to me and said:
"Just a second Mom. I have to finish sending my emails."
Promptly type-type-typed away, hit one big button as if to say "Send!" and proceeded to put the keyboard away and head upstairs. Go ahead - say it...THE NEXT BILL GATES.


Gotta love these 3!

Will on Wednesdays

Ooohhh...what a classic.

While shopping at WalMart for our Giving Tree presents, we had to share a tight spot by the girl's jewelery with a nice lady. She waved and said hi to Will and Brooke.

Will said "Hi."

Then turned to me and said, rather loudly,

"Mom, that lady doesn't have any teeth."

Thanks for bringing that to her attention, Will. I'll bet she didn't know.

The Monday Blues

UC loses Kelly - check.
UC loses in the Crosstown Shootout - check.
Bengals lose - check.
Everyone had "gross stomach" yesterday - check.
Everyone in this house is tired - check.
Will says he is moving to a new house with only water for his "buddies" the whale and dinosaur with his other Mom and baby - let's hope this one stays un-check.

But we did have a great Saturday seeing my Mom's family for Christmas.
And we do have a BIG holiday week, with a zoo visit, school party and Christmas Concert.

Guess I better get myself in "check."

"Pictures with Santa" - Goshorn Style

Can you guess what style that is?

I am one of "those" moms...I don't care what condition my child is in, they are getting a picture with Santa. PERIOD. Jack will tell you - begrudgingly - "It's tradition." Judge if you must - but I have one heck of a "Pictures with Santa" collection. And, although I have been told my Santa is scary-looking (year #2 on up) I am very happy I have the same Santa for all my kids. They associate their fear with the same face.

2004 - Jack at 3 months. The most boring of the collection - too traditional. But cute, nonetheless.


2005 - Jack at 15 months, Will at 3 months. One of my faves...and a glimpse at years to come.


2006 - Jack 2, Will 15 months. Not much has changed, except Will decided to be awake. The shirts say "I heart Santa." Uh-huh.


2007 - Jack 3, Will 2. Notice a not-expecting-to-be-in-the-picture Mom and Dad. Role reversal for the boys...although Jack is hangin' on by a thread.


2008 - Jack 4, Will 3 and Brooke 6 months. I was actually a little disappointed no one was screaming. With the exception of the gum in Will's mouth (total bribe tactic) this picture was normal. Boring.


2009 - Jack 5, Will 4 and Brooke 18 months. Ahhh...back to Goshorn-normal. Jack looks panicked, Will looks ornery, and Brooke screamed her head off. Gotta love it!

Ho-ho-ho!

An Underwater Adventure...

Christmas-style!

We joined our good friends, Angela (Werner), Sam and Ben Markarian, and headed to see Scuba Santa at the Aquarium yesterday. I think this was the first year the older boys really liked it, weren't scared and sat thru the whole show!


Brooke and Ben, on the other hand, not big fans of Scuba Santa.
Notice Ben would not even get in the picture.


But laughed from his comfy seat WAAAYYYY to the side!
Brooke did blow him a kiss before we walked out. She knows how to come thru in the end to score a Christmas gift from the big guy!


And this is the fearless-threesome in their matching "Best Friends" shirts that Grandma Werner sent to all of them. Big THANKS to Grandma Werner!
Are they adorable or what?!

ARE.YOU.KIDDING.ME????

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Merry Christmas to me??!!
I have been good.

Tuesdays with Jack

Had to share a few cute quotes by the Man of the House...

While driving home from school the other day Jack and I were talking about the kids in his class. Out of the blue he said:
"Mom - do you know who the naughtiest person in class is? It is _____."
"What happens when someone in class is naughty?"
"They sit in a chair."
"Have YOU ever been naughty?
"Nope."
"What if they continue to be naughty?"
"They go to the kitchen." (Jack has a kitchen just off his classroom where they cook once a week)
"Have you ever been sent to the kitchen?"
"Nope. But I have gone there to wash my hands."

That's what I like to hear.


The other night Brooke was babblin' up a storm, as if she was asking questions or telling us what to do (probably the latter).
Dad asked Jack:
"Jack, do you know what Brooke is saying?"
And Jack honestly responded
"No. I don't speak that language anymore."

Out of the mouths of babes...babes getting bigger every second...

Go Bulldogs!

We traveled to Indy Saturday to see the Butler Bulldogs play basketball. Andy's friend and teammate from college, Micah Shrewsberry, is an assistant with BU and invited us over for the game.


This was our 1st basketball game of the season and everyone loved it. Especially Brooke - as long as you kept the popcorn coming.


This is Will cheering with the BU Cheerleaders. He said he wanted to go down and get his picture taken with them. Hmmm...

Thanks to Coach Shrewsberry for the tickets and to the whole Shrewsberry Family for their hospitality!

Is It Even Possible...

...to be this adorable in simply your winter coat and hat, standing by the dryer?!

It sure is!

What do your kids think of you?

I know what one of mine thinks of me...

Jack brought home a project from school today...

"The 5 Senses of Thanksgiving"

And he wrote...

On Thanksgiving I see deer.
On Thanksgiving I smell pumpkin pie.
On Thanksgiving I touch Grandma.
On Thanksgiving I taste pumpkin pie.
And...
On Thanksgiving I hear Mom talking on the phone.

Wow. I am hands-down leader for "Mom of the Year" in Jack's class.

Right next to the mom that has the kid that wrote
"When I am 18 I want to be Darth Vader."

At least my kid wants to be a pilot...with his mom on the phone.

Will on Wednesdays

Yet another edition of Will on Wednesday. This kid is crazy-funny.

When we asked the boys this weekend what they wanted for Christmas Jack responded with some kind of Transformer trading card-thingy I have to relocate in Target. Fair enough.

Know what Will wants?

"I want a whale."

Hmmm. Ok. Where are we going to keep this whale?

"In the backyard."

Hmmm. We have no pool, but ok. Why do you want a whale?

"Because when it blows water out of the hole in the top of his head, it makes me happy."

Honey, diamonds make Momma happy but I don't think I'm getting that either. Better have a back up plan.

Then yesterday as we are driving to run errands, this little voice from the back says:

"Look Mom. It's Bob Heavens."

Yes, dear. Momma thinks Bob EVANS is heaven on earth, too.

Gotta love that kid!

Look Out World...

They're coming to your town to ward off evil.
If you need 'em, just call.
They will be there in a flash.
They are "the good guys."
Trying to get "the bad guys."

Amazing what 2 imaginations and $4.25 at WalMart can do.

"And They're Off!"

Yesterday we headed to Louisville and Churchill Downs as guests of Matt Linville and his family, Kelly and Vivienne (Baby L 2 is due this spring). Also there was Dusty Bishop and his family, Keri, Averi and Ella. We all had a great time and the kids got along really well. We felt like royalty, sitting in The Turfway Club and watching the races outside above the private boxes.

I always said after my 1st Derby experience -
not one I care to EVER re-live again...in-field. Need I say more?
- I would never go back unless I had a seat and I was wearing a hat! Well, it was not a day for a hat but I had the best seat in the house! Thanks, Linville Family!


The Family at Churchill Downs


The boys watching the horses


Brooke in one of her many holiday outfits


Hey Dad - is this stub a winner?!

What A Thankful Week

We, too, have lots to be thankful for. We had a wonderful week leading up to Thanksgiving and an awesome 2 days post-Turkey Day!

Wednesday we headed to Grandparents Goshorn's early since we were getting our carpets cleaned.

This is typical fun at Grandma's...


Everyone playing, eating, watching TV, dancing, singing, sleeping...
in Grandma's room and/or bed.


See what I mean?!

On Thursday we headed to Aunt Stacy's for the Sorg Thanksgiving.


And the boys love playing together...


This is Jack, Will, cousin Graham and Baby Cade trying to be a big boy.

Family, friends, health and happiness....
what more could you ask for!

I Lied

I lied. I have no new pics. I really have nothing to say. I have been busy getting 5 people packed to get outta here for Thanksgiving travel. Add to that we have to leave early this morning due to carpet cleaners coming (Alleluia!) I am a chicken with it's head cut off.

Or maybe a turkey. You pick.

Either way...have a great Thanksgiving and Blessings to you and yours.

And there will be pictures soon.
Brooke has WAY too many holiday outfits to photograph before Christmas!

Girl's Night Out

I had a Girl's Night Out with my Mother-In-Law tonight. Some girls are less fortunate in this category...not me. My MIL is caring, thoughtful, generous, easy to talk to, loving and most of all HONEST. She tells me like it is and asks the same of me. Makes for a pretty awesome relationship.

Great night of food - PF Chang's. We never get to go here because of my children's nut allergies (no asian or thai food). Then off to see "Precious." That was some sad, crazy, disturbing stuff.

But you wanna know the best part?

2 of my children had blow-outs (yes, you know what I mean) and I did not have to clean them up.

That is what I call one good Girl's (MOM) Night Out!

Thanks, Peg!!

PS I know I have been lacking in the picture dept. I will get on that tomorrow. Promise.

Lesson Learned

It does not pay to sleep in.

Because while I slept in today, Will asked his usual morning question:
"What are we doing today?"

I would have answered with "Watching OSU beat Michigan." or "Going to a family reunion with Grandma and Grandpa Goshorn."

How did DAD answer the question, since he got up with the boys and let me sleep in??

"You are going to get a SHOT today to keep you healthy."

Again, it does not pay to sleep in.

'Cause when you do, and Dad tells the kids they are getting shots,
your kids SCREAM BLOODY MURDER at the Health Department
because they know what's coming.

Thanks for letting me sleep in this morning, honey.
Thanks a whole lot.

Right Now...

We are enjoying a "Majama Day." Oh, how my children love staying in their pajamas as long as possible. And how cute they are doing it!

Oh, how happy my children are today....

...that is, until they realize why we got in the car, drove 20 mins., show up at the Health Department and go in to get them all H1N1 shots in the arm.

Oh yes...how happy they will be.

We are...Are you?

We have been doing A LOT of the Turkey Pokey around here.

What is the Turkey Pokey, you ask?

Well, it is the traditional Hokey Pokey
(you know you know it, you know you love it)
but with a twist.

You put your beak, your wings, your turkey legs and,
of course, your tail feather, in. And shake it all about.

Come on over to our house if you want to join in.

'Cause that's what it's all about.

It Must Be Sunday...

Time for another edition of
"What Will The Goshorn Brothers Say in Church THIS week?!"

Our children are known for being the ones that whisper LOUDLY
"Is it over yet?"
"Am I being a good listener?"
"Can I have a tootsie roll when I get home?"

And, my all time favorite...
Jack : "Is it time for heaven?"
Me: "Do you mean communion?"
Jack: "Yeah, communion. What is heaven again?"
Me: "Heaven is where you go when you die."
Jack: "Oh yeah. That is where Michael Jackson is."
Exactly.

But today we had the return of another "Oldie But Goodie."
The Knights of Columbus helped with mass.
That's right. The men in the black tuxedos with the swords and headdresses.
OR...
As my kids call them..
"Look Mommy! The pirates are here!"

Yep...raising 2 good little Catholic boys!

What is Worse....

than all 3 of your kids having bad colds...
your baby vomiting and being up 1/2 the night...
and you having a cold?

I will tell you what is worse...

Your HUSBAND being sick.

I love you, honey. Get well...

SOON.

Family Pictures

The day after we returned from Florida we had our family pictures taken. It's always better to have a little color, right?! We used the same fabulous photographer that did Brooke's 3 thru 12 month pics that I ADORE!

Remember these??








We were certainly pleased yet again with Mandy Paige Photography. I don't want to show my faves, as they will be used for Christmas cards. But these were the runner-ups...

Football Weekend

The Goshorn Brothers had a memorable weekend of football!
Andy's cousin, Jack, is a Lt. Colonel in the Air Guard and is in charge of most of the fly-overs you see at any events around the tri-state area. Along with these fly-overs come tickets to the event. He could not use his tickets this weekend so Andy, the boys and I were lucky enough to attend...

THE BEARCATS at Nippert Stadium!

It was a perfect night for football - we didn't even put jackets on 'til after halftime and it was an 8pm game! This was the boys first college football game and they loved the atmosphere, the excitement, pre-game band, fireworks...and, of course, they already know the UC Cheer...

Ooooh...Ooooh...Ooooh...bum, bum, bum, bum...UC!
Including motions, I might add. Their mother was a cheerleader, remember?

We made it to the end of the 3rd quarter and headed for home. We made it there in time to get the already-asleep boys in bed and watch the Bearcats pull out another victory. Still undefeated!


Jack and Dad pre-game


Will lovin' the giant Bearcat


No event is complete for Will without Popcorn!

Today, we had Grandparents Goshorn and Great-Grandpa Sweemer over for the Bengals game. We had a big pre-game meal and then enjoyed the WIN on the big screen. Jack is really into the games this year and we get a big kick out of his "play-by-play."

All of our teams - Bengals, OSU and UC - got wins this weekend. Between that and this beautiful weather, it doesn't get much better!

God Love Nordstrom

We treked to Kenwood tonight (one of my favorite places on earth) to look for a few things.
We all walked down to the new Nordstrom that just opened in September. Can I say how proud I was of my boys who LOVED the shoe department??!! Just gets me right in the heart...

Anyway...

I noticed a sign in the store window before we entered Nordstrom and it read something like this:

"We will not be decking our halls here at Nordstrom until November 27th. We believe in celebrating one holiday at a time. Happy Thanksgiving!"

AMEN!

I knew it was right to love this store...now I love it even more.
Save your Christmas trees and garland 'til after my Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten and has put me to sleep.

And that is all I have to say about that.

What I Miss About Florida

Seeing this cute little thing walking around the pool.


I love you, Baby Girl!

Will on Wednesdays - Edition 1

Seems like I write about Will and his funny Will-isms once a week so I am starting my own blog carnival (I am BIG TIME now!)...

WILL ON WEDNESDAYS

As we are driving home today from Jack's school I noticed in the take-home flyer that the school is sponsoring a food drive for the month of November.

Ahh-Hah! Teachable Moment!

After my 10 minute dissertation on how it is nice to give to those who do not have anything, we are lucky, it is like sharing, blah..blah..blah..the moral of my talk was:

1. Some people are homeless - they have no place to live.
2. Some people have no food to eat.
3. Some people have nothing to clean themselves with.
4. We need to help.

Thus, we will donate food, soap and toothpaste to the food drive. Jack agrees.
Will says the following:

"Yeah. I will help Aunt Julie. You guys can help the rest. She needs toothpaste."



See this beautiful woman with my kids? She is homeless, has no food and has no toothpaste.
Please help her. We love her.