More Christmas Festivities

The boys had a great Grandparents Day Celebration, being able to chow Grandparents Goshorn their school and Christmas Nativity Play (no pics - could not find them at school). They all went out to lunch together and had a fun morning.

Next up was Brooke's Christmas Program. Grandparents Goshorn, Uncle Eric and the fam all went to All Aboard to cheer on Miss Brooke.

Brooke in her required "dress the twirls."

Proud Brothers

Hard to believe next year they will all be at IHM and in the Christmas Nativity Together. Can't wait!

Christmas Festivities

So many Christmas Festivities this month! Our first was the Annual Hammerstein Christmas (Mom's side) that was relocated to the Austin's Home this year. Nice to see family - some we had not seen in years! We also celebrated Aunt Helen and Uncle John's December birthdays.

3 Generations of Hammersteins!

Next up was our annual trek to Festival of Lights with the Markarians. This was our 6th year in a row for our annual freeze at the zoo. This year the only one that froze was Alan - I came prepared with 3 layers. We love our Markarian Family!

Traditional Pic in front of the huge tree

Our Besties!

Our Babes - Ages 8 thru 18 months

Silly kids

Backup pic in case we did not see Santa.

Kids Pics 2012

I am "that lady." The one that will not let anyone see my family/kid pics until my Christmas Cards are mailed out. I even ask the photographer to not post them online. I know. Anal.

Most of you saw my Christmas Card with our pics. Here are some of my other faves. We used a new photographer this year, my friend Holly Burkholder, from church. Love her, kids loved her, love the pics!

THIS is my kids. Love B's laugh.

LOVE.

Will - 7 and innocent. I hope he stays that way for a long time.

Jack - 8 and wise beyond his years.

Brooke - 4 and as sassy as her hair is long!

My fave - hence the reason for a double sided Christmas Card!

No face but still sassy!

Holy Boy

Tonight Jack (and his Daddy!) celebrated First Reconciliation. Jack was not nervous one bit and had his Act of Contrition memorized and ready to go for the big night! After a few short readings, a nice homily by Father Tom and everyone making an Act of Contrition together, over 130 2nd graders and their families split up throughout our church to have their confession heard by one of 10 priests. We offered to go first and let Jack follow, but he wanted to go first. After a quick confession and absolution, he was back in the pew for his penance. He did a great job. He is growing up so fast. Love this Holy Boy!

Jack in front of the Reconciliation Banner

I know this is WAY late....

But I never posted the kids at Halloween.
Jack wanted to be a "normal person." I informed him "normal people" do not get candy.
Thus, he went as a half-dressed football player (It was damn cold that night!)

God bless Will...he never requires me to buy anything. He just goes into the dress up bin in the basement and pulls something out. This year - Captain America.
Just might be the same thing he has been for 3 years.

Brooke kept changing her mind. Thanks to Grandma Jenny and her annual post-Halloween costume shopping at $1.50 per outfit, we always have options. She decided on a kitty cat and was super cute.

Just before the cold, rainy, wet, freezing trick-or-treating.

I know you can see her gum...but just loved this. MEOW!

CHAMPS!

We ended Football Season with 2 undefeated teams for the boys. Now we have moved on to basketball, with Jack and Will each being on their own team this year. How did we start the season in the Opening Tournament?

CHAMPS! Both boys won their tournaments! 4 games Friday, 1 game Saturday and 4 games today makes for one long weekend, one tired little (and Big!) cheerleader, 2 proud parents and 2 exhausted, happy boys!

Today...

I feel especially blessed.

Love you PoJo, WoJo and MoMo.

My Mini-Me

We are two peas in a pod.
We like to be first.
We are both Type-A.
We like to be in control.
We like to be right.
We do not like to hurt other people's feelings.
We like to be liked.
We try really hard.
We love a lot.
We are strong.
We are a good team.

 
I love my Jackson Paul. And he loves me.

On The Mend

We are saying lots of prayers around here lately! Great-Grandpa Sawyer had his knee replacement a few weeks ago and lucky for us is around the corner at a rehab center. We have visited a few times, including his 86th birthday. His request - pizza!

Now Grandma Goshorn is in the hospital after having her knee replaced yesterday. We can't wait to go see the comedian, who has kept everyone laughing with her medicated conversations!

Get well soon to all those needing some extra prayers!

Love

Love that Will likes to sleep with his shirt off or in mix-match pjs.

Love that Will's favorite book to read at night is his children's Bible.

Love that will is never embarrassed to kiss me, hug me or put his arms around me, no matter who is around.

Love to love Will.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!

To the boy that loves....all things sweet....and is so sweet....likes neat handwriting...loves to give you the 411 after school on all the "happenings"...loves God, his family and friends....is so good to his younger siblings...loves to travel and read the atlas....loves to play outside in no shoes and socks (ugh!)...loves to read and work math problems...loves to be up first and turn on Sports Center...loves being my OLDEST CHILD and hearing about the day he was born. I remember every second of that day because you made me a MOM. We love you Jackson Paul Goshorn. Happy 8th Birthday!

What We Are Up To....

School

Learning how to raise a village

Being Team Mom to this group is a full time job

To recap...school, sports, fun, repeat. Not many pictures, as I am too busy cheering on my kids! Jack had a touchdown 2 weeks ago; Will had a touchdown last weekend; Brooke scored 2 goals last Monday night and another yesterday. One.Proud.Momma.

Brooke's 1st Day of Pre-K

Finally, Brooke's turn arrived for the 1st Day of School. Although she told us the night before:

"I am smart. I already know how to spell my name and all the names of my family. I know all my letters. I do not need to go to school."

Oh boy.

 

She went anyway and has had a great week thus far. She has some friends from last year in class, as well as making new and has gone to Lunch Bunch twice. I think she would like to stay home with me, but when we get there she is ready to go. Should be a great year!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY WILL!!

To the boy that.... melts my heart... gives THE BEST hugs ever... is always flying under the radar...LOVES the ladies...loves sports of all sorts...is a good brother and friend...loves Jesus, his family and friends...is our "loose cannon"...eats more fruit than a monkey....loves candy and gum....still covers himself in the blue striped blanket I covered him in 7 years ago....still gets a black eye like he had 7 years ago when he came into this world...and still looks at me with those eyes that makes me love him more every day...

To you, William Robert Goshorn....Happy 7th Birthday. We could not imagine this world without your face.
We love you!

Are You Ready For Some Football - Season 2

I am SO EXCITED that Football Season for IHM is BACK! We had our 1st Scrimmage vs. Guardian Angels this past Sunday.

I was very nervous for Will's team - K1. 23 players, only 5 played last year and about 1/2 are tiny little Kindergarteners.

I.WAS.WRONG.

Will's team came out and scored 6 times in the 1st 8 plays...WILL getting the 2nd TD of the game! 40 Yard Rush! SO PROUD!! Final score 36-6.

Jack's team did not disappoint either. They won 18-6 with Jack catching 2 passes - the 1st attempts and completions for his team ever! Considering he was double-teamed most of the game he did outstanding. So proud to see him get tackled, knocked down and held but STILL gets right back up. He got a little mad towards the end at the kid holding him - I love his ferocious spirit!

2012 Angel Bowl at Guardian Angels - K1 and 2nd Grade Teams

#14 Will Goshorn

#40 Jack Goshorn

1st Day of School

It was rough getting up this morning...but a little easier with new school shoes and pancakes for breakfast!
Here we go, 2012-2013 IHM School Year...Be a good one!

Will-almost 7

Jack - almost 8

My boys

Me and my boys - love them!

End Of Summer

Since tomorrow is the 1st day of school for the boys I thought I would recap our August...

Yoder trip, including a Tin Caps Game!

Will even got a ball - thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Somebody.....

learned to ride a 2-wheel bike! No more Goshorns with training wheels!

Last summer trip to the Zoo with our Peeps - The Markarians

Boys were Runner-Up in their Summer Basketball League

Enjoying Cade for a few days and celebrating Sam's Birthday

Now...on to school. And Football. And Soccer. And BUSY! Happy School Year!

Lucky for Me

Fall of 1995. Sophomore Year at Hanover. Living in Wiley with Sarah, down the hall from 2 of my besties, Ju and Brit. I met some new girls my age that I am still friends with - Jessica and Kristin - and also met the OLDER GIRLS. The girls I was intimidated by. The girls that had an extra year under their belt. They were so cool, knew everyone and walked with a presence. You know those girls. The ones that come home from a late night of having fun with their friends and ride their bike down the middle of the hallway like they own the joint.

Werner was one of those girls. One of the "Angelas" - there were 4 of them, one cooler than the next. She had the prime room at the end of the hall with the best loft I had ever seen - she had electricity and lights on it! She would sit in a lawn chair in her room, drinking a bottle of Boone's farm and you knew she meant business.

Lucky for me, we began to speak to one another. Lucky for me, she invited me (ME!) to come in, sit awhile in a lawn chair and have a bottle of Boone's with her. Lucky for me, we became friends. Lucky for me, we both stayed independent and became roommates the following year.

LUCKY FOR ME - we are still friends to this day and now our children are good friends.

Sam

Zac

Ben and Angela

Our crazy Crews

Lucky for me, indeed!

Christmas in July

The 4th of July means our Annual Soucie/Sorg Christmas in July Weekend. Our families have been friends since before any of us kids were a twinkle in an eye...and it is awesome to now have a 3rd generation lovig one another. What a special bond we all have.

Old tradition - celebrate the July birthdays - Brooke and Alexandra. 

 

 

 

 

 

New Tradition - PINATA!

Waiting in line for their turn with the bat.

Lilah double fistin' it.

Thank God for the water slide!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Traditional Kids Picture

The Official Portrait

New this year - Final Evening Dance Party!

So much fun had by all 29 of us. Can't wait til next year!