December 2008

Here are some of the things that have been happening at the Hart home this month...

Superboys...

Sorry I know that I post tons of pictures and hardly write...but pictures are "me". This is my latest favorite of the boys. It cracks me up, because I can remember Caleb wearing the Superman PJ's that Levi has on and he could walk or I should say run when he wore them. Poor Levi, it's not just because he's big...those PJ's have been worn and washed a lot by his brothers! :) The two things I love about those PJ's is how the boys ask if their cape is flying up in the back!?! And how "big/special" they feel running around in them! We are excited to have Levi join in the fun...I think it will be soon!

Thanksgiving in California

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving out in San Francisco, California. That is where Betsey's sister Kate lives. Her brother Luke lives in Southern California, so he flew up for the week as well. We rented a house out there so we could all stay together and feel more "at home"...make meals, use the washer and dryer, and have room for the boys to play! We had a really good time...sight seeing and spending time with family. The boys were so good and had so much fun! Kate did such a great job planning activities and taking us sight seeing. We would wake up and have a big breakfast in the morning and then head out for the day. We wouldn't get back until supper time. After supper each night we would go in the hot tub(nice bonus of the house) and then the boys would fall asleep watching a movie with their Aunt Kate...honestly those last two things were Caleb and Ethan's favorite part of the whole trip!

Some of what we did...
Tuesday: The boys, my parents, and I flew into San Francisco.(Kevin had been out there working at a Bethany branch the week before.)
Wednesday: Went to the new California Academy of Sciences...they had so much fun stuff there! From an indoor Rain forest to a swamp with Alligators!
Thursday: Went on a hike in Muir Woods...saw giant Redwood trees and then went back to the house for the traditional Turkey-Thanksgiving meal.
Friday: Went downtown San Francisco...rode on a Ferry, Cable Car, and Street Car! Saw all the famous spots Pier 39, Alcatraz, Sea Lions, Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Etc.
Saturday: Went to Santa Cruz...met Kevin's Aunt Sue for lunch and then headed to the Boardwalk...saw more Sea Lion, lots of Surfers, and the boys got to play in the Pacific Ocean!
Sunday: Luke had to fly back, but we headed to Berkeley and saw Kate's apartment, where she works, shops, etc. We also took pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge...Kevin, Caleb, Ethan, and my parents all walked across it. Levi, Kate, and I picked them up on the other side. We crossed the bridge a lot through out the week and Caleb and Ethan just thought it was the greatest! So the fact that they got to walk on it, was pretty cool to them!
Monday: We flew back to snowy, cold Michigan!

thankful..

Happy Thanksgiving...hope all of you have a great day! We are spending Thanksgiving in California this year with my parents, brother Luke, and sister Kate. What a great year it has been, we have so much to be thankful for...God is good!!

*when we get back I will update with pictures from our trip!

Halloween fun...

to the rescue...

Sorry haven't updated lately...the Hart home has had really sick kids! Ugh!! And to add to high fevers, throwing-up, sore throats, etc. Levi's top two teeth are coming in! So we have had some crazy days and sleepless nights. Here is a quick story though from last night that I thought you'd enjoy...

I told the boys that everyone needed to get their fingernails and toenails cut...oh joy! I don't know what it is, but they hate having their toenails cut!! Their fingernails don't bother them, just toes. So I am cutting Caleb's fingernails and I am just about to start on his toenails and Ethan grabs his play cell phone and says: "calling all superhero's come to the rescue mom's cutting toenails!"

Caleb's Soccer Season

Caleb sure had a fun time playing soccer this fall and the rest of the family enjoyed watching him! His favorite position to play was defense...he was known as the "defensive wall" by fellow teammates and their parents. The biggest highlight for him, besides a lot of "saves", was his GOAL while playing defense!! What a kid...he was so excited! The dance he did after the goal was priceless. Kevin did such a good job coaching with Nate and the boys on the team are great kids. We are all looking forward to the spring when they start playing again.

Jamie and Emily's Wedding

"don't make me have to..."

Sorry it has been awhile, but hear is story I thought you'd enjoy...

The other day I was making lunch for the boys and with that comes questions...for example what kind of fruit you would like? What kind of sandwich? Etc.(To which Kev says don't give them any choices, however I like to let them pick at lunch and at supper they have to eat what I make.) Anyways, they weren't listening to my questions and I had to repeat myself a bunch of times, so finally I say "please boys, don't make me have to yell at you!"

A few hours later the boys and I are all downstairs playing, and Caleb keeps taking Ethan's favorite Mickey Mouse ball. After a few times of Ethan telling Caleb to stop, he says "Caleb don't make me have to yell at you!"

Soccer 101

So Caleb and Kevin(who is the coach) had their first soccer game this past Saturday...sorry no pictures, it was raining! :( Ugh!! By the end of the game we were all soaked!
Anyways, the first quarter had just ended and we were down 2-0 with little threat of scoring a goal. Kevin and the team huddled under the beach umbrella(for relief from the rain) to discuss the next quarter. With a dry erase clip board in hand Kevin drew out the positions...three on offense and three on defense. Kevin circled the offensive players and explained that they need to try and score a goal. He then circled the defensive players and explained how they need to stop the other team from kicking the ball in the goal. Kevin was trying to reach the kids at the most basic level of the game. After he was done he looked up and Caleb looks at his team and says "I have no idea what he is talking about??" Kevin smiles and says "lets go have some fun!"
Honestly we aren't sure if Caleb was joking or not? But the rest of the team seemed to understand...they went on to score at least 8 goals(we stopped counting) and the other team never scored again! It sure was a fun game!!

Update

Well we thought we'd update you all on what has been going on at the Hart home...

Caleb started Kindergarten and seems to really be enjoying it. It's fun to hear him talk about what he's learning and the friends he is making. Here is a photo of him on his first day. He was so cute while getting ready, he asked me if his outfit made him look short or if it was nice enough to wear to school? This coming from the kid who could care less about what he wears! Caleb also had his yearly check-up, he weighed in at 55lbs and is 47inches tall! We praise God that he's healthy...no signs of JRA.




Ethan is having a hard time with Caleb in school. Even with all their fights, they really are good buddies! Ethan keeps asking when he can go to preschool. Ethan is growing good too, he was in for his yearly check-up as well. He weighs 32lbs and is 39inches tall. Ethan earned the title of "Fair Junkie" he loved the rides, animals, and of course the food...cotton candy and elephant ears!!



Levi is growing REALLY good...he weighs 23lbs and is 29inches long! He is a good eater! He loves graham crackers...Caleb thinks Levi smells like smores because of all the grahm crackers he eats! He is such a good baby...full of smiles and laughs! Levi is so easy going, we have taken him all over and he always does so well. He was able to be a part of the "Hart Family Tradition" of having your picture taken at the well in Ludington.



Well Summer 2008 has come to end and yes we are sad about that, however we have a lot of fun and exciting things going on this fall! Caleb is playing soccer and Kevin is his coach and his uncle Nate is the assistant coach. Kevin's brother Jamie is getting married and we are standing up for them. We are going to California over Thanksgiving to visit my sister Kate and brother Luke. Those are just some of the events to come...stay tuned we will be sure to blog about it all!

Ludington Labor Day Weekend...

Shower...

Last week I was invited to a Bridal Shower(Kevin's brother is getting married in October). While I was getting ready, Kevin was telling the boys that I was going to a shower and they of course had questions...Caleb wondered "Why do girls only go to showers?" Kev informed him it's better that way! :) Anyways, I come out of the bedroom in the outfit I am going to wear and Ethan says "Why are you wearing that to the shower?" It didn't even hit me, until I looked at Kevin laughing...yes in a three year old's head why would you wear clothes to a shower?!?

girlfriend...

As a lot of you know Caleb has a friend named Emma who lives across the street. They have been good buddies since they were three years old and Caleb just adores her! He likes to call her his girlfriend, since he has uncles with girlfriends as well. While we were up at the cottage for 2 weeks he tells my cousin Jody this...

"I have a girlfriend, her name is Emma. We might of broke up though, because we haven't talked in awhile."

Oh Caleb! He sure can make us laugh!! As for him and Emma I think all is well, because when we got home on Saturday afternoon Emma came over! :)

Cottage 2008

sweetest thing...

Levi 5 months

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Today we celebrate you Kevin...you are such an Awesome Dad, Wonderful Husband, Fun Friend, Caring Brother, Special Son, Crazy Uncle, and SO much more!! We are so thankful for you and all that you do! We love you and hope you have a great 28th Birthday!!

Lots of Love,

Betsey, Caleb, Ethan, and Levi

our weekend...

We had a great 4th of July weekend...you name it and I think we actually did it! Parade, Sparklers, Campfire(and Smores), Fishing, Boating, the Pool, Picnic at the park, the Beach, Yard work, etc. etc. But we sure had fun!

our boys...

We sure love our boys...just wanted to share their smiles with you!

juice box

last night caleb shows kevin and i a couple of tinker toys that have this black "gunk" on them. we ask him what that gunk is, but he doesn't know. so we ask him where he found those tinker toys, and he says in the seat of his desk. so kevin opens up the lid of his desk seat and it's filled with black gunk. just as i ask again what that gunk is, ethan walks in and says "juice box". so we ask ethan if he squirted juice box in there, "no" he says...

Ethan is 3

In celebration of Ethan's 3rd Birthday...

I love you...

Our family has this game to see who can say "I love you" to each other first. We really have a lot of fun with it, however sometimes it can get a little messy(as any game can). Overall though I think it adds a lot of joy to our day.

Here is an example of how the game works:
Kevin comes home from work and walks in the door. Caleb immediately runs up to him and says "I love you daddy...gotcha!" Kevin will then say back to Caleb "yes, you did get me buddy and I love you too!"

Today Ethan was praying and at the end of his prayer he says "I love you Jesus...Amen". We then all open our eyes and he blurts out "gotcha Jesus"!
Oh the things our boys say...we sure love them!

Just a phase??

I am not sure if this thumb sucking thing is just a phase right now, but he does it all the time! I think this picture is so sweet, so I wanted to share it will you. It's funny how different each baby is...Caleb ALWAYS had to have his pacifer, infact at age 3 we finally had the "Pipey Fairy" come and take all his pipes away(and leave him a prize). Ethan never wanted a pacifer...just "Giant Puppy". Levi will/would take a pacifer to help fall asleep, however now he is choosing his thumb! We will just have to see what happens with this little guy.

it's been awhile...

Yikes! It's been awhile since we last posted...we have been super busy this past week. Here is whats been going on at the Hart home...

• Sunday, May 18 Levi was dedicated...it was a very special day for us! Betsey's (aunt) Ginny was able to lead it for us, since she is on staff at Mars Hill. We read our covenant to Levi, Kevin's dad played the guitar with the kids and sang "Jesus Loves Me", and Betsey's parents prayed. It was great time and so nice to have family involved, as well as there supporting us.




• Monday, May 19 Caleb had his last day of preschool and then graduated that night. He was so excited the whole day! His preschool had a "western theme" all year long, so that was the theme of graduation. Caleb sang and did the motions so cute. They said they were the class of 2021...crazy! We can hardly believe Caleb will be heading off to Kindergarten this fall. It sure was a fun night!




• Tuesday, May 19 We all went out for supper and to the mall. Kevin, Caleb, and Ethan all got new shoes...and Ethan doesn't want his off! He honestly wore them out of the store and yesterday he took a nap with them on! Getting these NEW "running" shoes is such a big deal to Ethan, because rarely do we go to the STORE for new shoes for him...we just go to the box where Caleb's old shoes are...poor kid!




• Wednesday, May 20 To the doctor...Levi was in for his 4 month check-up. He weighs 18lbs 8oz and is 27 inches long...he's off the charts! Caleb was in too for his shots...he had to get 4 of them for Kindergaten this fall-ouch! He did so good though! 8 shots later, both boys are doing great!

So that's the Hart family low-down. Today we are taking it easy...the boys are watching one of those old Disney "Herbie the Race Car" movies, they just love them.

We are looking forward to this long weekend! Hope you enjoy your Memorial Day!

Day out with Thomas

Last week we took the boys to Detroit...we stayed at a hotel with an indoor water park and the boys had so much fun! The next day we went to Greenfield Village to the "Day out with Thomas" event. The boys had a great time there too, from riding on Thomas the train to meeting Sir Topham Hatt. Levi enjoyed his first ride on Thomas and Caleb & Ethan loved yelling out "All aboard".

As many of you know Ethan is very afraid of characters at theme parks or mascots at sporting events. He loves to look at them, but then when it comes time to actually meet them he gets really scared and will cry if you get too close. While waiting in line to see Sir Topham Hatt we were prepping Ethan for the encounter, encouraging him to be brave. Now, Sir Topham Hatt is the most respected person and all the engines listen to him very carefully because he is the "Superintendent of the Railway". Ethan bravely walks up and smiles for a picture, then takes several steps back and says: "Hey Topham Hatt (that's right he drops the Sir off the most respected person on the Island of Sodor... ) do you know what my name is...Kookoo Head" and then proceeds to laugh. Kevin and I decided he is finally turning the corner on his fear :)

L-Train is on a roll

Yup he's rolling over, however he doesn't like to be on his tummy...but he loves for you to tickle it! Levi has the cutest laugh and just cracks up when we take his onesie off. He has the sweetest smile and grins ear to ear when he sees his big brothers. It's amazing to us how loud K-man and E-bugs will be around him and he just loves it...actually his coo's and "stories" have become a lot louder as well. He loves to sit in his Bumbo or roll on his butterfly gym. Levi is now 14 weeks and we are looking forward to his 4 month appointment in a couple weeks to see how much he weighs. He has the cutest rolls and is just moving right along size wise with clothes. Levi is starting to do a little longer stretch at night(4-5 hours), however I can't complain because he is such a good baby...he just likes to eat!! He is such a joy and a blessing to our family!

Hmmm?!?!

I was telling E-bugs that I have to go to the doctor tomorrow, so he will get to go to Grandma's house during my appointment. He looks at me for a minute and then says "to push the baby back in?"

In my head I am thinking...
A) He is sick of his brother already...yikes!
or
B) For the past year I went to the doctor to "check the baby", so I must need Levi back in me for a doctors appointment!

I think I am going with "B" E-bugs seems to really love his brother, except he won't call him Levi yet, only "Baby"! :)

smile...

I just love this picture of the boys, it always makes me smile! Thought you'd enjoy it too!

another try...

Well...we haven't done so good with our blog, but we are going to try it again! Lets hope we do better this time around. We have had an addition since our last post, so we are going to start off with a picture of Levi who is now 3 months!