Greta's birthday

We had a big party for Greta in while we were in Utah, almost a full month before her birthday.  But we still had to celebrate on her real birthday.  Since her birthday is Flag Day, we went to a bbq, and then came home and had cake, ice cream and presents.  We had to have cake on her actual birthday, but I had spent a lot of time on the cake for her cake smash shoot and so the cake she ate on her birthday was a store bought red velvet.  She loved it and Lily really loved it.  She made a big mess and was giddy with all the sweetness she got to eat.
Then it was present time. She got a princess castle and a purse filled with all the things babies love to take from their mom's purse. Lily took Greta's presents from her almost as soon as we gave them to her. I don't think she has even seen the purse. Luckily the castle is big enough for both of them to play. She loves it! It plays music and she dances and sings along with the music. It kept her entertained for longer than anything we have found so far.
Happy Birthday Greta!

12 months, or in other words 1 year!

12 months! It's crazy to see how much she changed each month, and yet I can see her the little person she has become from the very beginning. She is a beautiful blessing.

 At one year here are her stats: 

weight: 20 lbs 6 oz 

length: 30 1/2 inches 

 Head: 44.5 cm

Greta Jane: week 52

I did it! 52 weeks, 52 pictures. I even got the week we were on vacation in January, thanks to Jackson. I just had to prove that a fourth child can get as much attention as the first! This has been fun.  I love seeing how much she changed through the year. It is crazy to think that a year has gone by since this amazing little girl came into our lives. We love our sweet little Greta!

Mother's Day

It was just me and the girls this year since Mitch and the boys were off running the Smith River.

What I really wanted for Mother's day this year was pictures with my kids.  I was missing my boys, but I still wanted pictures.  so, I set up the tripod and gave it a try.  Lily was amazingly good and had some really cute moments.  Greta was way to fascinated with my necklace, but her baby legs are so cute she doesn't need to look at the camera to be cute in pictures.  I really love these pictures.  I think they turned out pretty cute considering the circumstance.

These are the test shots before I figured out where the camera needed to be to get my head in the shot. I can't really explain why, but I love these pictures. Lily while I was setting up. This is very her right now.  I love how Blankie had to be a part of these pictures.  Does anyone remember when Blankie was pink?  

Greta Jane: week 51

Only one more week!

The Last Trip to Hershey Park

We had a season pass to Hershey park every year that we were there for residency.  Wendy wasn't able to make it much due to pregnancy and bedrest, but on the rare occasion I got off work early, post call days, or weekends, we would go to the park for a few hours.  In the summer it was really nice to head to the waterpark on the hot days.  Halloween and Christmas were also fun times to be in the park to go trick or treating, or to see Santa's reindeer.   The park is one of the things we will miss the most about Hershey.  Everytime we go to Hershey Park the kids have to measure themselves.  Even if we were just there the week before.    The stroller is for Lily, but the boys always want to hitch a ride.  I put up with it because it is easier to keep everyone together this way. 

The boys first piano recital

Today was the boys first piano recital.  They started lessons a few months ago, (Jackson actually took for a few months in Hershey before we moved.) I was so impressed with how well they did.  They learned very quickly, and were great practicing. I only had to nag them to practice a few times a day.  (I did have to tell them to practice, but really they did a great job of getting in their time.)

Asher played, Ode to Joy, and Thumper. 

Ode to Joy was a duet with his teacher. The amazing Adrienne Chapman.
Asher happily sat at the piano and let me take these pictures after the recital. Jackson played Minuet in G, by J.S. Bach, and Kick-boxing Kangaroo.  
He would not pose for pictures after.  There were treats, so he was gone!
Lily wanted to be in  the pictures with the boys. She insisted, yet would not look at the camera.