Just a few pictures, to shed a little sunshine on your day, of our happy, precious, adorable, blue eyed, pretty in pink ALMOST birthday girl! Oh how we love you, Greta Alice!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
sleeping princess
A few weeks ago I had to wake Greta from her afternoon nap and I took the camera in with me. I realized that I have very few pictures of her sleeping. This may be because when she is asleep we leave her alone, we hate to wake her up, as sleep hasn't always come easy with this one . :) :) What is it that is so precious about a sleeping baby? Why do I adore these sweet pictures so much? Here are a few things that I see and I love...
...her clenched fist
...the pink bow atop her head
...she is wearing Hudson's sleep sac
...the baby sweetness of the pink/white gingham sheet
...how she snuggles on her tummy when she sleeps
...that her paci is still in her mouth
...the perfect shape of her ear
...her soft eyelashes closed tight
...those kissable cheeks
Oh sweet baby girl...I love you!
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
selfie
sel·fie
ˈselfē/
noun
informal
- a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.
I find these pictures on my phone frequently....usually there are about 30 of them, all of which are exactly the same. Oh Hudson...
Me and my Greta girl enjoying the fall afternoon.
We met "Mrs. Carla" for a lunch date and play a few weeks ago and we ended our time with a group photo.
Hudson wanted me to send this picture to Nana and Mimi.
Making some fun on one of our many "at home days" because of fall colds. Please excuse the "no shower yet" look. :) :)
Two of our Malaysian students, Hani and Husna and I enjoying a Saturday afternoon stroll around campus.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
#35
The pumpkin patch was grand, but our weekend included lots of other "fun stuff" too. First, a few more pictures and then a list of 35 gifts/blessings.
Roy and I enjoyed a "morning date" at the Farmer's Market, downtown Des Moines.
The biggest decision to make at the Farmer's Market is, "what are we going to eat?" There are so many delicious options and we decided on this s'mores tart, after we had breakfast of course.
Sunday evening we had a mini birthday party with Nana Sue. I call it a mini party because no one else was able to come. Nana being here made it a "party," after all.
A birthday wouldn't be complete without a Dairy Queen ice cream cake.
Me and my favorite girl enjoying some smiles and snuggles.
Here is a list of gifts from my birthday weekend. It includes way too many treats, special gifts from people I love, and beauty of the fall season. :) I am grateful for so much, but here are 35 of my favorite blessings.
1. hot apple cider
2. warm coat, hat, gloves
3. pumpkins, gourds and apples
4. sunshine
5. ice cream cake
6. a crisp fall morning
7. evidence of the change in seasons
8. movie night
9. take out for dinner
10. yoga pants
11. Nana Sue's care
12. fish tacos
13. Skype with my parents
14. birthday phone calls and texts
15. afternoon naps
16. a video birthday message from Kansas
17. gift cards
18. a new book to read
19. live music
20. surprises
21. selfies
22. tennis shoes
23. hugs, smiles and snuggles
24. clean house
25. laughter
26. memories
27. quiet moments
28. an anticipated gift (Emily Ley planner)
29. friendships
30. opening a birthday package with Hudson in our pj's
31. a husband who serves, loves, and helps
32. evening walks
33. Pizza Ranch pizza
34. candy corn
35. a chance to reflect
Thursday, October 15, 2015
The Pumpkin Ranch
Saturday, October 3rd was my 35th birthday. Weekends are the best time to have birthdays because your husbands are home from work and you can spend the day together, and he has all day to make you feel special. :) Yippee! It was a wonderful day and I enjoyed every single moment of it. The big family outing in the afternoon was to The Pumpkin Ranch near Winterset. It was a beautiful fall day, a perfect day for the pumpkin patch, in fact.
Our first stop was the Giant Jumping Pillow. It was so...much...fun!
At first Greta just watched from the sidelines and then I decided to put her in the infant carrier and we did some jumping too. She was all smiles.
Hudson put his climbing skills into motion on the obstacle course.
Our handsome little guy...so thankful for him.
Then it was off to the corn maze. Hudson got really into it this year and loved exploring and finding our way through. Roy was our fearless leader.
Checking out the map to find the hidden signs and punchers for his punchcard.
"We are right here...take a picture, Mommy."
After that, we jumped aboard a hayrack, which took us out to the pumpkin patch.
Greta girl was happy about the hayrack ride, and that it was Mommy's birthday.
In search of the perfect pumpkins...
These two are the best of buddies and its a joy to see them learn, explore, and work together.
A fun shot of Hudson getting a workout on the trampoline.
A family photo to document the beautiful day...
Our Lil' Pumpkin is about to turn ONE.
Buddies!
A peek-a-boo board always allows for a silly picture.
Yep, still 4 feet tall this fall!
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Greta - 11 Months
On October 1st Greta turned 11 months. During the month of September Greta...
...started putting herself to sleep at naps and bedtime and began taking longer naps. Why did I wait so long to train her in doing this? It has been a complete game changer at our house.
...started sleeping through the night
...got her top teeth (slowly popping through)
...continued to be a good eater (yet has more preferences than her brother did)
...started wearing 12 month clothes and size 4 diapers
...loves music and dances (bounces) when she hears it
...decided she wasn't a big fan of being put in her car seat
...went on lots of stroller rides with Mommy and loved talking, babbling and looking around
...will hold a cell phone up to her ear and "talk"
...had her first "drop off" child care experience at BSF
...had her first "official" babysitter, Gina
...constantly pulls up on everything and grabs whatever she can get her hands on
...decided her bib was not necessary and pulls it off frequently
...had her first wagon ride
...likes to give kisses
...signs "more" and "all done" consistently
...will keep a pony tail and bow in
...is a wild woman in the tubby
...loves the steps and climbs them constantly (we need to buy a baby gate for this one)
...likes to ride in the cart when she goes shopping with Mommy
We love you Greta Alice and thank God for the beautiful gift you are!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
beautiful fall days...
We have been so blessed with so many beautiful fall days. This is my favorite season of the year for so many reasons. The crisp cool air, colorful falling leaves, pumpkins, jeans and sweatshirts, my birthday, harvest, and delicious fall flavors, are just a few of my favorite things. We have done our best to soak up the season and spend lots of time outside.
Greta girl, showing off her new tennis shoes (an early birthday gift from Mimi).
Ready to go for a walk with Mommy. She loves her stroller and I love having a walking buddy.
Hudson anticipating his first combine ride of the season. He was literally jumping up and down as we were waiting for the combine to come pick us up.
Greta's first combine ride lasted about 10 minutes. :)
Hudson's favorite park is "Waukee Park." I love my two Lil' Swingers.
Greta has a new found love with grass. She is thrilled when I let her loose and just crawl, explore, grab, and eat the grass. :)
"Here I come, Mommy. I am getting pretty fast, aren't I?"
As I've shared before, the red wagon has been a favorite this season.
Greta is not a huge fan of her jump-a-roo (as you can see) but I still put her in it sometimes, simply because I need her contained and out of trouble for at least 10 minutes.
I will close with this picture because I thought it was a pretty good one, taken by Hudson. He is excited to show off his new fall shoes to everyone.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Time With Those We Love
We enjoyed lots of time with cousins, Nana and Papa, and great grandparents at the end of September. Cousins Clara and Ellsy spent several days at Nana and Papa's house and GG Mary and GG Mel were also here visiting from Arizona at the same time. We took advantage of having them close and tried to soak up as many sweet moments together as we could. Here are some pictures and memories from our time together.
This girl was my first niece and made me an aunt for the first time. We share birthday months and I love her spunky personality and enthusiastic expressions.
Popcorn and sandwiches on a Sunday night at Louise's house.
GG Ells did a great job of keeping the kids entertained.
Greta Alice met Great Grandma Mary Alice for the first time. This was the best picture we got of the two of them together.
Clara, Ellsy, Nana and GG Mary came over for a playdate. The girls loved the red wagon.
We also enjoyed some time in the sandbox. Ellsy was cautious and wanted back in the wagon.
But Clara loved the messiness of the sand.
One of Hudson's favorite games to play in the sandbox is, "Mommy, where are my feet?"
Clara was excited to try out Hudson's play dough toys.
Handsome Hudson enjoying playtime at Nana & Papa's house.
Me and my happy baby girl.
Cousin love...
The time together was a gift, a blessing, and full of special memories.
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