Alone; with FOUR kids

I actually travled alone a lot this summer.  I am quite proud of myself.  I really think it mostly came down to not really knowing what it was really like to be alone with four, so I didn't know it was supposed to be hard.  It was mostly okay.   There were times when Greta wouldn't sleep and that got challenging.  To start off I went alone with the kids to my family's cabin.   With my family there I had a lot of help so I wasn't really alone.  Then, since it was just before Mitch's big Board test I decided I would take the kids to Utah so Mitch could continue to have the house all to himself to study and prepare.  I had my brother Connor book us a hotel room at "his" hotel in American Fork.  We swam, shopped a little and went to a Hershey (part 1) reunion.
The cabin pictures In love with this squished up face. My roommates at the cabin. I can't tell you how much I loved waking up to these two faces! I took the kids out to Pete's Pizza before we headed to Utah. I love these two pictures! This is just so; Lily! Swimming at "Connor's" Hotel.   The kids were playing a game where they were birds of prey. They would sit on their perch and look for fish, then dive in a catch them. Cute kiddos! This sweetheart, just slept peacefully while the kids swam. I have issues with this picture because I take up too much space. Greta was only 7 weeks old though, so I don't feel that bad.  One of the reasons I wanted to go to Utah was to go to this Hershey Reunion. We loved Hershey. Both times we lived there. It was so fun to see and catch up with friends from Hershey I. It was totally worth the extra time alone.
After Mitch took his test, he came down to Utah to take the boys to his family reunion at Bear Lake. I took the girls home and got some much needed sleep. Bear Lake post to come!

Greta Jane: week 6

my girls in their swimsuits.

Beauty

This picture is part of a mini shoot I did in my own backyard.  There are many more pictures to come, but I really wanted to share at least one now.  It might be weeks before I can get the rest of them. 

This picture just makes me happy. I get to be this little girls mom! I get to look out my window everyday and see this view! Life is good!

Greta Jane: week 5

Getting back in the groove

After months of bed rest, a new baby and a move it feels like time to get my groove back.  First order of business; cooking dinner again.  We were blessed to have meals provided by the wonderful women from Partners In Medicine in Hershey for two months, then my Mother-in-law came to visit, and she cooked us great meals.  before that, it was cereal and pizza.  But now, I am ready to get back in the kitchen.  A lot of that has to do with having a kitchen that I love now.  I want to give a shout out to my new favorite cook book; Real Simple, Dinner tonight Done!

Everything I have cooked from this cookbook is truly simple and delicious.  The family has loved it.

I also decided to make jam.  Why not.  Grandma Parrish sent the us home with a jar and the kids pretty much drank it, so I thought I should give it a shot. It was easy, and actually fun. 

Now I just need to start making bread.  I am not quite there yet, but give me some time.  Hopefully I will be back to my old self soon.

Greta at one month

I have to plug my backyard.  SO AMAZING!  I call it my backyard, but you can't really call it that. It's the Montana landscape right out my backdoor.  I wake up every day, look out my windows and feel excitement that I get to live here.  The joy becomes almost overwhelming when you add my daughter to that scenery.  I get to be her mother, she is mine!  This photo shoot was almost too much to take in.  For this shoot I must credit my super awesome husband.  He is so patient with me and my photo shoot addiction.  I couldn't do this one myself and he worked with me, even capturing a few shots himself.  I knew I did right teaching him how to use the camera.
 

Greta Jane: week 4

Sure there are cuter shots, but this one made me laugh every time I saw it.

9 months in the making (I guess it was more like 8)

Bringing Greta Home

We were so ready to bring Greta home. We were so exctited that she was here, and part of our family and we couldn't wait to begin our life as a family of six. Oh yeah, and we had a lot to do in preperation for our move just one week later.

Greta in her "Going Home" outfit.

The, in the car seat, ready to go home picture

When the kids met Greta

The day after Greta was born Jackson, Asher and Lily came to meet their new sister for the first time. 

 I have FOUR kids!

 Lily wasn't too sure about this new little person

 But Asher was in LOVE!

 I just thought that this shot of Lily was too cute not to share

 The proud, and happy Daddy. 

 Again, I just thought this picture was too cute not to share

The kids were so in love with their new baby sister and couldn't get enough of holding here.  Jackson was super protective and wanted to make sure that everyone washed their hands and supported her head.  I unwrapped her once to show them her feet, and Jackson was worried that she would get too cold and made me wrap her back up.  Asher just wanted to hold her the whole time, and Lily, she was happy that my belly was all better, and was really worried about this little person that we were all so taken with.  I was just so happy to have my whole family, all four of my kids all together.  I can't believe I get to be the mother of four!

Greta Jane: Week 3

Greta's FIrst Bath

It is crazy to think that this baby girl was born in one state, and had her first bath in another.  I had to have the shot of her fitting her whole body in the sink knowing that she wouldn't fit very long. 

 It is amazing to me how much she looks like Jackson in this picture.

 I love her sweet peaceful, sleeping face after her bath.