Snowshoe

We got a bunny! Mitch decided that the kids needed a pet, and I guess he was right. A rabbit seemed to be the best pet for now.  He is very low maintenance and the kids really love this little guy. They named him Snowshoe and they, especailly Jackson, have done a great job and taking care of him. I also want to point out that Jackson took this picture. He likes to tell me he is a photographer, and this image seems to show that he is right.

We also have a artist. I found this drawing on the white board the same day that we got Snowshoe.

The Screaming Eagle

Jackson had his second pinewood Derby this past February.  Sadly, the Screaming Eagle did not do as well as last year's car, but Jackson still had fun.

Asher had a basketball game that same night so it was a, divide and conquer, kind of night. I took Greta with me to the Asher's game and Lily got to go with Mitch and Jackson to the Pinewood Derby.  She had so much fun playing with the other little sisters.

I love pigtails so much!

Sunday best

I just thought my kids look really cute at church today and so I wanted some pictures.  They didn't turn out that great since my kiddos can't seem to hold still, but this is who they are right now and I wouldn't change it for anything!

Sorry no Greta. She was way to tired after church to let me take a picture, but I feel pretty confident that there is no shortage of picture of that little girl.

Roatan, the third port

Our third port was Roatan, Honduras.  Again we had rain, but the air and water were warm, and the island was lush and beautiful.

The plan for the day was a canopy zip line tour, and snorkeling.  Since we had such a larger group we were in two different cars. Mitch and I were in a car with Morgan and Rachel, while the rest of the group drove ahead in a larger van.   Of course, the car we were in broke down when we stopped for a picture.  The funny thing is, when we jumped back in the car and it wouldn't start, I wasn't even surprised. I think I kind of expected it.

This picture is the picture we stopped for. He didn't just stop for us.  It was part of the tour.  

We had to wait around for awhile for a new car while the larger group was waiting for us at the canopy tour.  After a while they had to go on ahead without us.

This is the first group. I opted out of the zip lining, with my irrational fear of heights rearing it's ugly head.  So, group 2 was just Mitchell, Morgan and Rachel. Group two. The whole group.  Can you find Mitch? At the Zip line place there was a boy walking around with a capuchin monkey. Of course we all had to get pictures.
After the zip line we went snorkeling out on the reef. It was as beautiful place to snorkel. We saw so many fish, coral, conch and all kinds of beautiful sea life.
I was surprised to hear our guide told some people in our group they could take shells as long as there wasn't an animal living inside. Melissa grabbed the beauty below.  The guide checked it, said there wasn't an animal inside and so she took it back to the boat with her. As they were getting ready for dinner, this critter climbed out! They properly retuned it to the sea. That evening we hung out on the Serenity deck talking and telling some incredibly funny stories. I was surprised that there were stories I hadn't heard before since I have been hanging out with the Parrish family since I was 14 years old. It was a really fun night.
This is the towel animal we found we we returned to our room.  Pretty darn cute.

Greta Jane:week 41

Greta Jane: week 40

She's Growing Up!

The other day I walked in to get Greta from her nap and she had pulled herself up to standing.   So it's time to drop the mattress!  I have mixed feelings about this.   I love my tiny little babies that sleep peacefully in the middle of their crib.  When you come to get them when they wake up, they are exactly where there were you you laid them down.  But, I also love coming in and seeing them standing up, with a big smile to greet you when you walk in.

Before:


After:

Greta: 9 months

This little girl has grown up so much in the past few months. She has gone from barely sitting to pushing herself up to sitting from her belly. She was moving around through a system of rolling and launching herself forward, and now she is crawling for real.  The other day I walked in to get her up from her nap and she had pulled herself up in her crib, so I had to drop the mattress down.  She is babbling and making what we think are recognizable sounds.  Mitch is convinced that she is saying Dada, and I must admit, he might just be right, (darn, I was hoping I would get at least one of my kids!)

She remains the happiest, sweetest smily baby.  My Grandma Ruth put it best.  She said that Greta is exhausting, because she is constantly smiling at you, and so you have to smile back.   She just keeps smiling, so you just keep smiling, until you just can't keep it up.  Just, exhausting!  I have to say there are worse things.

Here are her 9 months stats:

Length: 29 inches (90%)

Weight: 17 lbs 13. oz (31%, by far our skinniest baby)

Head: 42.8 cm (17%)

I realize I just posted a lot of pictures from Greta's 9 month pictures, but it  is just too hard to cut it down, she is just so cute and photogenic!  Just one more.  I don't know why, but I love baby butt crack!