Heritage Festival

A couple weekends ago we went to the "Heritage Festival" at the park near our home. There was a little something there for each of us...
Hoop skirts for me.
A petting zoo for Joshua.
An Army set-up including Jeeps for Nathan.
An old car show for Greg.

For the Love of Bugs!

The other morning Nathan found a large, incredibly creepy bug in our house. I remembered that I've had tucked up in my closet some "bug kits" I found at the dollar store a few months ago (part of a stash I collected as "perks" to have for the early days after Elizabeth was born). What ensued was a fun morning of bug collecting...or at least a great attempt. We packed a snack and headed for the bike trail near our home. I'm not sure that any actual bugs were caught...I'm quite sure that if there were...they were killed with the tweezers before they ever made it to the containers. But, a really good time was had by all!

Sailing...From Start to Finish

Michael's Craft Store has some great building "kits" for $1 each. We've tried several different ones, but our favorite so far has been the sail boat. The kit includes the wood, sandpaper, glue, paint, and paint brush. I was amazed that both boys spent an hour or so working their boats over. Later that evening we took them to the park to try them in the river. It was a magical moment! (If only the boats had been designed to float!)

A Few of Our Favorite Things...

It's been too long since I've posted the daily happenings around here. So, in an attempt to do a little catch-up...here are a few of this month's favorite things.A new baby carrier wrap...I'm borrowing from a friend.

"Baby Gorilla". A puppet from the library that is Joshua's new best friend. Joshua has loved pretending to be a baby gorilla in the past (walking around on his knuckles)...so finding this little guy was the perfect thing! Joshua is a very diligent father...especially when in comes to burping his baby!

A cute watchful brother...he really does just love his "baby sister". He's the first to tell everyone about "Elizabeth Ann".

I call the spot under Greg's chin his "sweet spot". Elizabeth is always content (whether Greg is standing up or laying down) if she's snuggled up there.

You wouldn't want to play a dangerous game like soccer without the proper protective wear. Nathan is such a conscientious boy and Joshua is a willing follower. I just try not to worry what the neighbors must think!

While the Cat's Away...

This weekend Greg has been in Utah for his brother Ethan's mission farewell. We've been "living it up" around here without him. This includes a stop at Goodwill (where we found a special deal...5 clothes items for $5!), lunch and the play place at McDonald's, playing at the park, and crafts from the $1 baskets at Michael's. After we'd totally "splurged" at Michael's, Nathan had a little talk with me in the car. He was pretty sure we'd better stop spending so much money...I think the fact that my 5-year-old is concerned that we're "getting a little bit spoiled" is a good sign that we've survived pretty well without Daddy. =)

Here are some pictures of Nathan and Joshua in their new Sunday outfits...courtesy of our Goodwill shopping spree.

P.S. We really will be glad when Daddy comes home!






Nathan being "Mr. Cool"

Photo Shoot and Photoshop

Nathan just loves all of Elizabeth's clothes! We were lucky enough to get quite a few hand-me-downs from a friend, and Nathan has gone through them all with me, sorting sizes, finding what matches...and eventually planning what to wear for Elizabeth's "photo shoot". I've realized this is his first chance to play dress-ups with a doll! When I told him he got to be my assistant photographer, he even got dressed up himself. (Button-up shirt, tie, belt, etc.) It's him I should have taken pictures of!

The long story short is that the photo shoot itself was disasterous. The pleasant Elizabeth got grumpy...after laying her on the lawn on a blanket, I remembered the lawn has recently been fertilized...the list goes on! So much trying and planning and NOTHING darling to show for it.

The great irony is that after I'd given up...brought Elizabeth back inside...changed her back into her sleeper and wrapped her up and gotten her to sleep...I tried a couple last shots. It's after all the "trying hard" was over that we got the beauty below.

This is the shot as I first took it:

This is after a little fun in Photoshop Elements:

Visit from Mom Franson

After my mom and dad headed home, we had about a week of doing family life on our own. Then, Mom Franson flew in and has been here through this past week. It's been a great time to get to share Elizabeth and be taken care of! We're so grateful she would come!

Family Pictures

Sharing the Moments with Grandparents

We were so lucky and blessed, really, to have my parents come and be with us for more than a week! They arrived the evening before we were induced. It turned out to be such a great chance for Nathan and Joshua to really connect with them again...the first we've seen them since their mission. Couldn't have asked for a better time to be together!

At the Hospital

We had a scheduled induction on Friday, April 17th. After spending all day on pitocin and hoping for progress (with little to none) they kept me in the hospital overnight on some "prepping" medication...and started me on pitocin again the next morning. Finally, mid-morning they broke my water and progress happened! By 1 p.m., Elizabeth was born! We are so grateful to have her safely here!

Nathan and Joshua seeing their little sister for the first time.

Playing peek-a-boo.

Isn't she lovely?!