Cousins

I think this may be the very first shot of these four little people all together.  The first of millions more, I'm sure.  I'm so happy I thought to grab my camera and get some pictures of cousin time.

Poor Lincoln, you're so outnumbered by the girls.  Ask Papa...he'll tell you all about it :)

I literally could not believe my eyes when Abby willingly went in the pool with that life jacket on.  No matter how often we took her to swim lessons she's always been a little tentative of swimming in our pool.  I think it's always on the cool side for her and the fact that there is no shallow end for her to step on has worked against us.  But, one Dory life jacket/water wing combo and she was all in!  I'm so excited for a summer of swimming pools and no tears.  Now to work on Hazel....

1 Family x 12 (June)

It was a busy birthday weekend at the McGrath house and I've got lots more to share, but I wanted to make sure to squeeze our monthly photo in before the end of the month.  Happy birthday, Hazel Basil!

Abby's First Ballet Recital

This past Christmas Ellyn decided that she wanted to get Abby ballet lessons as a present.  It was a great idea.  We've been going every week to class and Father's day weekend Abby had her first ever ballet recital.  If I'm honest, neither she, nor I, had any clue what we were in for.  I'm amazed how much work (and time) goes into putting on these recitals.  Good lord, if this is just a peek and what's in store for us in the future years...we're going to be spending lots and lots of time waiting around for our kids to preform/play/practice etc.

I suppose I always knew that would be the case, but doing this little recital was our first real peek at what the coming years may look like with our kids in activities.  A few weekends before the recital we had picture day.  The kids needed to be dressed, with makeup, and there 30 minutes prior to their time slot.  The whole process took about 3 hours!   Then, three days before the big show we had mandatory dress rehearsals.  Again, dressed, in makeup, and there 30 minutes prior....3 more hours out of the middle of the day.  Finally, the day of the show another 4-5 hours all for her 3 minute debut.

I'm not complaining, trust me.  It was fun to have some Mommy/Daughter time just with Abby.  With Hazel around now I find that I'm spending less one on one time with either of the girls.  But, so. much. time!!

I'm not sure yet how Abby feels about the whole thing.  She is so loud and outgoing with me and kids she knows but she was so shy when it came time to perform.  You'll see for yourself in a few videos I snagged.  She's adorable and it was so cute to see all the little Minnie Mice on stage.  We're going to take some time off ballet for a bit here.  There's lots going on these days.  So, will we do ballet again?  Hard to say...maybe we'll keep trying new things until something sticks.

Nightstands

Guys - my husband is REALLY good at building stuff.  It's always the time that we're lacking.  For our wedding he decided he was going to build us a bed.  If you want to see some really old, and pretty terrible pictures of what it looks like, check back here on the blog for pictures of when we first shared the project on the blog.  

So, that was back, what? Like 6 years ago now.  Fast forward to a few months ago when the house projects here had finally tapered off and we stated talking about what we should work on next.  We've both been wanting to get a bedroom set that matches, but, it too takes time (or money).  We've got two dressers that match, but don't match the bed and we had two mismatched nightstands.  So - being the smaller pieces we thought we'd start with those first.

Don't they look amazing?  I'm so lucky to have such a talented husband who enjoy wood working.  It'll take some time, but sooner or later we'll have an entire bedroom set of furniture that was all hand made.  Talk about heirloom pieces to hand down for generations.  The girls better not even THINK of spraying these with paint to match whatever is trendy or cool at the time.  The wood is too beautiful to cover up!

1 Family x 12 (May)

Memorial day weekend and the official kick off to summer!!  We squeezed this family photo in just in the nick of time...turned out pretty cute (thanks Auntie Erin!).

Let the days of swim suits, sandy toes and pop-cycles begin!