Simple Candid and Nourishing

Family Albums-My Simple Approach

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 21:16:00 +0000

I've been getting a lot of questions lately about how I capture my families memories and put them into books. I thought I would take some time to write it all down so people can see pictures of what I do as well as the details of how I make my books.

But first a disclaimer. Some of you are going to read this and feel discouraged because you don't take a lot of photos of your family or you are years behind in getting them into albums. Please don't let this post do that to you. Here is the thing....we all do things for our families and children that other don't. For example, I don't plan big themed birthday parties for my kids, I don't have a garden, heck I hardly can keep any plant alive. I don't do amazing crafts with my kids, or make cards, or any crafts like that. This is pretty much my thing. The thing I've decided that I'm going to try to prioritize. Partly because it is life giving to me and I really enjoy it, and partly because it is something I really value and want to make a priority. So as you read this keep in mind that there are a lot of things I don't do in order to make this a priority. Some of the things I don't do are probably some of the things you do. So are we agreed, no feeling discouraged reading this post. Grace abounds my dear friends and we are all just doing the best we can to love our families and live in this crazy world!

Ok, so now that that is agreed upon here is how I make my albums. It didn't take me long in motherhood to figure out that I need to find a simple system for capturing our memories and putting them into some sort of album. Now, after having 3 babies in 4 years I'm even more aware of needing to simplify as I go. This is by no means a the "right" or only way to do this but it is what I've decided works for me.

Baby Books

I've decided that each of my kids will get a an album of their first year of life. After that everything will go into our family albums. I may decide later to do something for each kid but for now I'm just making a family album for each year. I use Blurb for both kinds of albums.

For their baby books I keep things pretty simple. The first part of the book has a few maternity pictures, pictures of their birth and their birth stories. I then do pages of their first few weeks of life. You will see that most of my layouts have just one or two pictures on them, except for the month pages I do. Then for each month I try to have a picture of Adam and I with the baby and then I try to take 8 pictures each month or pick my favorite 8 pictures. You can see an example below. I also write a few highlights for each month. I keep track of those using the Day One app on my iPhone. More on that in a few minutes.

So, I have this layout for each month of their first year and then I also pick my two favorite photos and do full size layouts of those. See Below. Isn't he so precious?

I will also do a layout for special events like their first haircut, 6 month pictures, their dedication, first birthday party etc.

When I was doing Lyla's album a few years ago, I wasn't sure what to do with all of the pictures I had of her with our extended family so I decided at the back of the book to just randomly place all of the photos of her with our family in the back of the book.

And then I always end their album with a letter from both Adam and I telling them about their first year and how much we love them.

Now that I have this system I have the layouts saved in Blurb (I'll share more about Blurb at the bottom of this post) and now with Lucy I try at the end of each month to just put the pictures write into her album. So I already have the first three months of her album done. It usually only takes a few minutes if I already have the pictures edited.

And that is how I do our baby albums.

Family Albums

Now onto family albums. At first the thought of doing a whole year album completely overwhelmed me but now I again have a simple system and it has made doing each year much easier.

I'm trying to get in the habit at the end of the month doing 4 things.

1. Upload all my photos from that month and ideally edit them

2. Upload both Adam and my pictures of of our phone and back up to Thislife

3. Write our happenings for the month in my DayOne app

4. Back up my computer

If I do these things making my albums is really easy. Here is how I do it.

For each month I have a title page with the Month. I will then go to my DayOne app and look up everything that happened for the month. I'll include funny things the kids did, milestones, and just an over view of our month.

Then I just add our photos. I do not journal anything besides the title page for each month. I know that probably makes some of you cringe but if I'm going to do this every month for every year, I have to keep it simple. I do write my kids letters on each of their birthdays I write down other things in my DayOne app that I can look at later for memories, but for albums this is it. I will also do one page for each kids birthday that recaps them at each age. I will include funny things they say or do, their favorite things to do or favorite books etc. This way I have one page for each kid each year that is a little more personal.

Otherwise, I again only put a few pictures on each page. I like my layouts very simple. White background and only a few pictures. I try to take pictures that tell the story of our family. I should have taken pictures of a few examples of that but I oh well. Maybe a different post for a different day.

I'm not sure if I will do this every year but in 2012 I added a page of our instagram pictures at the end of each month.

And that is it. I know it is looks very involved but now that I have a system it really doesn't take me long.

Questions and Information:

I use Blurb for my albums and have been so impressed with everything about them. Some people have asked why Blurb over Shutterfly or something similiar? I started seeing several professional photographers mentioning Blurb so I checked it out. I thought it would be really expensive but it really isn't. Here is what I like:

I can download the program onto my computer and don't have to be on the internet to work on my albums.
I can save my templates and even import former templates of whole books so I don't have to reinvent the wheel every time.
The quality is so good. For my baby albums I upgrade to their proline paper. I like the uncoated one but you can order a swatch kit of their different papers to be sure you get what you like. Our family albums are too long to use a thicker paper but even their standard paper is great.
For the quality the price is really good. Our 2012 family album was just over 300 pages and with a 20% off coupon the book was $80. If you sign up for their emails they send out coupon codes often.
Their customer support is amazing. For Lyla's one year album I didn't like the paper and wrote them and they printed me a new one for free. For Lucas' one year album somehow I got the dust jacket format instead of the image wrap and they again printed me a new one. Amazing!
I like to use the standard landscape book with the hardcover image wrap.

Other Information

I have mentioned the iPhone app DayOne and it has been the easiest way for me to keep track of our family memories. Since it is on my phone I just try to write things in their often. Funny things the kids say or do, something that happened that I don't want to forget. I mentioned above I write a recap of the month and then use that when I make my albums. I also have the app on my iPad and have used it for my own personal journaling.

We also use the app ThisLife. It was just bought by Shutterfly and it is a place you can backup your photos from all of your devices so your pictures are always safe. You can also have your Instagram photos automatically backed up there. It has been a great way to make sure all of the photos and videos on our phones get backed up.

Ok, I think that is it. Let me know in the comments if you have more specific questions and I'll try to answer them. Remember the best place to start is right where you are. If you have no system yet or have years of photos you want to put in albums don't start 10 years ago. Start right now with this summer. I am pretty behind right now but when I had some time I started with Lucy's album because it was motivating to be up to date on something. Now go make some memories.

My Review of Bread and Wine-My New Favorite Book

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:30:00 +0000

Today I'm excited to share my review of my new favorite book, Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist. I have been a long time fan of Shauna and her writing style. When I first read her book Cold Tangerines, I could not put it down. It made me laugh and cry, like all three of her books have done, and I always feel like I am connecting with a friend when I read her work. She is honest and genuine and doesn't shy away from sharing her heart. It's hard for me to pick a favorite of her three books, but I might have to pick this one, just because of the fabulous recipes that are included and because of how she connects the sacredness of sharing a meal with the people you love.

Let me just start by saying that I read this book in two days, and I have two children under two. Every free moment I had, I found myself running to pick up this book. And when I finished it, I was so sad it was over. I quickly found myself in the kitchen making several of her recipes, reenergized to cook good food for my friends and family. The week after I finished her book, I hosted a gathering for a friend who is going through very difficult circumstances and a golden birthday Oscar party for my sister, all in the same weekend. It was fun to quickly incorporate some of her ideas and recipes.

Reading Bread and Wine, put a deep desire inside of me to create the community around the table that Shauna writes about. What I love about the book is she makes it easy and points out that it doesn't matter if you make the food or serve a frozen pizza and a salad. What matters is that you invite people into your home, and your heart.

"If you don't cook, begin by inviting people over. Order pizza and serve it with a green salad and a bottled salad dressing. Get comfortable with people in your home, with the mess and the chaos. Focus on making people comfortable, on creating a space protected from the rush and chaos of daily life, a space full of laughter and safety and soul. Then next time or the time after that, try grilled flatbread pizzas and make your own vinaigrette for the salad. The next time, try a dessert and an appetizer, and little by little, build a sense of muscle memory, a body of knowledge, a set of patterns for how your home and your heart open and expand when the people you love are gathered around your table."

What I love about this book is it covers not just the practical parts of eating and serving food, but the heart parts as well. She discusses everything from her body image and struggle with food, to how to host a simple and fancy dinner party.

"That's how this is for me. I've been catastrophizing about my weight since I was six. I've lost pounds and gained them, made and abandoned plans and promises, cried tears of frustration, pinched the backs of my upper arms with hatred that scares me. And through all that, I've made friends and fallen in love, gotten married and become a mother. I've written and traveled and stayed up late with people I love. I've walked on the beach and on glittering city streets. I've kissed my baby's cheeks and danced with my husband and laughed till I cried with my best friends, and through all that it didn't matter that I was heavier than I wanted to be. The extra pounds didn't matter, as I look back, but the shame that came with those extra pounds was like an infectious disease. That's what I remember. And so these days, my mind and my heart are focused less on the pounds and more on what it means to live without shame, to exchange the heavy and corrosive self-loathing for courage and freedom and gratitude. Some days I do just that, and some days I don't, and that seems to be just exactly how life is."

As someone who has also struggled with my weight most of my life and the shame associated with it, There was something freeing for me reading this book. She put words to thoughts I've had and feelings I've felt. And I too want to live a braver more free existence, especially around the topic of food and my weight.

One of the best parts about this book, is the recipes that go along with the chapters. Her blueberry crisp and flour less chocolate brownies have become staples in our home already, especially because they are gluten free. I was so surprised how so many of the recipes are gluten free or can easily be adapted to gluten free. As a family who has recently moved to a gluten free lifestyle, it was a huge blessing.

This review is not doing the book justice. Really, you just need to go out and buy it, like when you finish reading this post, just hop on over to amazon and order a copy for yourself, and while you are at, order a few for some friends. Here is the link. I promise you will not regret it.

Lauren Zoe

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:56:00 +0000

I had the privilege of meeting my good friend Amy's newest baby Lauren last weekend. She is the sweetest little thing and was the easiest baby I've had so far to photograph. She just slept away and let me move her however I wanted for the most part. She definitely has her own look but also looks like her sister Hadley. We are so glad you are here Lauren! Let's hope for your parent's sake that you are easy to parent as you are to photograph.

Little Lincoln

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:29:00 +0000

I was able to meet another adorable little newborn, only a week old. Little Lincoln was a trooper as we tried to capture the newness of this little guy. His parents are on our staff team so it was fun to capture this beautiful little family. Welcome to the world Lincoln. We are so glad you are here.

Snapshots of Our Day

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:58:00 +0000

Today was one of those days that started off with somewhat of a plan but for the life of me I couldn't get it executed. My goal was simply to get the house picked up and a little clean before the weekend. However, my little guy was having a tough day and didn't want mama to put him down. I think we may be going through some separation anxiety. And this mama was tired after a long week of having daddy gone a lot. So, we didn't get a lot done but I did pick up my camera and capture these sweet little ones today.

This girl is finally let me take her picture again and she has been mighty silly at meal times lately. Just look at that smile!

Thanks to the dollar section at Target these window gels kept her busy for quite a while.

More silliness and little Lucas enjoying his train and animals

One of his many short naps today. He just wanted his mama today.

Love this sweet girl and her love for all her babies.

First Decoration

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Lyla And Her Lovies

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 03:01:00 +0000

Lately I've had a strong need to try to document the stage my children are at right now. I think part of it is realizing how many little things I've forgotten about Lyla's first year as we try to remember now that Lucas is at some similar stages. Of course there is so much I do remember but this feeling is making me be intentional about remembering the little things about my little ones.

Lyla has four, wait, five things she has to take to bed with her for every nap and bedtime. When we are getting ready for bed she says, "I need my baby, dolly, blankie, other one, and cake". Let me explain.

She has always had a blankie and last year for Christmas we gave her this doll for Christmas and she started sleeping with it. Then, when Lucas was born, my mom bought her an Itty Bitty Baby from the American girl store and that quickly became her baby and she forgot about her other doll. But then one day she found her other one and started saying it was her "dolly" and it got added to the things we had to have for bedtime.

Then, my mom was wanting to make her another blankie to match the one she had, so one day she brought a piece of fabric home to see how we liked it. Lyla grabbed on to it right away and wouldn't give it up, so now she carries around her blankie and a piece of fabric. She calls it her "other one".

She just received a Strawberry Shortcake doll as an early Christmas present from her cousin and she calls it her "cake". She too has been added to the list of lovies we round up for every nap and bedtime.

One of my favorite things is when you go in to get her from her nap she says, "I need my dolly, baby, blankie, the other one, cake. All'em!" She often says it really fast. As you can see from the pictures below, her hands are quite full. I just was able to get her saying all of it on video today to go with these pictures. Maybe I'll have to post it soon.

October Month by Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 21:14:00 +0000

October 2012

October flew by for us. It was one of Adam's busiest months at work so he was gone a lot. We are so excited for November and having him around more. The big thing this month was celebrating Lyla's 2nd birthday. We had a small family party and then the day after her birthday we invited a few of her friends from school over for a small party. We can't believe we have a two year old and a five month old. Lucas' first year is flying by. I'm excited to cozy in for the winter and really enjoy our little family.

The Fejfar Family

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:13:00 +0000

You may remember a beautiful newborn I photographed just over a year ago named Paige. Well, that newborn is now 13 months old and I was able to spend a little time with her and her parents last weekend. She is now walking and busy and cute as ever. Thanks Fejfar family for allowing me to capture your beautiful family.

Lowery Family Photo Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 02:35:00 +0000

I had the privilege of once again capturing the Lowery Family. We headed to Como Park on a very foggy morning. Thankfully, we were able to capture some fun photos while we waited for the fog to clear, which it did eventually. Thanks for letting me capture your beautiful family once again.

Grimberg Family Photo Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:22:00 +0000

If you have been following this blog for a while, the Grimberg family probably looks familiar. I have had the privilege of capturing this family since Cohen was one, he is almost four. For this photo shoot we headed to down town Minneapolis on a chilly September evening. We had fun running around with these two energetic boys.

September Month In Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 02:10:00 +0000

September was a busy month for our family. It was a little bit of an adjustment because Adam was back to work full time and very busy with the beginning of the school year and working a couple of nights each week. Lucas started rolling over and continues to be a very smiley, verbal baby. Lyla's language really took of and she can pretty much keep a conversation fully now. One of the highlights of the month was a vist from Grandma and Grandpa Go and a trip to the Apple Orchard with some good friends. We continue to be so thankful for these two little lives God has entrusted us with.

She Changed Right Before Me

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 04:08:00 +0000

It happened again, one of those moments in motherhood when you stop and realize your child is different somehow, bigger, more grown up, and while your heart swells with joy and pride, another part of you feels like weeping because she's grown and she will never go back to the way she was before.

It's been one of those weeks with Lyla. Her language has suddenly exploded and she's putting full sentences together. Her imagination is growing and she's making sense of the world, understanding things she didn't before. Every part of me is screaming, "stop, slow down, pay attention because you can't get these days back." And yet I'll admit, I've been stressed and feeling anxious and having a hard time just enjoying the moment. I'm not sure why I've been feeling so stressed, I can't quite but my finger on it. But I've been praying that God would change me heart, help me slow down, and be ok with things undone and not put together, even if it's things in my own heart. Looking at these pictures is helping. I don't want to miss these days, these little moments of joy that God has blessed me with through this little life. So tonight I stop, I remember what happened, and thank God for the privilege of raising this child.

Dear Lyla,

I've been thinking the past few days about how I need to write to you to tell you how much I love you and how much you are growing and changing and becoming the most beautiful little person. You've suddenly become an independent little person. You tell me, "do it, self" and "i'll do it" several times a day and my heart is so proud of you as I watch trying to put on your shoes, or get up on your chair, or whatever it is you want to do. And I'm thankful that sometimes those words proceed with you asking for "help" because it means you still need me.

Your imagination is suddenly becoming so apparent. In the last week your blocks have been a camera, a brush, a phone. Your toy fork and knife were drumsticks, your pot your drum and you banged your drum as we sang "Wheels on the Bus" your favorite song. You also love to find your train track and hold it up like a guitar, as we sing. We drum, strum, dance and sing everyday because it makes you happy.

You are aware of people being sad, especially in books and you always say, "sad" followed by "cuddle" because you know that when your sad you just need a cuddle. I love that you know that and you've connected that because I always want you to know that when you are sad, I'll be here to cuddle.

You are showing your sweet spirit too as you join me as I put Lucas down for his nap. As I rock you say, "Jesus" which means sing "Jesus Name Above All Names" and then you proceed to sing it with me. Sometimes you'll add "I wuv you" which means sing "I Love You Lord. " I love that you know those songs by heart because they are the songs I've sung to you every day as we rock before your naps and bedtime. Rocking you and cuddling you is one of the highlights of my day because you are one busy girl. You don't stop. You always have a plan and an agenda and nothing stops you from completing whatever it is you set your mind too.

I can't get over you, I don't think I ever will. And you'll never know how much I really love you, how much it takes me breath away to think about someone hurting you or something happening to you. Life has been hard for me lately. I've been stressed and hard on myself and watching you is reminding me about how God tells us to be like little children. I want to be more like you. Trusting, joyful, creative, sensitive, and loving, and enjoying every little thing, like the helicopter that flew over us today.

I just wanted to stop and tell you these things because this week it felt like you grew up over night and I just needed to stop and remember these things because they, like you, are precious. Thank you sweet girl for loving me even when I don't do things perfectly. You are becoming one of my dearest friends and I can't wait to walk through this next season with you. Two here we come!

I love you sweet girl,

Your Mama

How Photography Is Making Me A Better Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:03:00 +0000

Today was one of those days, you know the ones where you kind of wish you could go back to bed for a while and start over. Or you could put your almost two year old in front of the TV for the day and just lay in bed and sleep and read novels (don't worry I didn't do that, not that I ever would, but I would worry to much about what all of you thought of me if I did). I don't know if it was the weather, or the fact that my kids have that cold that comes when the weather starts to change, but Lyla was a little out of sorts, and I was tired, and the combination made it a hard day.

I was telling Adam after we got the kids down, how I feel like I need to figure out how to handle my days better, to not get frustrated in my heart, or lose patience as much as I have been the past few weeks. I know only God can really change my heart and believe me, he and I have been having some heart to hearts regarding the condition of my heart. It sounds something like this, "God, please change me, I don't want to be like this with my kids, I'm tired, and frustrated, and feel like this day is going to go on and on forever. I know that my days are going to look like this for a while, for the next few years probably, so I know that I'm the one that needs to change and I need you to change me."

I know that this season is going to fly by and before I know it, I'll be the mom in the checkout at Target looking at the young mom with babies and toddlers and telling her that it goes so fast and to enjoy every minute. I'll probably forgot that as a young mom your trying really hard to enjoy every minute and we know that the days are flying because we haven't even had a chance to go to the bathroom or eat a hot meal without being interrupted. In my head, I know all this, but in my heart I've been feeling like wow, this season is kicking my butt right now.

And then I take some time to unload the photos I took for the day (or the month) to edit them and something changes in my heart and my perspective. I see the little moments in the day that matter and how sweet my children are and how blessed my life is, and all I want to do is cry at how amazing it is and I get excited to see them and cuddle and kiss them in the morning.

I see how this sweet girl, who never stops moving, who brings me books upon books to read throughout the day, who asks me to sing wheels on the bus over and over again, is growing. When she is sleeping my heart stops and I see how long she looks and how she doesn't look like a baby anymore and I'm grateful for every moment I get to have with her.

And I see how this little guy who flashes his smiles at anyone who will give him attention, who is starting to belly laugh, and coos and talks to me when I have him on my lap. He isn't a newborn anymore. He's more and more aware of his surroundings and is figuring out the world around him and all I want to do is scoop him up and hold him close.

I see the friendship that is already forming between my two little ones, the memories they will make together, and yes the trouble they will sometimes get into together.

I see my love, kissing and hugging our babies, and I think about how that fact that he loves our babies so well will change their lives and their futures forever and I fall in love with him all over again.

Looking at these pictures of the three people that mean more to me than anything in the world makes me want to do it all over again tomorrow. They make me realize how blessed I am and how good God is, and how I'm becoming a better person because of these three amazing lives. And even though it's messy and hard and exhausting, it's the greatest work I could ever do and it is so worth it.

Blogging Take 2 ( or is it 3?)

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 03:10:00 +0000

Besides the new blog design here's a picture of the other addition to my life. Lucas James Go

Hello! I'm back from a long blogging break. To be honest, I almost gave up on this blog. Between having a toddler, getting pregnant again, and now having two little ones under the age of two, I had pretty much decided that blogging wasn't for me anymore. But then I found that I was always writing blog posts in my head or thinking that would make a great blog post. I found myself desiring to have a place to share my thoughts and my ideas, and let's face it even my hard days. So, here I am again ready to blog again. But this time, I'm going to let this blog evolve slowly and not be limited by my blog address, or what I think this blog should be about.

When I first started this blog I wanted to share about my three hobbies, or I guess you could say interests: simple living, photography, and nourishing food. While these three things are still my top three interestes, I've realized that the words simple, candid, and nourishing mean so much more than just limiting them to those three interests.

Sometimes simple means getting rid of your to do list, your organizational plan, and simply just sitting and enjoy a beautiful day, or declaring a fun day with your kids to just enjoy they stage they are at or the season you are in. Sometimes candid is way more than photography. It's being genuine and honest about the not so pretty things going on in your heart, like how you've been short with your husband, or you feel like running away for a day just so you can go to the bathroom by yourself and get a full night of sleep. Or to share the ridiculously funny things that happy to you when you are a mom of two little ones. And nourishing, nourishing can represent so much more than food. Like how we need to nourish our hearts and our homes and our families so we and they can be all God has made them to be.

So while I still plan on sharing ideas for simplifying your life, and tips on how to take good pictures, and recipes for nourishing food, I also plan on sharing what God is doing in my heart and in my family as we live this busy and demanding season of life. I'm excited to share with you, whoever you are. I hope you enjoy the new design and the posts to come.

August Month in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:42:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that summer is over and fall is upon us. Summer sure flew by. It might of had something to do with having two little ones under the age of two and adjusting to being a family of four. We were very blessed this summer to have lots of time with Daddy around and we made some fun memories. However, like always I'm excited to get back into a routine as well as enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Here's a peek at what August looked like for our family.

AUGUST 2012

August was a very full month for us. We started it off with a vacation to visit Auntie Angel and her family. It was so much fun to have them meet Lucas and for Lyla to get to play with her cousins. She had a blast following them around and swimming in their pool. Uncle Eric came home from being in Europe all summer, Great Grandma (Gram) came to visit us for a week, we celebrated Adam's, Uncle Eric's, and my birthday. We had a staff retreat to get ready for the school year, and of course their was lots of swimming. Lyla's language really took off and she is starting to put phrases together. It was a sad day for us when she said blueberries instead of "blue-ya-ya" and yogurt instead of "gurt". Lucas became a very smiley baby and was very peaceful and easy going. We are very blessed.

July Month in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Highlights of the Month of July

Lucas started smiling and cooing and almost laughing

Lyla's language really took off

Lyla went potty for the first time on the potty

We had several of play dates with our friends from ECFE

Lyla and daddy went swimming several times a week

We went to some fun places around the Twin Cities

We mostly just spent a lot of quality time as a family

June Month in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Here is what we were up to in the Month of June

We continued to enjoy lots of snuggle time with Lucas

We ventured out to a few places like Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater

Grandpa and Grandma Go came for a visit

Grandpa and Grandma Raymond came for a visit

Lots of people came to visit and meet Lucas

May Month In Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:46:00 +0000

Memories from the Month of May

Johanna came to visit

Mom and Dad went away for a weekend to a conference

Celebrated Mother's Day

Spent lots of time getting ready for Lucas

We rejoiced at the arrival of Lucas James on May 24th

Spent the end of May cuddled at home as a family of four

365home-Day 2 with my adorable little guy

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:22:00 +0000

365home-day 1 with my 3 loves

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:48:00 +0000

April Month in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:25:00 +0000

Once again better late then never. Here is what some highlights of our Month of April.
Daddy worked a lot in April so Lyla and I had some fun dates together at coffee shops etc.
Lyla became even more interested in books and walked around with board books saying, "read, read" all day.
She also continued to be very interested in water and playing in all of our sinks.
We celebrated Easter and Lyla received her first Easter basket.
Lyla started a "Daddy Phase" that is still going strong in May

March Month in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Here is our March Month in Photos almost two months late. As they say, better late than never.
Here is some highlights from the month:
Great Grandma finally was healthy enough to return home to Indiana. We are so thankful God healed her.
We added some things to Lyla's little play area and she loves to hang out there.
Lyla decided to get attached to her baby this month. Baby comes everywhere with us.
Lyla also figured out how to mover her little Ikea chairs all over the house to get what she wants. You can almost always find one in the bathroom or kitchen.
Lyla's little personality continues to come out in new ways. This month we saw some of her silliness as well as how much she watches us. The picture of her with the dustpan shows that she knows what to do when she spills.
Adam and I stepped off campus full time to work on raising mores support.

Lyla's New Little Play Area

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:52:00 +0000

I had been wanting to create a fun space for Lyla for a while. We have slowly gathered and have been given some great toys and pieces to make this happen but it didn't all go together like I had wanted, so a few weeks ago we headed to Ikea to find a few things to pull it all together.

Here is the end result.

We bought this to hang on the wall with wall pockets to put Lyla's books in. She brings books to me all day long now. I cannot recommnend enough to get your books out somewhere where your kids can see them and grab them. We read so much more now.

I had these prints from Ikea from when we did Lyla's nursery. I had these 4 left and thought they would be cute hanging above her little table (also from Ikea). I love how they look. The frames are also from Ikea (can you tell we love Ikea).

We had these little baskets from Ikea already but I put them under her little kitchen to store all of her play food and pots and pans. It's nice to have them out of the way.

We bought this table at Ikea a few months ago. It was only $20 for the table and two chairs. Lyla loves to sit on it and eat her snack or play with her toys. It is pretty light and slid around really easy so we bought a rug at Ikea to put underneath it and that is no longer a problem.

Now Lyla has a little area of her own. She spends alot of time playing in this area everyday!

February Month in Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Hanni Go) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:14:00 +0000

February 2012

We had unusually warm weather one week and a good snow fall the next

Great Grandma and GiGi continued to live with us

Lyla started wanting to do everything by herself, even sucking her nose

Lyla began climbing on and in everything

Lyla's language continued to grow everyday and she showed she knew lots of animal noises

We went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Go

Daddy was home more as we work on raising more support for our ministry

Lyla loved having GiGi and Great Grandma around. She loved to give them both hugs and kisses.

Lyla started to always ask to go bye bye. She would go to the door and say bye bye and coat.

We celebrated Valentine's day with bagels and a special present from for Daddy and Lyla