Last updated on May 6th, 2024 at 10:25 am
As we approach the end of March, I can’t believe how fast the time is going. Our plans over the last month has kept us so busy I honestly don’t know where all the days have gone. It helps that my mom has been here for most of it from the states. Thursday will see her back off to the states which makes me so very sad and emotional but I am grateful for this time we have had and the amazing adventures we have experienced together.
It’s not only the me who has loved having her here this month, the kids have had huge smiles and squealing voices everyday since she got here. It’s always great to have Grandma around for the whole family.
Mommy is loving…
Grandma being here
Grandma being here
And the kids having Grandma here
Daddy is loving…
Golf (it has to be said)
The longer days and lighter evenings
Playing outside with the kids
Buba is loving…
Wearing ‘sweater’ pants (as he calls them)
Baking Easter cookies with Grandma
Loving his new trains
Missy Moo is loving…
Her new baby stroller
Singing and dancing
Playing with Mommy’s hair
Together we are loving…
Daddy taking off time to spend with family
Baking up a storm with Grandma
Taking the slide out of the garage and playing outback
Going to parks with Grandma
Visiting the garden centers (really is a place for us all)
I really can’t believe how fast this first part of the year is starting to go and it will be summer time in the states before we know it. The kids are growing at a rapid rate and we will soon find out what school Buba will be going to. I am so nervous and excited at the same time.
This month’s photos had all been planned out and somehow went the complete opposite direction. The day light disappeared, the cold moved in and Missy Moo was very cranky and crying. I knew since my mom and I were off to Venice we wouldn’t all four be together again to take another photo for March so I made the most of it and just sat on the ground to cuddle with the kids and whatever came from that would be our memories. I put the rug from the back room on the patio stones to sit on and all the sudden the kids were having fun doggy piling Daddy and crawling all over us. It quickly turned into a lovely moment. I love when that happens and I never push the photo thing because I never want them to hate it but it is great to get to capture us each month all together. Even if they are a little grainy and off I still love being motivated to getting them done each month. I look forward to whatever creativity we pull from it each month. Next month, we are off to France so hoping to get some nice sunny family captures for April! Let’s hope it’s not a wash out, flood vest like Venice!
I absolutely love this project and capturing my family as a whole unit each month. I love that it motivates me to capture us each month and I also know that I will cherish all these family portraits forever. This month I am sending you to the beautiful Alex at Bump-to-Baby. Please stop by and see her gorgeous son, Ethan and their beautiful family captures.
Don’t forget Me & Mine has amazing perks for linking up. Each month one lucky family will WIN a photo prize from PhotoBox. I wish you all good luck and thanks for joining us in celebrating family portraits everywhere! I look forward to reading them all over the next few weeks.
Hi there, gorgeous family pics you have here honey.
Always special to get together for a family picture x
Thanks Shannan. We were having fun being silly and even tho MM has a red face from crying we still made the most of it.
I love these photos, in fact they might be my favourite you’ve posted! I ended up doing exactly that, cajoling the boys, Sammy actually now says you get one picture and if it’s no good, tough!!! Ah the boy of a blogger!!! But they are such precious photos aren’t they. Enjoy these last few days with your Mum, so lovely to see all your adventures together xxx
Thanks babes. She leaves tomorrow. Booo! Oh yes sometimes last minute and a bit of fun and chaos makes for great memories. Lol they were a little darker and grainer than I wanted but it was evening light out back. Lol
Love your photos!! And it’s so lovely to hear how much you’ve loved having your Mum here with you xx
Oh yes we have had a ball. Sad she is leaving tomorrow though. Wish she was just down the street to have coffee with. Photos were fun but we should have taken them a few hours earlier so it was lighter. Having too much fun at the park instead. Hahaha
Oh I just love the all pile on picture! Sometimes you just have to let the children be in charge of where the picture’s going and then you get the most lovely photos – I think these might be my favourite of yours yet!
Completely agree Carie. It is fun to let them take over and be themselves. Sometimes I ask them what they want to do for our photos and this time they said pile!!! Lol
it must be so hard for you being so far from your mum but so wonderful to have her visit. LOVE the pile on photo, so cute! x
It’s so amazing having her here but I hate to say goodbye and I hate that she isn’t just around the corner to pop over to have coffee or to play with the kids.
These are lovely photos, so natural and you can really see the sparkle of fun in the kids eyes. It sounds like you’ve had a wonderful month, I hope April is as great (although we are in the same boat, with finding out about school places – eek!) #meandmine
Thanks Jess. Oh yes schools eeek only sixteen more days until we find out. Can’t believe it.
Gorgeous photos as always! 🙂 #meandmine x
Thank you Sophie. They were hilarious trying to take them this month.
These are lovely photos, they look natural and are capturing a real moment xx
Thanks Jess. Yes it definitely was a real moment with tears and all from
The littlest. Lol
I actually love these photos Jenny- you all look so relaxed and happy, they are some of my favourites of yours although I say that every month I am sure! x
Thanks babes. I wish they had been earlier in the day so it was lighter but they were funny so we went with it. Lol
Gotta love a ‘pile-on’ photo! Lovely photos as always and I’m so happy for you that Grandma has come to visit. I live about 400m from my mum so I think we see too much of each other at times 🙂 x
Oh it’s horrible not having her here I hate it. It’s hard at times but I love our visits and I get to stay with her every summer with the kids in the states for two months so we are very lucky.
These are lovely photos. They are really fun too.
Thanks hunny. Wish we could have taken them a few hours earlier in day light.
Gorgeous shots Jenny, you all look so happy and lovely 🙂 xx
Thanks Caroline. They are my faves but I always say that. I love a fun photo.
What a gorgeous family you have xx
Thank you Polly. They keep me busy and happy for sure.
Lovely photos Jenny, Loved catching up on Instagram on your holiday to Venice with your Mum, what a wonderful experience to have with her! and to have her spend time with your little ones, precious xx
Thank you even though it was totally flooding and raining. Hahahaha I really wanted to get some amazing captures of venice in the sunset and all but that went out the window. We still had a great time tho.
These are lovely, I like the natural home surroundings – shows you as the family you are. Just gorgeous! x#MeandMine
Oh thanks Katy. I never thought of it like that. Good way to think.
Lovely photos. And I to love the captures photos of in between moments xx
Such lovely photos – lovely memories. We want to join in, but my family isn’t together all that often any more 🙁 x
You guys are such a beautiful family, these shots are just lovely. Sounds like you enjoyed having mum around. I know how it feels to live away from your mum, mine lives in Wales and I miss her every day. #meandmine xxxxxxx
Thanks hunny. It’s hard being away from family all the time but just makes catching up that much more special and amazing. I have really enjoyed her visiting and so has the kids for sure.
Lovely pics – and there’s nothing like having Grandma around 🙂
Oh so true. The kids have been in high hyper mode ever since she got here. They will be so sad when she leaves. So will I. Boo
Wow, beautiful photos! What a nice idea. Thanks for hosting the linky.
#sharewithme
Oooh, finding out about Buba’s school – what a scary time! Gwenn is only two (nearly anyway) and I’m already nervous about that!! Great photos. I wish I’d joined in with the project this year. Seems a bit late to start now. x
#sharewithme
Oh I know I don’t know how its going to be with him not home all day with us. It definitely came up fast.
Gorgeous photo Jenny! I hear you re finding out about schools- not long to go now for us either, eek! x
Isn’t it lovely when a moment happens like that without you really trying? So going to try and join in with this project next year – the last three months have already flown by so fast I can hardly catch my breath! Gorgeous post as always lovely #sharewithme
It’s really nice for kids to have grandparents around – it makes for extra special times! Love the photos 🙂
Beautiful photos – especially the first one where your children are sitting on Daddy, such a lovely fun shot. So glad that you have had such a lovely time with your mom being around 🙂
Gorgeous photos Jenny and so glad you’ve had such a lovely time with your mum x
Thanks Lisa. We have had a blast. I am sad she is leaving tomorrow. Boo
Wow, Venice and France. Lucky you. Sounds amazing, And amazing for photo’s too.
I am really looking forward to the time when travel becomes easy again. So many places I still need to go.
Glad you are enjoying time with your family and you Mom over. Family is so precious. x
What fun photos. Sometimes the best photos are the ones that happen when you are not trying to make it “perfect”. The little ones keep getting faster and faster these days, so getting non-blury photos are hard sometimes. So glad that you got spend time with your Mommy and look forward to hearing about your France. Fingers crossed the weather is nice.
Has to be one of the best linkys. #sharewithme
It sounds like March has been amazing for you and your family Jenny. I hope it’s not long before you see Grandma again
Love the pics! And you’re so right for appreciating the memory, no matter the quality of the photo. It’s not about composition and lighting that counts, it’s the fact that you’re in the same picture and spending time together. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks Maria. I agree. And sometimes the darker and grainer photos are the best memories ever!!!!
Sounds like you’ve had a lovely month. Time is definitely going so fast!
I love your family portrait!
Thank you Karen. So sweet of you. They were crazy trying to take them this month but great memories in the end.
What a sweet post hon! Really glad you’ve had such a great time with your mum. Gorge photos as always 🙂
Thanks Renee. They are a little grainy and dark for my liking but true captures of us at home.
Lovely pic Jenny and I hope you are enjoying having your mum over xx
Thanks darling. Oh yes we are having a blast.
I love how enthusiastic you are about ‘Grandma being here’!!! No wonder. What a gorgeous family. I bet you’re having a blast. x x
Thanks Suzanne. Oh yes we are two peas in pod. It’s so hard to say goodbye to her too! I can’t wait for summer to go back to America and be with her already.
Beautiful pictures 🙂 Aww I love to go see my mum. Glad your all having a lovely time..
Ahh thanks Claire. We are having a brilliant time but my mom goes back home tomorrow. I am so sad.
Great pictures! Such a beautiful family! I’m glad you’re getting to spend time with your mom and that you guys are able to make some fantastic family memories together!
Thanks so much. We do have so much fun together as a family and great to have my mom included.
It’s great that you’ve had your mum around. Can’t beat that. Spur of the moment photos that aren’t perfect are sometimes the best I think. #sharewithme
Nothing can beat that! We have so much fun together too. Yes these are far from perfect but amazing moments.
Such gorgeous photos! How lovely for you to spend time with your mum, you miss each other so much. I hope you had a wonderful time in Venice
Becky xx
Thanks Becky! We really do miss each other so much and it’s so hard to say goodbye. I hate it. She leaves tomorrow unfortunately. Not staying long enough it feels like. Venice was good but rained heavily so put a little damper on it.
Awww how lovely and what a sweet photo =)
Great photo! Love your boy on this! the year is going so quickly, I find myself wishing it to be summer but then wanting time to sloooowwww down!!
I know me too. I keep feeling like back and forth about it all. Hurry up, no, slow down! It’s definitely mixed feelings but it will be so good for him. He is ready! Thanks hunny they are a little dark and grainy but good moment.
we know how you feel. My Grandma helped in the first year I was born then moved back to Ireland, I miss all the times spent together as a family and I know she misses me too. It’s hard sometimes without the support and not seeing loved ones daily, but we just need to remember we are always in their thoughts. Hope you have a nice holiday to France soon x #Sharewithme
Thanks hunny you are so right and we are lucky they can visit and still use technology to stay in touch like facetime. Makes it easier.
Such lovely family photos, so relaxed and fun.
It must be amazing to have your mom with you and to have been to Venice together (despite the poor weather). x
Oh yes it really was such an amazing time together.
How fab having your mum over and daddy being able to spend lots of time with the whole family. Unplanned family photos are the best. Good luck with the weather this month in France – fingers crossed for you! #Sharewithme
Oh yes the unplanned ones are the very best. It’s been great having daddy off and my mom all of us together indeed. So grateful.
Gorgeous pics and glad you had such a nice time with your Mum over. Must be hard saying bye. My auntie and cousins have moved to the States and it’s a weird feeling!! Thanks for the hosting as well xx
I hate saying goodbye. Not that it won’t be long until we are there this summer but still hard nevertheless.
I envy you! I miss my mother. Lovely photos. Is it late for me to realized that you children looks a lot like your hubby! You have a beautiful family =)
Hahahaha not at all. Everyone that only knows me says how much they look like me but really it’s only their blue eyes and blonde hair that’s the same otherwise they look identical to daddy!!! Lol good spot.
The fact that you think your photos are not good makes me think I’m not ready for a photo linky yet! They look fab to me and your family is beautiful.
I feel so sorry for you not having your mum around all the time. Mine lives on the other side of Scotland and I really miss her when I don’t see her.
Oh thanks hunny. No I am just a perfectionist and we missed the sun going down so they were darker than normal. I bet yours are lovely. Definitely link up. Linky help us get better by practice. Lol yes today’s a sad day saying bye to Mommy. Boo
What lovely photos of you all.
Glad you enjoyed your quality time with your Mom 🙂 x
Thanks Jayne, oh yes my momma and I know how to make up for lost time for sure. We had a blast. So excited to be going back to the states for two months this summer too.
These are such a fantastic set of photos, like you said so simply done, in your garden with a rug on the floor! Such a beautiful family
Thanks Stephanie. Oh yes simple sometimes is best and the kids just want to be in their own element having fun. Sad they are darker than I wanted but the sun went down on us before we realized.
Such gorgeous photos of you all and lovely to see you’ve had such a fab time with your mum here. xx
Thank you Jo. I really have had a blast and wish she could stay longer.
A really nice natural photo of you all. You’ve inspired me to try & capture one of my family now.
Thank you. Not the best quality but definitely the best memories made. Yes you should it’s a great photo project to help remind and motivate me to keep capturing us all together.
“Sweater pants” – that made me chortle. So cute! Ah it sounds like you had such a lovely time with your mum – I can see where you got your love of baking from! These are a lovely collection of family photos and once again you have reminded me to try and do the same. We have so few of us all together! xx
Oh yes my momma is a very talented lady. I have learned everything I know from her and her skills. Can’t wait to bake up a storm this summer and practice styling her food too. lol Thanks hunny. Yes, sweater pants sounds cute but not when he wants to wear the same exact pair everyday for a week. hahahaha
Lovely post and great photos, I’m so rubbish at taking any good pictures like these. It’s so hard getting both kids to cooperate and to be good moods, you all look so natural and happy x
Thanks. I wish they had been a few hours earlier so the daylight would have still been there.
Stunning Photo Jenny, you all look so happy and relaxed. I do not live my parents they are only the other side of the UK and that is hard. So I have no idea how you feel, being so far away but her great opportunity to make the most of your time together. I so need to organise myself and join this linky I love it x
Thanks Sarah. Even a few hours can make a difference as it’s hard to get together when life gets busy.
What lovely photos! I hardly have any nice photos of my little family, my husband hates having his photo taken its such a shame! Having limited amounts of time with family really makes you appreciate the time you do share with them, doesn’t it?
Carolyn
Yes mine too. Bribery has to come into play for our once a month photos. It took me a lot to get him to join but he is now glad he did and has these memories with us too. Yes it really does darling. Thanks.
Me and Mine is such a lovely linky. I need to start taking part. You have a gorgeous family Jenny. xx
Thank you Harriet. Oh yes you should it’s so lovely to have a little motivation to capture the whole family each month. So fun too getting creative.
I love your family shots. Makes me jealous that 4 years down the line we still don’t have one.
Oh yes, and the school application date approaches. Scary, but hopefully we’ll all get where we want.
My fingers are crossed that everyone gets what they want. I know that never happens but I am hopeful. Oh hunny get that camera timed and snap a few on the couch or playing outside together. It doesn’t have to be posed. I didn’t have many of when mm was little but we have lots now.
Love these photos, really fun and natural 🙂 I’m glad you’ve had such a good time with your mum, sorry she’s heading back tomorrow, but not too long till your long summer over here xx
Yes I am counting the days until our trip there this summer. Two solid months of sunshine and family. Going to be great.
It’s great that you’ve spent lots of time with your mum. Thinking of you for tomorrow. x
Thanks Mel we had so much fun together as always. Can’t wait to take the kids to america for the summer again.
Ahh what a jam packed month you’ve had and Grandma is most definitely a firm favourite.. Hope you had an amazing time in Venice too x
Thanks darling. Grandma has been and gone now. So sad. Hate saying goodbye. We had fun though.
I love these photos. We really need to take more photos when we get the chance!
Mums being around is also awesome, hope you’ve really enjoyed having her with you.
Oh yes we have had a lovely time together especially the kids. They can’t wait to see her again in June in the states. It’s great to capture the family each month.
Reading your post has reminded me of something I have been needing to remind myself! We have very few photos of the three of us together as we also live away from family so don’t have the people around to capture those photos naturally. After reading this I must get that camera out and get the timer on! #sharewithme
Oh yes I have no one around to help out each month either. Almost all of mine are timer and run!!! Lol but I love capturing us together.
What beautiful photos and memories, I recently joined in with the “Me & Mine” linky and it reminds me to take more photos as a family. We really don’t have that many together.
Oh that’s fabulous hunny. It’s such a great photo project for families. Helps me do it each month and I love seeing them all.
This time last year I was waiting to find out about the big ones place at school. It’s such an emotional time from now until September. 2 terms of reception down and I can safely say from the otherside it is lovely to see how they thrive at school and amazing how much they learn. We had parents evening on Tuesday and I am very proud Mummy right now. 🙂
Oh you have made me just so excited about being a school mom. Lol parents evening oh dear they grow up so fast. Good to be a proud Mommy!
This is such a gorgeous post and even more gorgeous photos. It sounds like you’ve all had a wonderful time with Grandma! I hope she can make it back over again soon 🙂 #sharewithme
Oh me too. It was two years since her last visit. Wish she could visit more often. Thanks hunny. It’s been a good month.
Absolutely gorgeous photos of you guys. Missy Moo has gotten so big lately. Growing up far to fast! x #MeandMine
Yes definitely growing up so fast. I can’t believe it either. Thanks hunny.
Aww what a lovely time with grandma being here! I lived in Aus for 7 years without my mum, it’s the hardest thing ever – I bet you’ve all appreciated every second with her being there 🙂 Mim @ http://www.mamamim.com #sharewithme
Thanks Mim. It really was. It’s hard to be far away from family.
What a lovely post! gorgeous natural pictures of you all. I live in the south of London and my mum lives in Manchester. I miss her loads even though we have lived apart for 14 years! Making the most of the time we get to spend together is so important. #sharewithme
Oh yes it really is and even if it’s just a train ride life gets busy and it’s hard to see family as much close or not. Thanks Rachel.
The Mother says – These are always the best types of photos as they’re natural and not posed. Great idea and such a lovely way to learn about other bloggers xx #sharewithme
Thanks we love a good natural photo. And always have fun with this project each month.
Aaah you must really miss your mum — it must be so lovely to have her over for a visit. Such lovely pics of you all— your little Missy is looking just like you! #MeandMine
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Thank you Caro. I have so much to share of our adventures after Easter. Can’t wait. It was a lovely time together.
Sounds like a fabulous month… And happy photos to prove it! Love that bottom one especially! So sweet… Hope your farewell to your Mum wasn’t too hard. Goodbyes are never nice.xx
It truly was but I am rubbish at goodbyes for sure. I get way too emotional. Thanks Hun.