What We've Been Up To

I haven't been able to blog as much recently as I would like, but want to thank everyone for their positive comments and feedback on how much you are enjoying our family blog! It keeps me motivated to keep sharing...which isn't too tough!

Like everyone, we have had a busy last couple of months, but definitely some memorable and noteworthy things to share. This post will be a bit of a potpourri of events and stories, so hopefully you enjoy!

April seemed to come and go in a fury, but definitely highlighted for Evan and I with our short get-away to Dallas. Evan had to attend a work conference there and graciously invited me to attend with him, and I eagerly obliged. Grandma and Papa Chocolate (the Forman girls had trouble saying "Gottschalk", to them it sounded more like "chocolate", hence the moniker) willingly agreed to keep Jane for a couple of days. We headed to Dallas and were met with thunderstorms and rain for nearly the entire time we were there! Not quite what we were expecting, but we still enjoyed ourselves; we went to a couple of movies, did some shopping, relaxed, went out to eat, and enjoyed the break for a little a bit. Of course, we were ready to come home to see how everyone survived. Jane seemed well rested....but I'm not sure about her caretakers!

May came and we were very excited for Grandma and Grandpa Gottschalk to head back to Rochester from their winter spent in Florida. I think they, too, were a little excited to come back and meet their newest little Rochester neighbor!
I also enjoyed my very 1st Mother's Day this year! Even though we had to spend some time on water damage control in our basement, I still enjoyed being with Evan and Jane. I was also invited to a Mother/Daughter banquet at Grace Church with Grandma Gottschalk, Mom Gottschalk, Leslie, and Jane - 4 generations of Gottschalk women in one space! We had a Gottschalk mini-reunion as well, men included, for dinner on Saturday evening before Mother's Day. It was great to see everyone and spend some time visiting.

Jane is obviously having a great time with her dance partner (Aunt Lana) who got cut out of this picture...sorry!

Dancing, again, but this time with Uncle Kyle. I mean, who dresses this chick?!

Still wanting to eat/gnaw on everything she comes in contact with...

The last few months we have been introducing Jane to all sorts of fun foods; watching her slowly test the taste, make faces, grunt for more, and of course, spit some out. So far, it is unanimous amongst all feeders that our little gal loves to eat from a spoon. She sees it coming and I think her jaw nearly unhinges and stays open. She also (like her mother) loves to comment on each bite....lots of "mmm's" and excited grunts (well, I don't actually grunt). It's been a lot of fun to try new things and continue to watch her grow!

A very big girl in her very big high chair. Very cool.

A lot of concentration and enjoyment when it comes to eating...in true Kubala/Gottschalk fashion

"Dad...you're embarassing me!"