Smile

Aside from occassional colic moments and terrorizing car rides, our little Brigg is one of the most smiley and happy babies I have been around. He's often cooing and laughing, especially during diaper changes. But when I pull out the camera, he just looks at it like the bizarre contraption that it is and won't grace me with a smile for all the baby talk in the world. But this time I got him and was so excited to have a big Brigg smile caught on film.

Happy Easter

I finally found my camera charger that Gage hid, so I can upload the Easter pics to go with this post that I wrote some time ago...

I was a negligent mother this year and didn't buy new Easter outfits for the boys. I actually didn't even think about new Easter outfits until late Saturday night when I went scrounging around in their closet to find something they hadn't worn to church yet so everyone wouldn't whisper about us. (Okay, I know that really no one but me pays much attention to what my boys are wearing at church, especially because it's hard to get past the raisin tinted drool and smashed up crackers that inevitably coverGage's ensemble before sacrament meeting is even halfway over; and Brigg just stays in the sling through most of the block so no one sees his clothes.) I am sure that someday both of my boys will thank me for forgoing the matching outfits. Anyway, this was what I came up with at 11pm on Saturday night...

After church on Sunday we let Gage have his Easter basket. He was thrilled with his new book, phone, bubbles and play dough and didn't even notice the absence of sugar.

Then we went to Mimi and Papa's (Kyle's mom and step-dad) house for a delicious Easter dinner. They "hid" a few Easter eggs for Gage to find. They were pretty obvious but Gage still wanted Papa to help him scavenge around the backyard. I made the mistake of showing Gage how to throw the oranges. I thought he would take one orange and throw it around the yard to keep himself occupied for a while, but instead he plucked one orange after another off the tree and chucked them into the pool. Sorry Mimi and Papa!

30!

This year was the big one for me. I have been dreading this day for the past decade. When I turned 25, I started lamenting the loss of my youth and sorrowing over how close I was to 30. Now that ominous day has come and I am feeling sorry for myself. I just keep remembering my childhood when my 30-something parents seemed SO old. It's scary that they are now 50-something and suddenly seem so young to me. You know you are getting old when your parents become more adventurous and exciting than you are. My dad and Carol travel the world looking for dangerously exotic places to hike and sightsee. They have lunch with monks in China, hike the Annapurna circuit in Nepal, clean machine guns for the Israeli army, and hang out at the beach in Africa. And my Mom lives it up in Hawaii, works as a massage therapist at a swanky spa and every time she comes to visit I marvel at how she has sooo much more energy than I do.

But I did have a fun birthday nonetheless. Kyle took me and our friends, Jon and Danielle to dinner at Malees (yum!) on my birthday. I ordered almost everything on the menu. Then my dad and Carol came out that weekend for Brigg’s blessing so I got to spend Saturday with them (which I loved b/c I don’t get to see them nearly enough).

A few days later I went to the spa with my cousins, Kelly and Lynzie. I LOVE Camelback Spa. It was so fun getting massages, almost dying of heat exhaustion in the sauna (sorry Kel, next time we will try to survive a little longer for you), hanging out enjoying some girl talk in the outdoor cabanas, eating lunch by the pool, chilling in the hot tub, etc. I loved every second of it. And the trip to Last Chance on the way home yielded some positive results as well. The day was quite therapeutic and nearly cured my 30 year old blues. Especially when I called home expecting a frenzied husband telling me to hurry b/c he was dying at home with both of the boys, but instead he sweetly told me to take my time, he was having a great time and all was well. I don’t know if that was true, but I can’t express how grateful I was to hear it.

Then to continue my month long birthday celebrating, my sister in law, Cami took me to lunch today. I love the little splash pads they have at the outdoor malls now. It is the only way I can bring Gage with me to lunch and survive. He was so great playing in the water with Alexis while Cams and I ate lunch and chatted. I wish she didn’t live so far away because I would definitely make this a weekly event through the summer.

Brigg's Blessing

A couple Sundays ago we had the privelege of blessing our sweet little boy at church. I am so grateful to have a husband who holds and honors his Priesthood. He gave Brigg such a beautiful blessing and we had so much of our wonderful family there to share it with us. Afterward we had a little family brunch at our house. I love having so much extended family here, but miss those who have moved away.

I couldn't get any of Brigg smiling in his blessing outfit...even when I put it on him the next day and tried. I guess he thought his outfit was kind of dorky, but there were limited options for a very large two month old (he already weighs 14 pounds!!) at Crismon's baby boutique.

**It was extremely bright out that day, hence all the closed and squinty eyes in the photos. :)

All the guys who helped bless Brigg.

Brigg's middle name is Joel, after my dad. We pray that he grows up to be as wonderful and strong in the gospel as his grandpa.

Papa Whitmer

Brigg loves his Aunt Cami. I've never seen him sleep so soundly on anyone (myself included). I think he was bonding with little Scott (his cousin who will be joining us in July).

My Aunt Jenny, Uncle John and cousin, Kristy

My cousins, Danny, Lynzie and Evelyn.

Aunt Terri and my cousin, Kelly.

Brock and Tara and my cousins, McKade and Amber

Gage's Self Portrait Photos

I got some surprise photos when I downloaded my pictures today. Gage loves to sneak my camera out of it's hiding place whenever he is left unattended for a few moments. He has a very artistic approach to photography, don't you think?