Jackson Hole

While Briant's parents were visiting us this past week, we decided it would be fun to go to Jackson Hole, WY.  Andrew's first trip out of the state!  I was a little skeptical about Andrew and worried he wouldn't do well on the drive (he had had a few episodes of not doing well in the car lately), but all in all he did VERY well!!!

Actually this is what he did the whole way up there.

We had lots of fun there.  We mostly just walked around and looked at the shops and saw the sights.  We also had had a yummy pastry from a bakery, and saw the Great Harvest store too. Briant and I went to 3 or 4 Art Galleries.  I didn't get my fix seeing the photos at the fair this year so I absolutely loved all the photos and paintings in Jackson!  Thank goodness for the stroller that the Bailey's let us borrow!  Thanks again!!!

Andrew is getting more and more alert.  I absolutely love the facial expressions in all our pictures.

We got pictures in all the traditional places...

Then we drove out a ways to get some pictures by the Tetons.  This is what Andrew did on the way out there...

...read Chugga Chugga Choo Choo...

"engine black and red caboose"

...watched himself in the mirror above his car seat...

... he really was intrigued with that handsome baby staring back at him...

When we got there we took a few pictures:

Then, we fed Andrew.  Another cute alert facial expression after he ate...

We had such a great time with GG and Pop Pop in Jackson!!

And Andrew did too... even though he doesn't look happy in any of the pictures they got with him.

When we were about 30 minutes from home, Andrew let us know he had had enough of being in his car seat.  He wasn't hungry, just bored (and it was dark, so he couldn't see anything).  After trying everything, as a last resort I got out my phone.  It has a flashlight app with some cool features, one of which is called disco. It changes colors every few seconds and has a spinning pattern.  Once Andrew saw it, he was fascinated!  He watched it for a good 15 minutes, & every time it turned red, his eyes would open bigger.  It was really funny, I couldn't stop laughing.  He does like to watch TV...
After he got tired of that we just turned on the flashlight and showed him a book.  He loves Tugga Tugga Tug Boat too. (Thanks Julie!!)  I think he's going to like reading!

Ha!  The things we do for our kids so they don't scream in the car.

Another cute one of Andrew chill'n sometime during the week...

Love that boy!

Andrew's Day in White

This past Sunday was a special day for our family.  We dressed Andrew in white and his dad gave him a Name and a Blessing.

I've watched my brothers bless each of their children over the years and I was really excited for our turn.  It was special to watch Briant "bring him unto the elders before the church", and give his new little son a blessing that is recognized by God.  How blessed we are to have the priesthood.

A couple weeks ago, I was asked why we were going to dress him in white clothes.  I responded that white is a symbol of purity, virtue, cleanliness, and integrity.  It is a reminder of qualities required and that we intend to develope to enter into God's presence.  We wear white when we are baptized and when we are sealed in the temple.  And while it is not necessary to dress your baby in white for their blessing, we chose to because it is a memorable ordinance.
In our church we do not baptize infants because we learn in the Book of Mormon (Moroni 8) that children are not capable of committing sin.  They are perfect in Christ and therefore saved through Him.  Andrew is perfect right now.  He came to us straight from our Heavenly Father's presences.  So essentially, dressing Andrew in white is not a reminder for him but a reminder for us of how we should act.
We believe that we can be a family forever.  We are not just handed that blessing, because we have to work for it.  Through our agency we have to prove that we are willing to follow God and do as He has asked.  Seeing Andrew in white this past Sunday helped me remember all that.  We make choices and work hard so that we can be with Andrew forever, and all of us together return to live with God again someday.

It was a wonderful blessing and the Spirit was felt so strongly.  We know our little Andrew was sent to us straight from our Heavenly Father.  He is a blessing to us and we love him so much.  He has a sweet little personality and we are excited to see him grow.  In Mosiah 3:19 we learn that we must become like a child to put off the natural man and submit to the will of our Father.  We know that we will learn a lot from him.


After church, my family (and Briant's) came over for a small luncheon.  It was wonderful to have us all there!  We had to take an up-to-date family picture for Mom's wall.

We also took one with just Mom and Dad with their original 6 kids... my how we have changed!!

I love my family.  The one in which I came from but also the one that live with now.  Families really are the most important thing on this earth.  They are the very center of our Heavenly Father's plan.  I know that through our faithfulness, we can be together forever!!

White Shirt and Tie

Call it what you will...

Future Missionary, Future Priesthood Holder, or Future Retirement Fund Source.

Here are some funny captions we made up.....

Yeah!  I'm going on a mission!

Wait.... I'll be gone for 2 years?!?

I'm going to miss my Mom!!!

Some more cute ones...

HEEEEAAAYYYY!!!  Look at my nails.

Mommy's little smiler!!

Had a good laugh after this one!

6 Weeks Pictures

Well now that he's 7 Weeks I'm finally getting around to posting these.

Enjoy!!

Love those stretches!  Notice the purple dots on his head.  He always gets those when he stretches, then they go away right after. What are they?  Should I be concerned?

My favorite:

He makes this face alot... I love it!

Love this little guy!!!  He is changing so much everyday.  He already fits in 3 Month clothes!!!

Getting out...

For the past 2 weeks I've been trying to get out more.  I'm sure all who have kids know that when you have your first newborn you are scared to death to "go out" with them.  You have all those worries:  What if he screams?  What if I can't figure out what he wants?  Do I have enough time before he wakes up?  What if people stare?  But in the end, you decide you just have to deal with whatever comes your way because you can't stare at the walls of your own home any longer!  I soon found that whenever I got out it was good for my soul & sanity, & it always felt worth the effort in the end.

We did simple trips in the car, like going to the bank and trips to grandma's house (they love that).  We went to Walmart... and experienced Andrew's screaming while walking through the store (and the whole way home).  Lately, we've been going outside to sit on the lawn.... which Andrew loves!!!

Last Sunday, a friend let us borrow a stroller that Andrew's car seat will fit into.
GLORIOUS!!!

  We've become so much more mobile because of it!!  We love going for walks in the neighborhood, to the high school track and around the greenbelt!  I am finally stretching out muscles that I haven't used in a while... and boy does it feel good!  I'm getting my power walk on again!!  Andrew likes it too... as long as his tummy is full!

It feels good to get out.  Even though I still worry, it's all worth it to get fresh air and see the outside world!


We had visitors this week.  Briant was out of town for work & my brother Devin and his family came up to see Andrew and hang with us!  They were so kind to make us dinner and to hold Andrew when I needed a break & especially when I needed to take a shower!  The adult conversations were pleasant and I really enjoyed my niece and nephew too!

They took this picture without me knowing... so naturally I'm going to share it!

Here's one of our kids

While they were here we went for a walk around the greenbelt.  We were so happy Chantelle & Chelsea could come too!

Thanks D&J for making me feel like a good mom and helping me see that I'm totally normal!

This past week, Andrew has been more and more content just being by himself.  I think his eyes are developing and he can see further because he loves looking around.  He likes to lay in his crib and watch his mobile now... which Mommy likes too!!!  This makes it much easier to take his picture.  So I've been experimenting.

I took these first:

Then, Devin gave me a tip which was very helpful and now it looks like I have a studio!

Enjoy!

Which one was your favorite??