1: I am the only SAHM who lives in Utah County and doesn't know how to use a fancy camera. Or Photoshop.

2: Emmett can't sit on his own.

3: Owen can't sit still.

4: Samuel can't smile without looking like he's in pain.

And thusly, 5: It is impossible to get three children looking decent in one picture.

It sure was an adventure trying, though!

We almost might have gone with one of these, but that leads me to number 6: I'm too lazy.

Merry Christmas from the Briggs!

Five years old!  That is so grown up to me.  No more baby, no more toddler, no more little boy.  Samuel is 5!  I can still remember the excitement of waking up in the middle of the night to my water breaking.  I remember after the quick three hours of labor, the long 3 hours of pushing.  I remember how pleased I was when Erik smiled and told me, "Oh yeah, he has a lot of hair!"  I remember holding my sweet little baby in my arms, looking into his eyes, and saying, "This is Sam."  That was five years ago!  What a blessing this bright, clever, funny, tender-hearted boy has been to us since then.  Love you so very much, Samuel.  Happy birthday!!     

This guy is the greatest Dad.  Hands down.   My favorite thing about him as a father is how easily I can see his love for his boys.  There is no doubt that he is wild about them, and they are just crazy about him.  These little boys are so blessed to have him as their Daddy.  And I love watching Erik at his best: being a Dad. 

We love you mucho!  Happy happy Fathers' Day!!

I took this and realized this is the first sleeping baby picture in months.

Sam wouldn’t let me take a picture of his cool outfit, so when he was playing, I yelled “Sam! There’s a lizard on my head!!”  It was the best I could do.

Going for an early morning drive.

Big Boy O Bear.

Pickle Eating Contest.

Bath time. 

Of all the wonderful, talented, kind, beautiful people I am blessed to know, one of my favorites is Heather Dickens.  I could tell you about how amazing she is, but unfortunately I don’t have nearly enough time.  Just recently she launched her new photography business in southern California.  And now she’s coming to Utah for a few fabulous days!!  You should totally check her out . . . http://www.heatherdickens.com/# and be so jealous that I get to call her one of my friends.

We’re still adjusting around here.  But really, things are going better than we could have hoped . . . one of the bonuses for keeping awfully low expectations!   I miss my blog, but let’s face it, I’ve got priorities.  Here are some pictures from the last 2 1/2 weeks that I threw together while Erik and Sam ate pizza on paper plates for dinner.  Like I said, we’re still adjusting.

Owen’s first bath; a family affair.  We didn’t fight Sam when he insisted on being naked, too.

Big Brother Samuel helping out Little Brother O: holding him, testing out his toys, and poking him in the face.

More sleeping Owen.  Though his sleep patterns are so random and unpredictable, we can almost always count on finding him in some funny, awkward position.

Our family of four, plus the heroic, life-saving Grandmas!

Owen loves to suck his fingers, loves to chill, loves to make funny faces with his pretty lips and blonde eyebrows, but does not love being in his carseat.

Lots more to write, hopefully I’ll get to it soooometiiiime!!

Triana pulled through for me again.  Go take a look!  http://blog.trianaordphotography.com/?p=232

But seriously, I am so sick of being pregnant.  Can I say that??  Well it’s true.  Blah.

Sam and I totally got hooked up on Tuesday when we were invited to a little Easter photo session with Triana and Brooke.  They both take great pictures, and an afternoon at the beach with three 2 year olds was a serious adventure.  {Sam of course found the biggest mud puddle about 3 minutes in.}  Take a look at the cutest little boys you will ever see!

http://blog.trianaordphotography.com/?p=182

http://brookemoonphotography.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-heart-easter-time.html

Erik switched cell plans at work, so I got a new phone.  That meant it was time to finally finally get all my pictures off the old one.  There were over 100!  Hehe.  It was fun going back and seeing some pictures I had totally forgotten about.  Here are some {lots} of my favorites.

First picture on my old phone, the day I got it two years ago. 2-24-07

I still get this same look when I try to get Sam’s attention for a picture!  3-3-07

Sam’s first trip to CO, which included Sam’s first time on a plane.  3-10-07

This picture was for Godfather Boss, that I never could get to send from my phone.  Sam used to make that face all the time!  3-27-07

Crazy hair!  6-4-07

I wanted this trunk from Tai Pan and thought if I had a cute little boy in the picture with it, I might be able to convince Erik we needed it.  9-8-07

Oooh, Sam figured out Mommy’s phone is taking his picture.  9-27-07

Hehe, I totally remember this morning.  Sam was having so much fun climbing up and down his carseat propped against the sofa.  Then after a while, he just got comfy on the floor and totally chilled there until naptime.  And seriously, look at his hair!  10-17-07

Happy Birthday, Samuel!!  First time at Fuddrucker’s.  11-13-07

Aw, remember when Sam had croup?!  He was so sad.  11-17-07

Bundled up in the car.  12-9-07

Mmmm, discovering one of his favorite snacks . . . french fries!  2-25-08

A new book and a new haircut.  4-11-08

Playing outside on his new club house.  5-15-08

18 month check-up.  We had to wait forever, and Sam was totally chill running around in his diaper while he and his car explored the room.  5-16-08

Just shopping at Target with my happy Sammers.  5-20-08

Sleeping on the way home from Colorado.  7-7-08

He thinks he sooooo funny.  8-25-08

Sam got his pants wet at the park at the clinic.  We still had errands to run, so I let his pants dry while he played in the car.  I just thought this was cute.  9-2-08

Oh boy, remember when Sam had to give up his blankets?  This was after that first awful night.  What a horrible few days.  9-3-08

Reading a “book” on the way to pick up Daddy.  It was actually an insert Sam pulled from his Cars dvd.  9-10-08

Terrible quality, but such a cute boy!  12-8-08

Again.  “Cheeese!”  12-20-08

I was in bed late one night, so sick, and preparing a sharing time.  I’m pretty sure I called Erik on the phone and asked him to bring me a snack.  This is what I got.  What a sweetheart.  12-28-08

Just chillin’.  1-24-09