Maxwell speaks...

he speaks and speaks and speaks and speaks.

A few weeks ago we had a conversation that went like this after he kept telling Daddy, "No!"

Me: But Max, you are my sweet little boy.

Him: No, Mom, I'm not your sweet boy. I am a little devil!

Not funny then, but really funny now. I am already starting to ask, "Where did you learn that word?"

March Madness Recap

We went to the Ford Center to see BYU play K-State. It took me back to the Cotton Bowl in 95. I went with my parents to see BYU and K-State play and held a sign that said, "Kansans for BYU." This time I wore my K-State shirt that said, "BYU Grad for K-State!" I still cheered for BYU with Brig but it was a win-win for me. It was awesome to be there. Brig used Avalon's cuteness with the security guards to get us in $300 seats after watching the first 10 minutes from the nosebleeds where we should have been. I knew Grandpa Byron finally had his front row seat. After the first half, we were pretty pumped about the Cougars but lost faith again shortly after the second half started. It was exciting nonetheless. We are already looking forward to seeing Jimmer play next year.

I put both K-State and Kansas in the Final Four. After I crushed Brig's bracket last year, he gave me my humble piece of pie for 2010. Needless to say, this tournament was nothing but crazy madness. Props to Little Grandma for taking my family's bracket and Uncle Keegan for winning the Udall's.

Happy Easter!

As a little girl, I loved to dye eggs and it will be a tradition we will keep around. This is the first real Easter Brig and I have spent together in our home so we are looking forward to it. I have to give him some credit... See that perfect, beautiful, rainbow-colored egg - that is his creation. He won the best egg contest by a hair, because Max's little monster with the fuzz on its head comes in at a close second!

Max wasn't behaving during the photo session, so I booted him and all his toys!

See how cute our little Avie is in her Easter dress given to her by Little Grandma...

Mini ist nach Lawton gekommen!

This is Mini. I met her while on my mission to Germany. She came all the way from Frankfurt to see Lawton, Oklahoma. Her favorite sights were, of course, Maxi Paxi and Peanut Buttercup. We did add Dallas, OKC, the wildlife refuge, and Medicine Park to the mix.

Medicine Park

The Wildlife Refuge with the Godfreys

I think Brig is trying to say that he cut down that wood for the fire with his own ax. Those little twigs of his just blend in with all the twigs in the background... so I thought I would give you the explanation. They did build a fine fire.

Melissa's beautiful pineapple peach cobbler

Melissa introduced Mini to her first SmOrEWe met up with our friend Claire in Dallas. Fun times with her

and her husband, Michael

Mt. Scott

She made us her yummy German pancakes for breakfast.

We invited friends over to enjoy them with us!

I can't make them quite like she does.

Thanks for coming all that way, Mini. We had a blast. Melissa

says you are welcome in Lawton anytime. We just won't be

here. Viel Spass back in Frankfurt. Die Kinder vermissen dich!

Promise Kept

Here are just a few more random pictures.

Aunt Camie sent these cool sunglasses. He actually wears them and puts them up on his head when he needs to see clearly. How did we get such a cool kid? He just knows what's cool. Didn't learn it from his dad... This is Max's best friend, Gabe. They love each other so much, they fight like brothers. He got to have a sleepover with us the other night. What a blast! You should hear their conversations...
We spend every minute we can outside at a park. Max is a cautious little boy and will only go down slides on someone's lap. We won't have to worry about broken arms just yet.

Our little peanut is still sucking her thumb. It drives me crazy when I am feeding her and after every bite, she has to pop it in her mouth. Oh the darn messes!

Trying to feed her while traveling was my favorite part...

Good thing she is so darn cute. I really like her now that she is finally sleeping through the night!

Before March Madness begins... Let's catch up!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Y-O-U!

February: Max is TWO!

Max's Birthday Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Gilberts -

the Moffat girls and Brig dig in! We spent most of the day in the car traveling to Provo.

Little Grandma and Big Grandpa sent him this fun Sponge Bob

card that sang to him over and over and over again. It

was so much fun - for him!

Enjoying a few fruit snacks at the little people's table in the Gilbert's home.


Celebrating with his two best friends...

Grandma Emma made this cute little cake for him. We

felt so lucky to be able to spend time at their house right

before Grandpa passed away. I always write birthday letters

and just before arriving to their house I wrote this to Max:

We are almost to the Gilberts. Grandpa Byron holds a special place in my heart and that is why we named you after him. He is close to dying and I am grateful that you get to see him one more time. If you live the life he has, you will receive a great reward in heaven. He is a stalwart, righteous man who has always followed Christ. That is my wish and desire for you.

Max actually got two cakes, Grandma Risa made an awesome one

when we made a pitstop at their place the night before. My

camera was dead so I didn't get any pictures.

January: Mom turns 27!

My big gift from Brig was a hair-cut. He said that he would let me chop it off because it was my birthday and that he would still love me no matter how short. I did go shorter but didn't take any huge chances.

Brig made a yummy German chocolate cake and invited

some of our friends over to party.

He also took me out to Olive Garden. Can't beat that!

December: Brig has one more year til he's 30!

We gave him a tennis racket. Maybe

he really wanted a guitar?

Max kept sneaking frosting from his cake.

The whole bottom was finger-printed by

the time Brig actually got to have a bite.

I got it all on film...

These busters love their Daddy!

We had a lunch date to Red Lobster. It's a real treat

for Brig to eat seafood since I'm not a big fan myself

and don't cook too much of it.

He got his favorite enchiladas for dinner.

Birthdays are fun... Brig randomly said to me the other day, "Shay, if

we have nine kids - we will throw 162 birthdays." My thought: Birthdays

aren't that much fun! Our four parents combined celebrated 306 birthdays!

Just in case you forgot what we look like...

I will get some new pictures on here shortly. Aunt Sym gave this to outfit to us and Avalon wore it to our Chinese New Year Party.
Max has an obsession with this bus that Grandma Emma let him have
and with my hats that practically fit him!