a visit to my grandma's

At the beginning of January, we went to my grandma's house in California.  We were already planning on going to see them in March, but we didn't want to wait that long to show off Brett!

My grandma and Brett bonded pretty much instantly.  He smiled up at her the first time she held him, and he loved having her rock him in the rocking chair.

Ellie loves being at my grandma's, too, and spent the first 30 minutes running around like a crazy little ball of energy.  (The 7 hour car ride - and the 7 hour one the day before that - could have had something to do with that.  She was ready to be out of that car!)

My Uncle Paul, seemed pretty fond of Brett, too. :)  And Brett was loving all the attention after being cooped up in his carseat for so long.

While we were there, Brett turned two months old, so naturally, I had to take a ridiculous amount of pictures of him.  (Yes, I did narrow it down profusely.  You're welcome.)

But seriously, I think he's the cutest thing ever.

Chewing on his fist is hands-down his favorite hobby.  (Hands down?  Punny, right?  Right?)  He won't take a pacifier, but whoa boy, watch him try to fit his entire fist in his mouth!

Anyone else have a hard time keeping baby socks on?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?

He wasn't feeling particularly smiley at this moment, but I managed to kiss a couple smiles out of him.

Ginny liked Brett, too.  Just a little bit. ;)

Ginny and I got to go shopping while we were there, thanks to Tim and my grandma watching the kids!  It's such an odd feeling spending an extended period of time away from my kiddos.  (Well Brett especially, right now, since he's still nursing.)  But it was so fun shopping for my birthday in March!  Ginny spoiled me.  Again.

We ate out the entire time we were there, and it was marvelous.  We ate so well.  (Spoiled yet again.)  (Mexican foooood.)

Ellie loved cuddling and trying to play with their dog, Cody.  Cody, not so much.  Let's just say he tolerated her.

Ha!  I just love this next picture of Cody's laser beam eyes.

As if I weren't already missing the warmth and the sun enough, Ellie's reaction to it had me ready to move, like, yesterday.  She was outside every possible second, riding her tricycle and her scooter and playing in the dirt.  The girl was in heaven.  One day as I took her in for her nap, tears filled her eyes as she looked up at me and said, "Oh, but Mommy, I'm having so much fun!"  The Utah winters are hard for this Vitamin D deprived family.

We were so sad to leave!  Being with my family is the best.  The only thing that made it marginally easier was knowing we'd be back in March.

Warmth, we're coming for you.