August thru October

I've realized that I've been REALLY bad at taking pictures these past few months. Not that there was a whole lot to document and remember, but even the day-to-day moments, I've just missed out on capturing on the camera. For example, I didn't take a single picture at my Biggs Family Reunion in August. It sure was fun to be surrounded by so many aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with my brothers, nieces, and my parents. 

Joe had a birthday in August. It was a busy week and he was back to work, so we celebrated a little differently. Instead of cake, we made homemade maple bars. At least I put a candle on one, we sang, and I got a picture.

Then, Joe and I used a gift card we've had a for a couple years, and went to lunch at Market Street Grill. We had a delicious spinach dip for an appetizer. Joe had some steak medallions that were melt in your mouth. I had a halibut crab cake thing that with every bite I felt like I was in heaven. I finally remembered to pull out my camera to document our desserts. They even put a candle on Joe's strawberry shortcake.

I had a delicious key lime pie. Yum! We'll definitely be SAVING up so we can go again. (I've never had a meal - and mind you, it was lunch - cost that much. But totally worth it!) I'm determined that food in heaven is going to be catered by these guys because it was. that. good.

Brek got a hold of a sucker. Something tells me that he enjoyed it.

Love that face!

Brek and I finally got to go up the mountain with Joe for his last day of polka. It was quite the adventure of a day. A half hour in, everyone at the resort had to be evacuated to the parking lot due to a bomb threat. We were out in the snow and cold for 2 1/2 hours. Considering the situation, Brek did pretty well. The unfortunate part was that the first thing he did was find a freezing cold puddle and start playing. He didn't have any idea how cold and wet he was, and was more upset that I wouldn't let him keep playing in the water. I'm glad I brought a change of clothes for him, but that was all up in the green room, along with his diaper bag, because of course, he also had a poopy diaper and had to sit in it for an hour or so. By the end of it, he was quite miserable. But we survived. And we enjoyed listening to Joe play some polka.

Joe has been getting to play some alp horn quite regularly on his polka days. He really enjoys it and wishes and hopes that some day we can afford to buy him one.

Joe is the farthest one back in the sweater.

Brek enjoyed playing and running around while Joe played.

 

 

 

 

A couple weeks ago Brek was playing around with our laundry basket. And then he got stuck.

It's hard to see, but he eventually thought it was pretty funny.

And then I helped him get out, and he was REALLY EXCITED!!!

Brek had his first day of high school.

I've been subbing occasionally at Joe's school. Usually, Joe's mom watches Brek in the morning, and then around lunch time he goes to our friend's house so he can play with other kids. He loves it.
But on this particular day, Joe's mom was out of town, and we were flying to California that night anyway, and we didn't want to do a bunch of driving back and forth, so we just brought Brek with us.

He enjoyed most of it.

Brek's favorite part of the day was conducting the orchestra with his own baton while sitting on Joe's lap. I wish I had gotten a picture of it, but I was sitting in the wrong place. Most of the kids were able to still focus despite such an adorable distraction. A couple periods he came and hung out with me in the English class I was teaching. He generally thought that was boring but did enjoy drawing on the white board and throwing paper airplanes and my library cards.

All in all, not a bad day for the little guy. But I am pretty glad I've got a FEW more years before he goes off to high school for real. And the best part of the day was flying to see Grandma and Grandpa.

Stay tuned...

October

So, here's the rest of our life from October:

When I got back from Indiana, we stayed at Joe's oldest brother's house and hung out with their younger 3 boys while the parents were in China. It was fun. The boys loved having BJ around! They even took care of him for an evening for us. The boys did a great job with meals and cleaning, and I really felt my presence was superfluous, but it was fun anyway.

The little guy had his 2 month check-up and got shots. The shots weren't too much fun, but he did well. He weighed 12 pounds, 11 ounces (I could have sworn he was up to 15 pounds) - 75th percentile, and was 23 inches long - 50th percentile.

We went back up the mountain for another fun afternoon of polka with Joe's older sister Suzette, and her family. BJ finally got to meet his cousin Josh, who, for some odd reason, had been a little MIA around family gatherings since July.

I did catch this picture of cousin Megan holding the little guy. This was right before Joe got all of us up to do the Chicken Dance.
It was a fun evening with the Asplund clan. They pulled out a mean tail-gate party. It had felt like such a long time since I had seen them, so it was fun to reconnect.

I captured these pictures of the sunset as we were heading home.

The pictures don't do it justice - it was a beautiful sight!

Here's the little one all bundled up for the mountain top.
It had definitely gotten colder since our last polka experience, but it was definitely the warmest Oktoberfest ever, considering there wasn't any snow.

The next evening, I was able to join Joe again up the mountain to finish up the Polka season. We were able to ride the tram up with all the other performers and those involved in Oktoberfest.

Here's Joe at the top

It was a really fun evening with delicious food. We got to sit at a table with the rest of Joe's band. There were "thank-you's" and toasts and just an enjoyable time. I'm grateful the little guy behaved for his cousins while we were gone. It is nice to have Polka season over with; I get to see Joe on the weekends, he gets a weekend, and as he put it: he "gets to be Mormon again!" Next order of business: I want to learn to play the accordion!

The rest are just some cute pictures of the most popular member of our family:

I know it's a little blurry, but I just love his smile!

Got the flash going and those bright, shining eyes again.

He's laughing. It's adorable!

Showing off how far he can lift his head. He's got some strong neck muscles.

Almost 3 months. Wow, time flies! This was October 18, 2010.

I was watching another little boy several days a week. He was 8 months old. He just adores BJ! He could be screaming and mad at me, but the minute he saw my little guy, smiles and giggles erupted. For being such a hard baby, it was pretty endearing. Before our trip to Indiana, BJ wouldn't even acknowledge his existence. And anytime this little one got near BJ, he immediately went for pulling hair, poking eyes, or hitting. I know he didn't mean to, but it's what he did, so generally he wasn't allowed to be very close.

But when we got back, he seemed a little different. Without realizing it, I let him down after his nap, forgetting that BJ was doing tummy time on the floor. And this is what happened next:

It was super cute!

BJ finally acknowledged the lion by doing the only thing reasonable - pulling his hair.

Showing off during tummy time again.

"Mom, why do you always put those things in my face?"

Capturing his smile and sweet personality

This is what we usually get once he realizes we have a camera:

I sure do love my boy!

Oktoberfest 2010

This past weekend I went up the mountain to watch these guys:Joe's younger sister Janelle, Janelle's 2 youngest Lizzie and Sabrina, and Joe's mom came too. All the pictures are courtesy of Janelle. It was a fun afternoon.

Sabrina and her new friends.
Lots of pictures of this handsome fella.

And this one too.

Here's Grandma J trying to help block out some of the loud noise.

This is during our lunch break. Joe's mom brought us up seom BLTs, chips, and homemade cookies. It was so tasty and so fun to have the company.

Showing off his new tricks of standing and sitting (with help of course.)

Most of the band. I think I want to take accordian lessons.

Joe was able to play the Alphorn too. Thinks Ricola. He actually forgot the alphorn mouthpiece, so he had to use his tuba one.

The original alphorns were made of one tree. Nowadays they do come apart in about 3 pieces.

Joe & Ian's alphorn duet.

This is one of my favorites: the focus is totally awesome.

When Joe first brought the alphorn home to practice, we put our little guy's rear end in the bell and Joe played. You should have seen how big his eyes got. :)

Here come the alphorns through the crowd.

The cool part about the alphorns is that they go up to the top of the mountain and play.

It makes for a long day for Joe, but he enjoyed it all the same.

Joe and the other alphorns are on this tram. We caught the next one.

Beautiful fall colors.

On our way up

Joe and alphorn at the top with beautiful scenery.

The songs were all really pretty.

They kinda all sound the same just because of the style of the instrument.

Janelle and her girls with Joe.

Joe and his mom. I'm really glad she was able to come and share this experience with us.
Our little polka family.

I'll have to get a better picture of my dirndl.

Joe's mom worked for 2 weeks to make me a new vest. It's so pretty and cool.

Joe made me the apron.

It was fun to be dressed up along with the rest of the Germans.

The little guy was pretty much done by this point. So were my feet and my back.

Here's me loaded down with all my gear. I didn't want to be unprepared in case it was really windy and cold up top. I sure felt like a pack-mule.At least I got to see some pretty scenery.

I thought these were some cute pictures of my nieces.

The alphorns played one more time before getting back on the tram and heading down the mountain. The view going down.

Joe back at the bottom.

Another funny one of Lizzie and Sabrina

It was a fun day.

For those of you in Utah, Oktoberfest is every weekend until October 10th. Joe would love to have family and friends come up, and it's free to get in. So go get your German on!