Theme Thursday: Happiness or Joy

Joining Cari and the gang for Happiness or Joy this Thursday (and I actually intentionally messed with the aperture for more or less the effect I wanted with depth of field, and I'm so so so proud of myself).  With a theme like that, taking pictures of the boys was a no-brainer (not that I don't manage to use them for pretty much every theme).  I was feeling a bit pessimistic about getting them to both smile at the same time; as discussed before Michael highly prefers to take the pictures rather than pose for them.

Several months ago I remember overhearing my sister-in-law mention bribing my nephew with chocolate to make sure he smiled for his three-year pictures.  God (and Jamie) forgive me, but I (quietly) turned my nose up slightly at the idea.  I can't imagine why... I've never had any problem bribing M with fruit snacks to trim his nails, and chocolate for pictures is hardly any different.  Well, as is generally the case when I find myself sneering (ever so privately and, you know, charitably) at a situation...

Before the bribe offer of chocolate...

...and, voila!

I think my favorite part is Liam's absolutely adoring smile directed at his brother.  Only four months old (!!!) and already his big brother is his hero and favorite person ever (unless he's hungry, in which case Mama still rates pretty high on his list).

I can't get enough of how much joy these two find in each other.  This is my happiness, right here.