time for a change

It's really quite remarkable what can happen when your husband has his research year during a surgical residency. Nate told me he couldn't stand "One More Day" of looking at the "pee-yellow" walls in our bedroom. 48 hours later, here's what we did:

Oh, I'm getting so spoiled this year. And greedy. If he's home later than 5, my rhythm's thrown off. Come next July 1, I'm going to need a therapist to help me deal with the withdrawal.

I've lost control

Watch out, all you first-time moms. Don't come callin' for any advice from me!

These are the days...

We just returned from a couple of weeks visiting our families in Utah. The boys will always think of Utah as synonymous with nonstop fun. Sunup to sundown, our dudes played-- played with cousins, played with grandparents, played with each other, played with mom and dad. To them, no one goes to work in Utah. No one has to do chores. No one runs errands, goes to school, or ever, ever goes to the dentist. The magical, mythical world those Utah pirates live, indeed! I wonder how long we can keep the illusion going. I must admit, it was a bit tricky to come back to the routine of reality!

These pics constitute a very meager assortment of snapshots taken when I remembered to have my camera with me, which wasn't very often!

The classic mom must-have: all kids naked in the tub. We were at my mom's Park City condo, and I promise I was one inch away from the camera shot, holding my breath that Caroline's floating head wouldn't be submerged!

Here is our little princess, making the face that has become quite her standard these days. We call her the Queen of Sheba, and she's got the whole family wrapped around her fingers. Somehow, we all are fine with it, though.

Reading with Grandpa Richards. This was a highlight, and one of the few down times in the midst of lots of activities and adventures.

Grant with his "best" cousins, Cort and Pete. I said to him one night as I tucked him in, "Grant, I feel like I haven't seen much of you these past few days; you've been so busy with Cort and Pete! I miss you!" To which he replied, "I'm sorry Mom, I don't mean to hurt your feelings or anything, but I don't really miss you."

This is a picture that will forever bring a smile to my face. I love the various emotional comfort levels on display here.