a few last things

It is so good to be back in Austin. The weather is pretty terrible, the bugs are huge and disgusting, and everything molds, but there is something about returning to your normal life and routine that brings a sense of contentment and relief. That being said, there were a few memories from our time in Utah that I wanted to document really briefly. You know, so that just in case all of our photo albums and computers are suddenly lost or crazily destroyed we'll still have this little internet story, yeah?

We were lucky enough to meet with some old friends while we were in Utah. I have known Jenn since junior high, and it is funny to me to think that between us we have six kids and two on the way. And the oldest is just five.

Look at that big crowd! The picture is super blurry because Elinor had gotten a hold of the camera and wiped her sticky fingers all over the lens.

We also got together with a family we had known in Austin, but I was really bad at taking pictures of that. Here's Caleb in a field blowing bubbles.

And Emily and Elinor on the playground. Huh. I need to make more of an effort to capture these special moments of meeting with old friends!

I did capture this moment of pantless Paige pushing Elinor on a trike. I'm pretty sure it was no-pants-day in her family.  :)

 That same day Grandma pulled out early birthday presents for Emily and Elinor. I love this picture except for me in the back with a sneer on my face. I promise, it was a combination of pregnancy grumpiness, sun in my face, and concentrating on what might be in that box.

Here's Emily with her prize. I thought this picture was funny because of the glowy, washed-out look. Also that's a giant foot. And also that's me being really pregnant in the corner there.

We played some miniature golf which sounded fun in theory, and sort of was, for about five holes. Eighteen is just plain too many for kids under 8.

Emily taught me a good lesson one day while I was gearing up for a trip to Thanksgiving Point and trying to get her excited as well.  She said, "You know, Mommy, we don't always have to go somewhere. Sometimes we can just stay home and play." So we did. Here's a shot of Joseph and the big kids having some downtime while Elinor was napping.

We were super excited for the opportunity to visit a temple and to have the drive be less than an hour. For FHE one Monday we ate at the BYU Creamery on Ninth and then headed over to the Provo temple to wander the grounds and chat with the kids a bit. Water makes everything automatically cool and exciting in my kids' book, so the trip was a success for all involved.

 And right now I am really supposed to be preparing a talk and YW lesson for Sunday, so I should be done here.