New shoes

Well another year has gone by and my New Balance shoes are pretty nasty. I've always bought New Balance shoes, but my sister-in-law Tia recommended Saucony shoes. So I branched out and bought some last week. I love them! They are so cushiony, and give me lots of support when I run. Thanks, Tia!

Some recent photos...and an update

I finally found some time to help myself to the computer and have downloaded some new (and older) photos I thought I'd share.  In this batch are some of us at the beach before leaving Boston, some of Ian and Tia's beautiful children, some of our photos from taking Demri into the MTC (she's going to the Santiago Chile East mission), and some of our time here in Boise (Aspen playing in her grandparents' yard, as well as some photos taken at some friends' recent wedding reception).  We've been enjoying our time here in Boise so much!  Eric passes his days studying for the bar exam, but in the evenings we have time to enjoy Eric's family, as well as time alone together (thanks Pete and Ami!).  This past weekend we were able to see several friends that we hadn't seen in a long time, and it was wonderful!  It was especially great to see our friends Tyler and Christy (pictured), who we hadn't seen in three years.  Kudos to summer!

Aspen and her Aunt Annie.


I can't get enough of Eric's hair in this one.



I miss these little things!



Taking Demri to the MTC.  So long for 18 months, sis!


 

This sister's on a mission...well, almost

Aspen and I spent a couple days in Utah with her nanna and aunties. We were especially glad to have some time with Demri before she leaves on her mission next week! I can't believe she's almost gone. I just know one day not long after she leaves it'll hit me, and I'll long for her silly phrases, embarrassing stories, our afternoon jogs, and gawking at her crazy wardrobe. She'll make an amazing missionary, though. Good luck, sis!

As promised....

Okay, I'm posting a ton of photos here, so be warned.  Aspen and I are leaving tomorrow for Boise and then to Salt Lake, so I won't be posting for a while.  I had to get these in before I left!  The past week and a half has been a whirlwind, but a wonderful, crazy whirlwind we were glad to be wrapped up in.  Thanks to everyone who shared this special time with us, and to those who weren't able to but would have if circumstances had allowed it.  Thanks for your support!

HLS Class of 2009

Eric graduated on Thursday.  It was wonderful!  His family was in town, and my dad and stepmother Lisa were as well.  I'm so proud of Eric for his hard work and for all the time and effort he put in to his time at Harvard.  While there he served as head of the Environmental Law Society, taught an environmental law class at Boston College, and also taught Harvard undergrads, among other things.  I'll be posting more photos later, but congrats, sweetie!

Babies are people, too

What's with the public places that don't have baby changing tables?  The last couple days I've been to several, and it's driving me nuts!  Look at this little girl's face.  Recently this poor little thing has had to be changed on the ground outside, the back of our jeep, and on top of paper towels laying over just-mowed grass.  We went to a restaurant a couple days ago that didn't have a baby changing table, and I was so tempted to change Aspen's poopy diaper on top of one of the tables, smack dab in front of all the customers, just to get some attention (I decided against this for the sake of Aspen's modesty).  But seriously!  Don't babies and small children deserve to have a safe, comfortable surface on which to lay when they are having their duties done?

Acadia, again

Acadia National Park up in Maine is by far one of my favorite places, probably because it reminds me so much of the Oregon coast.  We headed up there last week with Eric's parents and brother, Danny (who has replaced Eric and I at the top of Aspen's list of favorite people).  The first day all it did was rain, rain, rain; but we got lucky the following day with some gorgeous weather (which I was extremely relieved about, since I had built up to Eric's family just how awesome our trip to Acadia was going to be!).  We did some fabulous hikes and stopped by the Jordan Pond House for some hot chocolate and popovers.  Of course hot tubbing at the hotel and playing games was also on the agenda.

I know I posted a ton of photos; I just couldn't decide which ones not to post!  And I know I post a lot about the hikes we do so just bear with me here.  If you're sick and tired of seeing Aspen in her pack, I understand.  But really, Acadia seriously rocks.