Pictures to prove we're still alive

We haven't been up to a whole lot around here during this past week, which may be the reason I have gone the longest between posts yet.

On second thought, I guess there have been some interesting things happening. For one, my family moved into a lovely townhome just outside of DC and not too far from us. After a few days without any of their furniture or kitchenware, I think they are glad to finally have their stuff and be settled in. Or at least my Mom is. The others wouldn't know--they hightailed it out of there on Saturday to head to Disneyland for a few days.

Joel left tonight to go to a week long training in Atlanta for his job. You can bet I was not happy about that, especially since they (his supervisors) have made him work late during this past week and even come in for a full day on Saturday. I was ready to send them some hate mail, boldly broadcasting the fact that they are making him work so much right before he is leaving his wife, toddler son, and newborn daughter for one whole week. The last time he went to training, I flew out to Utah for a visit. This time we're sticking around home, so I'm eagerly searching for projects to occupy my time. This may explain why I can't seem to get off the computer tonight. After years of sleeping in a bed by myself, somehow it just doesn't seem appealing to me anymore.

Also, this whole trip has made me uncharacteristically weepy over the past couple of days. I'm blaming it all on post-partum hormones. Women, you know what I'm talking about. I was brave today though and held it in because Joel felt bad enough about leaving without seeing his wife get all misty-eyed on him. It took some teeth-clenching and thought-avoidance, but I was able to do it.

Before I ramble even more (I have no adults to talk to, ok?), I'll cap it all off with some recent photos. This is what we've been up to lately:

The Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents are getting to know their niece and nephew. Pictured is my little (sigh) brother asleep on the couch. There is something special about holding a sleeping newborn on your chest, even for a fifteen-year-old...teenage...guy.

Everett has been very excited about sharing lately. I find all sorts of things in Ashley's swing while she is occupying it. The other day it was my giant red colander. This day, it was a plate with a cookie on it.

Wait, don't see the cookie?

Hmmm.

Neither do I.

I wonder what....

Oh. I see.

Apparently Everett draws the line with sharing some things. After all, baby sister, if you're just going to ignore the offering, it might as well get put to some good use.

This is Everett, noticing that I'm taking pictures, and deciding to say "Mama, More?".
See that hopeful expression? If I were to refuse, you'd see the complete opposite. Plus a healthy amount of anger. And a thrown plate.

But I refused anyway. What a mean mother I am.

Apparently he got over it because here he is, reading Ashley a story. This is one of those times that, as a mother, I think is far sweeter than anyone else does. But I don't care. My kids will be readers, by golly!
(p.s. I know Everett is in the foreground of the picture, but feel free to note the size difference in my children's legs. Thank you. That is all.)

The fact that Ashley is sleeping through the whole story doesn't matter to Everett. We'll forgive her. Maybe it's the subject matter...trucks aren't that exciting to everyone, are they? I wouldn't know. It's been so long since I've gone without pointing out a truck to someone (with an exclamation point in my voice) that I think I've lost sight of how to be normal when it comes to heavy machinery.

But I'm sure this happens to most of you often....well, at least sometimes...right?....oh, never mind.



Did I tell you that we got Everett's IQ tested and it was 167? And 17/25ths?
I didn't? Oh. Well, we did. So we got him some glasses to match.

Do they make him look smarter or like he only has half of his eyes intact?