How did this happen?

How did my baby Tag suddenly become THREE years old?

Quotable

Luke: "Mommy, I love you as much as the whole universe, and all space and time."
Tag (immediately following): "I love you as a WHOLE spaceship mommy."

A thankless job? I think not. Thanks little dudes.

Luke, Tag, and Wesley, all 1 year

9 Years

Yep, that's how long we've been married now! I can't find a wedding picture on the computer, so I thought I'd post these gems from our earlier days.

This was taken on our first date (a blind date). The girl next door to me in the dorms set us up because we were both tall. She knew Jim from Missouri, and didn't know me at all yet! This was Labor Day 1998 (my first week at BYU). We went bridge jumping into the most FREEZING cold water in American Fork. Someone snapped this and gave it to Jim later when we became more serious. I love that we have it.

Homecoming 1998. Jim asked me to this dance about a month in advance. He sent me on a scavenger all over campus, and since it was at night, he also sent along an escort for my safety. Awww...

This kind of looks like an ad for phone service or something, but I just threw it in because Jim looks so darn cute. We had taken a trip to my grandparents' house in St. George to spend the weekend with my mom, future sis-in-law, and some cousins. This was the first time my mom met Jim and she liked him right away. I don't remember who I was talking to...maybe Melyn?

I love you babe!

Raleigh

We're been back in Philadelphia after spending 3 1/2 lovely weeks at my parents' house. We took very few pictures, which is weird for us, but it was only because we were packing in so many fun things that didn't accommodate a camera well. It was SO fun. Here are the highlights (not necessarily in chronological order):

Open house for Jack & Jo
Leftover food (cheesecake galore) from said open house
Staying up way too late playing Yahtzee with the fam
Long walks with Jo and Shama
Jelly Bellies and late night talks with mom
Wesley's first birthday
Playing in the backyard (it seems like such a luxury now!)
Pool party at the Gertsch's with dear friends and Jo's fun family
Ogling baby girl shoes with Julie
Lunch with Pinky and Sydney
Boating with Dave and Debbie
Coldplay concert with lots of good friends (this was fantastic; way better than I anticipated)
9th wedding anniversary (love my guy)
Pullen Park and dinner out with family
Marbles museum (twice!)
Mom's birthday celebration at Solomon's
Goodberry's and talking with Jack and Jo
2 days at the beach with Patrick and Julie and lots of Great Dalmuti
Photo shoot with Sue
Dinner with the Lees (Melissa and Allyn, how come I never knew our dads were so close?)
Movie night with Ben and Annie

There were a few outings Jim took without me, including a trip to Piedmont dragway to watch Dave Spencer race (the kids loved it), Krispy Kreme to watch doughnuts be made (they loved that too), and the Def Leppard concert with Patrick and Ben. Jim also spent many full days stripping lead paint off wood for my dad. It was wood from Thomas Jefferson's parents' house, and he's putting it down as flooring in his shed. BIG project.

I love my hometown SO much, and it was wonderful to see friends again. It's good to be back here too. Jim started school today though, so I'm on my own again! It was such a dream having him home for so long.