Sophia, the photographer.

Please meet my niece, Sophia. This child is something else. She's happy when she's happy and mad when she's mad. I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and she said "a big girl." Good ambition Sophie, gotta start somewhere. Maybe she'll go into photography too.

"helping" Grandma unpack.

I took this picture of Sophia and William. Sophia quickly asked to see the picture (what did they do before digital cameras??) and then she decided to take some pictures herself. When I looked at the camera later of the pictures she'd taken I laughed out loud, and thought that I should share them.

This first shot- well, it's artistic. After this shot I had to convince her that she didn't have to put her eye right up to the camera to look through a hole (that my camera doesn't have), she just needed to look at the screen. The following shots turned out better.

Pretty impressive picture. This 3 year old has talent.

Self portrait by Sophia.

Brother Preston getting in on the action.

I suspect that sister, Bella, helped with this one.

Our time in Utah with the family is wrapping up. We'll be sad to leave them, but happy to get William home in his crib and on a schedule. lots of love, us.

Who's your daddy?... and momma?

Which features are mommy's and which are daddy's?

William- feeling happy after spitting up all over daddy's shoulder. I love this picture, I think it is so funny. It is also a good shot (barf aside) to compare to the baby pictures below!

A very enthusiastic 3 1/2 month old Nathaniel

Same picture again, simply for your scrolling convenience.

Baby Felicity (5 months) and my mom, Elizabeth.

and again...23 years later...just for a fun comparison.

Going on a sentimental journey...

Every time I stay at my mom's house in Sugar House (SLC), it never fails that I feel like I should still be a teenager in high school. From my old bedroom I peek out over at the neighbor's house, but a new fence blocks the view and the family I knew so well moved several years ago. Sitting out on the front porch with the phone I rack my brain wondering which of my friends I can call to come play, but they're all home with their families. It's amazing. It's been eight years since I've lived here, but I still feel like this house in the summer requires late night star gazing in the back yard, runs to "sev", gossip and giggles, cookie dough, and friends sleeping over. Maybe when my baby grows up he'll enjoy the same wonderful sentimental things, for now, he's sleeping soundly in a bassinet behind me. It is in a small way surreal that I am not in high school; I'm a wife and a mommy living a wonderful life in Maryland. I am always just amazed at how coming home sometimes feels like entering this bubble- a different realm and a flashback to the past. It is so comfortable to be here. It makes me so happy. As I was out on the front porch hanging out in a rocking chair watching neighbors (none of whom I know now) setting off fireworks (oh yeah... happy pioneer day! and happy birthday Leighton!), first I missed the "good ol' days" of popsicles and girlfriends, then I really just missed Nathaniel and wished that he was sitting there rocking with me. And then I imagined us old and holding hands out rocking on the porch together still. Life is short, sometimes that reality just hits you right in your daydream. One day I'm out on the front porch dreaming of my little family that my future will hold, and the next I'm out on the same front porch having met said teenage dream, and it doesn't really seem like all that much time has passed. I'll stop there, before I get too sappy. Plus- my thoughts are way disorganized, and I'm a bit too sleepy to fix it all. I hope that ya'll had a happy Pioneer Day and that all you HP fans are enjoying the Deathly Hallows. I'm on chapter ten, but unfortunately a woman behind me at church TOTALLY spoiled the end. I'm SO BUMMED!

We Are Fam-i-ly

Yesterday we took some family pictures with Nathaniel's family. I think that it is one of the first times that we've all actually been in the same place at the exact same time! We're having lots of fun out in Utah. The 100+ degree weather hasn't bothered us one bit! No humidity! What a difference it makes. My sick little boy is still stuffed up and coughing, but he's still in good spirits. Yesterday he made his first grab at a toy! He still doesn't seem to care if they're around or not, but we're making progress.
Photos of family from our trip:

Poor William was trying to sleep during our pictures.

Sick boy propped up on pillows so he can breath!

William and his cousin... who is five months older than my tall little monster.

Sophia & William. Sohpia told me, "Your baby is very handsome!" *Side note on this picture- William has taking to sucking on blankets, burp clothes, momma's shirt... and if nothing is available then he grabs his own onesie and starts munching away.

Carter & William, in California. She and Sohpia each will have baby brothers within a few months, so William's a good practice baby.

And then there were four.

Generations, that is.

William and I visited California this past week! We had a wonderful time. William had firsts upon firsts... first bounce on a trampoline, first time playing with horses (playing.. more like being sniffed by horses), first time putting his little toes in the Pacific, tasting mint chocolate chip ice cream (naughty Poppy), meeting cousins... it goes on and on. One of the highlight "firsts" was meeting William's Great-Grandma Mimi! Such a special thing to capture four generations at one time.

Many more firsts ahead now that we're in Utah. Currently... a cold. I gave my sweet boy a cold. He seems to be dealing better with it than I did though. We'll try to keep you posted as the adventures continue!

Me, Great-Grandmother Virginia Hill "Mimi", William, and Grandad Larick Hill "Poppy"

Another first: Getting measured on the family door frame. My first age mark on this door frame is at age 11.

New Friends

William has been making some new friends lately. He still doesn't really seem to care or not if they're around him all that much, but he's getting there. Occasionally he'll try to chew on a toy's nose or fin or whatever is available, but generally, he'll stare at them for a bit and then try again to see the t.v. or Momma. Silly boy, we'll have to be careful with this one.

This pictures is just delicious.

"yah, whatever mom."

Nathaniel and I went on a date! Good time, and great food! I think that I really needed it. I get so caught up in taking care of William and trying to be an all-star mom, that it was really good to separate from that for a little while and actually feel grounded again. :)

superstar, that's what you are

I am so blessed to have such great and talented friends! Christie took these pictures of William and I last Friday. I loved them both too much to pick just one to post.