Our first post and a quick update

This is our most recent favorite picture of James and Kate, who will be 2(!!!) on October 7th.

We've been in Utah for 8 months now. The time since we left New York has gone by so quickly! We miss New York and our friends there, but are settling into life around family. James and Kate love spending time with their grandparents and their cousins that live in Utah and those that come often to visit.

We bought a small home in Salt Lake City, near the University of Utah. As is our tradition, we bought a home that needed some work. Ben was very busy in anticipation of moving into the new place. He added lots of lighting, retiled the kitchen, and undertook many other cosmetic improvements. Since moving in, all projects have been put on hold -- in whatever state the were when we moved in. Who needs two functioning bathrooms anyway?

Seriously, though, we are very busy. We have two busy toddlers that we love to spend time with. Ben works many hours at Dorsey & Whitney (law firm), teaches Securities Regulation at the University of Utah law school, and keeps involved in the Utah (Democrat) political scene -- a long-time passion. Julie works full-time as a law clerk for Chief Justice Christine Durham at the Utah Supreme Court and teaches Lawyering Skills at the University of Utah law school.

James and Kate are busy expanding their vocabulary; going to bed late; waking up early; begging, mostly unsuccessfully but with impressive passion, to watch Elmo DVDs; playing in the neighbor's sprinklers; taking off their shoes; buckling their own car seats; making Ben and Julie laugh; and proclaiming, "MY DO IT! NO MOMMY!"