1. Autumn time
Every day the boys and I walk about half a mile up the road to get Jacob from school. The street, like the streets in this part of Maryland, winds through jungly forests on both sides. We come home most days with a stroller basket full of natural treasures and at least two larger sticks. When I remember autumn here, I will remember these boys, with smiles like this, poking around in nature:
2. Precious Michael
When I remember this sweet boy as a two-year-old, I will think of his excitement at his second birthday party, which was actually the first time that he's been the center of attention for such a length of time and for so many people (bless those third children!). I hope that I don't forget his "tactile stage," when he has slyly managed to paint most of his body in 1) softened butter, 2) peanut butter, 3) applesauce, 4) caramel dip, 5) pancake syrup, and 6) red paint, all in two weeks' time.
And of course I hope that I can always recall his cheery confidence when he has exclaimed, "I'm strong!":
3. Family fun
When my sister came up for a week, we went to see Fort McHenry, Arlington, and D.C.
My favorite picture of her visit, though, is from a soccer game. After I saw what she was wearing, I knew exactly what I would put on! I laugh every time I remember her surprise. What fun we had!
4. Growing lads
I won't soon forget the adorable line-up of five-year-olds who play tee ball with Jacob. I hope that I can remember him blossoming with all these new skills.
We even decided that he was old enough to go on a Daddy date to New York City, which I hope that they both remember well.
Zachary's growing up too, serving as the "boy of the house" while Jacob is at school. Today we went to the B & O Railroad Museum, a young boy's paradise! His and Michael's enthusiasm made my day.
This darling is developing so quickly that I almost feel like I've missed his infancy. He's a baby now, smiling and "talking" with us.
It helps me to reflect on what we've done and to think about our happy sons. It makes me feel less overwhelmed and more adequate, which is also a good thing to remember.
until we found this little beauty and decided to give her a home:
Today we're expected to have a foot and a half of snow and darling Eric is on a 30-hour shift at the hospital, so the kids and I are going to have a cozy book-reading and cookie-making day. And won't it be especially wonderful with the tree and stockings up?
Then we went water-skiing. On Thanksgiving! Now I'm a very traditional girl, and I have to say that I felt like I was breaking the Sabbath when I was doing these untraditional things on Thanksgiving Day. But I soon got over my inhibitions, and we enjoyed a fun few days there. 
We did other normal Lake Powell things, like playing in the sand,
relaxing on the beach,
and jet skiing.
We came back to Salt Lake the Saturday after Thanksgiving, where Eric spent some weeks training at his dad's ophthalmology practice. We also had a chance to catch up with family and friends and visit our favorite places.
I can't quite explain how relieving it was to be in such a familiar place, doing familiar things. We cozied ourselves at Midway one night
and then soaked in the Midway hot pots. 
Eric and Jacob went skiing at Alta, our fave resort (because there's a free lift after three o'clock!).
Mr. Louv's most pressing concern is that kids (and all of us, really) are missing out on the benefits of unstructured time spent in natural places. I'm convinced that we are! So I've been trying to be better about taking the wooded route home from school,
or bringing the kids down to the creek,
or encouraging them to get dirty in the mud,
or letting them have time to play in nature. (Here they are "fishing." "What are you catching?" I asked. "Salmon...salmon and trout.")
The book has also helped me think about how I can be a little less structured at home, which does nothing for tidiness but good things for their happiness. Here's fort #1:
fort #2, and
fort #3 (with a friend and a flashlight, double bonus!). 
I let the kids do the streamers this time, which was much more endearing than anything I could have done: 
He doesn't have a lot of free time, but he spends every spare moment supporting me and these precious boys. What a guy! We love you, Eric. Happy, happy birthday!
We watched: rainy windows
We even decided that he was old enough to go on a Daddy date to New York City, which I hope that they both remember well. 
This darling is developing so quickly that I almost feel like I've missed his infancy. He's a baby now, smiling and "talking" with us. 
We celebrated at home on Eric's day off. I'd say that 30 looks pretty good on him, wouldn't you?