Here is where I am living now. Forward my mail, please.
Utah is innard-dessicatingly dry, and Scott could never find work here, and my family would weep forever if we were to move here, and also all our stuff is in New Jersey. Nonetheless, I cannot leave Utah, ever. Because Utah has this.
This is my two-year-old niece, whom I want to eat whole. Perhaps on a baguette, with some horseradish sauce to offset the sweetness. I haven't seen her in a year. Now she's talking and toddling and asking me how I'm doing and whether I like apple juice and I AM NEVER LEAVING.
Scott and Henry are not yet aware of my plans for us to remain here forever, but I suspect they won't put up too much of a fight.
I mean, come ON. Tell me you could walk away from THAT.
Tuck her in your handbag and take her back to Jersey with you.
Posted by: Carrie | July 11, 2008 at 08:09 PM
I am sweating sitting still here. I am poaching in humidity. I'd trade this for dessicated innards any day, cute niece or not.
Posted by: SuburbanCorrespondent | July 11, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Nope, you're right. Could not walk away. Run screaming, perhaps, but not walk - not a chance.
I would love to get those overalls, though. Do they make them in extra huge?
8-)
- M
Posted by: Marcheline | July 11, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Oh, she is adorably yummy and because you're family and allowed to say how you want to just toss her on a Trisket and munch her up, let us know if she's as sweet as she looks!
Those big eyes are just tooo much!
Posted by: Anissa @ Hope4Peyton | July 11, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Wow, she looks like Leta Armstrong in that second photo. Must be some kind of cute in that scarce Utah water.
Posted by: Cyndi | July 11, 2008 at 08:58 PM
It's true; it's the water. I was cute as a child and then when I moved to the humid hell that is Texas I became less and less adorable. Does Jersey breed cuteness as well? Because Henry rivals all little boys in adorableness.
Posted by: Caitorade | July 11, 2008 at 09:16 PM
I'm an expert on little girl cutes, and she's got 'em.
Posted by: k | July 11, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Oh you are here! I thought it felt slippier... finslippier, even.
Posted by: Jory | July 11, 2008 at 10:07 PM
How Adorable!
I'm with Carrie. Handbag all the way. Or carry on.
Posted by: SparklieSunShine | July 11, 2008 at 11:28 PM
What is with the penetrating gazes on those small children?! Those eyes are like gorgeous little tractor beams, sucking me in and making me think, "Maybe one more kid I could handle...."
Posted by: Velma | July 11, 2008 at 11:53 PM
No wonder you like your niece. She's a Nasa Engineer (or a rocket scientist)
Posted by: Pam | July 12, 2008 at 01:07 AM
Little boys are yummy, but little girls are delicious!!! My little boys are 17 and 12--in the 'stinky, mouthy' mode; my little girl is 7 and still delicious!!!
You might have to have a double cute-ectomy Alice. Henry will undoubtably want to do the surgery.
Posted by: Robin | July 12, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I imagine you somehow getting PeeWee and Cookie into this mix as your version of nirvana.
Jules
House of Jules
Posted by: HouseofJules | July 12, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Look-alike cousins. They are both beyond adorable.
Posted by: Angie | July 12, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I love her NASA overalls paired with that just-a-hint-of-frill t-shirt.
Posted by: Assertagirl | July 12, 2008 at 03:12 PM
SO adorable! Don't worry, you're not missing much here - lots of humidity today!
Posted by: Mauigirl | July 12, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Dearest Alice,
It's like removing a Band-Aid, minus the blood and pus and dry counties. Just remove yourself quickly.
Soberingly,
Joe
Posted by: HeyJoe | July 12, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Twice the cute -- how can you stand it?
I'm digging the braids and the Nasa jumper; I don't think I've ever seen childrens' clothing with the Nasa logo, and I live in Houston.
Posted by: Jamie (Ohbecareful!) | July 12, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Mmmm.... horseradish sauce.
(And yes, she is deliciously gorgeous!)
Posted by: Kaza | July 12, 2008 at 08:49 PM
She is just sweetness and the second pic is beyond adorable. I love them!
Posted by: JenS | July 12, 2008 at 09:54 PM
sneak her in your luggage. maybe they won't notice until it's too late...
Posted by: zeghsy | July 12, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Oh, such an adorable picture!
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | July 12, 2008 at 10:12 PM
What an absolutely wonderful idea....Keeping those two precious angels together!
Don't toy with my emotions......
Posted by: Deetz & Co. | July 12, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Nasa overalls?? How cute!!
Utah is pretty parched, huh, but we've got some good stuff, too! ;)
Posted by: Barb @ getupandplay | July 13, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I am officially in love. Gosh, I wish I could squish my daughter back to that age.
Posted by: Karen | July 13, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I wouldn't be able to walk away from that carpet...before taking a nap on it.
Posted by: Big Momma Pimpalishisness | July 13, 2008 at 11:28 AM
That age is completely irresistible and she is delish. Maybe you could just stay until she hits her tweens... ;)
Posted by: amy | July 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I have two nieces and a nephew in Utah. I wish my daughter was growing up around them. It's the hardest part about leaving each time we visit. But life must go on in Jersey...
Posted by: amy | July 13, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Nope, sorry, can't. Can't tell you that. Can't lie.
Posted by: Therese | July 13, 2008 at 04:11 PM
awww i love her little pigtails!
Posted by: sara | July 14, 2008 at 03:52 AM
I have the solution - take her with you when you go. Maybe they'll (her parents) will never notice. It could work! With enough subterfuge and drugs, I bet you could sneak her home in your suitcase.
Posted by: The Cheap Chick | July 14, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I tried to think of a way to convince you to leave her behind, but looking at the picture? You're screwed.
(You can always forward your animals with the mail, right?)
Posted by: Jen | July 14, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Oh Dear! Not ANOTHER Blog I am going to become addicted to. When will I ever leave the house? I do have friends here, where I live, and someone asked me... how do you keep up with all of your friends and all of your favorite blogs? I don't know, but Heather Armstrong's blog sent me here because Leta fell in love with Henry: (http://dooce.com/daily-photo/2008/07/14/heart-breaking-violently.) I would too! Little niece is precious and I agree... she looks like Leta's sister.
Living in the west isn't all bad... One can't blow one's nose, one's skin is full of wrinkles and feels like sandpaper, but OH... the lovely people! I encourage you to move out here where the people are luscious and juicy, even if the air isn't! Henry needs to grow up along side this precious little girl. Cousins are the best!!!
Posted by: Jan | July 14, 2008 at 12:45 PM
She is a cutie pie. It'[s obvious from the photos. There are adorable little girls about her age available for adoption in Russia and Kazakhstan, where my kids are from. I can give you more information if you'd like...
Posted by: Dee | July 14, 2008 at 03:56 PM
What adorable photos!
Posted by: Kelsey | July 14, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Gawd, Henry's gorgeouser than ever! He looks so much like you Alice. Your niece is a peach too. You should try her with a soy sauce marinade.
Posted by: dana | July 15, 2008 at 01:00 AM
Oh I don't know..Henry is pretty cute himself. I do think she would make a lovely carry-on though...Who needs matched LV luggage when you can have her? :)
Posted by: Jaime | July 15, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Is it any wonder third children are spoiled rotten? I have two big ones, 14 and 12, and my 9-year old is still delectable... and I can't help but cling to her innocence and beauty.
Isn't it great how at the end of a long exhausting day you can get such pure joy from just looking at a precious little person. It's almost enough to make me want more.
Almost.
Katrin
co-author Mothers Need Time Outs, Too
www.momstimeouts.com
Posted by: katrin | July 15, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Oh man, those eyes, those braided pigtails, that saucy mouth. She's a doll! Looks like a perfect combo of sweet and sassy! Could you please carbon copy her and send me one?
Posted by: Kia | July 15, 2008 at 08:58 PM
AwWWW!They look like brother and sister:-)Cute overload.
Posted by: sunny | July 15, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Ohhhhhh she is adorable. They both are. And if you stay, then can grow up together and you can see her cuteness all the time. :)
Have a great trip!
Posted by: Kimmers | July 15, 2008 at 10:31 PM
We see our niece and nephew twice a year and it hurts my heart because we love them so.
Posted by: Ally | July 15, 2008 at 10:45 PM
I object.
Posted by: liz | July 16, 2008 at 06:28 PM
No, no. I could not.
Posted by: the new girl | July 16, 2008 at 10:52 PM
cousins are the greatest. Pigtails are the greatest. Tiny toddling NASA engineers are the greatest.
And that carpet? Looks like the greatest. Although if it were in my house, it would smell like stinky dog.
Posted by: Ali B. | July 17, 2008 at 09:08 AM
That is painfully cute. I wouldn't want to leave either.
Posted by: Cara | July 18, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Outrageously adorable. More importantly, What is your opinion on Apple Juice? Personally, I'm all for it most days, but other days, I could take it or leave it. Other days still, I could drink it nearly boiling with some cinnamon, and still yet on other days, I could only have it ice cold.
Posted by: Lauren | July 18, 2008 at 10:21 AM
She is definitely a beauty!
Posted by: Christian Bruce | July 18, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I just got that you said "innard-desiccatingly dry" - what a line! Fantastic!
Posted by: Shannon | July 18, 2008 at 11:13 PM
That is just the cutest pic and no I couldn't leave that either.
Posted by: Midwest Mommy | July 20, 2008 at 10:29 PM