Mid-Summer in Maine

We've settled into our new digs in Bar Harbor and anxiously await any incremental progress on our house in Mount Desert. It's hard watching our house slowly take shape, but with framing about to commence we should see quick progress in a matter of weeks. Living in such close quarters has its disadvantages but overall it's worked out well for us, it's very close to town, the national park, the lab and daycare which means more time doing what we'd like rather than in the car.

Laura headed to San Antonio for 5 days at the end of July for the Society for the Study of Reproduction annual conference, where she presented her current work to a distinguished group of her colleagues. In her absence I was joined by Grandma & Grandpa Reinholdt & Grandma Kathy whose invaluable assistance made Laura's time away from home manageable (and most enjoyable for our boys).

Trips to Sand Beach in Acadia, hikes up Cadillac Mountain's West Face trail, mini-golf, trips out to eat in Bar Harbor, walks in the park, all made for an enjoyable visit from the grandparents and gave the kids (and Dad) a break from the usual routine of daycare. Thanks for all of your help with the children and everyday household duties, it was immensely helpful.

Some of the best news of the summer arrived just prior to Laura leaving for Texas. She was offered a position as Technology Development Scientist in the Genetic Resources division of the Jackson Laboratory. This marks a transition away from the ever-fluctuating world of soft-money to a permanent position within the lab. She will be a part of a group of scientists determining the direction for the lab's future research and technology development. That's my girl...I'm beaming with pride.





Sig is walking confidently now and mutters the occasional word here and there, mostly 'dog' and 'hat'. He's eating meat at an unsustainable rate so if you visit, please bring something containing protein. He graduates into the toddler room at the end of August, which will expand his daycare world tenfold, more toys, more kids, more outside time. Henning is getting taller and enjoys telling stories and telling adults what to do. His favorite subjects right now are bears, sharks, and any animal with big teeth. Although when you put a live lobster in front of him he runs into the closet. Sig on the other hand will pick up the lobster, try to pet it and then consider it food. Our kids are our life right now, they're wonderfully entertaining and equally exhausting.

Oh yeah, then there's the house project. You can follow our progress at the Longhouse blog. Things are beginning to take shape, lots left to do.