Here's What's Happening

I'm doing a miserable job of keeping this blog updated! With a baby on the way, our recent semi-annual visit to Utah, and a stack of deadlines for magazine articles I've committed to writing before the end of the year, I can barely see straight. Not only that, but as writing used to be my outlet, it's now a job for me again. I still really enjoy it, but it's often the last thing I want to do to unwind.

Where do I start while being sorta brief (mostly for my own sake, but I'm sure no one is dying for the dirty details anyway)? Let's start with Utah, since that was exciting. As usual, it was a great trip. Probably one of my favorite trips out ever.

We packed so much in: a visit to Durango to see Dave and Erin's cute family, (above: Dave w/Jonas in the backpack and Jed holding his hand, our family)

just Harland and I took a trip up to Chicago for a conference Harland was involved in, (while our boys had the time of their lives parent-free at grandma and grandpa Hayes' house); we visited with dear friends and their darling kids whom I haven't seen in a while, enjoyed Halloween parties and sleepovers at the cabin and Mimi's, took in a U game, and took Cannon rock-climbing thanks to Ryan and Preston --a real highlight. It was just a great trip. Best of all, Harland got a job offer from a group he's really excited about it Salt Lake, so we are thrilled about that. It's still seven months away, so I'm trying to stay focused on the here and now. I'm really excited--OF COURSE-- but I don't know what I will do without some of my dear friends here. So I'll just cross that bridge later.

At the Art Institute in Chicago--an Edward Hopper painting

Just to prove that we're really in Chicago!!!, Me in front of Joffrey Ballet studios

Cannon and Henry were Batman and Robin for Halloween. They love the 1960's video we have, so their costumes were less "Dark Night" than the other Batmans running around. For now, you'll have to imagine tights and briefs, tall boots, big belts and masks..I need some better pics so I'll post those later. I thought they looked awesome. The best part: they were thrilled with their costumes and still wear them daily.

What else? Cannon's t-ball season ended. That was a great time, even if half the games were rained out. On the upside of all that rain, my garden is rockin and Charlotte has never been more colorful than this fall. Other good news is that Obama won and my friend Erin had a beautiful baby boy named Ezra--whom I am gaga over and getting excited to have another tiny one of my own. (That's when I'm not having panic attacks about having another tiny one of my own--how does one do it with 3? Yikes.) Ummm, here's something cool: I get to write restaurant reviews for Charlotte Parent! No one could be more excited because no one likes to eat more than me. I think one of my favorite things to do is eat out. For those of you who've seen me eat, you know this job is a match made in heaven. I'm still open to any ideas for places to review if you live here in Charlotte. We tried New Zealand Cafe the other night, but unfortunately, they've already been reviewed by the magazine. Still, if you live in Charlotte and you want yummy Asian food and sushi, it's as good as it gets and a million times cheaper.

As for the boys, Harland is at work right now. He is busy but not as bad as it used to be. Cannon and Henry are getting psyched for their birthdays. We are all getting psyched for Elyse and Grant to visit us at Thanksgiving, and I am trying to keep my cool about staying in Charlotte for Christmas for the first time since we've lived here. I love a white Christmas with family everywhere and festivities piled so high I can barely breathe. But now that we're back from Utah, and exhausted, I'm actually really excited for Christmas at home. I want to make it truly special and meaningful, without feeling the need to spend a lot of money in doing so. Wish me luck on that...because I'll need it.

OK, I'll try to post sooner next time.

Love, Heather