Regaining my Footing!

I thought my blogging days were done. I don't know why because I know we're all busy, but I just couldn't find the time. Three kids has been a challenge the likes of which I've never known! I've been amazed at how little I can get done in the space of a day. What used to be the bare minimum--getting everyone fed, dressed, and driving them to where they need to be when they need to be there--is most of the time the bare maximum! So...I sorta let this go. But I had a nice chat with my friend, Meredith, and she convinced me to give it another go around. So thanks, Mer.

I wont try and summarize the past nine months (yes, I could have had a baby since I last wrote...but I didn't.) Highlights of our first year (almost) back in Salt Lake City:

1. A new-old house

2. A new job for Harland, he loves it.

3. A new preschool for Henry--we couldn't love it more

4. Cannon started Kindergarten. He's had a ball.

5. FANTASTIC neighbors that have become fast friends. My dream of kids running from house to house has truly come true.

6. I rejoined the Salt Lake Choral Artists and have enjoyed dedicating my Tuesday nights to rehearsing. It's really fun and challenging. I also volunteer at Cannon's school, teach Music Appreciation for his class, and work in Primary right now. I've only ever had a short stint in Primary, so it's fun to learn about this organization more. It's pretty much always been Young Women. Other than that you'll find me driving, or scrubbing grape juice from the kitchen floor.

7. We have slowly been plugging away at one house project after another

8. The boys learned to ski. Cannon picked it up fast and has been a little daredevil. Henry took a little longer to come around, but after a couple of lessons at The Canyons, he turned a corner and really started to love it.

9. The boys have been involved in soccer, basketball, and baseball this year (not all at the same time!) Cannon will start piano lessons sometime soon.

10. Elizabeth turned one and is the most adored little sister ever. That's because she's really cute, yes, and also because she hasn't learned how to take her brother's toys yet.

11. Harland has been working, and doing more playing than in years past. We were able to go on a cruise with Preston and Karen and also go to Vegas for Spring Break recently. At no point did Harland have to come late or leave early. It was a stark contrast to years past. He also gets to teach up at the med school from time to time, and he's very devoted to the Young Mens program in our ward.

12. I ran my first half marathon. It was fun.

OK, here are some pictures, and they're out of order, so sorry:

Elizabeth at nine months (taken in November)...getting bigger

Henry working out. Yep, the costumes are still used on a daily, I mean hourly basis, although I'm sad to report that Cannon is starting to become too cool for most of them.

Elizabeth's first birthday party in February at our house. I should have taken pictures of the decorations because I put some effort into those! Oh well, you can sorta see them in the background. We enjoyed cupcakes and italian sodas in her honor. She stuffed her face and got a tutu swimsuit, a baby doll and a stroller. She is just now warming up to her baby. She used to look at it and throw it across the room.
This was taken a week ago. She's not just walking, she's running. She also likes to sing, scream, pet doggies, splash in the toilet when her mommy turns her back, and tear the house apart. I've never had a child so...darling and yet destructive. She's a real fireball. Cannon likes to call her our "Little Rascal". Don't even think about turning your back with her around. She'll dump out dry noodles, plastic forks and make confetti out of the napkins in a matter of seconds. Don't bother handing her toys. She's not too interested.

Christmas time with the family.

Christmas party at our house. Henry is the shepherd in the background~that's Melanie (Harland's sis) singing with me.

First day of school for Cannon. Now the school year is almost over. He had a great year. I'm absolutely thrilled with how great this school is! Right here he is standing in the street in front of our house. Behind him is the school. Very convenient.

Halloween!

Thanksgiving at our house

Winter time. Henry loves "Tiz"