Life with three little buddies and much much more

It's hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since I last updated this blog. If that doesn't tell you something about having three kids I don't know what will :). Nate and I both agree however that our transition to three has been the easiest so far. Mason and Stanley love their baby sister and are also so helpful. Something about having older kids that makes such a difference as a parent with a new baby. I had to set some time aside though today and gather some of my favorite pictures for memories sake. Since I last updated the blog, Elizabeth has been on 27 separate flights (5 times to Utah, 2 times to San Francisco and 1 time to Hawaii). Mason turned 7, Stanley turned 5, and Elizabeth is now a year old. We've also visited New Orleans for the Jazz Festival and my birthday, Memphis for the National BBQ competition and the newly rededicated Temple, and St Louis. We've driven from Utah to Arkansas twice. Mason and Stanley were both in soccer last fall, and they both learned some skills this year in fishing, skiing, surfing, golfing, and tennis. Stanley learned to ride a bike, and Elizabeth learned to walk. We celebrated the life of my dear Grandmother Shirley Andersen when she passed away, and the marriage of our wonderful brother Ryan and his new bride Rachel. Elizabeth was blessed. We found a pool that someone was giving away, and planted two separate gardens. Mason was in his first play. Mason continued on his piano and Stanley started learning the piano recently when he turned 5. Nate enjoyed teaching Mason's primary class and is now serving as the Young Men's President. I was the Secretary in the Primary Presidency and am now in charge of Singing Time which I love. We have enjoyed visiting with Grandparents (both here at home in Arkansas and in Utah), cousins, friends new and old, strawberry picking, meeting Santa, playing with neighbors, and visiting the Science Museum. We've enjoyed visits from parents, a sibling, a cousin and some dear friends. We also met the Candy Bomber, Gail Halverson, one of my boy's heroes. We made lots of pizza, ice cream, bread, and popcorn. We visited the Sundance Film Festival, celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary, and most recently took a trip to Hawaii with Nate's family. We also enjoyed meeting Ruby Bridges and Shaquille O'Neal (both fun stories). This year I also taught Mason and Stanley at home. Fun, full, wonderful year. Now enjoy a feast of pictures :).