I am finally all caught up after a 6 month blogging hiatus.  I decided that, even though I was so behind, that I shouldn't abandon this because of all the bits and pieces of journaling and family history this holds for our little crew.  So, a dozen or so posts later, I am caught up to date.
There are a few things I didn't post specifically about though because the pictures must have fallen as victims of our recent computer crash.  Fortunately for us, they aren't pictures of the kids, just pictures from all the work we've done on our basement.  Honestly, so grateful for my husband (and willing and generous family and friends) who pushed to get this phase of our basement completed.  I. AM. SO. PLEASED.
This addition has made such a difference in the peace of our home and sanity of this mother.  For one, it is so much nicer to have the TV out of the main family area.  Less emphasis on TV is a good thing, and I love not having the noise right in the same room as I am cooking dinner or other things.  Second, the kids have a better place to play, so they can get out some of the toys that drove me crazy upstairs.  Third, I love being able to have a place for music, and a place for the kids when I am doing oboe upstairs.  The kids even snack less because they aren't in the same general area as the pantry when watching a show.
I also didn't post much on our family, in general, because it didn't tie in to specific pictures.  Let me sum up what I would have said, though.  First, I feel so grateful for my kids.  They love each other (most of the time) and play well.  It is gratifying to see them trade something or give something up to make each other happy.  It doesn't happen all of the time, but enough to know that their is love in their hearts and that something we do/say as a family is getting internalized.
Second, I am so amazed and grateful for my husband.  His calling in the bishopric and all his other responsibilities at school don't keep him from being the thoughtful person and great dad that I love.  He is one busy guy, but has made family things a priority.
Third, I just can't believe how time flies.  I look at these pictures (and going through all the ones we recovered from the old computer) and the kids practically grow up right before me.  So mixed up about that.  I love seeing them grow and learn, but I need to put some serious thought into inventing a pause button so they'll let me hold them for a little while longer, while they are still small enough.  Andrew told me the other night, while I was rocking him.  "No baby.  Big Baby Boy."  Pretty much sums it up, right?
The following posts are what has transpired in our family this past six months or so.  Some of the order of things are messed up, but it's all there.

Over spring break we decided to take a day and go to Logan for a little "vacation" of sorts.  We stayed overnight at grandma's so we wouldn't have to leave really early to be there when Baby Animal Days at the Heritage Center in Wellsville opened.  Good thing we did.  There was a huge line, but we still got in and saw a number of things without a huge line.

Kate and Isaac both had egg hunts and treats in their school/neighborhood preschool classes.  We also dyed eggs on Good Friday.  We are lucky to live within a reasonable distance between family, so that we can visit both sides for holidays.  We had egg hunts and festivities with both families and the weather was even nice-ish.  The kids' loved that the Easter Bunny hid their baskets in funny places this year (I can't remember whose it was but, one was even in the oven.  Daddy's basket was in the bathtub.  he he he)

 

Sarah flew in for some play time with family at the very end of February and stayed through mid-March, while Jon slaved away on work for his MFA.  One of the highlights for the kids was their sleepover with her.  We came straight from the ER and they all joined in the fun.  As a testament to how brave and determined Kate is, she slept on the floor with the other kids.

Andrew turned two in February.  We can't believe he's that big!  He is talking and running and keeping so busy.  He really does very well at communicating what he wants, something that we are actually very grateful for so that we don't have to play guessing games.

Our quick little weekend getaway to Southern Utah was a much deserved and wonderful break.  The sunny and warm weather was a shot in the arm for me.  I am totally ready for full-on spring to be here.  I would do well in Southern Utah for most of the year.

Steve had classes and workshops to attend for UMEA, so the kids and I lived it up.  We shopped, ate out, ate ice cream, played at the park multiple times, and went to the Fun Center (the kids' favorite).

At the park.

Brain freeze at Baskin Robbins.  MMMM, pink bubblegum ice cream.

Shopping for birthday presents for this little guy.  He threw a fit about taking these off, so he ended up getting the hat for his birthday.

Isaac, our somewhat toothless ice cream eater.

Kate needs a frequent flier card for the dentist.  We have definitely racked up some miles back and forth trying to keep this girl's chompers in her mouth and in working order.  The little retainer with 4 top front teeth that are the leftovers from her nasty dental experience in 2011 keep us on our toes.  Between October and April she has been to the dentist office 6-7 times for one reason or another.  Not my favorite thing to do.  But, she obviously doesn't mind it.  She is the toughest and easiest going little girl as far as these things go.  She amazes me.

With the last quarter of the year being so busy, Christmas break and the Holidays were so enjoyable.  The memories of this year that stand out most are the interactions between our kids and the enjoyment of time with family.

A few picture highlights:

We are very proud of Isaac and what he does.  He came home from school a day in October with this cool certificate and an engraved "dog tag" style necklace that he earned by being chosen as Student of the Month.   We are proud of him, with or without this recognition. It is gratifying to see that he is a good boy at school, though.

I can't resist posting these pictures.  Kate and Andrew very much love and adore their big brother.  But, when he is in school, they are the best of friends.

 Our sweet little ballerina girl turned 4 the same day as her recital for her dance class.  So, we grabbed happy meals at McDonald's and went to her recital, followed by presents and cake at home with Grandmas and Grandpas.  Kate wasn't feeling her best that day, so we were glad that she got to do both things.

As a gift from Steve's students/participants in the school musical, we got some more family pictures taken by a local photographer.  It was a really! cold day, so it was short.  Plus, this huge huge dog kept hanging around and freaked Kate out.  So, we really only got a few that are worth printing, but I love the one of my sweet hubby and I.  Almost nine years married when this was taken and I wouldn't trade the time for the world.

A big thing for me personally, and for each of our kids each week, has been our Let's Play Music and Sound Beginnings classes.  I decided to teach these classes because I wanted the kids to have this experience, and it is so fun that I get to be their teacher.

Isaac is learning so well, and can't wait to be playing the piano next year.  He is already playing around with things he can pick out by ear and loves the puppet shows that teach intelligent listening to classical music.

Kate does so well in hearing the music.  We have discovered that she has a really great sense of pitch.  Currently (spring 2013) she can sing middle C - Do is Home - almost perfectly without a piano or other cue.  She may or may not retain this forever, but it is proof to me that she is internalizing things.

Andrew amazes me as he catches on to concepts and songs from both classes as his older siblings.  I regularly catch him playing in his room and singing songs from both classes.  He loves to sing Goodbye Old Paint.

I never remember to get pictures of my first year LPM classes - class is so packed and full that it's over before I know it.  But, a mom in my Thursday Sound Beginnings class regularly brings her camera, so I'll share a few that she sent to me:

I love that one of our yearly family traditions is attending the concerts at temple square and seeing the sights of the season.  It does my heart good that Isaac asked if we got to do that again this year.  And we certainly did.
We met for dinner, the kids played around in the City Creek kid's area before walking outside to see the candy window displays (so cool!), then Steve's concert in the Assembly Hall, and seeing the lights with Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds.

A few pics from our evening: