annika adventures: I'm Baaaaack!

It's been a minute!

This two-kids-thing has really done me in ;). Anyone who knows my kids can tell you I have hiiiigh energy children! Literally there is no pause button. From the (super early) minute they wake up to the minute they go down they are GO GO GO.

We are in this new phase I never thought I'd be in, where we never leave the house before noon because it's too hard to get all three of us fed and dressed and loaded up by then. Where we basically stay home minus the occasional preschool pickup or (dreaded) grocery store run. Where I turn my back for two seconds and kids are climbing on the counter eating the hidden cookies and pulling out knives. Where I haven't exercised consistently in weeks. Where the McDonald's drive thru girl knows I want one soda for now and one without ice for later ;).

Honestly it's been good for me. My old days chock-full of museums and errands and home-cooked meals are currently replaced with setting up train tracks with Cannon, wiping up the sticky fingerprints everywhere, rolling play dough pancakes with Lydia, throwing in a load of laundry, and microwaving frozen lasagna for dinners. And that's okay! These kids are stretching me every second and I can only run so fast. I've had to learn to say no, which us people-pleasers really suck at! And I've had to learn to shift my expectations for myself. Having a clean house and clean hair simultaneously is too much for me right now, but I CAN sit and read books with the kids for 20 minutes. I'm teaching myself to not feel guilty that I should be doing more. And I remind myself daily that this is a season. And as insane as some days are, I know it will fly.

So here's a massive photo dump and quick update from the last few months!

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Michael is done with the 4 months of away rotations!! PRAISE BE. So now he's traveling 3-4 days a week for interviews, ha. But this is so much better than just straight up gone! March 15th is the magical Match Day when we find out where we'll live for the next 5 years for residency, and then May 17th is graduation - Michael will officially be a doctor! I am so proud of him. I have no idea how he does it all and does it all so well. We love you boo!

- Disneyland! Lots of Disney. (Think I've finally converted my parents and sisters - YAY.)

- Trick or Treating was one of the best nights of the entire year. Lydia was old enough to run up all on her own and Cannon was brave enough to follow her! Super fun watching them ask for candy haha.

- This newly budding cake hobby! Ever since my terrible attempt at Cannon's 1-year-old smash cake in March, I was determined to get good at cakes! It's been such a fun new skill to learn, especially with Michael being gone so much. Cakes take a TON of time (and freezer space), but I've really enjoyed feeling crafty. A few favorites have been a banana nutella smores cake, a spice cake with gingersnap and candied pecan crumbles, and a German chocolate fudge cake!

- Disney on Ice date with Lydia :).

- Big instagram sale! I was lucky enough to sell a ton of stuff which always feels so refreshing! Love a good closet clean out.

- Awesome Thanksgiving break in AZ with both families.

- Turkey Trot featuring the Huish gang and my really exciting spray tan! Hahah. I was actually pretty stoked because I finished 7th for my age group?! Okay I KNOW THAT'S NOT BRAG WORTHY but I was happy when I saw it online!

- Followed by a not-so-awesome 12 hour road trip home to Utah, just me and the two kids. HA. Lydia was an angel, Cannon was a pterodactyl.

- We've reached minivan status!! Sort of. My mom is lending us hers for a while since she is almost an empty nester and really should not be driving a minivan anymore ;). HeLLOO sliding doors.

- Temple lights with med school friends!

- S N O W (a highlight and a lowlight let's be honest).

- And now I'm finalizing Christmas shopping and looking forward to helping in Lydia's preschool Christmas party next week!