October: Sophie Advances to Blue Group

Sophie hated soccer and begged me to put her in gymnastics. She overcame a major hurdle in gym and just advanced to the blue group in gymnastics. Now the gymnastics get pretty technical. We are so proud of her! She has really got a wonderful talent for gymnastics!

October: Hoover Fund Run

Our elementary school was raising funds for a new track. The children have been running on a hilly dirt path to perform their presidential fitness running award. Each child was asked to find direct donations that would help. Daddy Hall Warbucks ponied up $100 per kid. He is so generous.


Lizzy was the first class we watched. She ran hard for about a lap and then after that it was pure entertainment to walk the track with Grammie.


Andrew was up next and ran his heart out. He was just 2 laps behind the longest lap leader and that was largely because of his asthma which flared up near the end.


Andrew's buddy Nicholas was the lap leader!


Sophie just wanted to hang with Grammie and Papa during her run so we each took turns doing laps with her, even with Ethan on my shoulders and being pregnant!


Otterpops were the reward at the end which couldn't have been a better treat! It was a great event that ended up raising $13,000.00. Not too shabby!

October: Andrew's Flag Football and Martin Visit

During my parents stay they had the wonderful joy of seeing Lizzy play soccer and Andrew play flag football. I think in general they had validation as to why they didn't have their 8 children all playing sports as they watched me shuttle each child from one thing to the next.



Both kids played well and were thrilled to have their grandparents watching them in the stands.





I don't know how much the other kids were watching though. Debbie was just too entertaining.

October: Grammie Martin's Unbirthday Party

My parents came for a visit this month and we loved every minute of it. My mom decided to start a new tradition with her grandkids who live so far away. She is going to celebrate an unbirthday party with them annually. This way she gets to enjoy watching them open their gifts and have a special dinner.

Since it was October the kids made pizza's that looked like pumpkin faces...or not.

Grammie even brought her fancy punch dispenser so the kids could have fun with their punch!


Next each kid got to make their very own birthday cakes. Now, Grammie was a cake decorator in college and that craft has served her well through 7 weddings. Now it's time to give the kids some lessons.


They got pretty good at decorative borders.



Then they all sang happy birthday to one another.


No party is complete without cotton candy so then the kids each got to make their own cotton candy treat. Can you believe my mom brings all this stuff with her 800 miles from Utah?


Then it was birthday present time. The kids each got to go to Toys R Us and pick out a $15 item they desired. The boys were thrilled with their legos.

Everyone had such a wonderful time. This is going to be a fun annual tradition. Next year...a bounce house or giant sumo wrestling Grammie?

October: Ethan Playing with His Nephews

Now that Anne lives in town the two of us usually monopolize Rozanne for some amount of babysitting each week, especially with the two of us attending O.B. appointments. The cousin's love it and they each have a favorite Nana snack and activity to do.


What would we do without 30 year old puzzles, toys, books, and a talking goose?


We love our Nana!

October: Once and Awhile acting like Adults

Once in a awhile we Hall Family members will venture out to a fancy restaurant and have a nice meal together. Now, we are practical, getting there early enough to get the early bird special, which includes an appetizer, salad, and dessert, but would you expect anything less? These events are usually comical as Rozanne, Anne, and Brian keep us in stitches. I am so lucky to have great in-laws.

September: Picking Pumpkins at Nana's

Most families run to Albertson's to get their annual carving pumpkins, or make a special trip to a farm hosting a harvest festival and pick one out of the pumpkin patch.


Not us, we just go to Nana's house and get to pick from a couple dozen pumpkins.


The kids love this annual tradition and so does Nana.



Lizzy wanted a big one. Her dad told her whatever size she wanted she had to carry to the car, hence the medium size pumpkin.


Ethan found 3 he wanted, and carried to the car.


Sophie was picky and looked for just the "right" one.


Which apparently was a little green.


Andrew wanted a white pumpkin which Nana had planted this year. So he found one that was just perfect. What a wonderful experience.