Nativity Program

Taylor playing thee Angel in a Nativity Performance. Over 400 nativities were displayed!

Alana sang in the Stake Children's Choir.

I was proud of her making in through 7-8 performances during
the two days of nativity display time.

Tagged!!!

Thanks Emily for challenging me to come up with 6 random facts about myself. This is tough.

1. Once I start anything; projects, dishes, cleaning, a good book, painting . . . I have a hard time stopping for the kids or whatever. I know that if I stop, I may not get back to it for a long time. I also feel great satisfaction upon completing things.
2. I avoid competition and having to think too hard. I would rather play a game just for fun that takes no skill (UNO) then one like chess that takes a lot of thought and strategy. Taylor is the opposite and thrives on strategy.
3. I am fine with cereal or pancakes for dinner any day of the week. After a long day it is easy, fast, little dishes and clean up. I may scramble some eggs to give the kids protein.
4. Ever since 7th grade when my track coach had me run a 400 meter race and I started out too fast and had to walk at the end, I have had the mentality that I was never meant to run distance. A couple weeks ago I ran 2 miles, probably the furthest I have run in my life. It reaffirms to me that one can accomplish anything one step at a time.
5. I wanted to be a librarian when I grew up. I have fond memories of going to our little Connell library and checking out books as well as library time at school. I love children's books and have a dream of writing one someday. I would love to be able to emulate Sandra Boynton. Her books are so adorable and fun!
6. I have a lot of self control when shopping. I am very efficient and get in and out with what is on my list. 99% of the time I have kids with me which adds to my motivation to be quick. If I am in the checkout line and I think of something that I forgot to get. Majority of the time I decide it can wait for another shopping day.

Alright, now I tag Denise and Sarah S.

Taylor's Birthday

Janae found a new best friend :)
Grandpa and Grandma Hall also celebrated with us
and made it an extra special evening.

I got creative and made a little laminated book titled
"Favorite Times with Dad."
Here are the photos and words inside . . .

I like giving daddy kisses.

I like going to Mcdonalds with my dad.

I like making puzzles with my dad.

I like playing Starcraft and winning with my dad.

I like doing special things with my dad like going on bike rides.

We love our dad!
Alana Andrew Ashlynn Maya Janae

Music!

As you can see, I am stuck in the 90's with music. The Bryan Adams song was mine and Taylor's song in our dating years. "The Promise" was put on repeat tons with roommates at Heritage Halls (Taylor was on his mission then). Taylor and I danced to it at our reception. "Pump Up the Jam" is dedicated to my brother Monte, who inspired me in hip-hop dancing. "Your Beautiful" is for Alana who is a huge fan of the song.

Veteran's Day

Today was just one of those days. Taylor left early for Seattle til Friday. Bummer. Then with the kids home, I was planning on spending the day with grandparents, an hour away. I woke up to strong winds and advisories. I was disappointed, yet it was good not to tell the kids potential plans so they were saved disappointment (something I have learned as a parent :) With stormy weather it left us stuck inside all day with relatively nothing to do. The power went off this afternoon. Great, we didn't have much to do anyway and now there's no tv. The kids surprised me and jumped into action, remembering the power out experience last winter in Sherwood. After getting jackets on and flashlights for the bathrooms, they laid out a "game" blanket. They gathered books and games and puzzles and put them on the blanket. I got some snacks out and they were happy doing their things. It was like an adventure for them and we were all in it together. It reminded me about preparedness and how our 72 hour backpacks are across the complex in a garage with an electric garage door opener! The electricity did come back after awhile and we were able to heat up some leftovers for dinner and finish the day with FHE. I shouldn't say finished because then with kids in bed I tend to stay up and relax. Tonight was "Dancing with the Stars" and a long phone call with my sister. Goodnight.

Halloweens Past & Present

Alana the rock star!

This was three years ago (2004) in Pasco.

Maya is the flower this time :)

This was two years ago with our cousins in Sherwood.

Maya was the bat then and Ashlynn still a princess.

Ashlynn with her flower friends in Kansas.

She's 3rd from the left.

Another mom when to a lot of work to sew these.

Janae as a bat with yummy carmel apples.
Yes, I think we have found a new Halloween tradition!

Carving Pumpkins

Taylor spearheaded this gooey FHE event. Janae was up on the table in the middle of everything like always and Maya was in her princess/everyday/halloween dress :)

Then and Now

Maya and Hazel were born about one month apart. They are so cute together! They switched hair bands and were pretending to be the other.

Family Goodbyes

We won't be seeing Anthony and Eunsuk for a long time since they are on there way to Korea. It was good to have a chance to say goodbye.

Autumn Fun

One Saturday we tried a corn maze and did so well, we went in again. What helped us is that we heard you had to go over a bridge and through a tunnel to make it out. We also stopped at a pumpkin patch with a huge haystack and slide.

Favorite Bread Recipe

A to Z Bread

3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. cinnamon
3 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. baking powder
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups A to Z
3 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts

Beat eggs in large bowl; add sugar and oil. Cream well.
Add A to Z and vanilla. Add dry ingredients (mixed together).
Mix well. Add nuts. Spoon into 2 well greased loaf pans.
Bake 325 for 1 hour.

A to Z – Use one of the following to equal 2 cups.

Apples, grated- Oranges, chopped
Applesauce- Peaches, chopped
Apricots, chopped- Pears, chopped
Bananas, mashed- Pineapple, drained & crushed
Carrots, grated- Pumpkin, canned
Cherries, chopped- Raspberries
Eggplant, ground up -Strawberries
Lemons (1/2 cup juice) -Yams, mashed
Zucchini, grated

Emergency Preparedness

I just headed my first enrichment night on Emergency Preparedness and 72 hour kits. The speakers did a great job, one being Taylor and the other a very passionate lady on food and water storage. She almost had me teary eyed. I wanted to remind you "If we are prepared we shall not fear" (D&C ...) And Noah built an ark before it rained and then the rain came.
A few new tips- for water storage, if the container has PEET or PETE on it, it can be used for water storage. Put in 1/8 t. bleach for every 1 gal. water. Have whistles in the kids' packs and teach them the sign for help- 2 long whistles. The response if you are coming to help is 1 long whistle.

Silly Kids

After taking Janae's spagetti photos, the other kids wanted a chance in the spotlight :)

Janae & Spagetti

Every child deserves a spagetti photo!

Cheer Camp

Ashlynn and Alana learned a dance, four cheers and some jumps all in 2 hours. I was impressed. The Walla Walla High School mascot is the Blue Devils. That is the worst mascot I have ever known! I will try and find you a picture.

Ashlynn starts kindergarten

Ashlynn received a Student of the Month award for September. Way to start off your long, long, long school career! Yes, I am a little behind in my postings, as she started a month ago. I am still looking for the photos of Alana and Andrew.

Andrew's 7th Birthday

We celebrated at Hat Rock State Park! We got to play with our cousin, Matthew. I was so rushed in making the cake, I let Andrew do the decorating. Hey, he was happy with it :)

Close cousins

Here is Janae (below) with her closest cousin, Tanner. Tanner is exactly one month older. David and Alicia's boy, Grant (left), was also born that summer and is about 2 months older than Janae.

Frank Hall Reunion

The kids went on a hike, explored trails, had a fish sale, and saw many, many relatives. We hope to see great-grandma and grandpa Hall again next year!

Anthony and Eunsuk's family

Hazel and Everett are such cuties! Thanks for the delicious dinner and good time.