Cruisin...

Well, we finally made it on the cruise Bennie gave me upteen years ago for Christmas. It was the first vacation that we have taken just the two of us that we can remember, so official it could be called our long overdue honeymoon--since the 1st honeymoon was a couple of days in between semesters at BYU. We got to the gate for our departure and there were so many smells around--the smoking room and so many people were eating and I just got feeling so sick, so I told Bennie we had to move away from all that. However, we got seated on the plane and the feeling still continued. He had upgraded with the sky miles to 1st class cause he was worried about his knees being squished, but it was wasted on me. I opened the wrapped blanket and kept the plastic bag close cause I thought I was going to lose everything. I had to fight really hard not to throw up all the way there, so it was a pretty miserable 4 hr flight. We found the hotel around midnight and got settled. The next day we went to Disney World. Dad took this picture to show how long the lines were. We got pretty good at getting fast passes after this ride. It was pretty cold most of the time we were there unfortunately. The next day we went to Epcot and Hollywood studios. Dad was so funny. He yelled and screamed on every ride. When we got to the Hotel of Terror thing we had 2 little kids sitting with their parents in the row ahead of us and they were so scared that they started crying before we even started--so he was threatened not to make a sound. But all he could do is laugh on that one cause it took your breath away. We had fun and went on most rides (dad wouldn't go over to fantasyland though). By the end of the days we were pretty cold, tired and hungry. We had to do a time share thing in the middle of the second day and that was torture. We were there for 4 hrs and they wouldn't let you go and such extreme pressure! They kept bringing more people out every time you would tell them no and then they even offered it for free if you just paid the taxes. It was pretty intense and made us pretty upset. Thursday we went to the Orlando Temple. When dad was in the dressing room a guy asked him if his wife was there and when he said yes, he asked if we would be the witness couple so we were glad to do that. He was asked 3 times before he got up there though if he could kneel and once after I was with him. That was pretty funny. It is a beautiful temple--just tiny though. After that we went to the cruise ship. We found food first and then went to the stateroom. We were supposed to have an outside cabin but of course that fell through, but it was still nice and they kept everything so clean. Our days were filled with eating and more eating. Man I can't believe the food. Everything was so good. We also went to the exercise room, played ping pong and miniature golf, sat in the hot tub (froze when we got out-not worth it) and toured the ship. I am still surprised at the lack of clothes on most people--even when it is cold! Yeesh! On Friday we got off at the Nassau island. Our boat is the one in the middle of the two in the picture. I had my sweater off for 1/3 of that day. Sunday we returned and tried to find a church. Funny thing about this trip was dad writing the directions down--he wrote opposite of where we were supposed to go--just a couple of times, but we went the wrong direction for the temple and then we went the wrong direction for Ft Lauderdale. We got to the church by the temple 15 minutes late for the 11:00 and found out it was a Spanish speaking ward, so we drove on. I had Kim on the phone and she found us a church by the towns we were close too. We were only 5 minutes late for this one but there were no cars in the parking lot. Either they didn't have a 1:00 church or it was Stake conference. While I bemoaned to Kim, dad asked her to find out how much further to our turnoff. Unfortunately she couldn't find it---cause we were going the wrong way. We had gone 2 hours the wrong way! She suggested I get a GPS for dad before we go on another trip. Monday we had to do another time share thing there in Ft Lauderdale. This time it was only 1 1/2 hrs long and not quite as intense. After we went to the beach. We also stopped by the office there and complained and found out they had double charged us for the cruise and gave us a number to call to try and get our money back. That will be a job cause you can never talk to a real person. Tuesday we headed home. After breakfast we were in an airport all day. And, they now make you buy your food so we were unprepared. Dad refused to buy airport food at their prices so he went in to the bathroom and got some hot water in a bowl and mixed up some instant oatmeal that he had brought along. I just had to take a picture. It is such a funny memory. It is hard going on a trip on a strict budget! But we had fun getting away and spending time together. We missed the family so much and were glad to get home as well. It really is my favorite place to be!

Baptisms!

What a special day we had with Jenna and Colton getting baptized. Jenna looked so beautiful--and happy! Colton looked handsome and excited. He didn't know he was going to get triple duty, but it made it all the more memorable. We sure love these two and are so proud of them. It was made even more special with having their cousins there to share it with them. We have such a great group. TJ was sick and Alyssa stayed home with him and Allison, so here you have it--20 of the 26 greatest kids around! Whoops--19, Trey has disappeared! I love these pictures of their families, but we aren't good photographers--we couldn't get away from the window, plus my old camera has a weird white out spot in it, but they are still better than not having anything. The next day we went to Isabell's blessing and she looked so beautiful as well. I forgot the camera, so Jer is going to email me pictures, so maybe next week. But Liz's sister has pictures on her website that are gorgeous of her. It is Krissyhickenphotography.com. Look under the newborn section. (that may not be the right spelling--I'll find out) We had a fun weekend with Trav and Allison's family. I feel bad it turned out to be so busy with us trying to get ready for the trip. However, we loved having them around and visiting and hearing what the kids were doing. Allyson did a great FHE for us on Sunday. It was so good to be together and the kids did pretty good--even the little ones. The boys had this great idea to have a sleep over on Sunday night. Unfortunately they decided after Zack had gone home so he didn't get to come back. Then Logan got sick in the middle of the night(thanks Allison for cleaning everything up), so Jer came and got him and Colton. But the others had a great time and did really good. When I came running in Monday to leave for the airport, the boys were eating ice cream and making a hut. It had 4 standing walls and they had even put pictures on the walls. I wish I had gotten a picture! What a great memory they have though and a fun day. Thanks again to Allison and Trav for doing this for the boys. And, as always, we missed those not here--Kim and Daniel and family!

Boys, boys and boys!

We tended Taylor, Sydney and Gracie for an hour or so while Kristy helped at the school for Valentine's Day and when they got back Isaac surprised us by asking for a sleepover--his bag was packed in the car! Well, who can say no to that? And, Joshy really wanted to stay so we had them over for the night. They played games with grandpa and then the 3 of them watched Star Wars. I had to give up after awhile cause it got so late. Next morning grandpa made them pancakes and then he had a great time telling them the story of "Little Black Sambo" It was quite the production but way fun. After breakfast the three of them went to Home Depot to get a few things and while there, Justyn called to see if we could pick them up. Reed and Allyson had gone on a Valentine's getaway and the girls were with her mom. The boys had spent the night at a friends but then wanted to come over. So they joined the group. Liz had brought me the baby to watch while she went to the store and they got back about the same time. So, we sent them home and the boys stayed to play. The activity of choice was the Monopoly game and those of you who have played against dad know that he gets into that game and likes to win. So it was war. They had lots of fun anyway and Justyn was the undisputed winner. Part way into the game, John came over and he stirred things up a bit. Bren and Isaac got to be dog piled! After the game and lunch and snacks, dad put on an old, really old, Western and I started telling him there was no way that those boys would watch that. Imagine my surprise when all of them--young ones included were soon glued to the TV and watched it to the end. It was pretty funny. I could hardly watch it--must be something about a western??? We took the boys home before heading to Mapleton with Colton and Logan and felt bad that Zack wasn't part of it all. Had we known, we would have had him come as well. We will have to do it again--and for the girls as well. So that was our Valentine's day adventure--lots of boys. After helping a few minutes with Jer and Liz we headed home and dad and I cooked dinner and watched an old movie. Now that is my kind of Valentines--chilling at home. Hope yours was great! (In the next post about Issie, Sydney and Taylor's name should read Elizabelle)

Beautiful baby!

Little Isabelle Elizabeth Hall made her grand entrance on February 10th. She passed her brothers in birth weight--7 plus lbs but still so tiny. She has some hair, little chubby legs, big wide eyes and is very cute! I am glad she finally has a name. Sidney and Taylor were so excited to tell me about her and insisted that her name is Eizabelle. There is such blessing with a renewal of life. I just hold her and feel the miracle of it all. We are so grateful she is here and that mother, baby and family are doing great.

Happy Birthday John!

Happy birthday, John. What a blessing you have been to our family, and such a great son to be our caboose. We couldn't have ended our family with any one better! I remember when John was born. It seems we were in a rut of contention about silly things. After John was born, there was such a feeling of love in the home again, and that was the one thing every body could really agree on and get along with. John has continued to bring love in. Thanks, John for being who you are and for bringing our family together!

Temple excursion

We were excited to go to the Draper temple open house on Friday. It is so beautiful! When we got to the church we watched a video, then we got on a bus to go to the temple. After we went into another church. They had refreshments there before we got back on the bus. I love this temple and can't wait to go there after it is dedicated. After we went to Training Table for dinner. It was so fun and brought back memories of the last time we went as a family. The little girls had such fun being a train and went up and down the aisles.I think the restaurant was so thankful when we left! What can we say, though. It is a memory!

Triple decker

Jan 31, 1969. Such a significant day for our family! It was just 40 years ago that we started such. Can you believe that we were ever this young? Good times. It has been an adventure and we are thankful that we have had each day. We couldn't have guessed 40 years ago the direction our lives would go, complete with all the joys, sorrows, challenges and triumphs--and that is good. Life has taught us so much. I guess the biggest blessing has been our marriage and our children and in turn their families. We are hoping for many more years. Our day was made so special by a wonderful dinner date as special guests of the Pratt family. When we got there, we were entertained by dancers. Addie made us laugh with her duck dance. We were seated by our host where we found great, colorful menus, compliments of Lucy. Don't you think we have the cutest waitress? Too bad she didn't get any tips! After dinner we had our own stand up comedians! And, we had such fun with our little guy giving us hugs! We had a chocolate fountain for dessert. Every one loved it! And, we had a great clean up crew! Thanks Christie and Darren and family for a very special 40th year anniversary memory! It was on our 6th anniversary that Trav decided to make his appearance. It truly has been fun to share this day with him! He was such a fun and unpredictable child and teenager who kept us young. He is such a great adult now, still fun but with a good head about his priorities and knows what is important. I love watching him as a husband and father. Thanks for being such a great son, Trav! I couldn't find a picture, Trav, so this will have to do! Our day was made triple special when Tom and Kristy got married 12 years ago. We are so very thankful they found each other! They celebrated by going to the temple. The girls and I made eclairs while they were gone--their favorite part was the frosting. Congratulations to a beautiful couple and here's to many more anniversaries! What a great day!