First Day of First Grade

This year, Eli will attend first grade at Chr*stian Heritage Schools. He began the school year a week ago today and is doing well. Being only one of nine students in his class is good for him. As is typical Hall tradition, here are some first day of school pictures.

A Day At S*x Flags

For Christmas, Bryan's Aunt Kuita bought our famiy passes to S*x Flags. This is the first year we have ever attempted a theme park, and it turned out to be lots of fun. I didn't bring my camera every time we went, so I don't have a lot of pictures. On this particular day, Bryan and I took the older two kids, and left Josiah at home with my mom. While he enjoys the park, he tires out well before the other two. Thank you, Aunt Kuita for a summer full of wonderful memories!

Being Silly

Seriously... do these kinds of pictures ever get old?

Move Over Bill Gates!

Josiah LOVES to play on the computer. He would park himself infront of the screen for hours on end if he were allowed to do so. I am AMAZED at how well he gets around on various childrens websites!

Josiah turns 2!

It's so hard to believe that our Josiah David turned two on June 25th. My how time flies! We had a very low-key celebration this year...... just our family and an Elmo cake.

Unfortunately, he was not being very cooperative, so I wasn't able to get a really good "birthday picture". These will have to do!

Dresses from Grumpy

My dad, (Grumpy) enjoys buying dresses for Regan. During his last visit, Regan held a fashion show of all her newest gifts. The pink one was brought home from Greece!

Teacher Regan

Regan loves to play school. Just about every day, she lines up her "kids", (various dolls and stuffed animals), on every type of chair or stool she can find. It looks to me like a new student has joined the class... one that insists on sitting on top of the furniture! I always love to hear the way she interacts with her students. I know that her teachers at preschool and Bible class do a wonderful job of modeling patience and tenderness!

Eli's Kinder - Ender

Eli was in Mrs. Simpson's kindergarten class at Wetmore Elementary this year. Although we decided to withdraw him from public school in March of this year, his wonderful teacher and the staff at Wetmore invited us back for the class' "Kinder-Ender" program where Eli received his certificate for completing kindergarten. Mrs. Simpson will always have a special place in our hearts. We will cherish the memories we have of her and her class of "sunshines".

Regan's Crazy Hair

When Bryan was bathing Regan one night, they decided to give her "crazy hair". She looks like someone out of a Dr. Seuss book to me!

Fishing with Daddy and Grumpy

In May, Bryan took Eli to visit my dad in Monahans. In addition to other "manly" activities, the boys went fishing. Eli LOVED his first experience with a fishing pole! His time alone with his dad and grandad was precious!

PS- So, Eli has discovered the "peace" sign. Not sure why, or how it applies to fishing.

Playing Outside

Before San Antonio had record high temperatures for weeks on end, and it became "illegal" to play in the sprinkler, the children actually played outside. On this particular day, they found a Sprite in the outside refrigerator, (a real treat in the Hall house), and used it to cool off. Good times were had by all! (These pictures were taken in May 2009)

Northside Preschool Program

In May 2009 Regan finished her second year at Northside Preschool. We are so blessed to be part of this great school. Eli went for three years before starting kindergarten. Regan will complete her third year in 2010. Josiah will start this fall, (Gulp! I can't believe that!). At the end of each year, the kids and teachers put on a great show! This year was no different!

In addition to being a great educational place, it is also a place that many relationships have been formed. One of Regan's dear friends, Hannah is a jewel!

Regan Faith, I am so proud of the girl that you are! Mommy loves you so much!

Playing Church

Josiah decided that the pantry was the perfect place to play "church". Not sure what parallel he saw between the places of "worship"...... oh to be inside the head of a two year old! It was cute to see him perched on the plastic containers with his sword in hand! These were taken in April 2009.

Make Daddy Proud, Son!

Hmmm... what to say. As you can imagine, Josiah likes to shadow his big sister. What she does, he wants to do too. What makes his "dressing up" all the more funny is that he is truly ALL boy. Even in his pink, princess dress there is NO question that the testosterone surges through this child's body. I know that one day he will be utterly embarrassed to see these pictures or to know that anyone else has seen these pictures. Until then, I will share with pride my Josiah David in all his pink glory!

Happy Birthday, Bryan

Happy Birthday, sweet Bryan! Bryan's birthday was April 21st, (like I said before, I am really behind on my blog postings!). I love you so much, and am so proud to be called your wife.

A Tea Party with Daddy

This is just so sweet on so many levels! Regan was given a "real" tea set by her good friend, Sydnie a couple of years ago. I usually keep in the top of closet in an attempt to keep it from being broken. Every once in a while, the tea set will be brought down for an afternoon, (or early morning as seen in this picture), tea party. For some reason, Regan decided to host her party in the hall way. In true Josiah fashion, he simply had to be invited. It was so sweet the way he tried desperately to be gentle with his big sister's dishes! And of course, what's a tea party if Daddy isn't invited? So, the three of them shared tea and gossip in the hallway, one Saturday morning. Could I ask for a better family? Not in a million years.........

Easter 2009

Easter 2009! I am so far behind on the blog! Well, better late than never, right?!

So..... here are some of the pictures from Easter of this year. I know you might think it strange that none of the children have clothes on. However.... have YOU ever tried to get dye out of children's clothing? So, until they are too old/ too embarrassed to do so, the Hall children will dye Easter eggs topless!

Even Josiah got in on the action this year. As usual, he insists on doing everything his older brother and sister do. All the more reason for me to insist that he not wear clothes!

Makin' memories folks... We're makin' memories!

Finally caught up!

Wow! It's only 10:00 pm and I am caught up on my blog! I had feared it would take me far more time. So, I have played around with the background and found something that I like... for now. Meanwhile, if you use a website for free blog backgrounds I would love to hear about it. The one I tried earlier this evening just didn't work right. Guess, I need to spend some more time "shopping". Until next time.......... These Halls have been decked!

PS- Be sure to click on "older posts" at the end of this page to see all the posts I have made tonight.

Valentine's Day Party

Thursday was also the Northside Preschool Valentine's Day party. I dressed Regan and Josiah in their new Valentine's Day shirts that Gran sent to them. Don't they look cute! My intention was to go to the grocery store after I dropped Regan off at school, and then go to her party around 11:00. Unfortunately, Eli's school called me mid-shopping trip and let me know he wasn't feeling well. So, I wasn't able to stay long to celebrate with Regan once I picked up Eli. Graciously, Julie Craig brought Regan home after she had celebrated with her friends. Thanks a bunch, Julie!

Bless his heart, it seems Eli has the stomach virus that has been making its way through the city. Eli was still not able to go to school today, (Friday) to attend his own Valentine's Day party. Since I am his homeroom mom, I went to his party to help his teacher and had to leave Eli at home with my mom. Thanks, Grammer for helping me out!

Cowboy Joe

Josiah had to get in on the "rodeo" action as well. As you know, he LOVES hats and insisted on wearing Eli's cowboy hat until he was ready to leave for school. Of course, I had to get some pictures of him as well!

Rodeo Day at Wetmore Elementary School

Thursday was "Rodeo Day" at Wetmore Elementary School. Eli wore his "cowboy" shirt and hat and brought his Daddy's real cowboy rope with him to school.

Although, I have to wonder just what was being taught in his kindergarten class about cowboys. Yesterday, he said, "Hey Mom, do you know why cowboys like to have furry pets like cats and dogs?" "No", I said, "Why do cowboys like to have furry pets"? "So that if they need to, they can kill them to make hats and blankets". Needless to say, Eli and I had a lengthy discussion about the topic of cowboys and their "pets". Yup, sometimes you have to wonder..........

A visit from Sydnie

We were so excited that Julie and Sydnie Covington came to visit a couple of weeks ago. Our dear friends recently moved to the Dallas area, and we miss them terribly. Our girls were born just two days apart, which makes their friendship extra special. They insisted on dressing "alike" on the morning that Julie and Sydnie were driving home to Rockwall. How 'bout that outfit Regan is wearing? Since Sydnie was wearing a jumper with a shirt, she wanted to do the same. The only problem is, she doesn't have a jumper. So, she opted for a sundress and paired it with a shirt that didn't match in any way, shape or form. I guess her outfit had the same "feel" that Sydnie's did. The joy of a four year old little girl! That's my Regan Faith!