There's no place like home for the Holidays

Cousins

Grandparents

Aunts

Uncles

Sleep overs

Parties

They can't be beat! And the exhaustion that comes as a result of all the fun is well worth it!

We had our Christmas a week early this year so we could drive up to Salt Lake to attend Grandpa's funeral services. The kids had absolutely no qualms about this plan! (not the funeral part--they didn't have a choice with that, but the early Christmas part).

The car was packed...every nook and cranny filled with some sort of essential for the trip. Stockings (for when Santa comes), coats, hats, mittens, boots, 1 week worth of clothes for each of us, church clothes, church shoes, diapers, wipes, blankets, Christmas gifts for our Utah family.

We made it to my parents in record time. I'll tell you, the completing of the Dam Bridge cut about 30 minutes off our drive. 9 hours and 15 minutes later, we pulled into my parents driveway. Monday morning, it was all business as we readied ourselves for Grandpa's funeral. Andrew and Barik would accompany Paul and I. Michelle graciously accepted the challenge of watched Cooper and Drake. I knew they wouldn't understand what was happening. But more than that, I didn't want to deal with their whining and boredom at the funeral. We were in for a long day.

The snow was falling like crazy! HUGE flakes! Andrew was an awesome helper and shoveled the driveway before we left. In his suit.

Seriously! Isn't he SO handsome?!

The other boys could NOT stay out of the white stuff! They didn't care that we were pressed for time and their Dad couldn't keep them out of it.



After the funeral, we picked up the Cooper and Drake and headed downtown Salt Lake for a FREE Christmas Sing-a-Long with John Schmidt at the Jazz's Arena. Even though Andrew said that he didn't have ANY fun, I know the rest of us had a blast!

The snow didn't stop for a couple days. Mom and Dad's yard was a winter wonderland! With most people snowed it, the street and sidewalk quickly became perfect sledding hills.


Drake, with his excellent aim, nailed me in the face with many snowballs.

Ready...

Aim...

Fire!!!

He had a blast slipping, sliding and falling all over that cold white stuff.

And what's 14" of snow good for, if not building a gigantic fort?

The King of the Fort, himself...

Before we knew it, Christmas Eve was upon us. I had been sleeping with Darth Vader (croupy Drake) for the previous 2 nights, so decided to get him into a Dr. before the Holiday/Long weekend was upon us. Thankfully, the Doctor prescribed some steroids (to open his breathing passages! What else would he need steroids for?!?!) to help with his breathing.

Drake woke up from his nap, found his cousin Kaden and snuggled right in...Kaden was so sweet with him. So calming and soothing for our upset little guy.



My family gets together Christmas Eve for all the festivities. It's been YEARS since we've been in Utah on Christmas Eve. We tried last year, but a VERY sick Cooper made it impossible to get there in time. There really is NO place like home for the holidays! The 20 foot dining table wasn't even big enough for all 31 of us (a few were missing). I loved every minute of it! That is, every minute until that last few...

Cooper was playing with his older cousin, Dillan. We were packed up, just getting ready to go when we heard the scream. You know the one I'm talking about. Not the "someone's messing with me and I'm mad" scream, not the "someone hurt my feelings and I'm sad" scream. No. The "something serious happened, drop whatever you were doing and come fast" scream. I really don't like that scream. This scream said, "I flew backward and hit the back of my head on the corner of Grandma and Grandpa's slate coffee table breaking off a chunk" scream.

Blood was running down his neck and back. Blood was soaking through dry wash cloths. We couldn't find the source of the bleeding. It was covered with his hair. But it was bleeding. A lot.

We know the routine. But we were out of town. Where is the closest Urgent Care? Are they open at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve? No?

OK, next option, the ER. Where's the closest ER?

While Paul was pulling the car around, my Dad and Brent administered a blessing to Cooper. Then we were off.

Miracle number one...The ER was completely empty. Paul filled out the paper work while they took Cooper and I back to the exam room. During much weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, the Dr. cleaned his cut.

Miracle number two...3 options. Glue (which would be messy in the hair), nothing (the bleeding had slowed substantially) or a staple. DUH!!! We chose option 2. Nothing.

Miracle number three...Option 2. I know the bleeding stopped because of the blessing!

Miracle number four...We were in and out of the ER in 30 minutes! Unheard of, right?!

(Post Script) Miracle number five...That $577 ER bill was just reduced to $119. (Wait!!! Scratch miracle number 5...that $119 was just for the Dr. The $577 was for the Hospital. What a joke!!!)

Finally we were off to G and G Boleys. Christmas day was nearly upon us. We got the kids to bed, got ourselves to bed and waited for Good Ol' Saint Nick to come.

Cooper, Drake and Barik LOVED their pillow pets! Andrew LOVED his remote controlled helicopter. And I was too lame to capture any pictures!

Christmas evening was spent with the Paul's family (minus the M. Boley family). More gifts. More fun with cousins! Then off to Aunt Linda's for yet more gifts and more family time! We all LOVE it!

More snow fell while we were visiting G and G Boley. This stuff was like powdered sugar. Barik and Conner made puffs of snow as they fell backward...

It was a little extra cold this day. We had to really bundle this little guy up.

The boys just LOVE the snow!

On one of the coldest days of the year, we decided to take the kids on Trax downtown to see the temple. Conner took Drake's place in our family this day...





More fun was had at the M. Boleys. It was especially fun to watch Barik and Mena perform their "Frosty the Snowman" duet.


Our memorable trip was capped off at Denice's annual New Years Eve party/Dad's Birthday party. The men watched football, the cousins played, and the women gabbed while more inside jokes were made. This year's winner will be referred to as "Buff" and will remain an inside joke. Only the insiders know what it means...(kinda makes ya wonder, doesn't it?!)

Oh, there really is NO place like home for the holidays!

This is my Temporary Home

Old man, hospital bed,
The room is filled with people he loves.
And he whispers don't cry for me,
I'll see you all someday.
He looks up and says, "I can see God's face."

"This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This was just a stop,on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know... this was
My temporary home."
-Carrie Underwood

Grandpa passed away on his 97th Birthday. He left behind his sweet wife of 72 years. I hope she doesn't stay too long. Her loneliness and longing for his companionship is heart breaking.

Death brings a time of reflection on the life that was lived and the legacy that remains. "Remember who you are" is a phrase that should be engraved upon Grandpa's head stone. That, and "Chairs are for sitting on. Tables are for eating at. Floors are for walking on. Take all you want, eat all you take."

As a kid, I rolled my eyes at Grandpa's "words of wisdom". As an adult, those phrases brought about a chuckle. Now, as Grandpa is gone, those "words of wisdom" have found a new fondness as a reminder of a great man. The phrase "Return with Honor" above my front door is a spin off of Grandpa's admonishments.

Amongst the many memories shared of Grandpa during his funeral services, one is most profound in my mind. As a young man, Grandpa dropped out of High School so he could work to help support his family during the early days of the Depression. Over 50 years later, as Grandma and Grandpa were moving out of their life-long home together, Grandpa was adamant about a certain book of papers. In this book of papers was the G.E.D. he earned during his 70th years of life. Education was very important to Grandpa. I now have a new understanding for his riding Paul and I about Paul taking the BAR (even though he has NO intention of practicing Law).

Grandpa was as sharp as a tack until the last moments of his life. I visited him a little over a month before his passing. During our conversation, he rattled which of the nurses and/or care givers were coming on which day. He knew exactly what day it was. He could remember not only my kids names, but a little something personal about each one of them. That says a lot, considering this man has over 40 great grand kids. I don't know any of my cousins kids names.




I love you, Grandpa. God be with you 'til we meet again.

Christmas, Part I

Christmas happened a week early at our house. With our trip to Utah, we figured the kids wouldn't mind celebrating a bit early. (of course we were right)

The traditional unwrapping of the pajamas was done "Christmas Eve",


but no cookies were left for Santa. He would be visiting us on the REAL Christmas day in Utah.

I know it seems silly, but I was super excited to have some BIG presents under the tree. And by "big", I don't mean expensive, but just plain BIG.


Some of the TOP favorite gifts this year were:

(x4 with EXTRA bullets---what were we THINKING?!)


And this...



Once this one was opened, Drake couldn't care LESS about any other gift.

Since our Christmas day didn't fall on December 25, we took the kids to Hometown Buffet for lunch and didn't leave until each of their bellies passed the "fat" test. They were BULGING!!! And they LOVED it!

We finished our "Christmas" day at our ward Christmas party in "Bethlehem" where we ate chicken salad pitas on blankets in the gym and sang Christmas carols all the while Mary and Joseph searched for a suitable birth place for our Savior. I can't think of a better way to end our "Christmas" day.

All Aboard!!!

The McCormick Train park is another Christmas tradition we have established while living in Arizona. There's little question why we (a family with 4 boys) would love this so much!



















Thanks for joining in on the fun, Hall family!

2010 Christmas Card

Once upon a time…

In a land far, far away, 4 young and very handsome Princes lived in the Kingdom Boley with their parents (the King and Queen, of course) Their days were filled with battles and quests that would ultimately lead them to win the hearts of 4 equally lovely Princesses.

Our Tale starts with the eldest of our very handsome Princes, 9 year old Prince Andrew (not to be confused with the Duke of York—remember we are in the Kingdom Boley). Prince Andrew is a very intelligent young lad. When not in school, Prince Andrew dedicates much time to perfecting the techniques of war with other “on-line” friends. The PC is a Master Mentor in the field of battles. When his lessons with the computer are finished, he takes his recently acquired skills to the wilderness where with precision, the fury of the pool noodle (our swords) is unleashed on any unlucky passerby (often his brothers). At days end, Prince Andrew can be found strumming the golden strings of his guitar. Although he’s too young to realize, his guitar skills will work together with his sword-fighting expertise to woo the young Princesses of the Land. The King and Queen are pleased with Prince Andrew.

As our Tale turns to our equally handsome Prince Barik, (6 years old) we find him practicing his battling skills on the T-Ball field where this year he has perfected his swing. Spectators can often overhear the defending coaches telling their players to stand back when Prince Barik is up to bat knowing the ball he hits will fly far. With a powerful swing, this Prince will easily fortify the Castle. Prince Barik is also excelling in his scholarly studies. Reading and math have come easily for our 1^st Grader. The King and Queen are very pleased with Barik’s skills on the field, at school and at home where he responds quickly to requests being placed upon him. With Prince Barik’s gentle spirit coupled with his accomplishments in the classroom and on the field, he will surely attract the attention of the lovely Princesses in the land.

By far the most energetic of our handsome Princes, 4 year old Prince Cooper keeps the King and Queen running. He goes and goes and goes and then STOPS. One might over hear Prince Cooper asking the Queen to carry him because he’s too tired. He finally ran out of steam. Good thing our smallest Prince willingly gives up his stroller for his now too-tired older brother. The depleted King and Queen are very grateful for Prince Cooper’s sense of humor. It’s those one-liners that keep the Royal Family rolling with laughter. In preparation for defending the Castle, Prince Cooper is practicing his hand-to-hand combat skills by wrestling with his brothers and Dad. The King and Queen are very happy when Prince Cooper practices his “soft” wrestling with his younger brother. When he is much older, Prince Cooper’s combat skills combined with his charm and charisma will be most beneficial in winning the heart of one very special Princess.

Although still referring to himself as “baby”, our 2 year old Prince Drake has done quite a bit of growing up this year. The Royal “baby” said good-bye to his pacifiers and his crib. Never far from his brothers, Prince Drake engages them in daily mock-battles. “Wets westle” (let’s wrestle) can be heard as he runs after those big brothers with foot outstretched in kicking form. Prince Drake is also accomplished with any type of ball. His basketball, baseball, football, volleyball and golf prowess still stun the King and Queen. The Royal Parents are very pleased with the youngest of the Princes. Very far in the future, Prince Drake’s sweet snuggles and awesome athleticism will inevitably conquer the heart of one very lucky Princess.

As for the King and Queen of our Fairly Tale, they must stay in shape to keep up with their 4 very handsome, very active Princes. Their love of running has benefited them in this pursuit. This year they competed in another Relay Race (along with 10 other awesome runners) that began in Logan UT and ended in Park City UT. A total of 188 miles were completed through the combined efforts of 12 runners amidst some of God’s most beautiful country. Though running brings the King and Queen much happiness, their greatest Joy stems from their 4 stalwart Princes. They are truly their greatest challenge and their most profound blessing. So it is with foresight that they say (and hope):

And they lived happily ever after…

"Frosty the Snowman"

Was one of Barik's favorite songs in his 1st Grade Christmas concert. He was such a doll (can I say that about a boy?) to watch.


We love you, Mrs. Zsilavec!

I love to see the temple

I'm going there someday...

I love to take the boys there every year at Christmas time. There's something great about living in Arizona and not FREEZING while seeing the Temple lights.