Holiday confusion

My porch has no idea what holiday it is. We got back from Thanksgiving in Blanding this weekend and haven't had time to pull out the Christmas decorations, other than my wreath. Of courseI haven't had a chance to put away Thanksgiving yet. And I guess this one pumpkin from Halloween somehow got overlooked. Wow! What a mess, huh? Thanks for the picture idea, Janelle.


Speaking of Halloween--while I'm here, I guess I'll post a few Halloween pics that I never got around to.

This seemed like a pretty simple costume when I saw it in a magazine, but it was sure a pain! The packing peanuts kept spilling out the leg holes and poor Kennady couldn't even walk in it. That's when we decided to go with Plan B.

 

Much better!

Sweet little fairy

Peace, mon.

Sorry Amber

I have this amazingly talented sister-in-law who I know won't want me bragging about her, but I just had to share her incredible family Halloween costumes for the past few years.

 I knew you'd be impressed.  Makes me tired just to look at!

Just a bit behind the times

I finally looked through our September pictures and thought I'd post a few of our little Labor Day getaway to Yuba.

The weather was beautiful and the lake water wasn't too bad, considering it was September.  The kids don't seem to mind even if it is FREEZING, but even mom and dad jumped in a time or two.

 

Cydnee tried surfing with dad and even tried to waterski for the first time with Dad's help. He neglected to tell her to let go of the rope once she fell down. Needless to say, she didn't want to try a second time.

 A little tubing, a little wake boarding.

 A little getting stuck in ooey, gooey mud.  Yuck!

I love a good little family vacation where the kids are completely at our mercy and have nowhere to go!  Boats are great for that sort of thing.

Making Momma proud

Spencer turned 11 a few weeks ago and as has become Halls family tradition, we let him open his presents early birthday morning, surrounded by crepe paper and balloons.  The girls had been working secretly in my craft room-they wouldn't even let me in- and were so happy to give Spencer their very own homemade creations.

I couldn't be more proud.   Really, what choice do they have with a mother like me who is just slightly stamp-obsessed? We like to start 'em out young over here. Spencer had a great birthday.  The only thing on his wish list was an itouch like his brothers.  After much hemming and hawing on our part, we finally gave in.  He even had to pitch in some of his own money- those dang little things are expensive!!

 This looks like a really lame birthday cake, but caramel brownies were his request.  I promise, it tasted better than it looks.

Just humor your mom

I have to do it every year.  It's just one of those things.  And mostly they cooperate, although the 13 year old was a little more difficult this year and wanted to do it inside.  What if one of his friends walks by and sees him?  But, Mom prevailed another year.  Woohoo!

McCall, Idaho

We headed north for the annual Kimball family vacation at the first of August. Andrew and Marie picked a gorgeous spot near McCall, Idaho.  The cabin was right on the river, which provided hours of fun for the kids and.....

 

 For some tubing

 Some kayaking in Austin's scout-made kayak

Finding treasures with Grandpa's metal detector

Boating at the lake

 Football games

Hanging out with cousins

A little cliff jumping

Swimming with a nice Uncle Andrew rescuing you from the cliffs

Some fishing

sunbathing

Hanging with all the Girls

Hanging with all the Boys

Hot tubbing- A vacation is not complete without it

A little rodeo-ing

Bike riding at Ponderosa State Park

Back at the cabin- some family pics with our homemade shirts that didn't quite turn out.  Wow!  It was bright that day.

Air soft warring-  Grandpa even got into it. 

One of Spencer's battle wounds.  Who invented this game anyway?

The perfect vacation!!!

Great to be 8

Kennady was so excited to be baptized. It was a special day for her and we were so grateful for our wonderful family who all came to support her.

Another amazing Amy creation.  A work of art!