Santa Story Time...

Sarah and I took the kids to Santa Story Time last week at A Real Bookstore in Allen.

wide-eyed at the big guy.

Cookies after the stories.

Anna wanted a hug, but Graham DID NOT!

something was funny.

IT'S A....

BOY!!!!

It's been a few weeks since our appointment and we have already announced it, but I needed to make it published on the blog. We are so excited Baby Hall #3 is a BOY! He looked healthy and perfect and we anxiously await his arrival this spring!

We were a little nervous telling Anna that it was a boy. She was sure it would be a girl and told everyone there was a baby girl in her mommy's tummy.

Our conversation went like this:

Us: "We went to the baby doctor today and got to see inside mommy's tummy. We also got to see if it is a boy or a girl."

A: "It's a girl?"

Us: "No, actually it's a boy!" (in a very excited voice)

A: "And I get to sit in the back!" (referring to the back row in the car.)

Us: "Why, yes you do!"

that was it.

The next day she told everyone we were having a baby boy and that she gets to sit in the back. Okie dokie, I'll take it!

gingerbread playdate...

We had a few friends over to make mini gingerbread houses. Our houses started with graham crackers, hot glue and a paper plate. Our friends brought the decor and the kids all loved it. I wish I had video because this was one LOUD playdate! During the decorating there were 4 one-year olds crawling around on the ground not too happy that they there were not in on the action. We just laughed and still had a great time!

This is mostly what G did during the decorating.

The kids had a picnic lunch on the living room floor and watched the "Elf on the Shelf" movie. I love these special mamas and their babies!!

The moms had this recipe of broccoli cheese soup:

6 Tablespoons of butter or margarine

6 Tablespoons of flour

1 pint of milk

1 pink of 1/2 and 1/2

2 chicken bouillon cubes

3/4 of jar of cheese whiz

1 pkg frozen chopped broccoli

Make a white sauce of butter and flour, stir until thickened over medium heat.

Dissolve bouillon cubes in little bit of water in microwave.

Add cheese whiz, bouillon water, milk, 1/2 and 1/2 and broccoli to the white sauce.

Cook until smooth, heat until warm.

Anna's first fieldtrip..

Anna's cute little preschool took a field trip to the Plano Childrens Theater. I got to be one of the drivers for Anna's class and so got to tag along. This was Anna's first experience at a play and she loved it. They all loved it!
The show was Winnie the Pooh Christmas. The kids giggled and giggled at the silly little, low-budget, show(I mean, where are Pooh's ears? ha!) Of course, they all told me their favorite part was Tigger dropping all of the presents and falling down. Pretty great humor!

Fun day with my Anna!

Elf on the Shelf...

Sunday night after we returned from our Thanksgiving trip, there was a package on our front door! Santa sent a present all the way from the North Pole just for Anna and Graham!
It was the Elf on the Shelf book and our very own elf, which the kids named Charlie! Charlie has been sitting in our house, going from spot to spot each night after visiting with Santa. Anna totally understands Charlie and his powers and he seems to be working around here. The VERY first thing Graham does in the morning is search the house for him and smiles and points saying "Charwie!" Charlie is going to be a fun tradition (and a helpful one for mom and dad) at the Hall House.

Turkey in Ruidoso...

We had a unique Thanksgiving in Ruidoso, New Mexico with Honey and Papa. We grew up taking lots of trips to the Watkins cabin in Ruidoso and has always been a special place to our family. It was calm, relaxing and the perfect getaway for our family. My Aunt Margaret and Uncle Jim now own the house and have made it amazing! We loaded up in the "Burb", all 6 of us, and headed north west. Everything was perfect except Anna got a little virus with a sore throat and fever and Graham had a cold. We took lots of naps, watched lots of movies, searched the www and enjoyed eachother in this beautiful place. We had a 10 hour drive but really was no big deal and the kids enjoyed movies and plenty of snacks. On our route was Papa's homeplace, good-ol'-dot-on-the-map, Ranger,TX. This is the house Papa grew up in and we visited many times as children. It's still a beautiful house! We got to Ruidoso late Sunday night and put the kids straight to bed. They were excited to wake up to this! We had a lot of fun outdoors in the cool, but not too chilly air.Checking out the very tall trees and throwing sticks in the stream across the street, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!Honey, the best story teller of them all! archery in the backyard.

Lumberjack Daddy bringing home the firewood.

watercoloring.
Honey graciously shared her phone with these two a lot.

One morning we drove up the mountain to Ski Apache. Anna really wanted to see some snow. She loved it! Graham tolerated the snow, but didnt love it. His lovely drippy nose. Ski Apache's opening day was Thanksgiving Day but decided we would want to wait a few years for the little ones.

On our way back down we stopped at this viewing point. No fear or maybe no height awareness with these two! There were lots of deer in our yard throughout the day. Graham loved watching the "Deeeeeer."

Honey feeding them. Thanksgiving Dinner was perfect with Honey's turkey, dressing, pie and all of the fixins.

Any chance to make a cake.

How 'bout some croquet in the front yard?

We drove out to Inn of the Mountain Gods. It's pretty amazing! They had a thanksgiving buffet, but we opted for Honey's, of course!

Papa and his mini-me checking out the Christmas decor.

Awesome gingerbread house display.

After 6 days of beautiful scenery, good food, lots of relaxing and quality family time, we headed home. What a wonderful Thanksgiving!