Flying by....

with or without pictures to show for it!  I can't believe how fast this summer is going.  It seems like it barely started and now tomorrow is August!

We enjoyed a quiet 24th of July holiday (on the 25th since the 24th fell on a Sunday).  I was able to work on some homework, housework, and I think I even read a book for pleasure for a couple of hours.

Tuesday during the day, I met my brother Mike at my dad's for an afternoon of conversation.  Karla's daughter Kim and her family were also there as they are in town for Karla's granddaughter's wedding on Thursday.

I headed to a work meeting for a school project (happily our actual classes were cancelled for the holiday weekend).  We were able to get the rough draft of our final project for our research class done so we have been spending the rest of the week cleaning it up.  Google docs is a wonderful thing. From our houses and vacations we can all work on the document and if you happen to be on when someone else is you can see their cursor indicating where they are working in the document.  I have a great group and it was been fun to work with them for the second time.  Doesn't this talk of homework and papers in the summer make you all want to go back to school?  It really is awesome.

Tuesday night Mike headed to our house to spend the night.  It is always great to have a sibling in town but it was too short of a visit.  He was able to attend our Neighborhood fireworks put on by the Watson family.  They own a couple of firework stands and at the end of the season on the 26th they fire off all of their remaining fireworks.  He does an amazing job.  This year it lasted 1 1/2 hours. They were gorgeous and there were a few types I had never seen before.  Fun times!  There was a bonus feature this year as their oldest daughter is expecting their first grandchild so the first fireworks announced the sex of the baby--it's a girl!  Pink fireworks filled the air....about 20 minutes before the actual show began.  I think some family members were getting a bit anxious.  How fun it that!

Wednesday I spend the day doing UDSF stuff, mainly interview people for a very part time position we have opened up for 10 hours a day.  We had two excellent candidates so now we have to decide which skill set would be the best fit for us right now.  I wish we could hire them both.

I also bought the main fabric for our grandson who should be arriving in December.  I think robots are so cute.

Thursday we had two wedding receptions to attend and then again on Saturday another one.  We almost always give games so I stocked up last week to make it through to all of the reception. Thursday the receptions were for Sierra Dobson (Karla's granddaughter) and Erin Beckstrand (whose family we are very close to).  Luckily the timing worked perfectly.  Sierra's was in Bountiful from 5:30-7 and then Erin's was from 7:30-9 in Sandy.  It was warm for the outdoor receptions but not impossible and it became very pleasant at the Beckstrand's as the sun went down.  We have know Beckstrands for over 35 years and it was fun to see them and also other old friends we share in common that we haven't seen for years--Susan Cassell from Oquirrh Shadows Ward 39 and Kim Stucki who also lived in that same ward years ago but is also a friend of mine from Amarillo, Texas.  It was because Kim and her family were living at there that we decided to buy a house in their ward boundary when we moved to Salt Lake.  We never looked anywhere else.  When I think of our many dear friends from that time of our lives I am so grateful for that decision.  We have been so blessed with friends everywhere we have lived.

Friday we had another Pinewood Derby- this time at Chancellor Gardens, an assisted living center. This is actually the place where my brother-in-law Allan lives in the memory care unit.  I believe that it wasn't that connection that led to the invitation.  I think one of the workers had been to a Cub Scout Derby and then asked us to do it for them.  They had about 14 cars.  It was fun.

It was a nice activity to do on a very hot day.

Saturday Gary headed up to help Gary K. start the work on the neighborhood library.  Jena and I came up later when I got some yard work done and we hung out with Vonette and went swimming in their pool.

In between all of this, Ben is still at Davis Hospital.  He is getting very bored there and anxious to leave.  He is doing a bit better and is able to have conversations better.  I am still not happy about the medication choices by the doctor but it is hard to impact that much in the current situation.

A week in the life of these Halls---

I can't believe tomorrow is August 2016.  This time next year I will be 2 weeks away from being done with school.

The Hall Mini-Reunion #1 to Heber Valley, Utah

We have Hall Family Reunions  (which including the Wayne and Holly Family) and the Hall Extended Family (which includes the Jick and Ruby Hall Family--Gary's dad and siblings etc.), so when we were talking about having a formal reunion for just our set of Halls we decided to call it the Hall Mini-Reunion.

We went camping/RV to River's Edge at Dear Creek up near Heber City, Utah, from July 13-16th. This time, we had everyone except Ben and Tosha, Austen and Niki.  Our next one we hope to plan around their next trip to Utah (hopefully next year.)  However I felt it was good to start having formal times together because I want our grand kids to make memories with each other because who knows where jobs and opportunities may take our kids over time.

The Giberson family has had shirts for our reunion but I didn't think we were quite at the shirt style of reunions so I went with hats--

 Block "H" for the boys and the cursive "H" for the girls.

So we arrived Wednesday afternoon, got the RV all settled and had about 1 hour to read and relax before the grand kids arrived, because as anyone knows when you camp with toddlers, it is "all hands on deck" the whole time they are awake---keeping track of them and keeping them safe.

 Jessica, Elessia and Liam arrived first and Liam LOVES being outside so he was one happy kid.

 We explored the campground and...

Met some of the locals......

I took lots of pictures of these birds because I didn't think we
would get that close to them again, but apparently they live
in the camp ground because we saw and heard them throughout our stay.

 Liam was a serious explorer and loved walking and walking every where.

Here are some few of the camp ground.  It turns out that it was right at the base of a earthern dam which created Jordanell Reservoir. You can see that along the back of this picture.

The views the other directions were much more natural with small hills and trees around.

Jena flashing her peac sign when she saw me get ready to take a picture of her.

Scott, Chantel, and Scarlett arrived after Scott got off work and they went to work putting up the tents. Turns out that both Liam and Scarlett thought tents were awesome.

Here is Jessica and Elessia's tent  

Jena and Scarlett took a break from tent building to play with bubbles.

But then it was back to work for Scarlett who couldn't wait to get into the tent and start running around.  I think Jena sat in the middle of the tent (we called it the Beehive) for about 10 minutes while Scarlett ran circles around her.  Kids really enjoy the simple things.

I "stole" this picture from Facebook but this is what the tent section of the Hall Reunion looked like.

My hat is off to Jessica and Chantel for being willing to sleep in tent while they are pregnant.  Not everyone would have gone for that plan.

Breakfast on Thursday morning.  I don't mind sleeping in tents but at our age, it is nice to travel with a few more conveniences especially with little grand children now.

 We even packed a high chair which provided some easier meals.

Scott worked on a repair of a vent on top of our motor home that we had noticed wasn't working quite right.  It is great that he is willing to help. Gary was glad to not have to climb up there himself to do it.

After breakfast, Jena, Gary and I headed down to the Provo River to accomplish one of my bucket list items--kayaking.  We left every one else to their own devices for the morning.

Drive down the canyon

Here is our selvie before heading onto the river.  It is a very mild river with just a few small whitewater rapids.  It was a pretty day and hot so a good day for a river run.  Gary and Jena were in a 2-person kayak and I was in my own.  It was a fun time and we enjoyed the other people we talked to along the way.  No pictures because I didn't find a water proof camera in the last few days when I thought of it before the trip.

One of the workers said that they have had people (usually children but a few adults) ask "Could they heat up the water a bit more?" and "Where does the river circle back to the front?" Duh--it is a real river, not a lazy river at a water park.  People can be interesting!!!

We headed back and took over "Grandparent Duty" while the five of them hopped into a car and headed back to the same place for their turn on the river.  Chantel and Scott went on a kayak and Jessica, Elessia, and Jena went on a raft.  I hear they have a great time....

Meanwhile back at the RV, we had fun with Scarlett and Liam........we made a tent.

 We played iwth the sand toys as it was too hot to actually go outside and play in the sandbox.

 I had taken a few pictures of Scarlett under the tent  She had asked to "Look" at them and after she saw them she said "Again" and went and posed for this picture under the tent. She check it and told me it was good.  I agree.

Liam didn't want to go into the tent but he liked playing peek a boo with Scarlett although it was hard to get a picture of both of their faces.  They were laughing so hard at each other.

We sang songs for about 45 minutes with "Pat a Cake", "If you're happy and you know it" and "Wheels on the Bus" being the favorite.  My biggest achievement was getting Scarlett to take a nap for a couple of hours.  Liam had had a good morning nap so Jessica said not to worry about him taking a nap.  I don't think I could have gotten both of them asleep.  Liam and I walked around the park and in the recreation room to give Scarlett some quiet to sleep.

It was fun to be with them (and Gary of course, who can make the grand kids laugh at almost any moment) and spend time making memories---which they won't remember but they will have pictures and the blog to remind them of these little moments of life.

"The Star Spangled Banner"

On Sunday, the 24th (which is a state holiday in Utah to celebrate Pioneer Day), we sang three verses of our National Anthem--You don't often hear the second and fourth verse and I loved the words and was struck by how they still apply after all of these years. (The third verse of the anthem doesn't appear in the LDS Hymnbook)

our flag--its first posting

Here they are for you to read:  (you know the tune)

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Beehives posting flags years ago

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

A flag posting when Jena was a Beehive

Our flags today.  It is a Monday
holiday since the 24th was actually
on a Sunday.  

Not much wind to fly our American flag and our Utah Flag

The Neighborhood Flags line the street

How great to be an American even during
these troubling times,
here at home and abroad.
I am grateful for Austen, our nephew, John,
and all of the men and women who
serve in our military for their sacrifices
for all of us.

"Long may it wave over the land of the free
 and the home of the brave!"

Weekend visitors and a miracle!!!

Tana, Valerie with Lance hiding behind, Linda, and Thad

Linda, Thad,Karla, Dad, and Tana

We have a fun weekend with two quick visits from Valerie and Lance and Linda, Thad, and Tana Gibersons (part of Rick's family).

They arrived on Friday night so we were able to have Scott, Chantel, and Scarlett and Jessica and Liam come up for a BBQ. (Elessia had to work.)  Linda told Rick that she was ready for some grandchildren (because my grandchildren are so cute and fun!).  We will share any time.

Saturday we spent the day at my dad's where these pictures were taken after we left for a wedding reception in Lindon, Utah for Rebekah Siebach (a daughter of our friends from Hong Kong).  We played some games he is developing.  Karla, Valerie and I played "Career Crisis" and Gary, Thad, Linda and Dad played "Zone-It".  Watch them on your toy store shelves someday.

Our miracle was related to an accident Lance had while fixing his brakes in our garage.  It involved the car falling on his leg, calling 911 and heading to the emergency room by ambulance, but in the end he only needed about 16 stitches which is amazing.  It is his story to tell but I wanted to note it here as part of the visit.  And Gary has been asked to retell it a few times since then. Our neighbor had Gary retell the story in High Priests where all of the car guys were amazed.  Some of them have seen or be involved in similar situations with much more damage.  We know we were all blessed although I am sure that Lance is in a lot of pain while it heals. They are up to attend a Family History Conference at BYU so I hope that he feels well enough to do that.

I appreciate my family making the extra effort to spend time with us during their vacations.  Now I am waiting for my brother, Mike, to arrive tomorrow for the night.  He is traveling by car to Montana for a conference and is making a stop here.  I can't wait to see him.

Texas Free Library

Gary and I have found a couple of other local Free Libraries in our area (it is one of our new date night activities) but this one was sent to me from Robynn Thiot.  It is across the street from the house we lived in Plano on Singletree.  Fun coincidence that there would be one near a place where we once lived.  The Guerin's didn't live there then but I bet we would have been friends.

Thanks Robynn for the picture!

And more special visitor (s) to Sis, Hall....

at the Church History Museum.

A few weeks ago, I was sorting pictures and found this one of Jena with her speech therapist from Primary's.  Her name is Tana Whicker.

Tana was the one I talked about a few years ago who had searched for us on Facebook to tell us that she was adopting a child from China with Down syndrome because of Jena being her client years ago.

Well they were in Utah last week and stopped in for a visit with Sis. Hall,

The Whickers are an amazing family.  They had four biological children and then began adopting children (a total of 13)--their last two adoptions were the two little girls near Jena in the picture--Lydia and Thalia.  They both have DS and were born in China.  All of their kids were very excited to see Sis. Hall and have been talking about serving missions.  They are actually waiting for their twin sons who are 18 to receive their mission calls any day now.  (Not all of the kids were there that day as you can see.)  And for the icing on the cake, they found out they were expecting a baby--a boy which will arrive in December. This is a huge but wonderful surprise for their whole family.

They are amazing!! They are some of the blessings we have received from having Jena in our family. We love the many therapists, teachers, and aides who have blessed her life and ours by their talents, skills, and compassion.  I was promised that we would have angels to bless Jena's life and that we would never be alone in helping her.  How true that has been and Tana is one of those angels!

Liam and his upcoming sibling----

Liam and I spent the morning together on July 20th while Jessica had her "big" ultrasound.  Despite the hot and windy weather, he loved taking a stroller ride up and down the streets in his neighborhood in Magna.

So now that everything was officially confirmed--Jessica and Elessia finally announced on Facebook about the new little one--

They re-created their pregnancy announcement--

This was the first one--

And here was the gender reveal one.  Liam is apparently very excited about his new little brother who will be arriving some time in December.

That will make 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter--fun times are ahead for sure!

Happy 2nd Birthday Day to Scarlett---

On Sunday, the 17th,  we celebrated Scarlett's birthday ( a day early because Scott had the day off).

She had a princess birthday with her Grandparents Berenyi, Uncles Austin and Travis, and Aunt Jessica (Berenyi), us and Aunt Jena.  She loved it all.

Posing for the camera

Inside her tent with her dress up clothes on

Enjoying her new hammock from Uncle Austin with Uncle Austin

She was a happy girl to be with so much family.

We love you, sweet girl and we can't wait to see what the next year will bring.  (And you are so smart, too, as you will count to 10 almost upon request.)  Look how you have grown.