Two Kings and two babes...

Every year our Stake hosts a nativity exhibit. For my Ann Arbor framily out there it is just like The Creche Exhibit (only fancier). We (the members) deck out the church in a rather impressive Bethlehem like backdrop and display our various nativities from around the world. I believe this year they said there was over 450. There are many musical performances throughout the weekend and the community is welcome also. The music is beautiful and it is such a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season (it was held the first weekend in December). Each year families can dress up and have your picture taken in the Manger. In years previous, Weston has refused but this year momma made sure it happened since we had our very own baby Jesus. I am not sure where Joseph was when we took the picture. Weston wanted to be a King (go figure) and so little W followed suit.A "King" and an "Angel". Warren with his friend Charlotte. Is that the proudest King you ever did see?

Warren's masterpiece....ok ok...so mom helped....a tinsy bit.

Another Christmas tradition is visiting the most impressive outdoor Christmas train display EVER. This family is amazing. Their entire yard is filled with trains of all sizes and decorations galore. The guy takes two weeks off work before Thanksgiving setting it all up and then sits outside from 6-9 pm with his family every night running the trains and giving kids rides, etc. For Warren this equals pure joy, being the train junkie that he is. Warren and his friend Ashira overlooking the beauty.

Warren and pure joy.

A Wish Come True...

Christmas Miracles have begun! Last Wed, Warren comes downstairs (he had been watching ELF) and comes into the kitchen. I look at him and he has the most longingly sad look on his face. I ask him what he is thinking about. He then says, " Mom, there is NO snow in Texas and that makes me REALLY, REALLY sad." You should have seen the puppy dog eyes. I explained that maybe when we go to Utah to visit again he will get to play in the snow then, etc. He expresses his displeasure again and dragging his feet.... goes upstairs to finish his movie. A half hour later we look out the window and could not believe our eyes! SNOW!? In Houston!???? What the?? You have never witnessed such jolly smiles and magical giggles before in your life!

We had a snowball fight and tasted a most rare delicacy...snow d'houston. Delicious.

In the eyes of my boys...

A few weeks ago we had some new pictures taken of the boys and I just got them back and thought I would share the wealth. Enjoy!

The Benjamin (3 months old) : I don't know how we possibly managed it but somehow we lucked out and got another angel baby boy in our family. Benjamin is such a joy to us and he is so good natured. He is the biggest flirt ever and VERY social (I don't know where he gets it). He LOVES to talk and tells the best stories. He will grin and woo you as long as you are willing. We are lovin his chubby little self to pieces. I feel so honored to be his momma.

Momma & me: Loving those cheeks!! (Both sets that is)

Mr Warren (3 1/2 yrs): I didn't originally plan on getting pictures done of Warren because we just had some done when he turned three... BUT he was starting to compete a little for the photographer's attention after focusing on Benjamin for so long so she took a few shots. His hair wasn't even combed but I ended up loving these. I just started talking to him and she just shot as we talked and I was amazed how many "classic Warren" expressions she captured. He is such a little character. I can't even remember what life was like without our Mr Warren.

Brothers: At the end of an almost 2 hour photo shoot Benjamin was getting a little tired and fussy....but its ok cause BIG brother got his back.

Chevy Chase Christmas

Everybody who knows Weston, should know that he loves Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. I think he has really watched it at least 2000 times. We have both always dreamed of doing the old fashioned family Christmas and going and cutting down our own Christmas Tree for some time now. Last year was the first year that we made this "dream" a reality. Some of our friends here have been doing it for years and recommended Mill Hollow as a great place to go. We are hooked and I think this will be a Christmas tradition from here forward.

The atmosphere is wonderful. Not only do you get to rub elbows with the good old country folk but you actually get to find and cut down your tree and enjoy all kinds of fun activities there. They have a hay ride, tire rolling, weiner & marshamallow roast over a bon fire, mud trikes for the kids, etc. It is so fun. Below is some footage from this year's adventure. Pictures don't do it justice. The video is a little choppy because I had to edit a lot to keep this video from being too long. We had a bit of a hard time cutting it down this year so I had a fun time teasing Weston about it....and of course the kiddo's are always the center of the show. Enjoy!

Here is the short version...if you don't want to watch the video:

Slightly leaning to the right..."now THAT there is a TREE!!"

WANTED: Advent Caper

On the 30th of Nov our friends brought us the most darling Christmas advent calender made out of Hershey Kisses. We explained to Warren how it worked and then I put it on top of the fridge...out of sight, out of mind right? The next day I went upstairs to nurse Benjamin and so I was unavailable for about 20-25 minutes. Afterward, when I walked into the kitchen this is what I found. The crime scene (December 1): 24 kisses missing, foil wrappers everwhere, and chocolate finger prints ever so slight. A present but partially opened Reeses peanut butter cup on day 25.
The suspect: Warren Maxwell Hall, male, brown hair, hazel eyes, 3 feet 6 inches, 34 lbs. Has been convicted as a chocolate addict in years past. Please be vigilant and lock up all your chocolate. Suspect is charming, hungry and a seasoned climber.

Thanksgivings Past

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I am so Grateful for my many many blessings. They are far more than I can count on one blog post and probably more than anyone would want to hear about. Like most I am grateful for my family, friends and for Jesus Christ and His Atonement. My life has been filled with so many of His tender mercies and am so Grateful for His love & forgiveness in my life. I am so blind and it is that love that guides me through my life and fills me with Joy.

I have been feeling nostalgic this year of our days in Ann Arbor and all the wonderful memories we made there. This is a video of our first Thanksgiving there. Our Turkey took over 7 hours to cook (we couldn't figure out why) and so we were just killing time. My dad drove down from Pittsburgh to spend it with us. I have had this video for some time but this is the first Thanksgiving that I have actually allowed myself to watch it.

If you are not aware, this Christmas will be five years that my dad died from Lung Cancer. In this video he was sick but he did not know yet. His breath was shallow and his leg swollen but he was diagnosed with phlebitis in his leg and a chest cold by his local practicioner. After his symptoms became increasingly worse they did further tests and he was diagnosed with cancer on December 8th and died just 2 1/2 weeks later. It was a brief battle but another evidence of the Lord's tender mercies, as he did not suffer long. It made me so happy to watch this video and feel so Grateful that I got to spend so much time and share his last Thanksgiving with him just before he died. So... I share this video, which is a tender mercy to me, with you this Thanksgiving Day.

Much Love,

Emily

Gator Country

This weekend was the Young Women Daddy Daughter campout at Brazos State Park. I love my calling and certainly did not want to miss out on the fun. I dragged all three boys along with me...they were good sports to come along. Here is our group: YW, dads & YW leaders. In the morning we took a 5 mile hike around 40 acre lake. Weston pushed Warren most of the way and I packed Benjamin in the Baby Bjorn. My back was a wee bit tired at the end but all made it through. It was such a beautiful area and wonderful day for a hike. In the state park alligators are free roaming and so you have to be fairly cautious. We saw about 9 during our hike. It was pretty cool. This guy was hugemungus and his belly looked as though he just ate his lunch. We are told that there are usually more gators but it is getting pretty chilly (about 45 that day) and so they were fewer in numbers.

This was Warren's first camping trip....well, sort of. We actually stayed at a nearby hotel to sleep BUT it was SO ghetto fabulous that we didn't even use the shower. Plus, we wanted to stay true to character when we returned to the campsite. ;) (Really, we were worried about the baby being too cold because it was like 39 degrees that night). Warren didn't know any different so he thought it was cool. Next time...we will stay in a tent I promise. Warren and I named this one BIG daddy. Fun times. CHOMP.

Spiciest

Every year the Elders Quorum in our ward has a chili cookoff and it is always a great time. This year we had the pleasure of hosting it at our place. As you can see it was a great success and there were many delicious chili recipes to choose from. I regret to say that I did not actually take any pictures of the various pots of chili...totally dumb I know.
There were three awards given: Spiciest (which we took home for the 2nd year in a row), most original & the most delicious. (Ladies above: Lara, Lara, Janelle & Caryn)

We love having the Elders over and so we were happy when they stopped by with an investigator to help us with our taste off. Side note: the last few weeks I have worked tirelessly ripping down wallpaper and painting. Like the new color? I will post before and after pictures but I wanted to wait until I get my window treatments up & the new backsplash put in.
Here is Warren making his very own "chili macaroni" as he named it. He has become quite the little helper in the kitchen. He loves to wear his "chef apron" to help me cook and do the dishes....which actually becomes a bigger mess than if I did it myself......BUT we have so much fun together its all worth it.

FIREPROOF

Yesterday was our 11th Anniversary and I cannot believe we have been married that long! I am starting to feel like an old lady! Anyways, we went to see this movie called Fireproof. It is AWESOME! We BOTH really enjoyed it. It is totally realistic, funny and has a spiritual perspective. If you are looking for a great date night...we HIGHLY recommend it. Oh, just GO and see it ok. You will be glad you did.

The only Theater I could find it playing at in Utah, from Layton to SLC, was Jordan Landing but it would be worth the drive. It seems to be playing most other states/larger cities! If you go see it let me know what you think!

Phenomenal.....

Well... you know how I love dancing and I ran across this performance with Fred Astaire and Elenanor Powell that was recorded in one unedited shot in 1940. It is brilliant. It is said that after this performance Fred Astaire never wanted to be paired with her again because she stole a bit of his dancing thunder. I think they are both phenomenal. Notice that Eleanor Powell is completely dressed with a dress below her knees. I love the innocence, civility and grace. Watch the whole thing...it gets better as it plays.I just love the good old days (even though I didn't even exist yet).

Election Woes???

He He. Enough said.Onesie donation made possible by The Roji (we are SO proud).

Somfin good to eat.....

Sock Monkey anyone? As a kid they always creeped me out a little but I think I will keep this one around for SOME strange reason. I love my BUMBO chair...except this is what happens when mommy leaves me there too long.The fire fighter waiting patiently to go trick or treating. Ready to go mom! Taking a peak at all my tasty treats!!
Daddy coloring my pumkin with me at the Halloween carnival. Charlotte was one of Warren's first friends that we met right after we moved to Texas and every year she comes with us to the Halloween Carnival at the church.
The bubble swat. Hope you all had a great Halloween!