Memories | For my children

February Fun

The groundhog saw his shadow! We couldn’t be happier because we are loving the feel of winter.

Our favorite things to wear…anything Broncos and Manning!

We have faithfully cheered them on even though Jackson likes all of the quarterbacks on every team.

Sweetie sweet “Isabird”

A little attention for the month of love

Nana joined us for a pre-Valentine adventure.

Everyone wants to have their hands on the rolling pin!

We like cupcakes but we enjoy the mess making even more.

Our most favorite person…

“Play with me mommy!”

An English assignment. He was a little teary eyed when he read his Daddy’s reply.

Enjoying our first candy hearts necklace from Aunt Amy and Stephanie.

One special tulip for each of my special three

After being placed in the warm sunlight, the flowers opened up beautifully!

Happy girls

Add a happy boy

And another happy boy…a fun time by all!

We joined our homeschool group for a visit to the Sevierville Police Department.

We toured the station with the other families. The highlight of the trip was meeting and petting Pasco the K-9 “cop”. We were able to watch the dog sniff out “bad things” from a vehicle, follow hand signals, and protect his partner if threatened. The children were treated with suckers and police badges!

We have enjoyed our discussions of a few Presidents in honor of President’s Day. Jackson mailed this activity to his great buddy Ras. Jackson’s cool trivia fact is that Ras shares a birthday with the famous First President George Washington.

Celebrating his 78th Birthday, Ras walked over to visit us in the vines. He gave Jackson the UT hat he is wearing to go along with the collector UT football magazines he gave him earlier in the week. He also of course came with suckers for everyone!

February 28, 2014
Categories: Jackson's Work, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Snow Day Number 3, February 12th and 13th

Jackson Sawyer Hall, February 2014

Once again we are able to enjoy a freshly fallen snow

Although a snow that made everything feel wet, it packed well for snowballs.

A not so happy face after taking a face plant in the side of a hill.

My little man and I attempted sculpting a snow fort wall, he even let me wear his new hat honoring the Olympics.

I should have had the camera in video mode…that snowball in his hand slammed my face! I didn’t see it coming!

We saw Jaydie and Elijah at the playground.

They joined us for some snow fun.

Always enjoy playing with these two.

She enjoyed that the snow piled up in front of her sled as she moved down the hill. She had to put little effort into making snowballs.

Isabela loves her daddy and loves being pulled on the sled.

We are really enjoying the day.

Up early from his nap and the girls still sleeping, Jackson and I went out on the porch to sculpt three snow creatures.

A snowman for Jackson, a snow baby for Isabela, and a snow puppy for Abigail.

Up from her nap and sitting on the other side of the door watching us.

She loved what we were making.

This is a shot of her from the inside watching us.

Pampas grass is just as wonderful in the winter.

Enthusiasm for life, I love when it shows in her smile.

Winter offers us a great opportunity for creating special memories!

We are patiently waiting for the fourth big snow………..

February 13, 2014
Categories: Memories, Moments of Joy, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Snow Day Number 2, January 28th and 29th

Snow days are so fun!

Baby Sissy is ready to ride down the hill

The video of this is funny. She was really just scooting, almost walking her feet along trying to make her sled go.

We were excited to have Nana join us!

Hitching a ride with mommy.

We made the pass so many times we began to erode away our track.

She had more fun each time she went down the hill. She would jump up saying “let’s do that again!”

I had her wrapped so warmly she could barely move!

His expression says it all.
Great excitement for being able to celebrate winter!

…I need to add some videos here of our fun action caught on tape.

January 31, 2014
Categories: Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Love!

My two wild ones were happy for a Saturday adventure

The road to our favorite picnic spot was closed due to weather so completely unplanned…we ended up at Cades Cove for their first visit ever.

We called this January day our pre-birthday celebration for the favorite man in our life!

Despite the freezing temps, these two little birds were so happy to be out of the car.

The slow pace of the very crowded 11 mile loop road made the roaming and exploring all that much better.

We checked out the gift shop of course, the restrooms, the barns/sheds, and the grist mill. Jackson liked chasing the deer in the field!

My “oh goody bags” cheese loving girl was glad to be in the back of the vehicle for birthday Krispy Cream doughnuts, cheeses, and nuts.

Baby girl is happy to be out of the cold wind, filling her belly, and playing in the car with her favorite siblings!

Spending the afternoon in the clean crisp air was just what we needed.

Amazing view, especially because it includes my two favorite boys.

What a day

Thankful to spend the day with their birthday daddy!

An adventure wouldn’t be complete without some literature on the subject and of course a quiz.

We brought Papaw one of the Cades Cove Tour booklets to read and guess what…he made the quiz for Jackson.
I’m happy to accept help with this homeschooling ride we are attempting!

January 21, 2014
Categories: Excursions, Jackson's Work, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Merry Christmas!

We have celebrated all month.

Excited to be a part of all of the activities.

Posing for photos

Isabela was excited about having her picture taken today.

Abigail holding baby doll “Abby”

Photographer Isabela

‘Twas the night before Christmas and we were super excited to open a gift from cousins Saxton and Synclair.

What could be better than play dough?

Especially if you get to pretend you are making ice cream cones with sprinkles!

Sleepy eyed…good morning my three sunshines!

“Exactly what I asked for!”

He loves his work trucks.

Daisy kitty. Funny story…due to the purring and meowing sounds, my daddy thought there was a real cat in the house after they purchased it.

Good morning cousins.

Papaw’s favorite girls!

Nana’s wild boys!

We love our Nana!

Sweet baby girl.

Me with my great “little” brother.

Merry Christmas boys!

We had a very special family Christmas morning.

Playing with our fun Clip Clop Stables

This toy has princesses riding on horses. We added Mike the Knight on a horse for Sir Jackson!

We received many puzzles. We LOVE working puzzles!

Jackson lost his fifth tooth on Christmas night!

He lost his sixth tooth a few days later!

Animal puppets provide tons of fun.

Isabela especially likes to “talk them” as she says.

Our Calico Critters added a new vehicle and RV set.

We like to park the RV outside the Calico house for camping. I love to see their excitement when playing!

Although not pictured, Jackson enjoys this toy as much as the girls!

He LOVES his logging vehicles!

Baby dolls for the girls is always sweet.

We have enjoyed almost every second of this season!

Our gift to Mamaw Judy

Our gift to Nana and Papaw

December 30, 2013
Categories: Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Our Santa Meeting

Papaw invited us to Bush’s for the annual Children’s Christmas party. We were so excited to see Santa!

Another opportunity for us to be with our two favorite “friends” Jayden and Elijah

They were very excited that their daddy was able to join us.

The gingerbread cookies were the best.

Jayden and Elijah agreed.

Yummy cookies and punch

Papaw was able to take a break from work to visit with us.

Two of my favorite people…

Finally, we sat with Santa! This was the first year that a Hall child did not cry!

We were super proud of Jackson for not only writing his entire letter on his own, but he also read it to Santa while he was on his lap for the second year. (My photo cut off a couple of the letters.)

Abigail’s Santa letter…she said Santa could just read it later!
(She told me what to write and then she copied it just as we do in our morning writing lesson.)

Isabela told Santa hello and that she wanted a baby doll. She took him a picture of her circles and Christmas stickers on.

Nana with her favorite things!

Santa’s nice list…most of the time!

My girl with her new crafty bell necklace.

The crafts were so fun!

I’ve been taking this sweet man of mine since he was a little over six months. Glad to see him actually enjoying himself around Santa and strangers.

A great Pre-Christmas afternoon for a party. We are feeling festive and blessed!

December 20, 2013
Categories: Abigail's Work, Jackson's Work, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Abigail

Happy Fifth Birthday to my sweet, sweet baby girl

We woke up to a blanket of snow to celebrate this day.

Her daddy made her a snowball before he left for work.

Brother too thought a snowball made a great gift.

You are growing into such a joy for us.

We were not able to go to Build A Bear to celebrate, we played outside in the freezing fun.

She wanted a real puppy but celebrated with a stuffed one and a matching cake.

She has learned how to spell “PUP”

All fingers have to go in the icing!

Nana and Papaw’s treasures.

She picked out this gift when were visiting Amy and Stephanie last month. Thanks for the surprise

The necessity of a new coat from Nana

A puppy bath set

A watch for learning to tell time

A new pony

My three birds

Make a wish!

Abigail with Great Aunt Fran Fran

Abigail with Uncle Mikey sporting his manly “No Shave November”

With Cousin Elijah, they were born in 2008, eight days apart.

Stephanie and Amy gave everyone a lesson on the meaning of Advent

They were excited to learn the meaning but thrilled that each day they get to indulge in a piece of chocolate.

Celebrating you all year long

My number 5 princess that has the sweetest spirit and genuine love for her family

My Thanksgiving born blessing. You are amazing, loyal, loving, and the most unique girl I know! Happy Birthday to you.

December 1, 2013
Categories: Memories, Moments of Joy, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Looking Back at Autumn Fun

Our dear friend, Al. Al works at Hearthstone and has been a special person to me/us for years. My classroom children in years past made him cards through the years. My three children now really enjoy visiting and playing with him. Notice the Steelers hat, he has turned Jackson into a Pittsburg Steelers fan!
(This photo was also added to Family Moments, Part 2 Memories, published 7/5/12)

My handsome little man.

It was a beautiful afternoon for a fall wedding.

They enjoyed playing on the hay bales which were used for the seating during the ceremony.

Happy to celebrate Randy and Allison’s special day.

Isabela is ready for Sunday, Sunday Football! Go Denver Broncos!

So happy he still fits in this little black truck.

We finally visited Amy and Stephanie! We had so much fun sightseeing, eating, and playing at multiple playgrounds!

We visited Jackson’s General Store

We walked down Jackson Street

We even played at a Jackson County Playground!

We had a fun day playing!

We celebrated at Starbucks after our flu shots…there weren’t any tears shed!

Playing on the slides in the fall

We love sliding on a new one!

This is the last rose of the season from Nana’s “Sister Margaret” rose bush.

We enjoyed our favorite picnic spot even though it was much cooler.

We loved passing football under the fall trees.

Thanks smiley!

No swimming on this trip

Only rock climbing. (Notice the fingers)

Their number one FAVORITE thing to do…spend the afternoon with their daddy!

A quick lunch at the playground.

Hard to imagine it but the next day the weather was freezing!

Happy that we were able to enjoy the beautiful blue sky!

Thanks to my little birds for enjoying autumn with me!

For the good start of a new school year, papaw and nana treated everyone to a special treat! The boys chose Bruder’s!

Isabela has learned to make a circle and an I, she chose a baby to feed.

Abigail chose babies in bunk beds.

Our star third grade student Jayden that is an example to all, chose Saige, American Girl Doll.

A bit blurry of a photo, Nana and I celebrating my/our good news!

Happy Ninth Birthday Sweet Jayden! Nana with HER favorite girls!

In memory of Nana’s dear dog Gracie! Thanks for the memories with all three of my children for their entire life span. Most importantly thanks for being my mother’s loyal companion daily on her walks, trips to the garden, and a constant protector in everything she did!

“Dog Biscuits in Heaven” by Jackson
He drew a picture of God making treats for the dogs in heaven. The biscuits are shaped like hot dogs and kitties and Gracie loves eating them with the other dogs.

Morning writing by Jackson

“Going to Heaven”. By Abigail
I LOVED her picture. She had me to write Jackson, Abigail, and Isabela’s name by each window they were watching out of. Nana was walking to our house and they were watching God and Jesus meet Gracie and take her to heaven!
Their innocence and conversation were priceless.
Their true sadness was heartbreaking!

Our new painted paperweights. Thank you Aunt Teresa for our awesome rocks! Painting was fun even though all colors were mixed!

Even though the calendar says that we are still in the season of fall, the weather acted like winter on the 27th! Most importantly, my “Thanksgiving Baby” woke up to a “White Birthday”. She/they were thrilled to get out in the snow.

November 27, 2013
Categories: About Us, Excursions, Memories . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Halloween Pretend

The start to an awesome evening as a family!

We started off our fun at Hearthstone to visit our friends, and then on to the library for our reading as well as fun and games.

They were super excited that their daddy came along for the party.

The evening was questionable with they heavy dark clouds, but we were hopeful…

Little Bo Peep with her protector…a knight.

Abigail was such a sweet Little Bo Peep

She found her sheep!

Our sweet little sheep

We had to stop by our favorite tree to play in the leaves.

Leaves are a fun addition to Halloween.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus

A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13

Off to collect our treats.

Stopping for popcorn

Thank goodness the rain that was forecasted held off so we could visit the church for trunk or treat.

Blessed to retain this memory!

Papaw and Nana’s Halloween party

A super cool cat, a protective knight, a snugly sheep, a sweet Bo Peep, and a brave firefighter!

I had to include this photo even though the handsome firefighter’s face was hidden. Our sheep’s face tells it all about her attitude at being photographed…without consent…just shut your eyes!