Photos | For my children

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

December Fun

Sweet smiles from two very special daughters, two happy sisters.

Ready for the cold!

The importance of this photo to me was the process of what I caught her doing. She was taking our Christmas books and lining them up in the floor. She sat and did this for several minutes being so precise with the edges of the books when I asked her if I could take a picture.

Christmas party at Carmen’s barn.

Our good friend Debbie

Jackson Sawyer Hall with his good friend Gracie (hard to see)

Pretending to be at the beach

Warm enough afternoon for getting in wood and for taking a ride in the wagon.

Searching for the sight of snow…we landed in Gatlinburg!

The slopes of Ober were white and full of people.

On our way back home, on a whim, we decided to check out the lights of Dollywood!

They were amazing.

It was FREEZING!

We bundled up and braved the cold.

Although sleepy from the missed nap, we managed to keep a little warm.

Warm enough to enjoy our favorite rides under the dark winter sky!

Fun evening before Christmas.

Nana and Papaw’s Christmas card

Hand me down pj’s! Blue snowmen of Jackson’s, pink ones of Abigail’s.

Family holiday moments with cousins Jayden, Elijah, Jenna, and Jackie

December 23, 2013
Categories: Excursions, 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

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!

Not a picture enthusiast if our nap was omitted from the day!

Love my boys and they sure love playing trucks with one another.

Two of Nana’s favorite girls on the earth!

Papaw’s pot of gold! Happy 2013 Halloween!

November 1, 2013
Categories: Jackson's Work, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Enchanted Storybook Forest

We visited an amazing place called Storybook Forest

Storybook characters and their palaces, homes, and cottages had been constructed for play under a canopy of tall pines in the middle of a forest.
Isabela and Abigail were pretending to be Cinderella and her Prince

The swing on the side of the castle was a thrill for the girls.

Abigail is behind the bars of the house made of cookies and sugar where Hansel and Gretel were held.

The inside and outside of this home was crooked and covered with chalkboard for creativity.

Isabela is bringing us a treat that she made in the home of The Seven Dwarfs. Inside was a table and seven tree stump stools for Snow White and the Dwarfs. The children could make mud pies with the dwarfs’ bowls, spoons, and dirt.

This place was so fun…
It was a place that both adult and child would enjoy. All of the classic stories we have all enjoyed as children were brought to life. This place gave a whole new meaning for pretend play! We were able to step inside of the story and become the characters we have read about.

Inside of the Dr. Seuss Club there were literary messages from the stories for inspiration.

Isabela was having so much fun bouncing from area to area, she did not want to pause for a quick photo!

At least these two humor me and smile at their mommy.

Rapunzel!

A fitting photo for Abigail and her long hair!

Her Prince to rescue her…Jackson was excited about the play castle. He sweetly calls Abigail Rapunzel when her long hair gets in his way.

One of the fun play areas was a Spanish ship. The life size parts of the ship were a lot of fun. Playing pirates was a great opportunity!
By the way Papaw…They want one of these on their playground someday!

The ship required the most energy from their bodies. It required them to go up and down rope ladders and had cool slides and hiding rooms throughout the ship.

“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” Ronald Dahl

October 13, 2013
Categories: Excursions, Literature Favorites, Moments of Joy, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Our Gift to the Aquarium

Amy and Stephanie invited and treated us to the Aquarium on the last Saturday in September for a fun visit.

We had so much fun.

There was even a special dinosaur exhibit.

Jackson thought it was pretty cool that he could pick it up.

Daddy’s Girl!

Brave enough to enjoy the dinosaurs he loves.

It was a fun day playing and enjoying the penguins.

My own little penguins! Despite the huge crowd, we had a great visit with two of our favorite people and a great look at ocean life.

Abigail in the penguin tunnel with Amy.

Jackson and Isabela crawling with “Snefanie”

Goofy girls

Beautiful fish, handsome and toothless little man

One of my favorite photos. Great memories.
Thank you Amy and Stephanie for inviting us to the aquarium. Jackson, Abigail, and Isabela had so much fun! Thanks too for sharing some of your awesome photos.

October 1, 2013
Categories: Excursions, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Asheville in Fall

After harvest we were lucky enough to take our lessons to the road while we helped mix some business with pleasure.

Love my family so much

Thank you for the energetic eyes and smile.

Miss Abigail

We love playing in this green flat field.

Isabela was enjoying this sunny day.

Great tree for climbing.

The last time I sat on this wagon I was pregnant with Isabela!

Isabela finally gets to meet Chester the Horse

She wasn’t too sure of his size!

This was Cotton the Goat. Cotton stayed on this bucket the whole time we were visiting.

First up close look at hens and roosters.

Wooly worm, dark black on both ends

Sitting on a really old John Deere

I would love to have one of these old desk

Tea time for the girls.

One more look at Chester

You can usually always find a truck or tractor in his hand.

Special time with Daddy is always a treat.

There were fall flowers everywhere. Abigail is standing with Mums waiting to be planted.

A successful day if you find a playground!

A better day if you find a slide!

A tunnel slide!

So special to me…

Squishy grapes between her toes

Glad to see this smile. Jackson was four months old the first time he tried this…he was furiously crying.

Crush those grapes!

A fun thing to do

This rooster was so gentle.

Every animal was friendly.

A good place to learn about farm animals.

Jackson holding a baby chick

Abigail’s turn

Together

I’m so happy that Abigail can find the hearts tucked away in nature. She excitedly found this heart leaf.

A beautiful day filled with many memories to cherish!

September 25, 2013
Categories: Excursions, Memories, Photos . . Author: Julie M Hall . Comments: Leave a comment

Log Cutting

Jackson has been super excited all summer.

We have been able to watch this heavy equipment daily work to remove select trees from Papaw’s property.

As quick as the logs were cut from the forest they were brought out, stripped down, and then carefully loaded. Here is one loaded and another backing in for his pickup.

Headed for a long trip to the factory.

One of the unexpected good things from the logging is the great trails that have been created on our land.

The bad things have been the snakes and of course the black bear!

A long way from home!

What a fun journey hiking.

Not only could we see the mountains all the way around us, we could see the lake, and were even able to identify what part of the lake the vineyard was on.

You never know where you might see the shape of a heart! Keep your eyes open!

I love to be a part of their real life nature study.

May you soar as tall as the trees.

We do feel some sadness watching the massive pieces of timber leave our property. We are hopeful they will be used to build strong creative structures!