Our summer excitement

I am just getting around to posting some pictures from the Fourth of July and Jackson's bithday party. See below...

Thanks for all the great gifts - including my new race car jammies!

Wow! Aunt Steph should make cakes professionally!

Waiting for fireworks to start!

Having fun at the parade and other activities on the Square....

Swim team material?

OK, Owen went from sticking his face in the water for the first time (just 48 hours ago) to holding his breath without holding his nose and trying to swim underwater today. He kept saying, "I can swim now" and asking if he could swim in the deep end. I DON'T THINK SO!!!

Beach Vacation

We had a great time at the beach this week. And Will and I agreed that it was one of the more relaxing family vacations we've had in a couple of years. Maybe it was the company, but I also think that the kids are both to an age where they are a little less work that they used to be (although I'm sure some of family members without small children would disagree that we looked relaxed... just remember its all relative...)

Owen and Jack had a grand time. Owen got brave and but his entire body in the pool and both of them actually got in the ocean. Here are a few pics...

Jack also turned 3 while we were there. We sang and had sparklers to celebrate.



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Here is a video of Owen getting brave and swimming with his face underwater. I know most 5 year olds may have done this before, but this is a BIG deal for Mr. Cautious. Note the swim technique of swimming with your feet UNDER your body.

Busy Summer

We are getting ready for the move this week. I'm just ready to do it! I hate this half living out of boxes.

The kids had their first day at "Camp Gram" today. They had a fabulous time naturally. I wonder how many more days Gram will be able to take!

Pomp & Circumstance

Owen’s pre-K graduation was yesterday – a big thrill for all. Parents were very excited – it looked a lot like a high school graduation with the parents jockeying for position with their cameras. The only thing missing was the air horn.

I think Owen was most excited about wearing a tie (he was also insistent that William must wear one too). The kids sang and then received their diplomas. We caught him talking to his friends during the middle of the ceremony – “is this almost the end?”. Here he is playing around during the ceremony... Here's a picture of O with his friends Dallas and Jacob...

Hard to believe he’s off to kindergarten in 2.5 months. He always surprises us with the way he acts like he’s in elementary school already. I already get a lot of “Awww, mom” when I ask him to do something, but last night I got an “Aww mom, you’re killing me!”. Whaa??? After graduation we took the boys for a haircut. It was really windy when we got out, and Jackson got all worked up because he was afraid “the wind will blow my haircut off!”

Flashbacks to other Mother's Days...

A couple of more from previous years....



2004... who are those exhausted looking people???

2006... Jack is on the way

2007....

Happy Mother's Day

We took our annual Mother's Day picture today. I like to do this every year (although I admit I think I forgot last year). These two pictures best represent the Hall Family, I believe....