Keepin' Up with the Halls: March 2008

Upcoming Posts

Well, since I finally got the Christmas stuff posted, next will be Cody's birthday and Kari's trip to the Aquarium. Then I should be caught up...just in time for Easter!

Some way over due Christmas pictures and journaling.....

Mom and Dad Parker hosted their annual Christmas Eve Open House, but I didn't take any pictures except for the one of Rick and Noah below. The Pilkertons, Lamarres, Wyatts and Zieglers were in attendance and we had our annual gift exchange. We ate some fantastic food, including Tara's buffalo chicken dip which is now a CEOH staple! This year's holiday season was very low key and we really enjoyed it.

Noah and Daddy ready for our church's candlelight service. They're twinkies!

The kiddos always get to open one gift on Christmas Eve and it is always PJs.....

Noah's new PJs

Kari's new PJs

Cody's new PJs

Devin's new PJs

Josh's new PJs

Reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve

Christmas Day started early, thanks to devin who insisted we all get up at 7 AM to open gifts. Rick and I were a little less than happy about that since Kari was not able to settle herself down and get to sleep before 4 AM. But, everyone napped later in the day, so it was all good!

Noah and Kari's gifts from Santa

Opening gifts

After sitting on the floor for a bit, Noah opted to sit in the recliner to open his gifts.

Devin posing with a new shirt

One of the gifts Kari asked Santa for this year. Score!

Opening presents frenzy

New Ravens PJs for Poppy

Grammie was very happy about getting a trifle bowl

After Noah opened these PJs from the Powells he immediately stripped down and changed into them (Check out my red eyes. Ick!)

Rick and his Christmas present. He is uber excited!

It was Devin's idea to be up at the butt crack of dawn and she was the first one to crash

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus

Devin gave Cody a tattoo maker for Christmas. We were all white trash before noon, sporting our tattoos. Rick was less than thrilled, but finally caved and let Devin give him one. Pics below......

Kari getting a tattoo

Rick's tattoo

The tattoo and the artist

Christmas in Washington, D.C.

When Devin came to visit at Christmas time we took a day trip to Washington, D.C. to see the National Christmas tree. We met up with the Whites. After walking to the tree, we walked to a local Subway to have dinner. It was a lot of walking, but a lot of good, family fun. And it was great to see Rob, Jane and the boys!

Napping on the way to D.C.

Noah on the carousel

Kiddos by the Christmas tree inside the castle at the Mall

Horse drawn carriage ride

Castle by the Mall

Waiting for the White family

'Cuz we're dat Gangsta

JOSH!!!

The Washington Monument (aka the Giant Pencil)

Night time view of the Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument

Night time view of the White House and the National Christmas tree from the Washington Monument

Night time view of the Capital from the Washington Monument

The White boys and the Hall kiddos

In case you were wondering this is not the White House

The National Christmas tree

The National Christmas tree and the Washington Monument (aka the Giant Pencil)

District of Columbia tree

The White House

Bringing in the yule log (this picture is for Janie, Nicky (Carroll) Rolfe and Chastity)

The nativity by the National Christmas tree

Breakfast with Santa (and the Cousins)

Kari's school hosted a Breakfast with Santa in December. I volunteered to get up at o'dark thirty to help set up and make the sausage and pancakes. Then I came home and woke up the kiddos and Grammie and we went to have breakfast with Santa. We had Sophie and Josiah with us for the weekend so they went, too. They even had a Secret Santa Shoppe where the kiddos bought gifts for each other. And they each had their picture taken with Santa. They were all on the 'good' list, but you wouldn't know it from the red eyes in the pics. Devil children! Ha!

Happiness is eating pancakes with Santa and the family at 9 AM on Saturday morning