Tucson Halls: December 2009

A serious update

I was well over due for an update of this blog and I did three posts tonight, not including this one :) I still have more to add since we've had some fun activities in December but I hope that the following three posts are well enjoyed! Until next update,

Much love to all,
James and Melony

Thanksgiving!

Well, I've already posted about our move and then back-tracked a little bit to do Octobers events, but now it's time for Thanksgiving!

So, James and I moved into our house November 7th. Three wee andks later we were hosting thanksgiving! James and I moved as fast as we could getting the house ready for our visitors. We had James' parents, my parents, my Aunt Patti, little brother, and Jason and Holly's family. Whew!

James went super fast putting up blinds getting all the windows in about a day and a half. I had my mom and friend Amy help put my kitchen pretty much together the day we moved in so that was nice to have a spot for everything already. And, thanks to Aunt Patti, we pretty much furnished every room. It turned out great!

Breaking down boxes was a highlight. We stacked them all up and it came to about 2.5 feet high! And then James took a few boxes and slid down the stairs with them! It was hilarious!

James' parents came about 2 days before Thanksgiving and we were able to take them around Tucson showing them where we work and where we used to live. My parents arrived the next day and my siblings the day of Thanksgiving. Debra was such a great help in getting food prepared and helping me since this was my first time hosting a Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving day was a success! The food was so good! James was in charge of the turkey and it turned out ah-mazing. Debra made stuffing and sweet potatoes, and my mom helped with bread and pie.

We are so grateful for the family that was able to spend time with us for the holiday. James and I are so appreciative of the blessings that we've been given - a home, work, family, and the gospel. We thank all who have made us who we are and helped us accomplish our goals.

Makin muffins for breakfast

James and his turkey

Helpin Michelle celebrate her birthday - she got a little doll and was so excited!

Dad Hall carving the turkey

Dishin up!

Our glorious feast!

Marli really enjoyed it - see?

Want some?

Dad Brinkle enjoying himself - go Gators

Me and Marli

Family Picture

Mom and Dad Hall

After Thanksgiving day we took Mom and Dad hall to some of the scenic spots in Tucson - the Titan Missile Museum and the Pima Air and Space Museum. Both places were really cool. We learned a lot. James and his dad were in heaven! We also took a drive down to the Gila Valley and saw the new temple, President Kimball's house and a cotton gin, with some friends of the Halls from Tremonton.

The Blackbird

Lunar Prospector

Kevin was so excited for this plane - he rode on one of these types of planes into his mission field in Brazil

The planes they flew in World War II - our guide told the story of Pearl Harbor here

This plane was just huge

How big the bombs were that were dropped on Japan

We're so silly

The Titan Missile

Underground in the Titan Missile Museum control center

A friend of the Halls took us to this home that had a stone from South America that is believed to have the story of Lehi's Vision on it. It was really neat

This was a smaller version of it - a little bit easier to see the details

Cotton being cleaned out at the cotton gin

The Gila Valley Temple

President Kimball's home

Hall Girl Party

The annual Hall girl party took place at the Hall cabin at Bear Lake. It was my very first one and it was a blast. I had had reservations about it because of the amount of people there and the fact that I knew very few of them but all of those were gone the moment I got there. I was fully embraced as family and I had so much fun. There were two of us who were brand new, both me and Kelsey; both of us being married this year.

The festivities included a delicious dinner provided by Marilyn's family, going over our Grandma Z projects, a white elephant exchange and many giggles and much laughter. There were so many great projects and I was so impressed by all the hard work that everyone put into their projects. I was to finish updating my journal and as of present day (December 2009) I'm still not done. :) I now have a year to catch up on. Thank goodness for a blog.

I had a wonderful time and I love all the new family that I've acquired! I've never felt more at home than with the Halls :)

Aunt Barbara's Grandma Z project was aprons for all of us! It was awesome!

They came wrapped up in meat wrapping paper and nylons - all reminders of Grandma Z. Each apron held a hankie, toothpick, rubber-band, and a "Z" magnet.

Jessica & Maria

Introducing me to the girls - they rapped a poem about me - it was hilarious!

Introducing Kelsey to the girls - her's was cute - they matched attributes to the letters in her name

Matching pajama time! (the Debbie Hall family)

Barbara's family

Marilyn's family

The Debra Hall family

Margaret's family

Seattle 2009

In October we flew to Seattle to see our dear friend Spencer marry his beautiful bride Lisa. Providence smiled upon them weather wise too - it started out as a dismal looking day. James and I arrived almost soaking due to a steady rain (not really but our car was wet :) ). But as soon as the ceremony was finished we looked out the windows and the sun was shining! The colors of the season were absolutely gorgeous! Such a difference between Tucson and Seattle. It was a fun trip and it was good to see our friends. Congrats again to Spencer and Lisa!

After the wedding we enjoyed the weekend with my siblings Jason and Holly and their kids, my nieces, Marli and Michelle. We enjoyed her annual Halloween Organ concert. She played an excellent Cat in the Hat with Marli and Michelle being Thing 1 and Thing 2. James and I played the little boy and girl from the story too. It was lots of fun! Unfortunately no pictures of that. But it was super fun!