Final Days

We are trying to soak up the final days of summer.  School starts this Wednesday :(.  I'm so thankful for these four health and happy boys!  I love to catch them playing together, and just minutes ago, I found them playing in the back yard with the hose and water guns.  I know they won't be this little much longer and these simple things they play will be no more.

Me and Bryce are staying indoors, trying to stay out of the water fight.

Opening Day

One thing we love about living in Cleveland, is our INDIANS! And if you didn't know it, today is Opening Day! We will be heading to Progressive Field in just a few minutes to start this season off right. Here are a few photos from past years of us cheering on our team...the boys have grown so much!

Last year opening day

The next few are Jake's first game...we left the older boys home with a sitter.

Here's a game that we took Max and Seth to towards the end of the season about three years ago...I think I was just pregnant with Jake.

This is Max and one of his friends. Looks like they stayed happy has long as the Cotton Candy lasted.

This was the weekend Ben graduated from Dental School, we took Ben's family to the game.

Max's first game. Notice he is wearing a Grady Sizemore onesie...I'm one of Grady's Ladies. I tried so hard to name Seth Grady...no hope. It's probably a good thing now.

GO TRIBE!

Reason no. 1098

There are so many reasons I love raising and having boys. We took the boys to Monster Jam last night...you know Monster Trucks! The boys were in heaven and this picture below says it all and brings such joy to my heart.

Botanical Gardens

I'm trying to really enjoy these last days of summer break before school starts. Last week went to the zoo with a group of friends and this last Thursday, we went with this group of fun friends to the Botanical Gardens. It was the perfect temperature and a ton of fun for the kids to run around and play.







A little less than two weeks left, I can't believe how fast the summer has gone!

Some Friends that are Great as Hale

These are some of our best family friends. They have truly been a blessing to Ben and I since living in OH. They are a couple that would do anything for you and we have learned so much from their example of service and love. Thanks so much for all you do and ALL the fun we have down in Tennessee!

Fun as Hale

We love spending our Memorial Day weekend down in Tennessee! This year there was a new addition to the Hale family...our boat! My vote for his name is, "Fun as Hale"...let me know if you have any better ideas for names?!?! Here is a few pictures from our weekend of fun.

The maiden voyage. Our friends dropped us in and drove the truck back to the cabin so we could take the boat out for the first time as a family!

Yes, I was finally able to get up on the wake board...I know it might be hard to believe since this picture doesn't show me up.

A weekend at the cabin wouldn't be complete without fire crackers*****

A Big Day

My first baby boy turned four this weekend. I can't believe how big he is getting. In the last month he has changed so much, I feel like he has finally gotten through the terrible two and threes and has turned into such a good boy. I have so much fun just talking with him. He is interesting, funny and kind hearted. He loves Mario Cart Wii, Bakugans, Transformers, Super Heroes, Star Wars, Tom & Jerry, Chicken Salad with Wheat Thins, Apple Juice, Dogs, short sleeve shirts, his socks and shoes to be just right, going to Primary, baking cookies, gymnastics, wearing goggles to swim, snuggling, and going on adventures. He said in the car the other day, "I was your first Baby, right?!" Yes you were and you will always be my sweetheart...I love you and the little man you are becoming.

The next few pictures are of his birthday party and the construction of his birthday cake. We had a Father Son Bowling Party and Ben made a Light Saver Cake. He made it out of two cakes that he cut and froze over night. Placed them on a long piece of card board and I made tons of icing for him to dye and decorate with. He used glow sticks to bring it to life and a red disc of chocolate for the button. Max thought it was pretty awesome.

Here is Seth so proud of himself after pushing his first ball down the lane!

After Maxton's party, we hustled down to my parents house to celebrate my Mom's 50th birthday. Dinner was great, we ate a Japanese Steak House. At dinner my folks shared some important news with us...my Dad's company is sending both my parents to China for a year (not returning home at all for the year) on a project. My Dad leaves this Saturday and my Mom will follow once her passport and visa come through, probably the middle of February. It was a bit of a surprise. I think it will be so great for them and a wonderful adventure. Obviously I'm sad that they will just miss seeing our new little baby boy born and his first year, but it will all work out.

Last but not least, here is a belly shot of me...it's current...31 weeks along...this picture is really for my dear friend in the KS...enjoy VMS!

Fall Fun

I know I'm not the best at blogging regularly, but it's not because we are boring and not doing anything around the Hale House. First of all, I've been busy cookin a new little bun...that right, we've got another bun in the oven that should be ready in March...very excited about this news! But lately, me and the boys did our annual apple picking last week. We had the best time, here are a few pictures-

Seth Turns TWO!

This last weekend we were happy to celebrate Seth's 2nd Birthday. He has been such a joy to have in our family. He is such a good little talker and totally affectionate. His actual birthday was Sunday, the 23rd, but we had a little friend party on the Friday before at a Splash Park. On Sunday, my parents and sister came up for Sunday dinner and Cake. Here's a few pictures of the weekend.

Seth playing at the Splash Park...it's so great...the park is fenced in, I don't have to get wet, and the kids can't drown...a great place to relax as a parent and the kids still have a blast!

Here is Seth passing out the cupcakes.

Here's Seth eating his second cupcake

Some of the friends that joined us for the party.

Mickey Mouse Birthday cake I made for Seth on Sunday.

Sweet Brothers

Sweeter Brothers

Seth blowing out his candles. We had to relight a few extra times so that both Max and Seth could have a couple of turns at blowing out the candles....that's the best part of birthday cakes apparently...the FIRE!

Here is Seth sporting two of his favorite presents...boots and sunglasses!