Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to All! What a great day it's been...a fun morning with the boys opening a few gifts from Santa and Ben and I. A yummy Christmas dinner we were able to enjoy with my parents and Ali, my mom's parents, and my great aunt. It was so nice...the best part for me is that I'm finally able to use my blog effectively. I've got so many things to update on my blog, I can't wait. I've got to get a few things organized on my computer so I can post some pictures. And no, the picture of that christmas tree below is not my tree...I be sure to put a picture of my actually tree in the next post.

It the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It is officially December even though the Christmas decorations and shopping started up right after the 31st of October in the retail world! I've got my radio set to 102.1...Christmas Music round the clock, my decorations are mostly up, the boys Christmas outfits are ready to go, the snow is falling, and my Christmas cards are ready to be mailed...I'm definitely feeling the Christmas Spirit.

Where's Waldo

Do any of you know those books, "Where's Waldo"? We had a few of those books when I was growing up and it was so much fun to try to find that little fellow. He was always in a very busy area in the middle of chaos. When you found him, he looked just fine and always had a smile on his face. Think of me as Waldo...I'm here somewhere with a smile on my face. We've had a busy month finishing up Halloween and getting ready for Thanksgiving. In the middle of the two holidays, we've all been sick, I've fed the missionaries at our Stakes zone conference, thrown a bridal shower, celebrated my dad's 50th birthday, finished up my '07 scrapbook, been getting use to a brand new calling in church, and been totally aggravated with my computer...it won't let me sign into my blog! My mother-in-law call me a few days ago to check on me since she enjoys keeping up with us by our blog, I was happy to report that we're all okay, just have had a busy run. I posting this from my mothers house, so I'll be sure to post soon with some pictures of the last month.
I do want to say how thankful I'm am for all my blessings and my sweet family...Happy Thanksgiving!

If you would like to take a peek at the storybook I made for my dad's 50th, click here and follow the instructions.

Trick or Treating

Now that we've had a chance to enjoy some treats, we will now move to the entertainment portion of my Blogger's Halloween Party! Here's a little comic relief that I hope you will enjoy:

Halloween Party

I wanted to kick off this fall with a great Blogging Halloween Party!  Today starts the party, with blogs full of food and fun till November.  Lets start kick things off with some refreshments.  Below are a few ghoulish treats I've made this season that you are welcome to feast your EYES on.  If there are any recipes that you would like, let me know.
                                             These are miniature candied apples
          Here are some Marshmallow Bones for our Blood Red Hot Chocolate
Chocolate Cup Cakes that are so good, they taste more like a brownie and not cake...to die for

Blood Red Chocolate with Marshmallow Bones (I wish I would have had a clear pitcher so to see the hot chocolate better)

Makeover...Laundry Room Edition

It's that time of year...it's starting to get too cold to do projects outside and on the yard, so Ben and I start looking for indoor home projects. I've been itching to give my laundry room a face lift and we finally took care of it last week. We used a little bead board, paint and hooks and this is how it turned out. Here are some before pictures.

Ben took the original baseboard off first, placed a thicker baseboard down to handle the bead board, put up the bead board, I caulked and spackled, Ben and I painted, and Ben screwed in the hooks. Hear are a few after pictures.

A Challenge

We are constantly teaching the youth of the church to make those hard moral decisions before they are placed in difficult situations. By doing so, you don't have to think when someone asks you to do something you're not suppose to...the choice has already been made and you just follow through on you previously made decisions.
I put this to practice the fall before I got pregnant with Maxton when it came to all the holiday food and treats. I went a head and made my decisions on what I would and wouldn't eat and I didn't gain those holiday pounds for once and I was so much happier with myself. I've decided to try it again this year, and see how it goes...anyone with me? It's always a little easier if you know others are doing the same and that the one Christmas sugar cookie or slice of pumpkin pie won't be alone...somewhere near or far there are a few more treats in the same boat...all stuck with strong women about to toss them in the trash or let them be ripped to shreds by the garbage disposal! That's my Challenge, any takers?

Apple Picking Time Line

I think it's funny how we judge time...each of us do it a little different and even more so at different times in our lives. For instance, when I was working full time I judged time by a 6 month interval...x, y, z will happen before I have to clean this persons teeth again. Since kids are my full time job now, apple picking is one of my judgements of time, among other things. As you scroll down, you'll see what I mean...once was one baby boy three years ago, is now two boys that are growing like weeds. (Can I also mention how much I love the fall and picking apples...it's the perfect temperature and the boys have such a fun time.)



Sept 2008
Seth is exactly 13 months old

Sept 2008
Max is 2 1/2 years

Sept 2007
Seth was maybe 2 months old

Sept 2007
Max was 18 months old

Sept 2006
Max was 9 months old

Costco Lovers

I got my gift certificate for Costco in the mail the other day...really it's the 2% I earn from all the shopping I do during the year with my executive membership...anyways, it was burning a hole in my pocket and I couldn't wait for the 11th to get here because the new coupons kicked in. (Sorry, that was a crazy sentence...totally not sure if it was even close to being grammatically correct) So, we were off to Costco this afternoon with costco money in hand and a fresh set of coupons...honestly, it doesn't get much better than that. We found some great stuff, made our purchases and ended with a nice slice of cheese pizza for dinner before leaving. While we were eating, Ben had said something about Costco and me liking it and I responded with, "I don't like it, I love it!" Several minutes later Ben asks Maxton if he likes Costco and he says with a mouth full of pizza and lemonade, "nope, I love it!" He truly is my child.

A little light reading

I love to catch the boys doing stuff while I'm not around. Today, the boys had settled in for some light reading. Maxton had pulled "The Miracle of Forgiveness" off the shelf, and Seth was enjoy a John Grisham novel, "Bleachers". They were sitting so quietly together, I had to run and grab the camera...I couldn't have posed them any better. I'm just happy I didn't catch them toilet papering the bathroom this time!

"I'm a Big Kid now!"

I'm a Big Kid look what I can do

I can wear Big Kid pants too,

And I can pull them up and down!

Mommy Wow.....

I'm a Big Kid now!

(Wasn't this one of the first little jingles for Pull-Ups when they came out?!?)

Yes, my little big kid, Maxton is pretty much potty trained. We started around the second week in August, and things are going pretty well. We also have graduated into the tricycle and helmet. Two things that Max is super excited about these days. Way to go Mr. Max!

Happy Birthday Baby Seth!

Here's Seth blowing out his candle tonight...well, Max actually blew out the candle!

Today at 11:06 this morning, my sweet baby turned one! It's amazing how long and short the year has gone by. We've been so blessed to have this little guy join our family. It feels like he's always been apart of our family, just like little Max. We love you Baby Seth!


Me and Baby Seth the day he was born!

Maxton

A friend of mine from church, came over and took pictures of the boys. She was getting some practice with her new camera so she could be the photographer at her sister's wedding. As you can see, I think she's going to do a fabulous job. This is just one of a hundred that she took!

Workin' 9 to 5

Ben's dental hygienist was married last Saturday, and we were able to attend her beautiful wedding. The next day, her and her new husband left for Aruba to celebrate their honeymoon. So, that means I'm a working women this week. Here are the pros and cons of my new week long employment...
Pros:
*I get to kiss the Boss
*I get to ride with my Husband to work
*When there's down time, I can sit and blog or read a magazine (you'll understand why I can sit around a little when I get to my cons list)
*Ben usually buys me lunch
*it's nice to clean teeth every once in awhile...it really helps keep my skills up.
*it's amazing how much you really do love your profession, when you're not doing it full time.

*It is a big help that I'm a hygienist so that Ben doesn't have to us a temp. agency...they have some pretty high fees, it's nice that I have a skill that is useful for Ben at the office.

Cons:
*I don't get a pay check, so I don't feel bad when I blog or read a magazine, as long as I stay on schedule and take good care of my patients
*Some times I put my nose in Ben's business a little too much...I just need to keep my mouth shut, he does a wonderful job without me here, it should be no different on the few occasions that I fill in.

Okay, really there aren't any cons...I just need to keep my bossing for the house, and even though I don't pull a pay check, Ben is a wonderful provider and he does take me to lunch. I don't think I'll work full time again, but I could see a few days a week once my kids were much older and I hope that Ben would hirer me as long as a kept my two sense to myself.

New project

So, many of you know that we plant a garden every summer...well if you didn't, we do...nothing big, just herbs, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, that's about it. Ben has done gardens most of his life, but for me...I'm a first timer. I'm starting to get a little more comfortable with it, so this year I decided to go wild and try growing Sun Flowers behind the garden. I read a few things online, and started off by germinating them before planting. This way I could plant just the strong one, those that didn't sprout, I threw out. So, here's a few pictures of my germination...standby for more pictures as they grow.

Here are the two packets I picked up for cheap at our local garden center.


To get them to germinate, I placed the seeds in between wet paper towels and kept them damp until they began to sprout...just a few days was all it took.


Here's what I ended up with before I planted...it was pretty cool.


I did all this at the end of June, so I'll post a few pictures of how they look since I planted next time I post!

Home from "Adult" Vacation

Ben and I are home from our kid less vacation. We thought since I'm not pregnant or nursing, we should take advantage of our 5th anniversary and go away. Thanks to my mom, we were able to leave the boys with her and my sister...you'll have to click here and see how their time was with the boys! We left last Wednesday and headed down to St. John to stay until Sunday. It was so beautiful. We rented a jeep one of the days and drove all over the island and stopped along at the different bays, went snorkeling and scuba diving, had a spa day, and layed out by the beach a pool and read books. I can say that I'm a Stephanie Meyer fan, I've started book number two. We got to enjoy eating without interruptions, sleep in with ease, lay out with out worrying if someone was going to drown, and watch everyone else wrestle children while in the airport and on the plane. It was a great trip, but I was happy to get back to my life and my kids. I think what really made the adventure was not worrying a bit about the boys...I knew they were in good hands. Here's a few pictures of our anniversary vacation!

Our 5th Wedding Anniversary

Today marks five great years since Ben and I were married in the Washington D.C. Temple. It's hard to believe it's been that long. We've certainly been busy since that day and have done some wonderful things together and as a growing family.
Five things I love about my Husband:
*He has the best green eyes ever...can I please have a child with green eyes?!?
*He sets and meets goals...is ambitious.
*The way he cares for me and our boys.
*He makes me laugh and I love to spend time with him.
*He makes me happy and very at home when I'm with him.

Five things that make us good together:
*comfortable silence
*pillow talk
*not only do we have our own hobbies, but we enjoy a lot of the same things together.
*we love and care for each other
*we compliment each other

Five things we've accomplished since married:
*getting Ben graduated from school
*having Maxton
*having Seth
*buying a practice
*being able to pay our student loan debt and still go to the movies every once in awhile

Here's to all the years ahead! I love you BEN!

Hand, Foot, and Mouth

Need I say More?!?! It's been an interesting/hard week so far, we're praying for better days here at the Hale House!
Click here for details

Laundry Tid Bit

Have you ever noticed that the more times you wash your husband and little boys collared shirts, like polos, the collars start to age the shirt. They become flat and faded the more and more you wash them. Well, a couple of years ago my dad got tickets to see the Masters, and took Ben along with him for his graduation present. {To get tickets to the Masters, you either have to wait on a long list until someone dies or decides they don't want their tickets anymore, or you can put your name into a drawing to see if you get picked for just the practice rounds. So, that is how my Dad finally got tickets...through the drawing. Obviously, you can probably buy someones ticket if they are selling them on the side of the road down in Augusta where the Masters is held, but you don't want to bank on that.} They had so much fun and said the course was beautiful. Everyone that goes has to buy golf shirts while there because that's the only place you can buy a shirt with the Masters logo on it and you never know if and when you'll have the chance to go again. Since they are such a special item for the boys, they asked how to better take care of them so they last as long as possible and still look good. So, here was the advise and what I do every time I wash any polo type shirt: button up your shirt completely and then turn it inside out to wash...it really preserves the collar and is nice and full when you slip that puppy back on.
Another little tid bit from the Hale house...we don't care for twirlies, you know where you put your shirt on and it's a little shorter than when you bought it and as you twist your your torso, the bottom of your shirt twirls with you and doesn't hug at the bottom. That's what we call a twirly, and Ben can't stand to wear a twirly...he has to send it right off to Good Will. So not only do I try to preserve the collar, I never dry his polos so that they don't become twirlies. I pull them out of the wash and lay them out, so they keep their length and integrity. {I don't hang them on hangers, because then they get those pointing things in the shoulders}.

Please know that I'm not the go to person on homemaking skills, this is the only laundry hints I have besides the normal washing of clothes...just thought this might be helpful since it's Summer and that time of year when the men in your life might be wearing a polo shirt. Happy Washing!

Tagged Again

My good friend from High School/Young Women's recently started a blog, which I'm so excited about. She just tagged me, and I'm to write six interesting/facts about myself that others may not know...It reminded me of a similar post I did back in January, where I had to write seven interesting facts. So not to be boring, I'll see if I can think of a few more...here goes:

*No matter if it's the middle of Summer or the dead of Winter, I have to have the covers pulled up over my shoulder...I can not fall asleep with my shoulders or neck exposed. I'm not quite sure when this happened, but it's just the way it is.
*In the last six years, I've lived in three different Wards, and have served in the YW's as the president, 1st coun., 2nd coun., secretary, personal progress leader, basket ball coach (we won every game mind you), and the camp leader. What is the Lord trying to teach me?!? Possible theories: That I didn't learn my fair share while in YW's myself, I'm going to need the experience because my own teenagers are going to give me a run for my money, or that I just look so young and hip that it is the natural place for me to be every Sunday?!?
*I'm not the Sappy type, but I love to get wedding announcements and see my name writen on the outside as Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hale...I know, it's totally silly!


I figure that's plenty if you add it to my original post back in January...Thanks friend for the tag!

Harmonica 101

Just in case anyone was looking for a good Harmonica Instructor, look no further...Maxton would be happy to teach you and your children how to play. You can pick up your very own harmonica at your local Cracker Barrel and then swing on by...it's never too soon to start, we've already taken Seth to his first lesson, and he loved it. Here are a few pictures from Seth's lesson with Max.

Fourth of July!

We celebrated the 4th like we have in the last couple of years, down in Tennessee at Lake Norris. We love it so much, it a great get away. The water is so beautiful and it relaxing to sit on the dock in between wake boarding and tubing! Maxton did so much better with the life jacket this year...he usually cries the whole time he has to wear it, but not this time. As for Seth, he did pretty good for his first trip to the lake. The night of the 4th, we held our own fire works show off the dock...it's funny how a few fire crackers can bring out the boy in some grown men, and eat into their wallets...they had a blast!





Ben helping Maxton with his first sparkler

Here's Seth helping me clean out the fridge once we got home from TN...he is such a big help?!?

Soap Box

I don't think I've had a chance to get on the soap box yet...so I'll make it short and sweet and try not to climb back up again.
I think it is totally okay to put whatever you want on your blog. If you want to brag/talk about your kids, work, husband, recipes, new whatever, etc...you CAN...it's you're blog, it's not like an email where you send it to some one's inbox and they have to read it...those that read your blog come willingly...and no one asked them to read it!
Why did I feel the need to put this out there? I've just read and heard from a few people and blogs that they hope they aren't bragging about their kids...hey, don't sweat it!
Okay...I've jumped off the box, with hopes of never returning...remember I said with hopes!

VT Party

Had a visiting teaching party today and put together a little lunch for the group. Thought I would share the recipe since I'm always looking for good ones to add to my collection.
Oriental Chicken/Spinach Salad
1 Box Gemelli pasta
3 C Chicken cooked
1/4 C sesame seeds
8 C baby spinach or 1 bag
1/4 C Parsley
1/2 C Green Onions

Dressing:
1 C Olive Oil
2/3 C Rice Vinegar
6 Tbls. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 C soy sauce
1/2 tsp. pepper

Cook pasta and let cool. Mix dressing ingredients and shake well or mix in blender. Mix pasta, chicken, parsley and onion together with the dressing and refrigerate until ready to eat. Before serving add sesame seeds and spinach.

EnJoY!

Times Two

I've been tagged times two...both by my lovely cousins Christon and Rachael...I just needed one more to make this tag more legit...it's the tag of threes, so here goes:

3 JoYs:
-My family, all three of my boys keep a smile on my face and joy in my heart.
-Since having children, I find Joy in taking my time in stores with out my children...I will walk down every isle in walmart, target, the grocery, costco, whatever...so joyous!
-Hearing the dishwasher running before I go to bed...great joy in knowing I'll come downstairs to a clean kitchen...it's a better way to start my day!

3 FeArS:
-Things are going so well, I have a fear that the bottoms going to fall out...does that make sense?!
-My babies are growing up so fast...I fear the day when they no longer have that soft chubby skin and they don't want to give me a big snuggle
-That the dirty clothes are going to take over and I'll never get ahead or even catch up.

3 ObSesSiOnS/cOlLeCtIoNs:
-Putting the couch cushions back on the couch, because a certain two year old has an obsession of removing them everyday.
-Making sure all bathroom doors are closed, along with the pantry and dishwasher...Seth loves to climb into the dishwasher and play the bathroom...he can't get enough of the toilet paper.
-Checking the mail/email/blogs/phone messages...I don't know what it is about opening a nice card or wedding announcement...maybe because it's not a bill!

3 RaNdOm/SuRpRiSiNg FaCtS:
-one of my favorite times of day, is "pillow talk"-it seems to be the only time that Ben and I get to talk without interruptions...and he actually tells me about his day...I get details!
-I did something I've never done before this summer...I've planted sunflower seeds behind our garden...I hope it goes well...I'll blog pictures if it does!
-I believe the heart of a home is the kitchen and the the bed to a bedroom, so if everything else in my home is dirty, I at least make my bed and clean up the kitchen.
**note: I'm not very interesting/surprising...sorry!

Now I'm suppose to tag five bloggers, but I don't think that goes with this tag...I think it should just be three...it seems more fitting, and a lot easier on my part...so, I'm tagging: Emily, Nicky, Kari-Lynn

Sunday Night Treats!

One of the best things about Sunday is making treats after dinner, or for dinner, just depends how we feel. I was buying a wedding present at William-Sonoma on Friday and had a chance to stroll around the store while they wrapped the gift. I happened upon some animal cracker cookie mix and animal cracker cookie cutters...I couldn't help myself...it was perfect for Sunday night treats! We had some fun making our animal cookies and Maxton loved the rolling pin part and eating the dough. Even if the cookies end up a flop, I love the memories we make...that's my favorite part!

Just the beginning

Can anyone guess why I've posted this clip of Jack Johnson's concert at Blossom last night on my Blog?!? That's right folks, Ben and I went last night to his concert and we had so much fun. That's my third ever concert and it was way cooler than any others I had ever seen. My first concert was in 1991, my Mom took me to see Linda Ronstadt, and my second experience was 2000 I again went with my Mom and we saw Celine Dion.
Last night was so much fun, we did get rained on in the beginning, but after that, the weather was perfect. There were so many people and he sounded as good as if I was listening on the radio. I hope it won't take me eight years to see another concert, I hope it's just the beginning of many more live performances to come! Thanks Jack for some great tunes!

A couple of Green Thumbs...then and now

Here is Ben and Maxton last May '07 bringing the plants to the back to be planted

This year makes number two for our family garden. After we put our yard in last Spring, we waited patiently for the snow and frost to finally stop. It worked out to be Memorial Day Weekend when we were finally able to put in our seeds and plants.

Ben took stone slabs and configured a "U" shaped garden outside our morning room window in the back yard...I love to look out and see how our herbs and veggies are doing while I eat breakfast (May '07)

Picture of Maxton getting ready to plant...wish he smiled for pictures now the way he use to...I'm thinking it's a phase...any thoughts on that?!? (May '07)
This year, things were a little different for two reasons. First, our family grew an extra member that we harvested in late August of last year, and second, we weren't able to get things planted until this weekend of Fathers Day. We planted black seed lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. Seth just ate all the dirt and pulled out plants and our labels. It probably would have been easier and faster if just Ben and I had planted the garden, but that would have been no fun and the boys love to be our big helpers...for now!

Our newest little gardener...Seth...June '08
Ben hard at work, boys hard at play!

Maxton covering his brother in dirt...I love to bathe boys who really need a bath...that's a sign of a good day in my book!

Ben and Maxton telling Seth not to eat the Dirt...like he's going to stop, or understand!

Waffles

There is something to be said about a Waffle...and I'm not talking about Eggos or the ones you eat at Waffle House. The ones I'm talking about are life savers. They can make for a fun morning with all the fixin's! Waffles have a great way of making you look like you're this great cook and little miss homemaker when guest come to visit. They're great for when you need to take a meal or something over to a friends house after they've had a baby...it's the best thing ever...I know, I was on the receiving end after Seth was born and it was a true blessing. If you're in a hurry and the kids are screaming, and you don't feel or can't think to make breakfast...well, your in luck with these amazing waffles. Honestly, it's a win win situation. How, you ask?!? Well, here's my secret. Please stay with me, you obviously have to do a little leg work before it starts paying off...as with anything!

First, you have to invest in a Belgium waffle maker...it's the only way to go. You know, the kind where you put the batter in and flip it...the wells are bigger for butter, syrup, whip cream, fruit...you get the picture.

(This one is one that I pulled out of the freezer to feed Seth and Max)
And then you make whatever batter you're in the mood for, regular, lemon poppy seed (my favorite...however, there is a little bit more clean up that will be waiting for you once it goes through your child's digestive system...those poppy seeds pretty much come out unchanged...don't be alarmed when you open up that dipe), chocolate chip (the secret is to use mini chips...they keep your iron cleaner), pumpkin, blueberry, etc. If you're making for just you and the kids they usually only eat half a waffle, and then the best part...you freeze the rest and you've got breakfast for at least three days and a good one at that. You can pop them in the microwave or toaster or if you're really in a hurry, those kids will eat them frozen...especially if you've made chocolate chips, less mess when they stay frozen. Did I mention that they're great when the baby's teething...just put a bib around that baby and throw them a frozen waffle.

(Seth anxiously waiting for his waffle)

Now can you see how great it was when my good friend brought me over bags of waffles of all different kinds...I had breakfast for weeks, it was a life saver after bringing Seth home. It's a meal that I will never forget; no one else has every giving me food for breakfast. Think about it...your husband is usually home for dinner, he can help cook or get things going for dinner...it's breakfast when you're left in the lurch. So next time you sign up to bring over a meal for that mother who's just come home...make her a few batches of waffles...she'll never forget it!

When that company wakes up after a long day of travel the night before...they think you've bent over backwards to make them this wonderful breakfast, and you have, but you didn't have to bend over backwards. They rant and rave over how good they are, especially when you've made a few different batches. Don't worry, you won't have left overs, and if you do you're secretly excited because you know where they're going...in the freezer, to make your life so easy one morning when you can't get it together!

So, I thought I would give you a few recipes to get you started:

Regular:

2 eggs

2 cups milk

2 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1//2 cup oil

Beat eggs and milk until mixed. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and oil. Spray Pam on iron and cook according to manufacturer's instructions.

Variations:

Blueberry waffles: add 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.

Lemon Poppy Seed: 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract, and 2 tablespoons poppy seed.

Chocolate chip Waffles:

2 cups flour

1 cup mini chocolate chips

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 2/3 cups milk

1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 eggs

In large bowl, combine flour, chocolate chips, sugar baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add milk, butter and eggs; mix until moistened. Some lumps may remain. Spray Pam on iron and cook according to manufacturer's instructions.

(Obviously, if you have a butt load of kids, you want to double the recipe if you want to tuck away a few in the freezer)

I hope this either helps to get you out of a breakfast slump, think this was funny to read, or you think I'm totally crazy and need to just buy some Eggo waffles. To any rate, you won't be making fun of me when you've stayed the night and you wake up to the smell of warm syrup, fresh strawberries with whipping cream and the aroma of a waffle cooking on my iron...HaPpY BrEaKfAsT!

(Another Happy Camper...it's the breakfast that keeps on giving!)