What I (David) have been doing

Melody too. Paint and Carpet. No, it isn't because Adam comes home next week.

Well, OK, maybe that has something to do with it.

Christmas

Dinner

The Boys
Leopard Print

Matching!

Merry Christmas from the Hales

More Wedding

We just got more pictures of the wedding from the photographer

Really?

We got another email from SLC informing us - again - of Adam's itinerary. Is this a problem -- parents forgetting to pick up their missionaries at the airport? They need to be reminded by letter and two emails? (Two letters if you count the one from his mission president.)

Anyway, I just want to say that his two years went by quickly. Oops, I mean the past 22 months. These last two months are DRAGGING by. Only four weeks left. And then not only will Adam be home, but all of his brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces will be coming too. (plus grandparents and cousins) Is there anything better than that? Nope. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to us.

Thanksgiving DInner

Delicious

Knotts Berry Farm

Spencer, Tanner, Emma, Snoopy, Tyler, Cheri

We tagged along (Rare picture of us)

School Pictures

Because it's been awhile

Michael, Laura, and family

More Wedding

Photos of the wedding from the Photographer

General Conference Part 2

There are many things that we enjoy about attending General Conference. Seeing the grandkids from Idaho is among the best.

General Conference

We just returned from a fun-filled weekend in Utah. Going to General Conference is such a part of our lives, that when someone asks if we're going, it makes me wonder why they would even question it. We've always gone. Oh sure, there was an occasional "miss", but it's just ingrained that we go. (P.S. David took the above picture of the temple Saturday morning. When I first saw it I thought it was a file picture. Nope!)

I got thinking about this because a son-in-law says that he wants to take his family next year because General Conference was such an integral part of his growing-up and he wants his own children to experience that also. Then I realized that our own children don't know any different either. Over 18 years ago when David was the bishop, we started going regularly. It was held in the Tabernacle back then (the olden days) and he received two tickets to each session. So the rest of us would take turns going with him. During one cold April Conference, our kids got to see snow falling for the first time. And Adam even built a snowman on the grounds in front of the RS building. {Should I have admitted that?} Once the Conference Center was built and first used in April of 2000, we could all go at the same time. Michael left for his mission the next month and then it's been hit or miss to all be there at the same time. But if it's possible, we seem to gravitate to SLC during Conference weekend. And we have our tried-and-true traditions to uphold also. We know which door to go in at the Conference Center so that we don't have to wait in a line. (If you've gone with us, you know. If not, oh well!) We know which hotel is the best for not having to drive anywhere {Plaza}, and then there's the practically sacred tradition of Priesthood Meeting shopping. Just the girls. (And the baby and toddler grandsons.) And then we all meet up for dinner at JB's where us girls have already been seated and ordered for our men. The food is delivered as the guys are walking into the restaurant. We are nothing if not efficient.

And nowadays its just a fun road trip for David and I. We like to stay in St. George {Tai Pan Trading!} on the way up (thanks Robin & Ed!). That puts us that much further ahead and on Utah time. Then we have to stop at the Cheese Factory in Beaver. Have to. And if the curd is fresh and warm; yum yum. And if they happen to have black licorice ice cream, well, that's heaven. {They didn't this time. Or last time. Trust me, it's divine.}

Then a stop at the BYU Bookstore. Then to the Creamery on 9th to get sugar-free and caffeine-free Mt. Dew. Only place to buy that stuff. Heard the new creamery is open up by the old D.T. dorms, but we didn't take the time to check it out. But did check out Orson Gigy in SLC. Not worth it. But the new Deseret Bookstore -- the "flagship" store in downtown SLC-- is pretty cool. Besides the books (yeah, yeah) they have candy jars. Full of candy for sale. Mint chocolate malted milk balls. And black licorice (finally!) wheels. And I know what you're thinking: she went in to the new state-of-the-art Deseret Book and all she talks about is the candy?? And I'm thinking: do you not know me??

Driving up is always leisurely and fun. Driving home is a pedal-to-the-metal experience. But the memories are the best. Great talks and counsel, being with kids and grandkids, being with my parents this time. Six more months . . .

Tanner

He's getting more expressive and animated

Elder Hales with half a surfboard

More from Tanner's blessing day

Tanner Blessing

We were able to travel to Fremont for Tanner Wirthlin's blessing Sunday

Another

More Wedding

More pictures of the couple. They are already on their way to Tennesse

Wedding August 7, 2010

Carly and Michael

Another Beach Day

Carly and Michael get married tomorrow

Tanner is in town with his family for the occasion

So are Jessica and Chandler. We took the time to get a picture at the beach

Beach Day

Tyler was tumbled around a little bit before this picture was taken. He was back at it 3 minutes later.

Tanner's first beach experience. Slept like a baby

Meade Glacier

The picture above is us ON the glacier. We had to wear crampons to walk around. The picture below is the glacier as seen from the helicopter. We flew up a little ways before landing. We got to spend 45 minutes exploring the glacier. We could even drink the water flowing inside of it.

Ready to go on the helicopter. That was fun.

Alaska

We did our first cruise July 10-17. We went with my parents, siblings, and spouses. It was fantastic.