Hale Family Reunion '09

We just got back from spending time with my family all last week. It was the first time that all 7 of us siblings were all there in a few years. So we definitely enjoyed being all together again! We stayed at a lake house. We were right by the water, which what would be a hale family reunion without water sports? We enjoyed celebrating the fourth and David and Haley's birthdays. We also had fun playing on the water all day, eating and eating some more, playing games, watching some fireworks, and just hanging out together. Brooklynn LOVED the water, first thing after breakfast she wanted to go on the dock. It was also so fun to see her with all her cousins and aunts and uncles. It's always sad when it all comes to an end and we have to say goodbye, but until next time!

Anniversary Recap

Derek and I take turns planning V-day and our anniversary. This year I planned V-day and this year he planned our anniversary. I had no idea what to expect. First off, one of my friends asked me to baby sit on our anniversary from 2-5 so I knew that nothing would start until after 5. Brooklynn and I went swimming after her first nap and I had to rush home to be there by 2:00. When I got home I put Brooklynn down for a nap, and when I came down the stairs Derek busted through the door with a bouquet of flowers, and said let's go! I was like "wait I can't I have to baby sit." He explained that Whitney was actually babysitting for us (i totally didn't suspect anything). He had that planned for a while. Thanks Whitney! Anyway, off we went on our little adventure. We rode our bikes down to gallup park, where there are some fun bike paths, and through campus, and to yogo blitz a (refreshing frozen yogurt). I LOVE riding my bike, and when I get to do it just for fun with Derek is even better!

Derek told me we had dinner reservations later on that evening, and that he had a baby sitter lined up. For some reason he told me to take my time getting ready. So I took a shower and when I open the door I could smell something cooking. I started to get a little suspicious. Anyway, I came downstairs and the lights were dimmed and Derek had the table decked out with candles lit, and an appetizer. Even though we were at home I felt like I was in a restaurant. In the back ground he had all my favorite love songs and all. Then he brought be out a salad, and after that he brought out the main course: chicken cordon blue, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and rolls. Ok, so I don't take that long to get ready. I was like "Derek, how on earth did you pull all this off?" Well, the last couple of days while I was out working out in the mornings he was busy preparing the dinner. He had the cordon blue all prepared and had our neighbor cook it in her oven. I was so impressed and the meal was sure delicious.

My favorite and biggest surprise of all was the gift he made for me. A couple of months ago my sister in law Lauren tricked me and asked me for some of my favorite love songs, because she told me she was going to make her and Corey's wedding video. Derek had her do that so he could get the songs so he could make our wedding video. That's how we ended the night watching our wedding video. It turned out so cute, and really captured the day! It was PERFECT!!! I was so impressed how thoughtful Derek was about our anniversary, details and all! I don't think I'll be able to top that next year.

My camera stopped working that night, but I got some from our bike ride.


I love how this picture shows how green and beautiful gallup park is.

Happy anniversary to us!

3 wonderful years together!

What we've been up to

Wow... summer is already going way to fast! I have a lot of catching up to do with this thing, but instead of doing lot's of little posts, here is one BIG post. There's lot's of pictures, mostly of the cutest and fastest growing one in this family. Yes, you guessed it, Brooklynn. I hope you enjoy, and I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far!!!

I decided to do lot's of collages. You can click on the collage to make it bigger.


I am sure you're all thinking she is a little big to still be taking baths in the sink. Brooklynn was bored, and I was trying to get some things done in the kitchen. I put her in the sink, and she had a BLAST. She was entertained for a good 10 minutes (which is long for her). So for all you Mom's out there with one year olds. If you run out of things to do there's an idea.

Ward Camp Out:


Our first time camping with Brooklynn. I would have to say it was a success! Brooklynn loved it! She was able to be outside, get dirty, and find new toys (like big sticks). One of my favorite parts about camping is the campfire at night. I love tin foil dinners and s'mores. Our friends the Kramers, made us a steak tin foil dinner, and of course it was delicious. The next day we were able to play at the lake.

Finger Painting:


Brooklynn's first time finger painting. She wasn't to sure about it at first. The first thing she did was try to eat it. Notice the blue around her mouth. Silly, silly girl!

Hands on Museum:


We just bought a family pass to our local Hands on Musuem that will last all year. Brooklynn loves to explore this place. Derek came a long with us this last time. I knew he would love it, and he did. There's fun for all ages!

Swimming:


Where we live if you bring out a kiddy pool on a hot summer day the kids come running!!! But I'm not complaining, because Brooklynn loves the company.

Ultimate Frisbee


We thought after leaving BYU-I ultimate days were going to be pretty much over. Luckily, Derek get's the opportunity to play with guys in our ward on Tues and Sat. I think that is what Derek looks forward to most during the week. Brooklynn and I go watch him, but recently we end up having to leave because Brooklynn wants her Daddy and trys to run out to the field everytime he runs by, and then gets upset because she can't have her Daddy. She adores him and Derek adores her!

Anyway, we are loving are summer thus far. We look forward to seeing lot's of family this summer. I get to see my family in 2 weeks...can't wait!

Derek's Birthday (and other random stuff)

Monday was Derek's birthday! Derek asked for a dutch oven, so I decided to throw a dutch oven party for him. We did a joint birthday party with our friend Andy. Their birthdays were only a few days apart. I made a peach cobbler, and Heather made a blueberry cobbler. It was fun just to get together with lot's of friends to celebrate. Here is Andy and Derek acting like their blowing out the candles (it was to windy and we couldn't get the candles lit).

The night of Derek's birthday we took advantage of the sweet birthday deals around here and went out to eat to get the 50% off deal. This is us right before we went out to eat.

Holland Tulip Festival:

Last Friday we went to Holland, MI to the tulip festival. They have over 6 million tulips...unbelievable!!! There were a lot of dutch activities and dutch stores. I felt like I was actually in Holland. We met up with some of our good friends and neighbors the Topham family.




Brooklynn didn't want to stay still for pictures, but at least Lincoln was able to hold her down for a few seconds.

Garden:

Student housing has garden plots and we are attempting our first garden. Hopefully we see the fruits of our labors and get some fresh produce out of it. When we go work in the garden Brooklynn loves to climb the dirt hills, eat the dirt (ewww), and loves when we find a worm for her. If she could she would be outside all day!

Mothers Day Picture

I'll end this post with Brooklynn, she is just so darn cute and growing up way to fast!

Capital City Half Marathon

This past Saturday Derek and I along with four of are friends ran the half marathon in Columbus, Ohio. It was a big race with thousands of other racers. We signed up for this race the end of January to keep us motivated to run through the winter. I have a great running group I trained with. The race went great (although very painful the last few miles). Derek and I both got really excited at the beginning and ran the first few miles way to fast (hey I think I made a PR for myself for a 5k). We paid for it at the end. My motto was to run through the pain. I think I gave myself a hundred pep talks as I was running. Derek finished the race and then came and ran with me the last little stretch. I don't know how he had any energy left to do that, but boy was I HAPPY to see him! The spectators on the side lines were so supportive that when Derek stopped running with me the last 100 yards they were yelling to him "DON'T GIVE UP YOUR ALMOST THERE, YOU CAN DO IT!" We thought it was pretty funny. We both made our goals we set for ourselves. Derek came through the finished line at (1:28), and I came through at (1:57) I shaved 15 minutes off my time from my first half marathon. So I was happy about that.


Derek coming through the finish line. He purposely wore the brightest Michigan shirt he owned. Since part of the race was on Ohio States campus (huge rival with MI). He wore his shirt proud, and I am glad he made it through the race with out getting beat up. He said he had lot's of people yelling stuff at him.

These pictures crack me up, because here I am at the beginning of the race with a smile on my face ready to give it all I got. And then...

here I am crossing the finish line looking like I am about to pass out...oh how I love the comparison. Side note my time is actually 2 minutes faster then that timer...I'm proud of those 2 minutes:)!


Here we are after the race, happy to be finished!


While I was finishing my last mile I heard from the crowd someone yelling at Derek and I. It turns out it was some of our good friends from BYU-I the Shurtz family. Ryan is going to Ohio State for Dental School. So good to see you guys!


This was Brooklynn's first time eating a popsicle, and she was a happy little girl!

Derek's aunt and uncle live in Ohio, and were so kind to let us and our friends stay with them. They were fabulous host! This is Derek's Mom's twin sister Karla, Derek shares his birthday with them. Karla made a yummy birthday cake and we had an early birthday celebration! (Their actual birthday is May 11th it's coming up)

Jungle Java

For play group the other day we went to a indoor play place (perfect for a rainy day). It was fun to watch all the kiddos cruise around the play area.

Timmy, Ashlyn, Evelyn, Brooklynn, and Max

I was able to get some fun pictures of Brookie playing.





This last week Brooklynn has completely preferred walking over crawling. When she starts walking really fast her whole body stiffens and her arms go straight out. She looks like a mummy. She seriously cracks us up!