Traditions

What can we do to create more family traditions? Ten, twenty, thirty years from now, all that remains are the memories we have created for our families. It seems that the in-law side of the family have great traditions that no one ever wants to miss. Does anyone have any ideas about what we can do - fun things no one wants to miss? I wish we had more "toys" up here on our property so it would be more enticing to come up for family visits. What about trips to other places, if planned well in advance? Places like Nauvoo or Salt Lake City, San Diego (Sea World and the beach), or Disneyland. I'm open to suggestions. Does anyone else think this is important? Jerry and Kaye are in Hawaii with some of their kids right now. Is there any interest in something like that? Please let me know what you think.

Footprints

So much has happened in the last few days. I suppose when life takes one of it's tragic turns, it makes you realize just how grateful you are. I know life can be taken away in an instant and I want my family to know just how much I love and appreciate them. I am grateful for my Mom and I think about her every single day. We were so close and she was called home at such an early age - 61. I'm only now 4 years away from that time line and I realize just how young she was. I guess she was needed far greater in her heavenly home than I needed her here. I'm grateful that I still have my Dad here and want him to know how much I love him. He still walks a few miles every day and has pretty good health. My Dad has always said "send flowers to me while I'm alive, because I won't even see them if I'm gone." I have really tried to live that principle and express my love to my family at every opportunity.
I am so blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren who make me prouder every day. I want you all to know that when I say "children" - that includes all their spouses - I have always considered them to be totally and completely part of this family and I love as much as my own.
My Mom's favorite poem said:
"Some people come into our lives, stay for awhile, and leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never the same."
You have all left footprints on my heart and changed my life in such a positive way. I feel so sorry for those people who choose not to have a family because they will never know the happiness and joy that comes with sharing your life with children and grandchildren. I love you all! Thank you for being such a vital part of my life!

The Country Life

The Country Life

It's quiet, no sounds of traffic - only the wind in the trees, the dogs barking, a little rain - it's driving me CRAZY! I miss the sounds of my grandchildren playing and singing and going to the park with them to play. Don't get me wrong, I do love it up here, but it's been two weeks without my family and I don't like that much. We'll be coming down on Saturday and leaving Monday morning, so I am looking forward to seeing as much of my family as I can.
I've gotten a lot of unpacking done, even though I don't have as much space to put things away in this house. I can't put up pictures until Michael does all the taping, texturing, and painting of each and every room. He's so busy with work that he doesn't have much time to work on our house. He is doing much better at coming home at a decent time, though. He's been home by 6-6:30 most evenings. We'll get it done, eventually.
We have no TV shows up here, yet, so if I want to know what's going on with American Idol, I have to read Ami's blog! I keep up with my Suns by watching a live scoreboard on the computer, so at least I know who won - not many good highlights of the game, though. Guess I need to hear more about what happens from my boys (hint, hint).
Hope to see you all this weekend! Happy Birthday to Stephanie (Friday), Kaleb (this Sunday), Kyle (next Friday), Jerry (24th), and Jared and Ann (26th)!

Hey everyone!

Welcome to Michael & Judi Halls' blog! We will post our many adventures and pictures of our relaxing life on our property in Linden, AZ. Hope you enjoy it!