Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays

January is full of birthdays in our family --- five of them --- and they all come within a 9 day range! It is so much fun to share these special days with the grandkids. They are so excited!

Carter - January 9th - in his new pajamas and bathrobe

3 candles on a "Spiderman" cake

Carter celebrated his big day with us by going to Chili's for his birthday dinner and then we went back to his home to open gifts and to share his "Spiderman" cake and ice cream. Three years have passed so quickly!

Noah - January 11th - has a rootbeer float for his birthday

Noah chose to eat at Sizzler where he could have shrimp, his favorite food, and lots of it! Since his birthday fell on Sunday, we had his birthday dinner on Saturday evening. The waitress brought him a rootbeer float as a treat for his birthday! He was so impressed!

Lots of help from Jake in opening gifts

Noah opened his gifts and had his birthday cake (actually fruit pizza with candles) on Sunday. Grandpa had to work so he was only able to go to the dinner the night before but I stayed for the Sunday celebration as well. Noah turned 9 this year.

More birthdays to come this weekend .......

2009 Is Here!

We had a great time over the New Year's holiday. Marc, Gretchen and boys; Mike, Christina and kids; and Matt and Amanda spent their time with us. We had a lot of fun playing games, eating, watching movies, eating, visiting, eating, and eating and eating. We had a typical Hale snack on New Year's Eve. Everyone brought snacks to their liking and it was great! Lots of good food! Most of us made it to midnight .... some left a little early and some stayed until "wee" hours of the morning!

We had a New Year's Madness where we challenged one another to a contest of tennis on the Wii. We got down to the last 4 contenders and had to put the game on hold. Hopefully, we will pick up the game soon and find out who the "real" winner is! Those still on the board are: Kaden and Christina; Matt and "Mom".

Matt & Mike battle it out.

Kaden and his mom (Gretchen)

Grandad and "Mom" (Ila) take a turn. Tucker waits for his chance to play.

Carter challenges his mom (Christina)



Caitlin in contest with her mom

On New Year's day we ate some more and played board games. It was just good to be together! We missed having Phil, Kristen & family; Chris, Niccole and boys; and Bart, April and family! Maybe another year!

We wish all a very "Happy New Year"!