Belated B-Day POST

Daddy running along side to make sure he 'gets' the hand-breaks
Sweet new wheels
A very nice spin
Ziggy and Nae (the stinky monkey) checking out Noah's new bike
Noah on a Southwest Jet actually getting to push buttons and talk to the pilot

Noah the BIG BIG BIG 4, it seems like I already wrote about this. So i am going back to check right now. Ah so I did but I only put pictures he took on the post. So here are some from my camera...a different point of view. So he grew so he got a new bike. It is a sweet little bike that has made him a ton faster...just what we needed. He has been on a real bike no training-wheels now for a full year. He is pretty good but looses some steam in the heat (who doesnt). SO here are some pics of the hot red bike. He also had a blast sitting in the jet.

Hope all is well, we are waiting for number three. So excited.

My LIttle Boy in a BIG School

Zane is so sad after dropping Noah off for his first day

Still very sad

Noah outside his new school

WOW really folks, he is 4 yrs old and in pre school. He loves school so much we decided to put him in a 5 day a week half day pre school. He loves it. It starts really early (730) so it has taken a little bit to get the family adjusted to rushing through breakfast. My boys tend to eat slowly and eat a lot so trust me, it is a feat to get them going. He has some great teachers. I am looking forward to hearing more stories about school.

Zane and I have been running errands and today we went to the zoo. He misses his brother but we are finding ways to drown our sorrow. I think Zane secretly likes having all the toys to himself and no one bugging him in the cart. We will see when the new baby arrives how much he likes it.

LET THE COUNT DOWN BEGIN

So many of you are thinking..."oh for the new baby"....NO for the start of school!!!!! Noah starts his real pre-school this friday. It is going to be an intense year. He has a cute little uniform. 2 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONE BIG 4 YEAR OLD

Noah's view from papa's plane. This is Lake W where the Hall Fam Hails From

Papa himself with his piper

Our other plane

One happy boy in a picture he took himself

Setting the timer with Grandpa

Happy Birthday Noah

Oh it is hard to believe that 4 yrs ago our little man joined the family. He is such a fun, sweet, smart boy. He changed me forever. I love being his mom and I love the things he comes up with. Noah is into almost everything...the list is going to be long.

Photography -he took all the pictures in this post.

Biking- he has been on a two wheeler now for one full year. He even goes wilderness biking with dad (that is my term for mountain biking in the flat desert).

Airplanes- he has invented the AC Boogie-1. I LOVE hearing stories about this plane. About every three days there is something new that this plane can do. It has floats, skis, shoots pok-a-dots, kills scary spiders and bugs, puts out fires, has a radio, and of course it is piloted by Noah. He also loves most other airplanes.

Rockets and space- he does love this stuff although he never wants to go into space. I would like to think it is because I am not there with him but really I think he is a little freaked out by the rocket ride.

Swimming- of course, we live in AZ. He is pretty good and does love to get wet.

Making telescopes- this is his new love, and I mean LOVE. Roll a piece of paper, some stickers or tape and whoosh...a new telescope. We have about 50 floating around the house. I have now had to limit his paper and recycle.

Favorite Food- macaroni and cheese

Favorite Drink- Milk

Favorite Color- red, blue, green, orange (so I havent explained 'favorite')

Favorite Animal-Birds

Favorite Cartoon- Cat in the Hat

Favorite Movie- Cars

Favorite Book- Thomas Books (really it is the Cat in the Hat)

Nick Names- NO NO, Thing 1, NO WAHHHHH (this is what zane calls him)

So it is probably time to come clean, he isnt that big. He is getting older and wiser!

We love you NOAH

Timers and Timing

Noah on the water slide at the Flamingo

One tired momma, have you seen my three boys in water...

My mother-in-law, My daddy, and my two little boys...a good time!

My daddy and my lil ones

Oh me and my hubby...

So why is the title timers and timing. I decided to set an alarm every week to get my blog updated...the one problem is I need to no just click it off. If you have ever been to my house the timer RUNS IT. Not like a neurotic person but I can relate a little bit. For some reason when Noah was younger he really responded to the absoluteness of the timer. I can set the timer on the microwave to get him easily into a nap or to ensure he eats his vegetables in a reasonable amount of time. I don't really get it and I thought it would work for me but unless I am cooking it really doesn't matter.

These pictures are from mid June. Sean is finally done with his training in Vegas and we were all there to celebrate. It was a great time. His parents and my dad came out for the fun time. We loved the swimming and for some reason those silly koi ponds are a hit with the kids. It was all very fun and the most exciting thing was that we BROUGHT SEAN HOME! It was a very smooth drive, the kids did great. We could not be more excited to be a family of four once again.

Thanks to all our family and friends for their love and support during this time. It was not an easy 5.5 months for the whole family. Sean was very busy and working very hard...and I know I was too.

A Glimpse Into The Life Of A Family Of Four

WHoosh!!!! She'll be a big one...

Happy boy on a lake

Not so happy boy on a lake. He asked for it but did not like it.

Just hangin' out

We got Daddy back for four wonderful days. It was a busy weekend but we did have a great time. My back is still recovering from the camping trip. Note to self...bring more thermorests when pregnant, oh and maybe a pillow or 5.

We traveled south...so south that my cell phone got a message that said "international data rates apply." Now, we were still in America so part of me is a little ticked that the cell phone company can do that but hey...standard practice for those guys-I guess. It was a very nice little lake with plenty of camping sites. I will admit that the signs saying "you may encounter illegal immigration" and "no shooting" (not no guns but literally "no shooting") didn't sit well at first but as soon as all the fun started those signs were the furthest thing from my mind. For the record, we encountered no illegal immigration and shot ZERO guns! We met up with some friends and had a blast. Four little boys, two big boys, and two silly mommies and it was a recipe for fun. The lake's overall water level rose about 4" because the kids tossed SO many rocks in the lake. Not too much swimming but a great time for all.

After camping...recovery for me and then the pool. We were also treated to a big surprise...THE HEPP FAMILY. Sorry no photos. We did have a GREAT time catching up with Matt and meeting his beautiful wife Kara. So much fun, and even better that we will see them again in a few weeks.

Well that is all for now. I will have more this week. We are in the final days of Sean being gone and couldnt be more excited to have him home. The boys (and me) are missing him tons. We are so proud of him and all the hard work he has done. He serves this country with everything he has and we stand by him and all our service members. What Sean doesnt give to us he gives to this great country and most of all, it is all for God. We are so thankful for people like him. Finally, a toast to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

Remember always-Memorial Day.

The EYES of a THREE YEAR OLD

So one of my best thought-out plans (ha it wasn't a plan at all) was to give Noah our old, run- own 5megapixel camera. It blurs pink and purple most of the time. Somehow he has figured a way around it. So after charging the batteries, we are about 100 pictures into the week. I picked my top 5 so far. He is a very funny kid and can set the timer...those pictures are to follow.

Space Station and LEGO ROCKETS!!!!

Momma and brother playing with trains

Looking out the front door

oh the morning

Ziggy carrying some homemade gold rocks, we have lots of treasures