love these guys

We spent seven days together in Sea Ranch last week and had an amazing time.  

We filled those days with so many memories, a ton of pictures and a whole lot of silliness.

A New Norm

Things in the Hall family changed dramatically today.  My dad moved into a memory care center.  It was not a smooth or rosy transition, but we know that the decision we've made as a family is the right one.  And we're hoping that before too long, Dad's anger will turn to understanding and greater contentment with where he is.

Yesterday Noah and I spent all day with my dad, and Nate joined us in the evening, as my mom met with the staff, reviewed medical care and set up his room.

Most of the time we are with him my dad is distant, non-communicative, and very consumed by what's going on in his head.  While he still had his moments, I couldn't believe how conversational he was: sharing stories, commenting on the news and telling jokes.  The best part was how interested he was in Noah.  He was so happy to share his eggs with this little moocher.

 It's been months since Dad initiated play with Noah, but these two had lots of good times together.

 

I felt like Heaven was sending us a little tender mercy so that the last memory of Dad at home would be a sweet one.

I was just thinking last week that it's hard to remember what my dad used to be like.  His behavior and care has been so consuming the past few months.  It seems to have practically blocked out the decades of good times and memories we've had together.  And that's heartbreaking, because who he is now, is not who he was or will be one day.  But some of that came back yesterday for me, and I will be forever grateful.  

Sharing the News

After the ultrasound we headed home, and I baked up some cupcakes to share the news with our family.  We texted those who couldn't be there and let them in on our secret.

Everybody took a turn guessing the gender and then we all bit into our cupcakes. 

Our little guy will even out the score of grandkids, making three girls and then three boys once he arrives.  I'm not sure how Noah will feel about a little brother added into the mix, but he definitely didn't mind a sweet treat to celebrate the occasion.

A Fun Fourth

Our Fourth of July celebration consisted of a simple, fun time together.

How cute are these cousins?

There were plenty of water wars in the swimming pool.

Olivia and Sammie took up defense in the spa.

Abby and Noah were pretty content to just watch the battle.

Noah always has a smile when Sammie is around. 

  And she has turned in to quite the swimmer.

We had a delicious barbecue followed, of course, by fireworks.  They certainly didn't disappoint.

Nice work there Tyler, K.C., and Annie. 

 

This guy set a new late night record for bedtime, but wasn't about to miss out on silliness with cousins and his first fireworks show. 

 

A Little Brother!

The ultrasound today confirmed what we had been hoping for: another boy is joining our family!

 

This little guy put on quite a show while we took a peek at him.  He wiggled his toes, opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue, and even gave us a thumbs up a few times. 

I'm excited for Nate to have two little camping buddies, for Noah to have a little brother and for me to have all of the boy clothes in the right season ready to go for this little guy.  We are so blessed!

Jelly Belly Factory

We took a little field trip today and checked 'visiting a factory' off of the cousins' summer to-do list.

Who's crabby kid is that on the left?

After a late night at the ball game, Noah wasn't exactly his happiest self, but he never complains about some fun cousin time.

 

I'll be so glad when his "I won't look at the camera" phase is over.

  The kids all picked out one thing to take home. 

Noah liked everything in the store, but came home with a cute shirt.

Mr. Noah was a bit high maintenance, but it was nothing a nearly endless supply of jelly bellys couldn't cure for the both of us.  Those little nuggets of sugar definitely helped sweeten up our day!

Rivercats Game

Yesterday was CalCPA night at Raley Field, and one of our most favorite accountants, Grandpa, took all of the family out to the ball game.

(not a great picture, but that happens when the guy taking the picture has no clue about how to use the camera.)

The kids had a great time eating, playing and being silly.

 

They particularly enjoyed the almost endless supply of cookies we had in our box.

Olivia commented that she loved everything about the baseball game, except the baseball part. 

I like the game, but hardly noticed one was going on because this guy kept us SO busy.