Halsey/Manko/Hilllman Annual Camping Trip 2009

Once again we went camping with a newborn in tow. Good Times! Ashton was actually an excellent camper. Since Drew was using the pack-and-play for a bed we used a dresser drawer for Ashton to sleep in and it worked out perfectly. We went to Dorena lake for a long Fourth of July weekend and it was perfect. Perfect weather, perfect food, no injuries, everything was great....except when a bird crapped on Sarah when she and the rest of the Burner clan came to eat lunch with us. Alex and Allison had fun riding their bikes and going to the swimming hole. Alex jumped off the bridge into the water a bunch of times before I found out. He told the Papa and Nana that some guy told him there was a big fine for jumping there so he stopped before I had to nix it. Jace and Drew did great the first couple of days but by Sunday needed some time in the suburban watching Blue's Clues. So we relaxed in the AC for about an hour and watched Steve and Blue. It was great that Jill and Jace could come camping with us. We missed Mike, hopefully he can make it next year. The Burners came by for a visit Sunday afternoon and Aiden, Drew and Jace got to play. We didn't think that we would be able to set off any fireworks but we ended up being able to afterall. A ranger came by and told us we could set them off at the boat ramp. There were a bunch of people down there so we were able to enjoy ours and their fireworks. All in all it was a great weekend! Thanks to everyone for a great time.

June 6 Allison's Baptism

The first weekend in June was super exciting and special for the Halseys.
Allison was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. Sunday Ashton was also given his name and blessing in Sacrament. Alli thought is was special that she and Ashton had a special day together. IT was very sweet. After the baptism on Saturday we went to the kid's favorite spot....Hometown Buffet. We took up quite a few tables! It is great having so many of our family living close by us. Allison asked Adam to baptize her and Poppy confirmed her the next day.

Sarah's Baby Shower

We had a baby shower for Sarah in April. It was a lot of fun. Good food and friends. JJ and the kids helped me with the setup fortunately since I was super prego. The boys went to hang out with Adam in the man cave during the shower. Allison loves baby showers and was happy to stay. I believe that that the Farris clan cleaned up on shower gifts. They are too good at the games!

Christmas in Redding

Traveling down to Redding the weekend before Christmas was a little dicey with all the ice and snow but the new suburban did great and we got there safe and sound. We enjoyed seeing the Redding gang and got to hang out with the fam form L.A. and Grandma Lilly who flew in from Texas for the holidays. We opened presents the night we got there because we just couldn't wait a second more.



Mike Hillman found all of the goings on hilarious.


You can spot JJ with our brand new Sony DVD cam that his parents gave us. They want movies of the kids! Alli is ecstatic about her new Hannah Montana bed set.

Alex is excited about all his presents. Grandma Lilly oversees all the unwrapping.

Tiffany shies from the camera but Drew and Jill are ready for their close ups!

More and more presents. Jill discovers she and Mike got a DVD cam as well.

Drew thinks he is playing Alex's DS. He does manage to move the players around the level. He wants to be like his big brother and always is watching Alex play video games.

We had a great time visiting with our family and also those that we hadn't seen for a few years. We'll have to go down to L.A. next and visit them...Maybe we can sneak in a visit to mickey mouse while we are there!

Alex can't wait to play with this electonic circuit thing that Papa and Nana bought for him.

Cousin time. Check out Drew's new haircut. It was my first time braving the clippers but I managed it ok. Thank goodness for candy and SpongeBob to distract him!

Elf Night

Elf Night


This was Andrew's first year with the Elf. He loved it! Sometimes the toddler's are scared of the Elf but he was entranced and wanted to keep hugging her.

JJ's Grandmother has been dressing up as an Elf for their Christmas family night for decades. It started as a small tradition of getting her 3 daughters together with their young children on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts and eat. The Elf would make an appearance while Nanny was mysteriously absent doing some task. When Nanny returned from her chore the grand kids would regale her with the tale of the Elf's visit and show her all the things she had brought. This has expanded to include spouses of the grandchildren and their children now. We don't fit in any one's house anymore so this year we had it at Upper Crust in Redding. When I was dating JJ I was lucky enough to be introduced to the Elf our first Christmas together. That Elf can be brutal and she always gives the new girlfriends and boyfriends a hard time. It is great and we hope the Elf keeps visiting for many years to come. There is talk of a retirement of the Elf but that is too sad to think of so I hope that is not true.



Most of the original grand kids all grown up and most of them with kids of their own.




Then Great grand kids what a a squirrelly bunch they are! This pic was hard to take.





Papa Jim is the twinkle in this Elf's eye...watch out Nanny she may steal your man!




The Halseys posing with the Elf.