The Hall Kids

Samuel and Violet's Birthday!!

2011-03-14T05:09:00.006-05:00

Samuel and Violet's birthday is only one day apart - March 11 and 10, respectively. We had a great couple days together as a family, celebrating our children's lives and thanking God for entrusting them to us! They are such a blessing to us, enriching our lives and teaching us so many things about God and ourselves as we navigate through parenting...

Here are some pictures from their big days! And, of course, Evangeline didn't really understand why it wasn't her birthday as well as we were making such a fuss over the other two. So I had to make a cake for her, too! They all three opened up some presents from Mom and Dad and their grandparents.

Samuel's Story

2010-11-30T09:59:00.003-05:00

This is one of the stories that Samuel has dictated to me. He loves to tell stories and use lots of sounds effects!

"Last morning there was a car. Then he boomed and he hurt himself. Then he caught up and crashed into those other guys. Then the school bell dinged. Then the horsey ran away from the school bell and the car. He ran, ran, ran away. Then he jumped. And he hurt himself and he cried. He felt good. The End."

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T03:42:00.005-05:00

Ballerinas...
Super Heroes...

...and a chili pepper!

Me with my three sweet kiddos!!!

Three in the bath, crawling on the floor, jumping on the bed

2010-10-13T16:05:00.005-04:00

A day in Salzburg, Austria

2010-10-12T15:42:00.003-04:00

There has been a serious lack of posting on our blogs. So sorry about that....a few things have been happening here. In September we moved from our apartment in the center of the city to a private house just outside the city center. So that has taken the bulk of our time and energy!

Also, we spent two weeks in the Czech Republic for a Leadership Conference with Josiah Venture. We drove there (again) but made sure to have adventures and excitement along the way. On the way there, we spent half a day in Salzburg - a breathtakingly beautiful city!! If I had had more time (and not had 3 children under 4) I would have done the Sound of Music tour. Alas.

Here are the pix.

How I Love Her!

2010-08-25T16:54:00.001-04:00

Crazy Kids

2010-08-21T08:43:00.006-04:00

On one of our almost-daily evening walks around Tirana with the kids. It's the only time it's really cool enough outside to let them run around.

Showing off their tattoos... I don't know why they look so serious!

Trying a pose with Violet:

Violet is always a bit nervous when Evangeline comes around. Rightly so.

6 pudgy hands =)

Every afternoon while the girls are napping, Samuel gets his computer time. He loves playing games on Sesame street, PBS kids, and Nick Jr. =)

Thanks for visiting the blog!!!!

Mishmash update

2010-08-02T15:58:00.013-04:00

This is going to be a whole huge mess of an update! But we have not updated this kids blog in so long that it is high time for lots of pics for all those grandparents out there :) Sorry to all you faithful blog readers out there!!

The kids eating "Ben & Jerry's" ice cream. CORRECTION: The kids eating ice cream from a tiny ice cream shop here in Tirana that SOMEHOW got hold of Ben & Jerry's ice cream cups! Go figure.

Violet's main mode of transportation since we've arrived in Albania - the backpack. She loves the view and being upright more than sitting in the stroller.

She is THE HAPPIEST baby I've ever known. And she has really big cheeks that we kiss about a thousand times a day!
She loves tummy time! She can play with toys and roll around for about an hour and stay happy the whole time (unless Evangeline terrorizes her, which happens often).

This picture was actually taken back in the good ole' USA - but it is so cute just had to share it here!!

Evangeline's second favorite thing to do each day: play dress up. (Her all time favorite is play with her dolls.) If I EVER leave a laundry basket out full of clothes (folded, un-folded, clean or dirty) I will soon see her wearing as many of those clothes as she can possibly put on her little body (no matter whose they are). She's cute and weird like that :D

Violet's kissable cheeks:

The kids LOVE wearing their matching tie-dye shirts. This particular night they were being super cute and actually cuddly with each other.

Here are the kids doing one of their favorite daily activities - magnetic toys! Samuel builds magnetic robots (and he insists that they all have to be very symmetrical). Evangeline has wooden dolls that have magnetic clothes. So cute! This lasts about 10 seconds until they each want to play with each other's magnets. We switch toys about 50 times before the activity is over :D

Last but not least, I'll leave you with this story from this week and these images. Last week while Justin was at camp 8 hours away, the Lord sovereignly protected me and the kids from a dangerous bathroom accident. I had given the kids their dinner then took them to the bathroom and was washing them in the bathtub. The baby was in her bouncy seat a couple feet from me. All of a sudden our hot water heater which hangs on the wall above the toilet came crashing down right off the wall and smashed the toilet and bidet to pieces. The water heater itself missed the baby by maybe 2 feet, and none of the porcelain pieces that shattered everywhere hit any of us! Then of course there was water gushing from the wall which flooded our bathroom and master bedroom. It took me a good 5-10 seconds just to realize what had happened. The kids and I all gave a good scream and the we all started crying. I started crying realizing how close it had come to almost killing Violet and the kids were crying because I was crying. I frantically scooped all three of them up in my arms (Sam and Evangeline still dripping wet and naked from the bath) and dropped them in their bedroom so I could go figure out how to turn our water main off. It took me a good 6-8 minutes to get the water main off, after having made a hysterical call to our landlord and then to Justin (who was climbing a mountain at that moment in southern Albania). By that time our bedroom and master bathroom had about 2-3 inches of water. I returned to the kids' bedroom to try to calm the (they were all still crying...still naked...poor things). Within 10-15 minutes about 8 people were at my house helping me to clean up the mess and assess the situation. I was still pretty hysterical, not so much because of the mess, but just in shock how none of us was hurt, but could have been so easily.

The smashed toilet and bidet:
Here you can see how close the baby would have been in her bouncy seat which was between the bathtub and the toilet:
The defective water heater which actually came off its own rusted brackets. (The brackets were still hanging on their hooks on the wall.)
Faulty bracket:

This was a really difficult thing for me to go through while Justin was so far away. It seems like every time he has to travel something in the house breaks down or we have some accident - although this one was by far the biggest and most traumatic. It was very traumatic for the kids, too. Every time they walk in the bathroom they still talk about the water heater which "boomed out of the wall and almost fell on Violet" as Samuel would say.

But more than just being THANKFUL that God sovereignly protected us, God is using this to teach me to trust in Him above all things and not to fear. I have been struggling with fear in a number of areas in the last year. One of the biggest things is that I'm really afraid of earthquakes now. We've had several here in Tirana in the past year, some quiet strong that send the doors and windows and chandeliers swinging and my heart pounding in my ears. The only thing I can think in the moment is find my children and a pair of shoes (for some reason I really want a pair of shoes in an earthquake - i know it's not logical). I know it sounds silly, but this is something that I've prayed about a lot - to trust God during earthquakes.

And I know that ONE reason that God allowed this freak accident to happen is that He wants me to trust Him. He orchestrated every detail of my day so that it would happen just like it did, intending it to shake me but not harm me. Intending to use it so that I could have a big opportunity to teach my children how to trust God as well.

In a weird way this whole thing has been comforting, because I see so clearly how God allowed this to happen because he loves me and wants me to put my trust in Him. How merciful. How amazing.

Samuel Singing

2010-07-21T10:17:00.003-04:00

Samuel singing Amazing Grace and Why Did God Make You:

March 10 - Violet Sue's Birthday!

2010-04-04T22:28:00.005-04:00

The morning before Violet was born, already 24 hours into labor:
Moments after birth...
So happy to finally hold her in my arms!!
A very proud Daddy, and very surprised to have another daughter!
One day old:

She has lots of long, blonde hair, just like her big sister :)
Sisters meeting for the first time
Samuel was so excited to hold her! He is such a good big brother.
He loves her...
Sisters!

Sleeping on Daddy's chest...

January/February pictures

2010-03-04T16:42:00.002-05:00

Getting a haircut...

It hit 45 degrees today, and although there was still snow on the ground, the kids wanted to play on the balcony for a looooong time...

Playing in the snow!

2010-01-18T20:26:00.002-05:00

Picnic Lunch in the Living Room

2009-12-08T06:34:00.003-05:00

The many faces of Beanie

2009-12-04T15:54:00.006-05:00

Goofball 1 and Goofball 2

Goofball 3 doing our favorite crazy face :)

nightly somersault lesson :)

Bath Time

2009-12-03T16:04:00.003-05:00

Evangeline's haircut

2009-11-29T09:10:00.004-05:00

Here are some pix of Evangeline's haircut, although she got it about a month ago. It was certainly not my preference to cut her beautiful long blonde hair, but she was pulling it out by the handful at night in her crib when she would cry, so I had no choice! The haircut seems to have broken the habit.

More from October

2009-11-11T14:50:00.006-05:00

October 2009

2009-10-16T20:16:00.003-04:00

Introducing..... (drum roll please)....

2009-08-20T14:18:00.002-04:00

Our new little peanut! Who is actually about the size of a peanut right now :)

Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby!

Cubbies!

2009-08-14T17:12:00.002-04:00

Up and Over

2009-08-06T06:13:00.001-04:00

Cuties in the Bath

2009-07-14T16:04:00.002-04:00

Dubrovnik, Croatia

2009-07-08T17:20:00.005-04:00

Here are some pix from our recent family trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. We went with Justin's brother, Jonathan and his girlfriend, Noelle. It was a really wonderful time!

Happy 1st Birthday, Evangeline!!!

2009-06-25T17:45:00.010-04:00

Crazy Hair, Pretty Eyes

2009-06-18T09:29:00.003-04:00

Vrrrroooooom!

2009-06-09T15:55:00.003-04:00

Playing in the pool

2009-06-08T10:36:00.003-04:00

Pigtails

2009-06-08T09:17:00.003-04:00

The black eye

2009-06-01T14:58:00.002-04:00

Samuel was hanging on the shopping cart this evening...and it was really cute...

Here's the black eye he got last week from another kid swinging a baseball bat...we're glad it wasn't any worse than this...

Some videos

2009-05-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

Play time

2009-05-26T13:32:00.002-04:00

Shades

2009-05-23T14:34:00.001-04:00

A little foreshadowing?

2009-05-20T15:27:00.004-04:00

Random Pictures

2009-05-17T09:31:00.012-04:00

These are some random pictures of the last few weeks, some from Czech and some from our time with Theresa Kerns.

Bathtime and Bedtime

2009-04-22T08:42:00.004-04:00

So, these pictures are all in the wrong order, but here goes...

Big brother and little sister...
playing with each other's feet...
hanging around in their diapers
they both love being swaddled after bath time!
showing us the bubbles on his hands...
(his two latest obsessions are washing his hands and brushing his teeth...and i'm ok with that as far as obsessios go for a 2-year-old!)
soapy head...she absolutely loves bath time and spends all her time chewing foam letters and splashing
This is a shot of Evangeline's hair - look how long (or tall!) it is!

Samuel has Goodnight Moon completely memorized, without even looking at the pages! I sit in the rocking chair in their room every night and listen as Daddy reads books and Samuel recites them.

Bedtime favorite #2 - Curious George's Neighborhood, which he also has memorized. This was given to us by Judi Russel (i'm pretty sure) before we left for Albania last September - Thank you!!
and last but not least, a random picture of Evangeline eating measuring spoons... just cute!

Easter gifts from Grandma and Grandpa

2009-04-22T08:39:00.003-04:00

Samuel really likes his weird-looking Easter version of Mr. Potato Head, but he keeps asking where the glasses are, Grandma?? :)
Evangeline really loves her dollie and the book Easter Bugs!!

Finally a family picture!!

2009-04-13T15:12:00.004-04:00

Easter Sunday

First Crush?

2009-04-08T16:36:00.004-04:00

On Wednesdays Jayne and her 4-year old daughter, Isabel, come over in the afternoon. Jayne and her husband Beni are a super huge help as volunteer staff for the youth group. And Samuel just loves "Ibel"as he calls her. Today as Jayne and I were chatting, these two were hamming it up, singing and dancing to music, and generally being buddies.

The haircut

2009-04-07T15:08:00.002-04:00

BEFORE:

AFTER:
(The lollipop helped a lot!)

Just like a puppy...give him a bath and he runs around...

Justin wanted to cut her hair....but i bodyslammed him, so he didn't.
The sticker on his forehead says "3 for $12". So if you would like a cute kid, they're pretty affordable.

She's really in love with her toes these days.

Two Cuties

2009-04-06T13:17:00.007-04:00

Samuel bumped me right as the shutter clicked, so that's what the weird affect is on this one...
1.5 teeth!

Big mouth
chewing on a hat, yummy!
not enjoying wearing it though...

"Mom, can you get this thing off me??"
This is her after-bath-hair...
Now you can see why i always have a bow in her hair :)

somehow her feelings got hurt, not sure how, it happens all the time though! such a girl :)
Samuel trying to make us all laugh...usually he succeeds.
Her feelings are all better now, and she's making her favorite "raspberry" noise... She makes this noise about 99% of the time she is awake (and happy)!
Reading bedtime books...

...and now they are fast asleep for the night! Ahhhhh.........

9 Months and All Girl

2009-04-03T06:56:00.005-04:00

Evangeline is a girly-girl. All girl, sugar and spice. From the hair bows, to her petite features, to her feelings getting hurt very easily :)

Elmo in the rain

2009-03-29T16:56:00.004-04:00

A rainy but warm spring day was a perfect opportunity for Samuel to don his Elmo raincoat and hat for the first time. They were gifts from Mrs. Chase a long time ago (thank you!!), and he finally got to wear them! We took a long walk in the rain today, and Samuel loved it! He walked, hopped, jumped, and ran for probably a couple miles! Evangeline enjoyed the dry ride in the Phil n Ted's stroller :)

Some Videos for the grandparents

2009-03-28T16:26:00.004-04:00

Here are some videos that we have had for a while and final got a chance to up load them to youtube. Enjoy!

Day at the Park

2009-03-28T14:53:00.006-04:00

It was a beautiful Spring day, so my friend Lizzy and I took our kids to the park to burn off some steam! Samuel and Daniel had fun running around and exploring and getting dirty. Evangeline had fun chewing on my apple with her new bottom tooth and pulling off her socks (always a favorite past time). I love these special friends!! Lizzy and I had a wonderful time just chatting and enjoying the warm sunshine. She is expecting her second baby (a girl!) in the summer!

Then later in the afternoon Justin and I took a long walk with the kids across the city. What a fun day!

Some pictures of the kids

2009-03-26T16:07:00.009-04:00

Samuel's 2nd Birthday Party

2009-03-08T15:34:00.009-04:00

Samuel's birthday is actually this coming Wednesday, but we had a joint birthday party with another little boy named Samuel. The two Samuels are only 3 days apart! They were so cute together. We invited all the other little boys from the church nursery (along with their families, of course). We had about 12 adults and 9 kids in our house, and it was really fun.
It's true what they say about kids wanting to kill you but just not having the strength. Evangeline was really upset at Justin and was squeezing his face so hard...and that is not a smile on her face. Justin now has two cuts on his face from her little razor-sharp claws.
Samuel was so tuckered out after his big party he was ready to fall asleep under the bed.

The two Samuels playing together after the party...so cute.

Their friend, Aaron. He will be two next month.
Evangeline with the birthday boy.
Mommy and Daddy with the birthday boy...

The other Sam...

Chowing down on birthday cake and ice cream

The two birthday cakes. One said "Happy Birthday Sam" and the other said "Happy Birthday Samuel". They were from the French bakery here and VERY yummy.
Ready to blow out the birthday candles
I think Samuel was throwing balloons up in the air and hitting them, but this just looks like an awesome kung fu move!
Me trying to pose with the birthday boy but he was too interested in all the party decorations on the table. The little purple ribbon on my shirt is for the national holiday, Women's Day.

Thanks for checking out the blog!

Valentine's Day pix

2009-02-23T10:02:00.003-05:00

Jorden Visiting Albania

2009-02-12T10:21:00.007-05:00

2009-01-30T15:44:00.006-05:00

Sorry, blog readers

2009-01-24T14:38:00.005-05:00

Has it really been almost 2 months since we've posted on here?? Sorry!! Well, here are enough cute pictures to make up for it :) Samuel is now almost 23 months and Evangeline is 7 months. It is so great that they can "play" together now...makes dinner prep so much easier! Samuel will pull Evangeline (or "Een" as he calls her, so cute!) around in the walker and she just "runs" after him and squeals. He gives her hugs and kisses all the time, and when he's not doing that, he's throwing something at her or touching her nose and saying "beep!". They both keep us laughing!

Our little miracle baby is 5 months old!

2008-12-09T07:22:00.005-05:00

And she couldn't be cuter!

the johnny jumper!

2008-11-22T14:59:00.003-05:00

We put Evangeline in the johnny jumper for the first time tonight. She enjoyed chewing on it more than jumping in it....

today

2008-11-17T08:16:00.004-05:00

this is samuel doing a "headstand". he balances on his head and two feet :) so cute.
pb&j face!

making muscles...

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

2008-11-16T14:29:00.001-05:00

more random pix from my phone

2008-11-14T06:11:00.004-05:00

smiling for the camera...
wearing my headband...
my new favorite fruit - pomegranate...
after bath hairdo....

kissing sister...
are they brother and sister or what?!

eating an apple "poppy-style": everything but the stem!!!

big boy underwear

2008-11-09T09:16:00.003-05:00

Samuel loves wearing his big boy underwear! He is not yet potty-trained, but I let him wear them for a bit after bath-time.

do i really have two kids?? life is flying by....

2008-11-07T15:46:00.001-05:00

Lil punkin

2008-10-31T07:37:00.006-05:00

Happy Halloween! and Happy Birthday, Uncle Jared!

Package from America

2008-10-27T07:24:00.008-05:00

We love getting packages from America!!

For more pictures please click here

The before-bed ritual: cuddle!

2008-10-17T16:03:00.004-04:00

Sammy and Eva together :)

2008-10-01T15:12:00.005-04:00

Random pictures from my phone

2008-09-27T15:37:00.003-04:00

Rozi and I were walking around and found an Agricultural Business fair here in Tirana with lots of TRACTORS! Samuel loves tractors...

Growing

2008-09-17T14:33:00.006-04:00

We are back in Albania now. Gretchen is trying to adjust to life with two kids in a very busy city. You can pray for her. Also pray for wisdom on if we should move or stay in our same apartment. Our lease is up this February.

Enjoy the pictures.

Here are some older videos, but they are fun.

Fun Times

2008-09-10T10:48:00.005-04:00

Cantigny and the 4th of July

2008-07-11T11:25:00.007-04:00

More Pictures

2008-06-28T16:50:00.005-04:00

She is here!

2008-06-25T17:22:00.002-04:00

We are thankful and proud to announce that at 3:29pm Evangeline Sarah Hall was born weighing 6 pounds 13 ounces and 20 inches long. We are thankful to the LORD for his protection over both baby and mommy. Everything appears to be healthy with little Evangeline by God's GRACE!

We are currently waiting to be moved to another room. Thank you for your prayers!

Waiting

2008-06-25T12:02:00.002-04:00

We are at the hospital waiting for the meds to start kicking in.

Inducing Tomorrow

2008-06-24T23:30:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow morning (June 24th) at 7:30am we will be going into the Central DuPage Hospital for Gretchen to be induced into labor. We are looking forward to little Evangeline's arrival. Thank you for your prayers; please pray for a healthy mommy and baby!

Pictures will be posted here!

Oh baby it's summertime!!

2008-06-09T18:07:00.005-04:00