Halterman Happenings: December 2006

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

The Grown-ups

This August marked seven years of marriage for us! Where has the time gone?

Family Photo Session

Many of you will recognize our family picture we had taken this year (it made the Christmas card) but I want to share some of the other fun shots.

Garden of the Gods

Barry came out for the last part of the Colorado trip and to help us drive home. We went to Garden of the Gods, a Geological formation in his honor. Can you see the "kissing camels"?

Once there was a snowperson!

They even built this snow lady (?). Sadly, in the sun she melted, melted, melted. In the sun, she melted, small, small, small.

"It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow!" Of course, we have to travel to Colorado or Utah to find it. Colorado didn't disappoint, even in October. The kids were thrilled to get to play in snow. Now we are just hoping for a "White Christmas" in Utah.

Together at the zoo!

Shanda bought Trenton the toy giraffe from the gift shop and as we exited the zoo, he chased all of the people with his giraffe and growled at them (I didn't know giraffes were so vicious!)

Favorite Friends (at the zoo!)

Among our favorites were the escape-artist orangutans and the nose-picking gorilla.

Photo ops. at the zoo!

Up Close and Personal

Feeding the Giraffes!

At the ZOO!

Shanda took us to a really cool zoo in Colorado Springs that is built on the side of the mountain. We had a great time (and got lots of cool pics)

Hanging with the Hickmans

Kira
orchestrated this "family picture." And Trenton loves uncle Preston's smoothies!

Trenton troublemaker

He chased the ducks, too.

Traveling Trenton!

Trenton loved exploring at the park and on this bridge. He spotted a turtle in the water from this view.

The Squirrel Tormenter

Kira had the squirrels eating out of her hands until Trenton would come running at them full speed, roaring.

The Squirrel Whisperer

Shanda took us to a park with ducks, a beaver, and tons of squirrels. We took peanuts to feed the squirrels. Kra literally had them eating out of her hand.

Cozy Kira!

Kira wasn't quite prepared for the cooler weather and had to borrow her aunt's sweater to keep warm. She showing you the peanuts that she so masterfully fed to the squirrels

Colorado Trip

In October we spent a couple of weeks visiting my sister, Shanda and her husband, Preston in Colorado Springs. It was a long drive! But a lot of fun! We spent a lot of time helping with their house (painting and decorating), but also managed trips to the park, zoo, and Garden of the Gods Park. We enjoyed the autumnal and winter weather (it snowed five inches while we were there) that we just don't get in AZ.

Monday, December 11, 2006

SUPER TRENTON!

It's a bird! It's a plane! NO. It's super firefighter-Batman-Baby Boy! (Showing off his muscle and doing a dance!)

The PURPLE wall!

I love to decorate. When we first moved in we painted the focal wall in our master bedroom a dark purple. It came out brighter and more grapey looking than I had intended. One Saturday we went to Home Depot, got them to mix the darkest grey/purple color they could in their Venetian Plaster paint product, and spent the day troweling it on. We were quite pleased with the result and thought if any of you were considering Venetian plaster, you might like to see it.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Trenton Turns Two!

On Sept. 5, Trenton turned two-years-old! We had a car themed birthday, since that is what he is obsessed with lately. I tried to recreate Herbie for the cake, and his main gift was a large canvas "Car Town" his Lita and I made for him.

Kira goes to Kindergarten

I had to take pictures on Kira's first day of school, even though she didn't think it was that big of a deal since she had attended preschool at the same place the previous Spring. She loves being the big kid this year and helping out the preschoolers. She is an excellent reader and is becoming quite the bookworm (like her Dad growing-up). She is pretty ridiculously busy for a 5-year-old. School goes all day from 8-3, and she has been involved in soccer, dance class, and a singing group. I'm missing having her around very much!

Meet the Haltermans

2011 finds us as a family of six and as busy and crazy as ever. Barry continues working at Clear Creek Associates, which we consider to be a tremendous blessing, given the current state of the economy. Barry is serving in the Stake Young Men's Presidency, and I am in the ward Primary Presidency at church. Besides being busy with a new baby and his brother and sisters, I am teaching Let's Play Music Classes, and blogging about my creative endeavors at meandmyinsanity.blogspot.com. Kira (9) is enjoying drama club this year. She has read more books thank I probably have in my life. She's learning the keyboard quickly in music class. She was asked to give a speech at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building at her school. Trenton (6) is adjusting to 1st grade and homework. He has suddenly become an excellent reader. He has a gift for music, but not a gift for following directions. *sigh* He still plans on being a scientist and is full of all the imagination and energy that a 6 year old can have. Tessa (3) has recently taken up hairstyling. She is responsible for the short hair do she is sporting now. She loves preschool, dance class, and attending music class (even though she isn't old enough). She's a little computer addict and will play Dora all day, if we let her. She's quite the artist on paper and on walls. She likes to write "T's" for Tessa on everything. She is a sweet big sister to Alec. Alec (8 mos.) is a mover and a shaker! He is exhibiting the same determination as his siblings in learning to get around. He is really a delightful baby! My only complaint is that sleeping is at the bottom of his priority list. He loves people and makes friends wherever we go.