Great Vacation - Thanksgiving 2011

Well, today ends my week vacation and now I'm getting ready to head back to work. I'm not too sad though because it feels really good to get back to a stable routine, I guess kids aren't the only ones who crave routine. We had a fabulous vacation filled with food, laughs and rain, oddly enough in Texas. We always love going to Brenham, Texas to renew bonds and to create some memories for the grandchildren. Black Friday was also an interesting event this year, In my opinion the recession is official over. Now ladies and gentlemen....Lets get ready for Christmas!!!

P.S. only 355 days left until next Thanksgiving!!!

T-DAY 2011

I am a lucky man to have so many wonderful people love and care for me, that's what I am truly thankful for this Thanksgiving! I love you all and thanks for being such a rich blessing to my life! Happy Thanksgiving!

What's going down.

It's only a hand full of days left before Halloween, so what's been going on in the Hall house??

Well it happened...a few short days ago my baby girl walked for the very first time! During one of her first attempts she cleared 30 steps! When my baby girl decides to do something she does it! She is doing wonderful and entering a major growth spurt. She is eating like seabiscuit after the derby and getting noticeably taller every week. It has been one of the greatest joys in my life to watch her stretch and grow and just descover the wonderful world around her. She is DaDa's heart. My favorite thing she does now is the way she try's to make me laugh with funny faces and noises, o and also when she is a daddy girl for the day!!! Sorry mama!

On the job front I have transition into a new role at Whole Foods after almost 3 years of being a sous chef. I am now a floor supervisor for the prep foods dept where I will be working on merchandising among other things as well as working directly with the various restaurant venues within the prep foods dept and lend assistance as the supervisor. I'm excited to take another step in my Carrer at Whole Foods and I'm looking forward to learning even more. I'm still working on getting certified as a chef through the Americian Culinary Federation and my goal is to be certified by thanksgiving 2012. There is a written test and practical test that you have to do as well as a few more courses that I have to take. They also take into account your past work experience and culinary school credits. I can't wait to be certified!

Bethany's #1

September 10th, 2011 at 10:30pm marked Bethany's first birthday! What a perfect and wonderful day it was. We were blessed to gave Granna and Grandad down for the festivities. Cindy and I planned a fun filled day for booger that included a trip to the Denver zoo, a BBQ, presents and a special kitty cake that Cindy made with Blue Bell ice cream! The zoo was awesome, Bethany had a blast! She was impressed by the giraffes. She also had a blast opening presents and playing on her new drums! She put on a show for all of us and her goofy personally is really starting to beam through.
As I look back on this last year with Bethany there are some many memories and events that took place that I could write about but the times that I will hold tightly onto in my heart are the quite moments that we spent alone and the times we share a smile together when we lock eyes! Bethany you are the beat of my heart and the apple of my eye, as long as I'm living my baby you will be (I finally get that book you love so much dad!)
I love you Bethany!!!

Vacation - the Sportscenter edition.

Hall family vacation - 
Highlights!

I'm writing this the final full day in Brenham, Texas. What a wonderful vacation it has been. It really seems that vacations really do more than serve as a time for relaxation for me, they really seem to focus me in to what's really important. It all boils down to quality time with family. My favorite day was a day where my Mom, Dad, bro and sis, jeremy and cuz adien, Cindy and I just sat around eating, laughing and talking. God has blessed Cindy, Bethany and I with a fantastic family that means the world to us, and as this vacation winds down I can only say one thing,,,THANK GOD FOR VACATIONS!!

Highlights
• ice cream contest. 
• frito pie at the camp
• NAPS!
• Texas!
• Gavelston, Tx beach ( Beth's first time swimming in the Ocean)
• going to the movies with Caleb (planet of the apes) Good movie!
• hanging out at Sarah and Jeremy's house at Tomball, Tx

And many more wonderful memories! Great Success! 

Vacation - the beginning / Walmart Yuck!

Hall family vacation 


Are vacation begins for at least myself Friday morning as Cindy heads off to work at Bethany and I sleep in then do a little R&R. Cindy arrives home at 2pm and cracks the whip on us slackers and gets the car loaded, waffles to doggie summer camp and ties up and loose ends we needed to get taken care of. We officially hit the road around 4pm, got gas and a couple of burittos and started the road tracking part of our journey. We had easy sailing, Bethany did well ( a little fussy at first) but we made good time into pueblo after braving a few traffic jams. We stop at the Pueblo Wal-mart witch has become a tradition of sorts seeing how it's the last stop of civilization before you hit the great outdoors. The trip was less than eventful. When we finished shopping ( mostly for the pillows we forgot and the ice cream ingredients for the ice cream contest at the reunion) I stood happily in line at the "20 items or less" line that I was 2nd in line for. The first bump in the road is that this lady has at least 50+ items. After a less than enthustic cashier rings her up (10 mins) the customer lady and her "man" proceed to write a check. You could hear my audible groan as the cashier runs the check not once, not twice... But a record 3 times to the same result of insufficient funds. So after a lengthy discussion on the matter the couple left there groceries and left. I figured I was up to bat. After a coworker to the cashier came to      
 see what was going on they started shooting the breeze and I kindof butted in and asked " should i find another register?" the lady looked at me and said "probley". Fantastic! That's 15 minutes I'll never get back, so I went to another register and after another 10 Mins of waiting I was finally free!! Now I truly know the meaning of dr. Martian Luther kings famous speech was referring to when he said "Free at last, free at last, thank Fod almighty I'm free at last!" 
So we loaded back up and drove the county roads another 30 mins and got to the camp around 8:30pm. We said hi to everyone and had a snack and went down to our private cabin and set up shop for the weekend. Bethany and I relaxed in bed, watched some DVD's and got dome rest, Cindy went back to the messhall for vitals and a little congregation.
Thus ends day 1. The stress has begun to melt away from us all.  

Vacation - Epilogue

 

Our plan is to leave Aurora,Co after Cindy gets back to work on Friday Aug 5, 2011 and pack up and drive the 135 mile trip south to the yearly Eckstien family reunion right outside pueblo, Co. In a old camp nestled in the mountains.  We will stay there until Sunday night Aug 7th and then head out for a 900 mile trip to Brenham, TX to see my parents and Hall family folks. we will spend Mon-sat there relaxing, eating and generally doing NOTHING!
The following is the Hall family 2011 summer vacation! O yeah!

35

As I lay here in my bed next to my beautiful, loving wife in our safe house in Colorado I can't help but look back and be amazed at how I got here and just how incredibly blessed I am. The seemly countless twists and turns that life has thrown at me in 34 complete years have shaped me and lead me to this moment. I have what Ive always wanted... A family for my own. I wake up every morning and have a sence of peace and happiness that the hard work, planning and praying have payed off and I am surrounded by a loving family. And in my short 34 year Span I have truly discovered that you cannot find happiness in things like jobs, possessions and money but through a relationship with God and a strong family. Even though I look back on my childhood as a wonderful one I really feel that this IS the time of my life!
If the good lord will allow me, I would love another 35 years to enjoy this wonderful ride called life!
To all my family, I love you!
-Brad

Crawling away.

Well this month has really brought my little booger from a baby into an independent toddler. She found out how to get her knees up under her and now she is on the move and her world has really opened up. She is so cute and so proud of herself. She has also discovered some more words and sounds and can mock the pitch of your voice and mimic what you say(sort of). She enjoyed some roast a mashed potatoes with Cindy and I tonight ,Bethany is a adventurous eater as well.
In other news we are gearing up for vacation in 2 weeks. We will be attending the annaul Eckstien family renion and then heading down to Texas. Sweet time off!

The 4th of July

What an amazing weekend surrounded by family, food and enjoying life as a DaDa! We were blessed to have granddad and granna (Cindys parents) down Saturday for the weekend and to bear witness to my little boogers first major league baseball game. It was a little hot in our seats and we were sitting directly in the sun so Bethany and I decided to go hang out in the shade next to the food stands and people watch and share a lemonade! We had a blast! Bethany loves people watching and we hung out and talked. Around the 5th inning the sun lowered and we took our seats Bethany enjoyed her first foot-long Rockie dog that her grandad got her! She loved the relish the best. The game was awesome and ended with a firework show that Bethany loved! What a wonderful day to take my little daughter to the first of many Baseball games like my pops did with me at the astrodome and also at Fenway park. Those types of memories last a life time. Happy 4th of July! -Brad

Catch up / fathers day

As Bethany rounds the 9 month mark it seems like things have really speed up. Everyone always says that you blink and your child is leaving for college but until recently that hasn't been the case. Not in a bad way but in a way that Cindy and I cant remember not having our little one. Plus It really seems like she is becoming more aware every week. She seems to have certain qualities of both Cindy and myself. She has Cindys smarts and my certain type of humor. My favorite moments are when Bethany and I lock eyes and Bethany gives me a huge smile, just for me! It really is probley my favorite thing in the world. She is so smart like Cindy and she weaves her humor and smarts into a great personality. Bethany after only one day learned how to clap. She in turn gave me a round of appulase after I rounded the coner after using the bathroom. I've got a feeling that I've finally meet my match!
As fathers day comes around tomorrow I just wanted to take a second to wish a happy pops day to my mentors and role models Doug Hall and Brian Eckstein. The 2 finest men I've had the pleasure of ever knowing.

3 years of excellence customer service

This past week on May 31,201, my beloved and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary of marriage bliss together. Cindy and I looked back at the 3 years together and we humbled by the countless blessings we were blessed with. The biggest of course our little booger Bethany. Other big blessings were our house, our jobs and finding our wonderful church. We are also grateful that God has blessed our families these past years. I know this is just the tip of the iceberg on the long beautiful life of the Hall family and I cant wait to see what wonderful things God has in store for us. I love you Cindy! Your my best friend and I am lucky that your mine!

The Point

My wife and I are now official staff volunteers for "the point" Colorado community church youth ministry. Cindy and I are very proud to be a part of this wonderful ministry and we put in about 3 hours a week serving every Wednesday. There are around 100 to 150 kids ranging from 10-18 years old from all around Aurora. The one thing that was so impressive to me is that the kids that attend are all not "church goers" or kids that attend CCC. They welcome all kids and give them a safe environment to have fun and fellowship. The kids have the opportunity to attend a devo put on by the youth director but most don't. They have a full game room with multiple TV with vid games and pool tables and the like. As a volunteer my main job is to just be present. Cindy, Bethany and I are also there just to be examples of a a christian family. I have also had the opportunity to lead the music part of the devo by playing guitar and singing a few tunes. We have really enjoyed "the point" and look forward to continuing this ministry.

Sunday church

Today My little 8 month old beautiful daughter was dedicated to Gods glory. Cindy and I were very excited to publicly make it known before our church family that as far as the Hall family is concerned, we will follow the Lord.
My little rock star loves being in the spot light. She sat up in my arms on stage, looked at the band and then scanned the sea of people. She willingly went to the pastor when he asked to hold her and stared him down the entire time he was talking. She made her Dada so proud... then again, she always does.

It's time for a drink!

This year for lent my beautiful wife and I decided to give up soft drinks for 40 days. Oddly enough it wasn't too hard for us to get through. I really feel it was a great experience for both of us and I did realize I was abusing cola, and I know that it's not good to be that dependent on something like that syurpy sweet delish drink. We have decided to only drink soft drinks 2x a week.
Everything here in the Hall house is fantastic! Cindy and myself are both working hard and Bethany is flourishing. We are both loving the warmer weather and are gearing up for a fantastic summer! We are also enjoying working with the youth ministry at Colorado community church! We are loving our church and god has really blessed us there.
Tell next time.....

A bachelors update

Don't worry... I'm only a bachelor for a few more hours. My wife and 7 month old are in Texas this weekend for a surprise party for cuz maddy and sister/aunt Holly. From what I hear, good times are being had by all.
Our family recently had to take a trip down to Abilene, Texas to say goodbye to my grandma. I wont write much about it because my wife's blog pretty much says it all. Cindysoccer.blogspot.com.
Things are going great with my little sweet baby Bethany. She amazes her dada everyday. I'm most impressed on how much of a people person she is becoming. She loves people. I truly believe that she will be a warrior for people and she will love them unconditionally. I wish her dada was as much as a people person as she is. Bethany remains a constant joy to Cindy and I and I'm enjoying every kiss and hug from my sweet booger.

1/2 a year

Well, my little booger is 1/2 of a year old today. As I watch her grow each day I'm amazed of how far she has come in these 6 short months. On the other hand I can't remember ever being with out Bethany. She has helped make Cindy and my life complete and she really has helped me understand what's important and what's worth spending your valuable time on. It all boils down to family and loved ones!
Can't wait to watch you grow the next 6 months booger, just slow it down a little. •Da-Da-Da

"You want Jack Bauer on your side!" -Doug Hall

So far, so good 2011! To bring you up to speed this is a "work" year for the Hall family. 2010 Ended up with the Hall family in great shape and blessed beyond all get out so we decided to use all this positive momentum and blessings and see if we can't capitalize on them in 2011. Not really pressing our luck but we are aware that God has put us in his rich blessings for a reason and it's almost sinful to rest on our laurels ( if I've even got "laurels")
Cindy had her first day of being a professional sub teacher for the aurora school district. She had a great first day and it seems like she will really flourish. Want to know more about her first day go to cindysoccer.blogspot.com
Bethany is becoming a toddler before my eyes. Much more vocal and I just melt into a puddle on the floor everytime she grins at me. It's my absolute favorite thing in the world. Her da-da adores her!
O, and about the quote by my dad in the title.... Cindy and I are 8 episodes in to the 8th season of 24. It's awesome...get em Jack!!

2011

Well happy new year but first I want to say what a pleasure it was to spend Christmas with the Eckstein hoard. We had a wonderful week of eating, gifts, chit chat and kissing babies. I really find it a real pleasure to share my life with this great Godly group of crazy people (just kidding about the crazy part).
Every year I try to start a journal to put down events that happen through out the weeks but It seems to never get past the first couple of days before life gets in the way of my good intentions. That being said I'm so glad to have this blog that I can update and that keeps me on track of my writing and journal aspirations. I look forward to another wonderful year of living and I will bring you along for the ride.