Camping!

S and I had an incredible adventure this weekend camping at Lake Cuyamaca. Unfortunately, we did not realize that it was still winter in (almost) friggin' JUNE!! It was colder than anyone would have ever believed...I could see my breath AT FLIPIN' ONE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON! And, because it is flipin' JUNE, we were NOT prepared in any way, shape, or form. I had a small sweatshirt and sweatpants, and S had a Chargers sweatshirt (mine, as we all know he is a Raider's fan) and a thin pair of pants. Let's just say he was desperate enough to wear the Chargers sweatshirt. It. was. that. cold. We pretty much huddled together the whole weekend with the friends we went with. AND, we couldn't have an open fire....soooo, no way to warm ourselves up. Yeah. Brilliant huh?

I did get a few pics on Sunday when it warmed up a little during the day. Note the small sweatshirt.

Overall, it was great to get away. And, an even bigger bonus was that I lost about 5 pounds from shivering so much!

km

bad dancing at its best!

How amazingly stupid we have looked over the years....

Happy Mother's Day

flamage...

S and I are planning a camping trip over memorial day weekend, and i am so ready to get away (if even for a few days). I just got this new camp stove/grill thing because, according to S, my old one was not good enough. Well, let me tell ya folks, he can't complain now! this sucker is 90,000 btus (30,000 each burner x3), and if you are not as well versed as i am in bbqs now, I can tell you that is a LOT of flamage. (this thing is even rated for disaster preparedness! now you all know where you can go for a home cooked meal when we have no power or gas!) anyway, let's just put it this way....I walked down the isle to the built in gas grills and their btus were at 20(something),000.

And when S fired up that sucker the next day, the flames stood FOUR INCHES HIGH (no joke!) I walked in the door from work, and I hear from the balcony, "you should see the flamage on this puppy!" To which i replied," guess you can't complain to me now can ya?" To which he responded, "now it's almost TOO powerful..."

i just can't win can can i? :)

km

A letter to Lyle....

Page 1

The call went out. Like a beacon in the night. Mayday! Mayday! All Hall’s on deck! And, as any respectable Hall, I responded immediately. I was being called up! There is no greater honor in this family. I was needed.

Hall here, reporting for duty!

Today’s assignment…..write a short piece about Lyle Hall. I sat down, ready to put pen to paper. I cleared off my desk, pulled out my best stationary, my best pen, cleared my mind of everything non-Hall. “Such a task should be given to a novice,” I thought, “For writing about another Hall is effortless.” But with pride, I know this family has much to be proud of and thankful for, and I will perform this duty with all honor it is due.

Suddenly, it occurs to me. Who is Lyle Hall? Have I ever met such a person? I know I have attended all family events as prescribed per the Hall Family Code (excused absences aside), but I did not think I knew this person known as Lyle Hall. I wracked my brain, torturously, writhing in my chair as I struggled to think of a time, any time, where I had met this person. I interviewed other Hall’s relentlessly, under glaring spotlights, thinking, “If they would just tell me who this person is, I can complete my assignment, my task, the honor that has been bestowed upon me!” But, no! I could not find anyone who could give me any information! I scrutinized photos from every family event, every chance meeting. Nothing. Surely, there is something in our history. They say he is turning 50 for crying out loud!

I pushed harder.

More photos, more interviews, more deliberation! Frantically, I pulled photos, arm over arm, throwing them over my head as I searched and searched! The time is getting closer! I must make my deadline! I cannot let my family down!

Then I find it. The room darkens except for a small halo of light flowing down as if a light is shining down from heaven. The angels are singing! It is there, right in front of me! I need search no more! I delicately pick it up with both hands, carry it gently to the table as the memory gently flows back to me as effortlessly a warm summer breeze gently blowing, encasing me in pure warmth.

It is him, that Lyle Hall!

He is there in the photo, lying in a hammock snoring.

This is my only memory, but I have it! I know who he is! My task is complete, my job here done. I know no more, but I know who he is. I run to all Hall’s and tell them of my great joy, and they too remember!

Calls go out. There is rejoicing from San Diego to Savannah!

We have found our lost Hall!
May he now never leave us.


Page 2

Lyle,

From the Morris family to you, we wish you an amazing birthday filled with joy and love.

May you know you are truly loved.

And, may you show up at this year’s reunion, so help you God!

Love,

Linda, Kendra, Kayla

A relaxing weekend.....

The older I get, the more I yearn for a day of doing nothing but staying home and doing, mostly nothing. There is something very theraputic about cleaning your house and doing all of the things on your to do list. Call me crazy, but it keeps me sane. In the job that I have, if my work is nuts and my car is in disarray, if I can at least come home to an orderly house, I am in a much better frame of mind.

Off to the rat race once again....

KM