Thanksgiving Weekend 2009

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house. It was the fourth year in a row that we've hosted. Grandma Hallstrom helped a ton. She brought some extra chairs, a table cloth, fancy china, silverware, and goblets, and lots of food. Our guests were: Grandma Hallstrom, Joyce Jacobs (Grandma's friend), Uncle Calvin, Nathan (my cousin), Amy (my sister), Mike (Amy's boyfriend), and Laura (my sister). It was fun being together as a family. The meal was so tasty and definitely worth all the time in the kitchen. We were in charge of the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, drinks, corn, and a dessert. For dessert, Grandma made two apple pies and Sam and I made a pumpkin roll. Here's a picture of most of us enjoying a conversation over dessert:After dinner, we enjoyed a power point presentation by Nathan. Sam hooked up Nathan's laptop to our big tv so we could see larger pictures. This past July, Nathan returned home from a mission to Mozambique. He is a funny guy and told us about the culture in Mozambique as well as several mission stories. After the presentation, we enjoyed our dessert and then presented Grandma Hallstrom with a few early Christmas presents. The gifts were from her whole family and I put the gifts together. You can enjoy the video a little later once I get it posted:

In addition to the large collage frame full of family pictures, I made Grandma a scrapbook version of family photos. I also created a slideshow of family photos that I posted on my blog recently. Grandma was very touched by the gifts and can't wait to get the collage frame hung on her wall.

After our boys went to bed, we rearranged the furniture in the family room and Sam set up our Christmas tree. Then, Sam and I watched the new Pixar movie, 'Up' with Laura and Nathan. It was my first time seeing that movie. I enjoyed it. I could tell that the people who created the movie had big imaginations. Laura, Nathan, and Amy spent the night.

The next morning, I did a portrait photo shoot of Amy. My Mom wanted a good picture of Amy to hang on her mantle above her fireplace. Here are some of my favorite photos I got of Amy:

Amy and I stopped by for a quick bite to eat at McDonald's. We had chicken nuggets and chocolate milkshakes. It was fun to hang out with my sister.

Like last year, Laura is performing in the church production, "Savior of the World." Sam and I were lucky enough to get to see Laura in the play over Thanksgiving weekend. We drove Laura back for her Friday night performance. Sam and I were lucky enough to get standby tickets and awesome seats (3rd row from the front on the left hand side of the theater). I was hoping Laura would look out into the audience and see us. At the very end of the show, Laura glanced over and gave me a big smile. It's such a great show! We wandered over to Temple Square and saw all the Christmas lights before heading home. Thank you, Amy and Mike for babysitting for us!

On Saturday night, I hung out with my second cousin, Angela. She lives in the same town as me. I picked her up and we headed off to see the new movie, 'The Blind Side.' We arrived at the theater and found out that the tickets were sold out. So we went to another theater. The movie was sold out there too. We purchased some tickets for the 9:45pm show and did a little Christmas shopping for a couple hours.

On Sunday evening, I went on my date with Brian. The two of us drove to Layton to visit my cousin Jerry's family and my cousin David's family (who were visiting from Arizona). Brian loves playing with Jerry's son, Hunter. Hunter and Brian are only 10 days apart in age. Brian wasn't as interested in playing with Hunter this time. He was more interested in the food and the fancy bathrooms they had. Oh well. I had fun catching up with my cousins. The last time I'd seen my cousin David was in 1998 at the Van Wie Farm in New York. Anyway, here is a picture of the Van Wie Cousin Reunion of 2009:

Jerry & Marla's kids with their Arizona cousins

David, Amy, Lisa, Jerry

The Van Wie Farm

Growing up, my family would go to my grandparents' farm for several occasions; Christmas, family reunions, corn harvesting day, or just to visit. As a kid, I especially enjoyed going with a brother or sister or two to visit Grandma Jean and Grandpa Jerry for a few days. Here's a list of some of the things I enjoyed doing while visiting my grandparents:

- "driving" the John Deere tractor while sitting on Grandpa Jerry's lap.

- having Grandpa Jerry scare me at night when he pretended to be a bear who climbed up the stairs, came into my room, growled, and grabbed my ankles (a tradition with his grandkids)

- having Grandpa Jerry pick me up by my elbows

- going to car races and cow auctions with Grandpa Jerry

- fishing at the pond

- playing in the hayloft

- going to the dollar store with Grandma Jean

- going to yard sales with Grandma Jean

- playing Boggle with Grandma Jean (she's really good at this game)

- visiting Grandma's friends at their homes

- listening to Grandma Jean play the piano

(See the farm in the background?!)

My little family went to visit my grandparents' farm for an afternoon. It takes just over one hour to drive there from my parents' house. My brother, Ryan came with us and took pictures for us.
Grandpa Jerry took all of us out to look at the cows. Brian was kind of scared of the cows. Tyler loved the cows and kept saying, "Moo." He even let this calf lick his hand. What a brave boy! Then Grandpa Jerry took us on a ride in his truck up Bush Hill to the pond. There's fish in the pond. Ryan didn't have any luck fishing, probably because we stirred up the water on our family paddle boat ride.

Here's a nice view of the Van Wie Farm from the pond. Gotta love New York's big green rolling hills!After we all chatted and the boys played some Wii, we enjoyed Grandma Jean's nice lasagna dinner, complete with Grandpa Jerry's corn. For dessert, we had Reese's Klondike Bars. Great food and even better company.

Thanks, Grandma Jean and Grandpa Jerry for having us over. We always love coming to the farm and can't wait to come again! We love you!

Hallstrom Family Reunion - Day 1

CLiCK on CoLLaGe To ENLaRGe

Grandma Jean & Grandpa Jerry with ALL the Hallstroms

On July 4th, we had a family reunion at my parents' house. There were 27 people in attendance, 16 of which were "Hallstroms." The others in attendance were: Grandma Jean, Grandpa Jerry, Uncle Wayne, Aunt Becky, Daniel (cousin), Aunt Ruth, Uncle Robert, Scott (cousin), Hannah (Scott's wife), and their two girls, Emmaleigh (2 1/2) and Isabelle (7 months). We had a huge home cooked meal. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, Grandma Jean's famous cinnamon jello, Grandpa Jerry's famous corn, tasty sweet breads, etc. Aunt Ruth made the best desserts... thick M&M brownies and a frosted cinnamon bunt cake. Click on Collage to Enlarge

My Grandma Jean and Grandpa Jerry had just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on July 3rd. In their honor, my brother in-law, Seth hosted a Family Feud game. I thought I knew my grandparents very well, but playing this game proved me wrong. I realized that there were specific things about their lives that I didn't know about. (Oh, and in case you were wondering, my team, Team Wayne, LOST). Better luck next time. CLiCK CoLLaGe To ENLaRGe

**Here are the questions and answers from the Family Feud game:
Who visited the Van Wie's at the farm the most regularly in the late 60s and 70s?
1. Ramona and Keith Heckman
2. Dora
3. Stanley and Mary Jane
4. Beth and Clayton

What does Grandma like to do most with her time?
1. Knitting, sewing, etc.
2. Read books
3. Play piano

What crops has Grandpa grown?
1. Corn
2. Wheat
3. Soy beans
4. Potatoes

When they were dating, where did they like to go on dates together?
1. Dancing
2. Movies
3. Play cards with friends (Canasta)

What are Grandma's favorite foods?
1. Peanut butter
2. Chocolate
3. Tuna fish
4. Salt rising toast

What did Grandpa do to earn money as a kid?
1. Milk cows with his father
2. Raise rabbits to sell
3. Collected copper wires to sell
4. Trap muskrats, sell their hide

What kinds of pets did Grandpa have while he was growing up?
1. Pigeons
2. Dog
3. Cat
4. Turtles
5. Rabbits

Name as many of their grandkids as you can.
Jerry, Barry David, Jon, Daniel, Anne, Bryan, Nathan, Amy, Emily, Lisa, Michael, Jennifer, Laura, Mark, Ryan, Scott, Craig, Bethany

After we played the game, we had a family music recital for my grandparents. The 5 Hallstrom girls sang, "Love One Another." (Our accompanists were Aunt Becky on piano and my sister in-law, Alice on violin). Laura played a piece on the piano and sang a couple of songs. Ryan played the trumpet. Mike played the piano, and Alice played her violin. Here is Alice performing a song that Grandpa Jerry requested:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

HaPPY FaTHER'S DaY!!!

To My Man Sam:

I'm amazed by you. One of the first things I noticed about you was your persistance. You pursued me. You came right up to me and asked if you could sit across from me. After enjoying lunch together, you asked if you could meet me the following day for lunch. Soon after that, we exchanged contact information. Over that summer, you continued to call me and you wrote me lots of letters. We dated, got engaged, and married.... yaDa, YadA, Yada. One thing that I love about you is that you know how to get what you want. You persist.

You and I now have a family of our own. It's so fun to watch you with our boys. I know that you thoroughly enjoy our family walks on the mountain trails as well as your BOY TIME (doing the whole bedtime routine). You are so involved in our boys' lives and that means alot to me. You take fatherhood seriously. You are one fabulous father! i LoVE YoU!

To My Dad:

I'm amazed by you. I don't know how you could juggle medical school, several jobs, a wife, and four little kids... WoAH... you must've been exhausted all the time. But you did it... and went on to raise 8 great kids. Now you have three grandsons to enjoy... LuCKY YoU :) And your family will just keep growing and growing. Thank you for all you've done for me over the years... helping me with my Math homework, taking me to all those Youth Activities, and teaching me how to work hard. I can't wait to see you in a few weeks! Tyler is excited to finally meet you! i LoVE YoU!

To My Grandpa Jerry:

I'm amazed by you. You've raised 5 great kids. You've created such a legacy. Everyone loves coming to your farm. Growing up, I loved coming to visit, even if it was corn harvest day. I always brag about your corn being the best corn in the world! And I still love it when we go on John Deere tractor rides. You are one of the hardest workers I know. I can't wait to see you in a couple weeks! i LoVE YoU!

To My Father in-law, Fred:

I'm amazed by you. You have raised such a wonderful family, a family that will continue to grow. You are at a great stage in your life, almost ready to retire, and you have all these grandkids... LuCKY You :) You have truly blessed the lives of your family with your knowledge of the gospel. Thank you for all you've done for our little family. You've given us great advice. We can't wait to have you living closer to us. WE LoVE YoU!

Western Van Wie Family Reunion

Yesterday, we had a family reunion for all the Van Wie Family that lives out West. My Uncle Neil and Aunt Nan drove up from Arizona and we all met at my cousin, Jerry's fabulous new house. My little family of 4 was there of course as well as my older sister, Amy. I hadn't seen my cousin Jerry since I was 8 years old! Now, Jerry is married to his beautiful wife, Marla and they have 9 kids. It was fun to get to meet his big family and get to know them better. Brian had a blast playing with Jerry's boy, Hunter. Hunter is only 10 days older than Brian. We had a delicious meal: pulled BBQ pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, chips, fruit salad, etc. After dinner, we listened to Aunt Nan, Jerry, and Aubri (Jerry's oldest daughter) play a musical number. It was very nice and they played this same piece in church earlier today. Later on, the kids played in the backyard and we had some tasty treats. I made brownies with extra chocolate chips. I'm glad that we could get together and wish that more of the family could have been there. We'll all have to get together again soon!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com