Hale Family Photos - Powered by Phanfare

We drove down to NC to visit with Pam's side of the family. Pam's mother, step-father, sisters and sisters' kids and grandkids were all there. We had a very nice visit, and the food was great. Then we got to visit and stay with Chris' aunt and uncle (and Janelle, Cody and Pepper).

Christmas

2008 Christmas Pageant

Christmas Tree

Thanksgiving 2008

Hale visit

Gary, Joann, Grandma and Grandpa Hale flew up from Florida for a visit with us.

Halloween

Pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating

Folk Life Festival

Ferrum College hosted the annual festival that had everything from coon dog racing to crafts and food.

Hiking with the Kishters

The Kishters came to Roanoke because half of our planned camping trip got rained out. We hiked around Smart View Recreation Area off of the Blue Ridge Parkway instead. It was the first hike Lorelai went on where she wasn't carried at all.

KIVA, Mill Mountain hike

KIVA is a local group that gets families enjoying the outdoors together. The Mayor of Roanoke and his dog joined us on this hike.

Trip to Arizona via North Carolina

New River

We went tubing down the New River with the Cummings. It was a slow lazy river with a little bit of rapids at the end.

Deni's visit

Deni and her friends were in D.C. for a vacation and drove down to see us in Roanoke. Pop's ice cream parlor was a very big hit with them.

Finally, a pool!

After three weeks and all of the girls' birthday money, Audrey and Lorelai finally have what they've wanted all summer. It doesn't matter that it is freezing cold from the hose water, they were determined to swim--chattering teeth and all.

4th of July

The Roanoke Times and the City of Roanoke put on a fantastic show. It started with games and things for the kids (Moon Bounce, inflatable obstacle course, sack race, and watermelon eating contest) which was all free. There were also food vendors, including ice cream, funnel cakes, and kettle corn. The the theme of the evening was American music. There were several bands throughout the evening and the Roanoke orchestra put on the finale. The fireworks started around 9:30 and were thouroughly enjoyed by all.

Fun with the Youngs

Kristen, Audra, and Liesl came to visit us in Roanoke. We had so much fun and really enjoyed having them here. The day they left, Audrey and Lorelai cried and lamented our move to Roanoke.

The Beach

We went to First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This was our first trip that didn't involve other family or friends (just the four of us). We had a great time. The weather was perfect, and we had less than a five minute walk from our camper over the dunes to the beach.

Dixie Caverns

Grammy treated us to a trip to Dixie Caverns. They were much like the slightly larger Lurray Caverns, but less expensive, less crowded, and not as far. We all really enjoyed it, but Lorelai wasn't so thrilled when they turned the lights out to show how dark caves really are.

Too Cute

Rocky and Button's first trip outside.

Birthday Time

With the girls' birthdays so close we always have one party. This year we opted for a small cake and ice cream party with some neighbors, the cousins, and Grammy. The big "party" was our trip to the beach (see beach album). All birthday money from grandparents and great grandparents went towards a pool that will hopefully be up soon.

Beat the Heat

Summer is here! We got a Slip N' Slide to keep cool and have fun. Our back yard slope if perfect for such a thing and it doesn't take much effort to get up some speed.

Rocky and Button, our new bunnies

After a year of waiting and saving their money, Audrey and Lorelai each bought a Holland Lop. The gray (offically called blue) one is Audrey's new best friend, and his name is Rocky. The tan one (can't remember the offical color name) is Lorelai's friend and his name is Button because his nose looks like a button. Chris constructed their cage from wood and wire that our neighbors gave us. He did a great job.

Our Butterflies

Audrey got a butterfly kit when we were leaving Michigan. She sent for the caterpillars and when they arrived we got to see them go through their metamorphasis. A day after they emerged the girls released them outside.

Strawberry Festival

Downtown Roanoke has lots of festivals. We went to the Strawberry Festival with our friends Alex and Kelly Barg.

Michigan

Here we are at the hotel, park, and restaurant.

Jer and Jen's Wedding

Jeremy and Jen got married on April 5, 2008, in Grand Rapids Michigan. It was such a beautiful wedding!

Kishter Visit

The Kishter family came down from Maryland to visit us in Roanoke. You know you are loved when you have friends that will travel five hours to see you after you move away. So far we have been blessed with visits from five families of Maryland friends.

Easter afternoon

After the Easter service we went to the Cumming's house for lunch.

Easter

KIVA

KIVA (Kids in the Valley, Adventuring) is a new club for families in Roanoke. We met at Green Hills Park and learned about blue bird boxes. We went on a hike around the park getting to see inside some boxes.

Egg Hunt

This was the neighborhood Egg Hunt that we revived this year. There were over 250 eggs hidden in the cul-de-sac yards.

Palm Sunday

On Palm Sunday we met at the park two blocks from our church. This was the 30th year that this gentleman has played the bagpipes for our church on Palm Sunday. After a quick word from our Rector, we all walked to the church with our palm branches for the rest of the service.

Another Snow Day

Our second good snow of the year. The snow wasn't good for sledding, but it was perfect for building a snowman.

Creamery and Dairy

This was a home school field trip to the Homestead Creamery and dairy farm. This is where our glass bottles of milk come from.

Happy Hollows Gardens

Hiking through Happy Hollow Gardens with the Cummings family on a beautiful January day.

Random pictures

Random Pictures

Science Museum

We had a blast at the Science Museum in downtown Roanoke.

Hale clan and Jenny's b-day

Grandma and Grandpa Hale, Alison, Kendal, Jamie, and Janelle drove up two spend a couple of days with the rest of us in Roanoke. Valerie, Jeremy, and Britt, we missed you.

Mill Mountain plus

On our drive to Mill Mountain we traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped at an overlook that had a great view of the house Gary, Joann, and the Hammons were staying at. We also had a view of our mountain, Lost Mountain. However, we live on the other side of what is pictured here. Our new guess is that it is called Lost Mountain because it is surrounded by many bigger mountains. After a quick visit to the star (it was cold out), we headed in doors to the Nature Center.

Christmas '07

We had wonderful morning of present opening at our house. Around 11 am we headed over to the house Gary and Joann rented (five minutes away) and opened more presents with Nana, Papa, and the Hammons family.

Christ Church Pageant

Audrey was the donkey in the children's pageant this year. Lorelai was going to be a sheep, but chickened out at the last minute.

Pasternak visit

The Pasternak family came to visit on their way to a family Christmas (Ok, it wasn't really on the way, more like out of the way). The Kirbys did the same thing, but I forgot to take pictures.

Snow Day

The Friday before Christmas we woke up to a wonderful surprise, our first real snow since we moved to Roanoke. Our neighborhood is on the side of a small mountain and we live near the top. Halfway down through our development, we noticed the lack of snow. People at the bottom had hardly any snow. Since we didn't have a real sled, we took the slide off of the little play set and used that for sledding and snow boarding. We had a wonderful morning.

Fantasyland

The Roanoke History Museum hosts Santa who sings and tells stories to children gathered around him. Audrey, Lorelai, and their cousins (Emma, Nina, and Erin) really enjoyed listening to Santa. Santa was also kind as to tell them that if they hang a candy cane (which he provided) on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and make a wish, they will get an EXTRA Christmas present.

Santa at Centura Farm

We went to a Christmas party at the stable where Audrey takes riding lessons.

Dickens of a Christmas

On three separate weekends in December, downtown Roanoke has an event called "A Dickens of a Christmas." There are vendors, people in period dress, puppets, roasting chestnuts, and, on this night, a parade.

Mill Mountain Zoo

Our first trip to the Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in Roanoke with family.

Young visit

Gary, Kristen, Audra, and Liesl Young came to Roanoke for a weekend visit. We did the usual (first time to Roanoke) tour of the Star on Mill Mountain, the Nature Center, and the downtown farmers market. We also made smore's over a fire pit in our backyard. Here are some photos, courtesy of Gary.

Energy Expo

This was our first outing with our new Girl Scout troop. We went to the Energy Expo at the Roanoke Civic Center. At the Girls Scout table they were given a scavenger hunt to complete for a badge.

Halloween 07

Emma, Audrey, Nina, Erin, and Lorelai went trick-or-treating down through our neighborhood. Then we drove over to the Cumming's neighborhood (we were joined by Emma's friend, Heather) and treated up and down their streets. The pumpkins were overflowing.

Sleepover

Fall Festival

Cave Springs Elementary (Emma and Nina's school) had a Fall Festival to raise money for the school. It was Audrey and Lorelai's first time in a real school.

East Hadam Bridge and Opera House

Horses at the Gelston's

The Gelston's currently have seven horses on their farm. One or two belong to Charlotte and the rest are boarders. Most of the horses were rescued by Charlotte and paired with their owners. We all learned so much about horses during our stay. Audrey and Lorelai eagerly helped feed, brush, and even shovel manure.

Gelston's Farm

We stayed at the beautiful old home of Todd and Charlotte Gelston while in Connecticut. Todd's mother, Sue, is Grandpa Hale's sister. Their house was built in the mid 1740's and they have done an incredible job restoring it. I only wish we had taken more pictures of the house.

Around Connecticut

The main point of this trip with Grandma and Grandpa Hale was to learn about the history of the Hales in Connecticut which goes back to the 1600's.

Gillette Castle

William Gillette was a famous actor who stared in many Sherlock Holmes plays in the late 1800's. With his wealth he built his home out of stones from his property. We were only able to peek in the windows to see the beautifully carved wood on the ceiling, walls and floors. The view from the outer wall overlooks the Connecticut river.

Fire Safety Expo

We went to a Fire Expo put on by Howard County. They did a fabulous job as there were all kinds of trucks, activities, safety demonstrations, and burning cars (see Gary Young for that picture).

Creeper Trail

We met up with Alison, Kendal, Janelle, and Gretchen (Janelle's friend) in Damascus, Virginia. We rented bikes and were driven to the top of the mountain. From there we coasted and pedaled mostly down hill for about three and a half hours through absolutely beautiful scenery. We did stop several times including a frozen yogurt stop and an ice cream stop.

Audrey's First Riding Lessons

These are pictures of Audrey's very fisrt riding lesson. She spent several days reading about horses to be ready for her lesson. After a lot of grooming, she lead Sassy out for the actual riding lesson. Audrey learned how to stop, go, and turn by herself. She did very well for her first lesson.

Georgia

We spent Labor Day weekend in Georgia with the Hammons family, Nana, and Papa. We had a wonderful time and great weather at the hotel pool.

Bottom Creek Gorge

Here are a few shots from our hike through Bottom Creek Gorge. The mile and a half hike there was supposed to result in seeing a beautiful waterfall, but the water wasn't falling. The last six pictures were taken by Audrey.

Hale and Curtis Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Hale, Alison, and Janelle came to visit us in Roanoke. We took them to Mill Mountain to see the worlds largest made made star. It lights up at night! It's also a great spot to see the city of Roanoke.

Nap attack

She fell asleep while eating cookies. You have to be tired to do that.

Deer

Look what else we found in our back yard. There were six of them--three does and three fawns. There are a LOT of deer around our neighborhood, and we usually see at least one every time we come or go.

Trampoline

Look what we found in our back yard! The previous owners left it behind.

Sunset

This is the sunset on our first night in the new house.

Science Club Family Party

Thank you for hosting Anne and Mike. The food was amazing and we had a wonderful time.

Courtney's Birthday Party

Courtney Pasternak's 4th birthday party at My Gym

Dusty and Jen's Wedding

Dusty and Jen got married in Walla Walla, Washington, at a farm belonging to Jen's aunt and uncle. It was a beautiful wedding, and Audrey was a fabulous flower girl.

Lorelai

I had a request for a picture of Lorelai and realized that there really aren't that many recent good pictures of her by herself. Partly my fault. Partly because she isn't often in a cooperative spirit for smiling nicely at the camera.

Audrey's Dance Recital

The ballet dance was to music from Anastasia. The tap dance was to "The Best Years of Our Lives." Audrey did very well. We are very proud of her.

Happy Mother's Day

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us, To love us, whatever we do, With a warm understanding and infinite patience, And wonderful gentleness, too. How often a mother means swift reassurance In soothing our small, childish fears, How tenderly mothers watch over their children And treasure them all through the years! The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness For any mistake, big or small, And generous always in helping her family Whose needs she has placed above all. A mother can utter a word of compassion And make all our cares fall away, She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter And make life delightful and gay. A mother possesses incredible wisdom And wonderful insight and skill - In each human heart is that one special corner Which only a mother can fill! - Katherine Nelson Davis

Day at the BSO

We went to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to see a production of Peter and the Wolf. We had front row seats in a Grand Tier section. Both girls loved it!

Park and Gardens

A beautiful day at park and gardens

Easter in Texas

We went to Abilene, Texas this year at Easter for a family reunion. We had a wonderful time and were surprised by a snowy Easter egg hunt. We had so much fun with everyone and can't wait for the next one.

Science Fair

This year Audrey chose to do a science project on magnets for the home school science fair. A "judge" went to each booth and talked with the kids about their projects. During the fair the kids were given a scavenger hunt to complete by finding the answers at the different booths. At the end, all the kids were awarded certificates, ribbons, and a prize (a calculator). Audrey was very confident when telling the judge about her project and answering his questions.

Visiting Roanoke

We visited Joyce, John, and the girls in Roanoke. Audrey and Lorelai had a great time with Emma, Nina, and Erin (and the bunnies). In fact, we liked it so much, we're planning to move there sometime this year...

Snow day

This was our one good snow fall this winter. It was great for sledding and building snowmen.

Dance class

Parents got to sit in on a class halfway through the year.

YMCA

We went to the YMCA, where they have an open swim for homeschoolers. Audrey and Lorelai are little fish in the pool.

A trip around the world

In our studies of other countries, we learned about Korea from Mrs. Choi and about China from Mrs. Poole. We learned about many countries from all the continents. Most of what we did was done with the Young family. By the end, the girls had read many stories and completed many projects and crafts.

Centennial Park

An unexpectedly beautiful January day.

Chistmas morning

Deni's graduation

Kelley got to fly to Arizona to see Deni graduate from ASU.

Cherub Choir

Audrey was in the Cherub choir, which was part of the children's Christmas play at our church.

Fall Fun (movie)

Thanksgiving

We forgot to take pictures of the company--Pam and our neighbors, Mary and Steve.

Girl Scouts Day in the Woods

Girl Scouts Flag Ceremony

Halloween

Cats Audrey and Lorelai went trick-or-treating with Marina (Bratz Girl) and little brother, Dominic (Spiderman).

Larryland Farms

Apple picking and hay maze.

Halloween party

Homeschool Connections of Central Maryland Halloween party.

Nana and Papa's visit

Nana and Papa visited us near the end of October.

Grandma and Grandad's visit

Kelley's mom and dad came to visit us from Arizona. We had a wonderful visit. On the second day of their visit, we went to Harper's Ferry in West Virginia (a very old town with a beautiful view). We spent a good part of one day in Baltimore at the Inner Harbor. The Barnes & Noble, which used to be an old power plant, very much interested a certain Barnes & Noble employee (Kelley's dad). The last full day of their visit we spent in Cumberland, Maryland. We rode the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad from Cumberland to Frostburg, got off, had lunch, and rode back. The weather was great and the views were awesome.

Fall field trips

We went on many field trips this fall. We participated in Harvest for the Hungry, where we gleaned fields and the food went to those in need. We also explored the Science Center in Baltimore, examined a bird's nest in science club (not really a field trip, but I had pictures), had fun at a Milkshake concert, played at Port Discovery, and saw lots of animals at the Green Meadows Farm.

Florida trip

At the park

Flying kites and swimming at the dog park in Annapolis.

Easter

On Saturday, our next door neighbor had an Easter egg hunt in her back yard for some of the younger neighborhood kids. Sunday morning, Audrey and Lorelai woke up to find that the Easter Bunny had left them some clues throughout the house leading to their Easter baskets. There was one more Easter egg hunt at church.

N.C. Trip

Science Fair

Audrey entered the science fair, which was through our home schooling association. Audrey worked with her friend Sophie on a weather project entitled "Wondering About Weather." They charted daily temperatures and learned about different kinds of clouds. At the science fair, the kids completed a scavenger hunt by looking at each other's projects. There were also four scientists who judged the projects and did demonstrations of their own. The scientist who judged Audrey and Sophie's project spent quite a bit of time talking to them about their project. At the end of the fair, Audrey received a certificate, a ribon, and the judge's positive comments. Lorelai had a great time too.

A day in DC

We spent a beautiful day in Washington, DC with our friend Guy who we hadn't seen since college.

Girl Scouts

Thinking Day was a day when girl scouts think about other girl scouts around the world. Each troop in the cluster picked a country to display. Audrey's daisy troop did Mexico. Afterwards we all went to the troop leaders house for an awards ceremony.

Blizzard '06

Audrey's dance class

This week the parents got to sit in on a dance class and watch the girls. They are preparing for the big recital in May.

Moby

Christmas 2005

Whitetail

One Saturday in December, we decided to head to Whitetail to do some snow tubing. Jenna and Audrey quickly got tired of the "kiddie slope" (a glorified pile of snow next to the tube shed) and wanted to try the big slope. As you can see, we all had a great time.

Scenic photos

Audrey's Art

Audrey's been doing a lot of drawing lately. Here are some of her masterpieces.

Back Yard Birds

Camping

Deer Around Our House

An eight point buck passing through

The Archive

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