Day 2 - The Race

Day 2 started out with the Hales Family Race. The family was divided into 4 competing teams. Teams were given their first clue and the race was on.

The race consisted of finding your way to various Mesa locations and completing multiple tasks in order to get your next clue. The pictures included here, are from team #1 (my team). Our first location was the Arizona temple, where we had to take some specified photographs, fill out a temple history worksheet and locate "Mr. Hales" for the next clue. "Mr. Hales" was actually Kent Hales (a distant relative), brother in law to Ed Carlson, who was helping with the race.

Other stops included the Museum of Natural History.

Next stop, Hohokum Stadium, winter home of the Chicago Cubs. Mitch completed the task of eating a hot dog. Dave used the internet on his phone to look up answers for the Arizona Cactus League spring training matching game.

After a stop at the Las Sendas Trailhead, identifying local cacti, completing a "Tribes of AZ" worksheet, the teams went on a short hike to get the final clue. The last clue lead them to Goldfield, AZ. Additional tasks, including more group photos, history worksheets, & panning for gold were completed.

Picture at the Church on the Mount at Goldfield, AZ.

Upon completion of all the tasks, the teams finished at the Mammoth Saloon. We tallied up the points, and there was a narrow victory by one of the teams. The competitive spirit ran high, and I think everyone had fun.

Hales Family Reunion - Day 1 - Thanksgiving

Our Family event started on Thanksgiving morning with the Mesa Turkey Trot. Grandma Janel did the 2 mile fun run. Shondelle, Shelby, Jennifer & Mick (Shondelle's Dad) ran the 10K at record speeds.

Here are the ladies following the run.

A thanksgiving feast was had by all. We had 17 adults & 17 children. Almost as many as the first thanksgiving feast.

After feasting, we spent the afternoon playing, visiting, watching a little football, playing some cards, etc. etc.

Macy's Baptism

After a whole year of preparing, Macy was baptized on Nov. 17th. Her 8th birthday was focused around this special event.

Macy had lots of friends & family supporting her at this event. Some of these included Grandpa John & Melanie, Grandma Janel & Gene, Grandpa & Grandma Pickett, Todd & Penni Pickett & Nichole, Kristine, Zoe, along with more aunts, uncles, cousins & friends.

We are very proud of Macy & her decision to be baptized.

Halloween

Marlee was a ladybug.

Macy was the girl from High School Musical - whatever her name is...

Porter was the Red Power Ranger

This is the whole family at the trunk or treat

October Photos

We started out October with Shondelle's birthday on the 4th. Have you ever seen that many candles on a cake?

Here are pictures of the kids taken just this week.

Macy's dance group danced at the state fair. Afterwards, we took in all the sights, sounds, smells of the AZ state fair. Here is a picture of Shondelle and Addison. It just so happens, that Superman and Superwoman made an appearance at the fair too!


Here's a closer look at the dynamic duo!

The Amazing Race

The Hales Family Reunion/Gathering is just around the corner. The Hales family will be descending upon Mesa, AZ for a Thanksgiving weekend of fun activities. Are you all getting pysched?

Dancin' with the Stars

We have really gotten into that show "Dancin' with the Stars". We've started dancing a little more around the house. Let us know what you think.

September Photos

Addison

Chillin'

Marlee - ready for church.

Latest

Here's a picture of Porter, Macy & Marlee

Grandpa John came and visited this week. He got some good story time in with Marlee and the kids were sorry to see him go.

Addison is getting bigger and a little chubbier. She is sleeping most of the night now, and was recently moved into her own room. (Marlee got bumped out of the nursery and is now in the same room as Macy)

Back to School

This is Macy, Porter & Marlee this last sunday.

Macy started second grade this week. Porter is going to preschool (but his picture didn't turn out).

Addison is filling out.

Addison's Blessing Day

Today was Addison's blessing day. We had an early church meeting and Grandpa John & Melanie saved the day by getting to church early enough to save the seats. They staked out two big benches and were were able sit together with the family that was able to attend. We had a nice brunch after church with Shondelle's family (Mick & Willie, Todd & Penni & kids) and my family (Dad & Melanie, Jordan & Chelsea)

Nobody would believe that this beautiful woman had a baby 6 weeks ago.

Here's a proud father.

Dad & Melanie came down for the blessing. The kids had a great time visiting with them. Marlee was all over Grandpa and Melanie was a great sport to play dolls with Macy. Porter had a great time wrestling with Jordan.

Fun in the Sun

This weekend we made a quick trip down to Rocky Point, Mexico to visit the beach. When I say "we" that means Jason, Macy, Porter & Jorday (my brother who lives in Peoria). Shondelle stayed home with Addison & Marlee. We went down on thursday afternoon and returned on Saturday afternoon. Our activities included: swimming at the pool, waterslide, playing on the beach, building sandcastles, riding in the sand dunes, exploring tide pools, eating great mexican food, napping, & more swimming. Jordan and were amazed how much energy Macy & Porter had to swim. They would literally stay in the water all day, if we did not drag them out to eat or do something else. Here are a few photos from our trip.

I am sure that Macy & Porter must have gone down this waterslide at least 50 times. Jordan & I also had a good time on the slide by splashing onlookers as they waited for the kids to come out of the slide!

Sand Castles on the beach.

Rocky Point, Mexico is at the very top of the Sea of Cortez. It usually has very little waves. However the wind has been blowing and the waves were bigger than I have ever seen them before.

We went exploring in some tide pools. Macy got a kick of finding hermit crabs. We also saw lots of little fish and shrimp. Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) is a little shrimping town that has turned into a beach town for Arizonans.

Here is few shrimp in the tide pool.


Here is a little video clip of Jordan getting beat down by the waves!