Memorial Day

...is a special day at our house. We always make a drive to Larkin Cemetary with flowers in hand and the supplies to trim and clean Mommy Kerri's headstone. We usually have to remind the little ones that it's not a great place for jumping from one square block with words on it, to the next. Sometimes they seem a little less impressed with this place that starts to seem too much like church, but for others in our family, it is holy ground. Christopher often takes on the job of cleaning up and trimming the grass, since he has made a talent of that at home. Marissa usually cleans and shines the stone that bares her mothers name. For her, this is something she can do for her mom and she takes it very seriously. Allison will often watch and sometimes helps but always wants to have flowers to add to the pretty display. We usually have family with us on this day and we love to spend this time with them. This year Grandma Hall's sister, Nancy and her husband, Jerry were here from California and joined up with us. It was a beautiful day.

What's more American than Corn Flakes?

I am, I am, I am

(who didn't sing that song in elementary school?)

Jacob had his kindergarten program today! So darn cute!

(Okay, so I just realized I never finished this post...oops)

(And now I remember why! I wanted to crop this picture and I don't know how..isn't that just like life. Some little thing that doesn't really matter stops you from finishing something that does matter.)

Here you can see Jacob on the back row all the way to the left. I think he has already picked up on that Johnson boy trick of trying to be the tallest by thinking taller, which always pushes you up on the tips of your toes!

Jacob and his best kindergarten friend Ben. Don't they look like the sweet and ever obedient choir boys....ha ha! This cute little guy's dad is serving in Afghanistan right now...we keep him in our prayers.

Here is Jacob with Mrs. Tyler...the teacher of the year, as far as I'm concerned. Honestly, she was so wonderful with the little guy who would have rather spent his kindergarten year at home drawing pictures of Indiana Jones and hanging out with mom.

Just another proud moment for the Hall family!

So...
sometimes at our house when mom is real tired and so is Kathryn and she tells me she wants to sleep in the dress she's been wearing all day, I say "okay". This shouldn't really be a big deal right? Right!

Most mornings when Kathryn goes to Preschool, I just drop her off with the other kids and she follows them through the Junior High, across the parking lot with the crossing guard, and up the stairs to the elementary school grounds to her building. Most mornings! Every once in a while when things are a little more crazy than the average morning...I will just drop off all the other kids and bring Kathryn home to get ready and take her to preschool a few minutes later since her class starts 15 minutes after the rest. Usually works great. Usually!

Well on this fine morning it turned into a less-than-average morning and as I realized time was getting away from us I said, "Everyone into the car! Kathryn, we'll get you ready after....in, in, in! Let's go, Let's go, Let's go!" And so we were off!



We pulled up to the school..."Okay, Everyone out! Quick Quick Quick! Hurry so no one is late! Yes, Jacob, I love you too, now hurry! Love you all, have a good day." Door closes, mom drives away and out of the parking lot....it sure is quiet in this car.



Yep, Kathryn got out too!



I started laughing so hard, that when I flipped a "u-ey" to hop into the next drop off lane, I think the lady in front of me thought I was a little off my rocker. I watched as Allison, with a little concern and confusion on her face, helped her across the parking lot toward their buildings. I called her name and motioned to send her to the drop off area to be picked up. I pulled up, she hopped in and we were off again...What a morning! I think I am up for mother of the year again!