Merry Christmas 2008 & a Happy 2009 in spite of the economy

Two thousand & eight has been a busy year for our family. I know, I know, I say that every year but this one has been a bit of an exception in the GO GO GO department.

SEPTEMBER (2007):
***Promotion to Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation for Ladd.
***Ladd moved to Charlotte, North Carolina the first part of October.

JANUARY (2008):
***Son-in-law Blaine Edwards started his engineering career with Georgia Pacific Company in Mississippi after serving six years in the U.S. Navy.
***Daugher, Heather Edwards stayed in Virginia to finish out her teaching contract for the school year. Heather earned her Masters in Special Education last year.
***Grand-daughter, Macey Miller celebrated her first birthday on the 3rd.
***Family moves to Charlotte over Martin Luther King weekend.

FEBRUARY:
***Unpacked.
***Got four "very-mad-about-moving" boys settled into schools, lined up new doctors, dentists, orthodontists, etc.
***Son, Alex took 1st place in the North Carolina State AAU Wrestling tournament---not too bad for the new kid on the team.
***Christian & Cameron turned 13 years old on the 26th---YIKES---four teenagers---what were we thinking!!!

MARCH:
***Trip to Utah for daughter, Ashley's graduation from Ameritech College in Dental Assisting.
***Attended the "southern" party of the year hosted by good friends, Tom & Virginia Ann Mullikin in Camden, South Carolina.

APRIL:
***Lots of visitors to the Hall Hotel: daughter Emily & grand-daughter, Macey from Perry, Utah, daughter, Lynsee & grand-daughter, Addison from Charleston, SC & later in the month, my mother, Karen Smoot from Brigham City, Utah.
***Attended Brigham Young University's annual Women's Conference with my mother, sisters, Peggy, Kathy, & Becky and daughters, Emily & Ashley.

MAY:
***Celebrated 29th wedding anniversary in Scottsdate, Arizona while attending a steel convention.
***Took a fun side-trip to Sedona, Arizona with Nucor friends Marianne Ferriola, Rhonda Blume and Treby Miller. Treby lives in Scottsdale and played our hostess and tour guide---had my palms read by a local psychic---a little weird for me, but fun.
***More visitors to the Hall Hotel: Ladd's parents, Ray & LaFond Hall from Perry, Utah and Uncle Clive and Aunt Vivian Pope from Gooding, Idaho---thanks for the "IDAHO" potatoes Uncle Clive.

JUNE:
***School year OVER
***Daughter, Heather Edwards moves to Mississippi to join her husband, Blaine.
***Helped move our daughter and son-in-law, Lynsee & Mike Turok and baby Addison from their condo in Summerville, SC to an apartment in Charleston, SC. Mike has been accepted to Union University in Jackson, Tennessee for a masters in Nursing graduate program that will start in January. They decided they needed to get rid of their condo right away due to the failing housing market, so up for sale it went. Sold quickly, so into an apartment until December.
***Spent a few days in New York with Ladd shopping and going to Broadway shows.
***The boys were busy with sports camps, scout camp, & church youth conference.

JULY:
***Back to Utah for the annual summer family trip.
***Spent part of the trip in southern Utah visiting Zions National Park & historic Mormon Pioneer sites in St. George, Utah.
***Stayed with my youngest sister, Becky Udy and her husband, Mark and little daughter, Brianna
who live in nearby Washington.
***Daughter, Ashley moved home to Charlotte from Provo, Utah.

AUGUST:
***Back to school, football for Alex, Christian, & Cameron, cross country for Nicholas, & the dreaded HOMEWORK!!!
***New calling in my church: Early Morning Seminary Teacher. In the Mormon church all the youth that are high school age attend a seminary class the five school days of the week. In our area of the country this class is held early in the morning before school begins. Mon. - Fri. I have eight youth that come to my home at 6:40 a.m. to learn about the scriptures. This year we are studying New Testament. I LOVE this opportunity. Sometimes when my alarm goes off at 4:30 a.m. I give it a second thought but that is all it is---a second and then I am up and at it. I LOVE these youth and I LOVE teaching about the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I also have the opportunity to teach one Sunday a month in the Relief Society which is the women's organization in our church. I also have the privilege of coordinating the missionary meals for the two young missionaries that serve in our area. These young men serve for a period of two years at their own expense to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to any and all that will listen. Our local congregation is responsible to feed them dinner each night and it is my responsibility to line up those dinners.
***Ladd also received a new calling in our church, that of serving on the High Council. A high counselor in the Mormon Church is one of 12 men that are called to assist the Stake President who presides over 10 -12 congregations in the church in a geographic area.
***Ladd accomplished a life time dream of purchasing a farm. Not a cow & pig farm. This is a deer and wild turkey hunting farm. We are now the proud owners of 200 acres of prime South Carolina hunting ground. My boys now spend their free time hunting, bushhogging (mowing) grass, riding four-wheelers, and fixing deer tree stands. They love staying over night in the hunting lodge that is on the property. A true man-house.
*Finished the summer-long project of landscaping backyard and getting our pool in.

SEPTEMBER:
*Labor Day brought all eight kids, spouses, & grand-babies home for a long weekend. We had a great time and enjoyed getting the annual family picture taken---NOT!!! I appreciate the patience on the part of my three wonderful sons-in-law that put up with this ordeal each year.
*Celebrated grand-daughter---Addison Turok's first birthday on the 14th.
*Attended one JV high school football game, one 8th grade football game, & one varsity high school cross country meet weekly. Luckily the twins, Christian and Cameron play on the same 8th grade team.
*The Hall Hotel opened once again to long time Nucor friends, Curtis and Marilyn Broadbent who were in Charlotte for Curtis' Nucor Retirement recognition dinner.

OCTOBER:
*Football & Cross country were still in full swing.
*Made a cross country trip back to Utah with Ashley to see if the Utah job market for her was any better than the Charlotte market.
*Caught the autumn colors in the Appalachians---New England has nothing on North Carolina and Tennessee this time of year.

NOVEMBER:
*Finished up football and cross country.
*Wrestling for Alex, Christian, & Cameron and winter track for Nicholas began.
*Prime time for autumn leaves in Charlotte---absolutely gorgeous!!!
*Thanksgiving was celebrated by inviting several young couples from our church who couldn't go home for this holiday, to dinner. Our own four daughters were celebrating with in-laws or friends in their respective areas. We were also fortunate to be able to have our niece, Britni Hall Watkins and her husband, Nate and baby, Tucker come for Turkey Day from Ohio State where Nate is attending dental school. They brought along another couple, Kevin and Allie Bowcutt who are also in dental school. Coincidentally Kevin is the son of long time Nucor friends and one time neighbors, Jay and Ethel Bowcutt from Perry, Utah.
*Cameron injured tendon muscle in his neck---has to sit two weeks of wrestling.

DECEMBER:
*Successful wrestling season---lots and lots of "PINS" going our way.
*Cameron re-injures tendon muscle---now sits till after the holiday season.
*Lynsee & Mike make the move to Tennessee for graduate school.
*This Christmas will bring a visit from my mom from Utah, seven of eight children home for the holidays, and lots of fun to be had between the house in Charlotte and the farm in South Carolina. A ski day in Boone, NC---I know, I know, no comparison to the Utah white stuff but we have take what we can get.

As our family grows up and moves out of the house and out of our state, we cherish those moments we have together. We cherish our faith and belief in our Savior, Jesus Christ and our testimony of His restored gospel that is here upon this earth. We have a knowledge that we will have the opportunity to live together as a family forever.

This year has been a wonderful year in so many aspects and yet a very sad one as well as we have felt the loss of two very special friends, Josh Thomas of McClellanville, SC on Easter weekend in an ATV accident and our Bishop and Doctor, David Morrow of Mt. Pleasant, SC in mid-July to brain cancer. The lives of these two individuals have touched ours eternally and they will never be forgotten in our minds and hearts.

We love all of you and wished we had the opportunity to spend more time with you but know, that we think of our family and friends often and the part you have played in our lives.

Have a very Merry Christmas and may 2009 be a year of joy for you. We will welcome another grand-daughter into our family. Brad & Emily are expecting in March---that is "JOY" to us.

Love,

Ladd, Sally, Ashley, Nicholas, Alex, Christian, & Cameron of North Carolina

Heather & Blaine of Mississippi

Emily, Brad, Macey, & ??? of Utah

Lynsee, Mike, & Addison of Tennessee

2008 Christmas Letter

2008 Christmas Letter Coming Soon.....

Annual Utah Trip---Part One

We left July 3rd for our annual trip to Utah. We arrived---all baggage accounted for---courtesy of Delta Airlines. (Thanks Aunt Kathy for making sure we got all those suitcases---Aunt Kathy Klitgaard works for the Baggage Department of Delta). We arrived at Brad and Emily's all safe and sound and we able to stay in their newly finished basement. Brad and Em had been working day and night to get their basement finished in time for us to invade their home. The smell of new carpet and paint was nice. Dad Ladd got to work along side of Brad to finish up the finishing touches---am I rhyming or what.

We enjoyed a wonderful Fourth of July in Park City with the Smoot aunts, uncles, & cousins riding the Alpine Coaster and Zip Line. Toddlers Macey Miller, Brianna Udy, and Keaton Klitgaard enjoyed riding the baby carousel---sorry no pictures---I'm not sure what happened to time. I DID take plenty.

On Saturday, July 5th a Robert A. & Karen J. Smoot reunion was held at the Little Bear River Resort in Paradise, Utah known more commonly as "The Bottoms". We had a enjoy a great meal and conversation and then a tour was given by Uncle Kam Klitgaard of the upcoming haunted forest that will be available this fall at the Little Bear River Resort. Kam and Uncle Kenny Smoot have been working hard to develop and prepare this spooky experience for anyone brave enough to come to Paradise during October. For more information about this event check out the Little Bear River Resort's website. (A little free advertising for you, Ken and Kam)

Attendees:

Grandma Karen Smoot

Sally & Ladd Hall, Heather & Blaine Edwards, Emily, Brad, & Macey Miller, Ashley, Nicholas, Alex, Christian, & Cameron

Peggy & Roger Curtis, McKell

Mike & Angie Smoot, Thatcher, Rylee, Payton

Matt & Cindy Smoot, Zach, Megan, Landon, & Abby

Kathy & Kam Klitgaard, Kortney, Keaton

Becky & Mark Udy, Brianna

(Sorry for any mis-spellings of names)

On Sunday, July 6th we attended the baby blessing of Tucker Nathan Watkins, son of cousin Britni Hall Watkins and husband Nathan Watkins in Ogden. We got to visit with many Hall aunts, uncles, and cousins. The best part of the afternoon was the homemade by Nate's dad's chocolate chip homemade icecream cookies. YUMMY but oh so SWEET.

Immediately following the after-blessing dinner we headed for St. George for a mini-vacation within the vacation. We took the opportunity to stop in Holden, Utah to visit with the Randy & Joyce Coats family. Randy and Joyce traveled to Russia with us some 12 years ago to adopt their daughter, Masha at the same time we adopted our son, Alex. Joyce had prepared some huge chocolate covered strawberries for a snack---another YUMMY but oh so SWEET treat.

We arrived very late that night at the home of Aunt Becky and Uncle Mark Udy who live near St. George in Washington, Utah. A perfect host and hostess and beautiful home made our stay wonderful. Uncle "DR." Mark even diagnosed my pinched nerve/bulging neck disc that had begun to plague me some few days before. After a diagnosis and some wonderful drugs the pain was temporarily releaved so that the rest of the trip could be enjoyed. Cousins Nic, Alex, Christian, and Cameron got aquainted with little Brianna, Mark & Becky's little 2 year old daughter. I have to admit---Christian definitely won Brianna's attention and heart.

Day One in St. George was spent touring the church history sites in St. George: the Brigham Young winter home, St. George Tabernacle, St. George Temple and Marv's. Marv's is NOT a church history site but it's yummy burgers made the long hot day much more bearable.

The Family in front of the St. George Temple.

Cameron, Alex, Nic, Christian---Front Row

Macey, Emily, Sally, Ladd, Ashley---Back Row

Grandma Smoot, Becky & Brianna taking the picture

Grandpa Ladd taking control of Macey

or maybe it is the other way around,

Macey taking controlof Grandpa

Mom & Daughter Moment

Another Mom & Daughter Moment

Nucor in New York

Each June we have the opportunity to attend a steel convention in NYC. It is a time of a lot of fun for me and a lot of work for Ladd. Ladd's bosses wife, Marianne Ferriola is the perfect hostess and always plans a fun time for us. This year we shopped shopped shopped and toured Ellis and Liberty Islands. It was a very emotional day as we heard the stories of these brave immigrants who faced so many hardships and trials to come to the United States. They were indeed men and women of courage. We also took in a Broadway Show---"Young Frankenstein". Sorry Allan and Corinne, I didn't get a chance to catch up with you this trip. Marianne had our schedule pretty tight. We'll be back to watch Corinne when she lands that Broadway role in "Wicked". Keep up those auditions, Lady.

Nucor Ladies Touring Liberty & Ellis Islands

Me, Judy Hill, Marianne Ferriola, Trudy Dickerson, Rhonda Bloom

Lady Liberty in all her glory...

I wonder how many Nucor Employees would work for these wages...

Don't Die Of Shock---The Halls are back a bloggin'

We know, we know, it HAS been a while. What can we say.....we have a very busy life and YES, blogging has not been one of our priorities although we know it needs to be.

Everyone tells is that if we blog we can count it as our journal writing and family history keeping. We are glad there is repentance in this world and with Heather's help we are going to get this blogging thing figured out. Emily has graciously stepped us through each of our previous blogs and done a wonderful job at it. Heather is currently staying with us while Blaine is attending some training sessions in Brunswick, Georgia so she is determined to get us back on line. Stay tune and hold onto your seats----it is going to be exciting. In the words of the most famous southerner ever---Scarlet O'Hara---tomorrow is another day. Catch you then.......

Alex Hall Graduates from Eighth Grade

On Friday, June 6th, 2008, Alexander Robert Hall marched with the rest of the eighth grade as the first graduating class of the new Marvin Ridge Middle School. Alex looked very studly in his handsome blue shirt and bright orange tie which by-the-way he ripped off from out of Nicholas' closet. He looked very patriotic since blue and orange are the Marvin Ridge school colors.

Nicholas Hall on Stage @ Marvin Ridge High School

Marvin Ridge High School presented its first (Marvin Ridge is a new school) annual Spring Concert starring Nicholas Hall. Nic appeared along with fellow classmates in a fun and entertaining concert held in the school auditorium on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008. The concert featured music selections from classical to Broadway. Nicholas has a beautiful baratone voice and loves to get into the beat of the music.

A Sad Day

Our family experienced a sad day a couple of Fridays ago when we had to say good-bye to our cute little weiner dogs. The adjustment to moving proved to be just too much for our little dashshunds. Ivan started becoming a "nipper" nippying anyone who came into our home. Unfortunately while out walking the dogs, Nicholas let them run into the front yard of a neighbor down the street. He also allowed the dogs to do "their business" on her yard. When she came out to ask Nicholas to not allow the dogs to walk on her yard, Ivan decided to give her leg a bite. Not a pretty picture. Even though the lady was more than gracious on her part especially since our dog had sunk his teeth into her leg, she did ask that we either get rid of them or she would be forced to report them to the local authorities. She was actually Ivan's eighth victim. After several phone calls and inquiries I took them out to the Union County Animal Shelter who places dogs for adoption. They told me that they would be able to place our puppies with a family in the Monroe, NC area. Some unmentioned names of our family were happy to have our little dogs gone and others of us have missed them terribly.

The Halls are Back On Line

Sorry all y'all. We have been taking a little break from the blogging thing mostly due to lack of time and lack of computers. A worm got the best of both of our computers and we were without both of our computers for two weeks....TWO WEEKS....the longest two weeks of our lives. If you want to know how dependent you are on your computers just try going without them. We are now back up and functioning and life is beginning to calm a bit now that school is coming to a close and all but one of our end-of-the-year projects are done. Now to the updating of our lives........

He Did It Again........

Alex added another first place trophy to his wrestling trophy and medals collection this past Easter weekend. He wrestled in the Southern Nationals Tournament at the Carrabus Center located near Concord, NC (Home of Nascar in North Carolina) on Saturday, March 22nd. He easily took his first place prize by pinning each of his opponents in the first round. I guess all that weight training and wrestling practice are paying off.

We had a good time as well with the Tracy and Becky Eidson Family from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Tracy and Becky are very good friends and their son, Blake is Alex's best friend. We met the Eidsons through wrestling a few years ago. Tracy and Becky brought Blake up to wrestle in this same tournament. Unfortunately for Blake, he injured his wrist and lower arm during his first match. He did go on to win that match but definitely could not go on in the tournament. We think we are looking at a good old sprain. The Eidsons spent the Easter weekend with us.

We also got to hook up with some other good old wrestling friends, Mike and DeeDee Sanders and their son Ellison. Ellison also went on to win first place in his weight class. The Sanders used to live in Mt. Pleasant as well but now live in the Greenville, SC area.

Great wrestling and Easter weekend.

Nic lands "TWO" dates to Charlotte Church Prom

The evening is Saturday, March 15th, 2008. The air is warm. Pears trees are blooming like popcorn popping in the gentle breeze. A perfect night for a Prom. Nicholas is looking handsome in his black tux and ready to take on the town. It is the night for the annual five stake Prom for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a night where youth ages 16 - 18 will gather for the annual dance from the four corners of the greater Charlotte area. This prom is unique in the fact that there will only be those who have committed to live the standards outlined in the "For The Strength Of Youth" pamphlet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints admitted into this dance. No sleeveless, plunging neckline prom dresses for the Young Women to wear. Beautifully Modest is the theme for this dance. Young Men will equally be asked to look neat and clean in appearance. There will be an absence of inappropriate music and alcohol and a tasty punch and light refreshments will be served. Youth of each ward will attend dinner together at a local restaurant prior to the dance with their Bishop and his wife and other Youth Leaders. Date or no date is the order of the night. Following the dance, youth will be escorted home in the same Bishop/Youth Leader chaperoned carpools that they came with. What more can a parent ask....clean, wholesome, chaperoned fun. Nic placing corsage #1 on Dena, a Laurel, from our Waxhaw, NC Ward.
Nicholas placing corsage #2 on Dena's cousin from El Salavador who is visiting with Dena's family for a few weeks. Neither girl had a date and Nic was dateless himself so he decided to ask them both.....who says pologamy is not alive and well in the Mormon Church. HA HA!!!

Ashley Graduates from Ameritech

Ashley graduated from Ameritech College on Friday, March 14th, 2008. The graduation ceremony was held in "THE BARN" at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. Attending were Dad and Mom from Charlotte, NC, Brad, Emily, & Macey Miller from Perry, UT and Grandma Karen Smoot from Brigham City, UT. She received a certification in Dental Assisting. Ashley will be starting a internship with local Utah Valley Dentists the middle of April and will be completing it sometime the end of June. We are excited for Ashley and proud of her and all of her hard work. Ashley has not only been carrying a full load of credits including lab time but is also currently working a 32 hour week in Park City for Resorts West, a Deer Valley based vacation management business. Ashley makes the trek through Provo Canyon to Park City four times a week for a eight hour shift. She is looking forward to her new position of employee rather than student. Future plans are to work for a bit and then look into attending Dental Hygienist School in a year or so. A graduation dinner at "The Roof" in Salt Lake City was enjoyed by Ashley, family, and two of her friends, Leslie Goltra from Mt. Pleasant, SC, currently attending Brigham Young University and Ashtan Evans, also from Mt. Pleasant, currently attending the University of Utah.

Spring has come to the Carolinas---maybe not officially but it is getting green and flowers are in bloom and trees are beginning to bud---YEAH!!!
We will be glad to be able to spend more time outdoors. We have had a winter of sinus infections, fevers, sore throats, chills, and missing school. Even Ladd the Dad took a day off work last Thursday for being sick which NEVER happens.

Heather and Blaine have been here this weekend. Blaine had a conference for his work in Atlanta, Georgia all last week and rented a car and drove the 3 1/2 hours to Charlotte after his conference finished on Thursday evening. He had rough duty driving. When he went to rent his car from Avis, he explained to them that he needed a car to drive to Charlotte and then drop it there because he had a flight home. He also explained to them that he needed the cheapest car they had. It just so happens that Avis needed to get a white Ford Convertable Mustang to the Charlotte area and told Blaine that if he would drive it for them they would give him the cheap car price. DEAL OR NO DEAL!!! I think y'all know what Blaine did---lucky for him it was one of those picture perfect spring days and that convertable felt pretty good as he went flying up I-85 between Atlanta and Charlotte.

Heather drove down from Virginia Friday afternoon after school.

As you may or may not know, Blaine and Heather are doing the split-living thing right now. Blaine took an position with the Georgia Pacific Lumber Company in January. The mill he is working at in located in Columbia, Mississippi. YES, I said M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I. Southern Mississippi to boot. They will be located in the DEEP south. Heather will join him in June when her school year gets over. She is in her second year of teaching a Special Needs Preschool class. Blaine is working as their Reliability Manager. His responsibilities include developing ways to improve productivity, quality, etc. He is absolutely LOVING his job. He will be more excited when his Southern Belle finally gets to join him.

We spent today at the boys' Stake YM Basketball games. Our ward has a great team and have got a 5 - 1 win/loss record on the year. Today was the stake tournament. They won their first game in a nail biter in overtime. Alex scored 12 of their 22 points. Nicholas was a leading rebounder, Cameron is one of the toughest on defense and Christian is all over the court in their faces. It is fun having four boys on the team because one of them is always placing and at one point today their were four Halls in the game at the same time. Our second game did not go so well. We lost in a big fashion. No one could hit their free-throws and they played a very well put-together team. That loss finishes their 2008 season.

Ladd and I are continuing today to fight sinus infections and headaches. I told him we were becoming big fuddy-duddies. We sent the boys with Heather and Blaine to the movie "10,000 B.C." tonight while we staying home and nursing our pains.

We are looking forward to day-light saving time which by-the-way changes TONIGHT. I love longer evenings and warm summer breezes. Can't wait to warm up that grill and cook some burgers---YUM!!!!

Tagged by Tammy

ABC TAG
A - Attached or single? Attached to Ladd & Red Hats
B - Best friends? Ladd, my girls, my sisters
C - Cake or pie? Totally Pie---any kind but cherry, rhubarb, mincemeat
D - Day of choice? Sunday---The Lord's day of rest and I use that to my advantage
E - Essential Items? Mascara, my red planner, my cell phone and my tiny copy of the Book of Mormon
F- Favorite clothing item? Comfortable Shoes
G - Greatest ambition in life? To be a "Popular" BYU Education Speaker and sing in the Tabernacle Choir
H - Hometown? WEST Corinne, UT!
I - Indulgence? Going to lunch with friends, Diet Coke, shopping at Deseret Book
J - Jan. or July? JULY---hands down. I HATE WINTER AND COLD. That's why I am NEVER leaving the South except if I ever get to speak at BYU or sing in the Tabernacle Choir
K - Kids? Heather, Blaine, Emily, Brad, Macey (grand-KID), Lynsee, Mike, Addison (grand-KID), Ashley, Nicholas, Alex, Christian, & Cameron
Life isn't complete without? Family & Diet Coke
M - Movie? "Move Over Darling" with Doris Day and James Garner---the first movie I ever saw
N - Number of bros and sis? 3 Brothers and 3 Sisters.
O - Oranges or apples? No Contest---APPLES
P - Phobia or fear? SNAKES SNAKES SNAKES
Quote? "The Day Obedience Becomes Your Quest Rather Than Your Irritation Is The Day You Gain Power" & "Attitude IS ALTITUDE"
R - Reason to smile? Daffodils & Tulips
S- Season of choice? Spring or Fall---it is a toss up---both are wonderful!!!
T - TV shows? General Conference and the BYU TV Station---sorry it is the ONLY time I watch TV
Unknown fact about me? I like to wander around Barnes & Noble (really any bookstore) because it makes me feel intelligent
V - Vegetable? I LOVE vegetables PERIOD---not one is my favorite
W - Worst habit? I HATE asking people for help
X - ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound.
Y - Your favorite food? I like it ALL except for MUSHROOMS & MUSSELS.
Z - Zodiac sign? Aries

I tag Carole, Janna, Veda, Pam

Catch--Up Time

I know, I know---I am a slacker in the blogging world. What can I say? I have been unpacking a house, helping four teenagers with homework that is WAY beyond my comprehension and understanding, being called to be a Relief Society Teacher in our church, being called to be the Missionary Meal coordinator in our church, planning a birthday party for Christian and Cameron's 13th birthday which was on February 26th---sorry no pictures---we hadn't found the camera since the move as of their birthday---found it just in time for the wrestling picture, attending the Nucor Corporate Meetings & shopping and playing with the other Nucor wives, picking up boys from wrestling practice and afterschool tutoring, making dinner for a sick family in our church, keeping up with emails, did I mention unpacking, hanging pictures, YES---shopping for a little new furniture, getting all four cars licensed and inspected in North Carolina---you try standing in those DMV lines, and yes unpacking. Are you tired yet? Needless to say---the slackness in my blog. Lucky for me that there is repentance in this world and I am here to say that I am going to try and do a little better from here on out.

Spring had made it to the Carolinas until this past week when Mother Nature played a dirty trick and threw a little snow our way. I haven't lived in snow for so long that I had almost forgot what it was. I looked out the window of our den last Tuesday morning while I was typing emails and darned if it wasn't snowing. It did stick or anything exciting like that but it did look pretty coming down. I must admit it was fun to see but I was equally glad when it warmed up to a more spring-like 70's today. The flowers and trees are coming into bloom in the Carolinas and it a beautiful time to be here.

We are doing great and adjusting well to our new situation. The boys have finally given Charlotte a thumbs up and are enjoying their new school and friends. Ladd is enjoying his new job but it does keep him hopping and busy. He loves being in on some of the exciting plans that are in store for the future of Nucor. Good times ahead for this steel company.

We now have our guest rooms ready to go-----no blinds on the windows yet----but they are coming. Beds are made and mints are ready.

Give us a call when you make it this way......our door is always open.

Four Pins = North Carolina State Title @ 130 lbs. for Alex

Saturday, March 1st, 2008 was an exciting day for Alex. He won his first state title in North Carolina at the State AAU Middle School Championship held on the beautiful campus of Applachian State University in Boone, NC. He pinned his first three matches in the 1st round. The championship match was a bit tougher and he didn't get the pin until the second round and then only after being nearly pinned himself. He was wrestling a boy that he had wrestled the week before at a tournament that was held in Concord, NC----home to the Lowe's Motor Speedway for you NASCAR buffs. He beat this same kid at the Concord tournament by a major decision 18 - 3. Alex has enjoyed getting back into wrestling mode and we will head to Wake Forest University this weekend for yet another AAU Tournament.

Two Weeks & Counting

Last Friday marked two weeks in our new home. Unfortunately there are still boxes to be unpacked and junk to be de-junked. The garbage men have loved us these past two weeks---NOT. I thought our garbage pile last Monday looked pretty scarey but this week's pile looks almost as daunting. We have finally unpacked all of the wardrobe big bulky boxes. All we have left are little ones but there are still plenty of those. I lost my unpacking helper last Friday. Emily and grandbaby Macey flew in from Utah a couple of days after we arrived and were able to stay for 10 days to help with the unpacking process.
Macey had her first birthday on January 3rd. Where has this year gone? She is getting so grown up and trying to walk. We did take one day to go play. We traveled the hour's drive to Hickory, NC---one of the many furniture capitals in North Carolina. We were able to purchase some new furniture to replace some of our very old and very well used stuff. We had a lot of fun and also stayed within our allotted budget---well at least so far. Don't panic honey.
The boys are adjusting well to their new situation. Alex still hates us and probably will for a little longer but oh well, what's new about a teenager hating their parents. He actually hasn't had it too bad. He was invited by a young lady in our church to attend her school's basketball game along with some of the other church youth. I know he was flattered by the invitation even though he won't admit it. His school's wrestling coach, who just happened to be one of his teachers, took a look Alex's muscles on the first day of school and asked if he was a wrestler. The coach was more than excited to learn that he was and Alex has been practicing with the team ever since. They are preparing for the state tournament in a couple of weeks. Alex says that if the talent at his school is any indication of the talent in the state tournament, he should do very well I quietly reminded him to remember to be humble, even the great ones fall---look at the Patriots.
Nicholas, Christian, & Cameron are all doing fine. They miss their Charleston friends but are enjoying their new friends too.
Our new ward is great. Very very very friendly. Ladd got a new calling a week ago Sunday. He is the Gospel Doctrine teacher. He thoroughly enjoys teaching the scriptures so he will do well. I am still in rest mood and I am enjoying that role for the moment while trying to get our home in order.
Needless to say, all is going well and the people of North Carolina are equally as friendly as their cousins to the south. Just a reminder to any or all who may come to visit from Utah.....there are two airlines that offer direct flights from SLC to Charlotte......US Air and Delta. Once you get here......room and board are on us.

WE MADE IT!!!!!!

WE MADE IT.........United Vans Lines did a GREAT job dodging storms to complete our move. They were able to load everything from inside the house on a bright sunny SC day. Day 2 of loading didn't go so well. They had to load everything from the garage in the pouring rain.......poor mover guys. We pulled out of the Charleston area on Thursday night, January 17th. We stayed in a Courtyard by Marriot courtesy of our daughter Emily (who works for Marriott). She got us a great discount which saved Nucor some money since they were picking up the tab anyway. That's Ladd, always looking for the little ways to save a penny. The Courtyard would be our home for the next two nights.

Our new home

Here's a few pictures of the new abode:

On the Road AGAIN . . .

After 7 1/2 wonderful years living in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (near Charleston) we are moving . . . AGAIN . . . this time to the Charlotte, NC area. We will now be splitting the distance between the mountains and the ocean. We will still be the Carolina Cousins.
On January 14th (Ladd's 51st Birthday) United Van Lines will once again pull up to our door, pack our belongings and move us up the road. By Friday, the 18th we will be in Charlotte unloading the truck and moving into our new home on Wingfoot Drive.