Hallie’s Stats

Weight: 11lbs 10 oz. (51 percentile)

Height: 22 1/2 inches (33 percentile) Did you expect otherwise? 🙂

Well it’s been a little over a week now and I am finally posting about my trip to Utah.  I was there for two weeks and missed Ben the entire time. I was able to see all my family a few times and several of my friends.  Most importantly I was able to meet my new sister in law and Ben’s family was able to meet Hallie.

For the first time the Crane’s met Hallie I had originally planned to ring the door bell and leave Hallie on the  doorstep.  However, they were all waiting for me and when I pulled up Tyler heard my car and met me outside.  Everyone was there except Kyle, (Ben’s dad) who was at work, and of course the two missionaries. They all jumped up as soon as we walked in the door and proceeded to take Hallie out of her car seat.  They were all beaming with joy and even laughing.  They couldn’t believe how beautiful Hallie was.  For the next 20 min they fought over who was going to hold her next.  Then Kyle came home and instantly started laughing as soon as he walked through the door and saw all of us.  He went straight to Hallie and disrupted the “holding order” that had been arranged.  I stayed late that night so they could memorize her face.  Throughout the two weeks I tried to spend as much time as I could over at the Crane’s.  I slept over a couple times and went to Church with them so they could show off their new grand baby.  (Remember Hallie is the first!) It was great to spend so much time with them.  However, I’m sure they would have liked more. The whole trip they kept saying how intelligent, alert, and strong Hallie was. They have picked her out to be the teacher’s pet and the next Reese Witherspoon. I couldn’t have asked for better in laws. Thanks guys for everything!!

The first time the Crane’s met Hallie.

The Crane’s weren’t the only ones to meet Hallie for the first time.  She had a lot of introductions to make.

Popa and Chenie (My grandparents)

Great Grandma and Grandpa Romrell

Her cousin Brooklyn (Brookie is 2 months older)

Her cousin Kaizer (It was his 1st birthday)

Hallie also met many of my friends.  However, there are so many more we didn’t get to see. Kindred, Pack, Michele, Alesha, Honivah, Bree, and the Vests you are all on my list for Christmas!! (Did I miss anyone?)

Tiffany (Hallie’s Auntie T and my best friend)

Britty (I forgot how much I love you Britt!

No one can make me laugh quite like you.)

Lisa (Who just happens to be one of the most amazing photographers!)

Pooka  (a.k.a Kristen a.k.a Single girl livin’ it up)

The Freshman Clan (Tiffany and Emily or BFT and EmC)

Thanks you guys for driving down and making time to see me and Hallie. (Not pictured Lena and Shanna.)     I loved it and am so grateful to have such amazing friends. I miss you all out here in DC.  Anyone want to come visit? I’ll provide food and an air mattress. 🙂

Along with meeting new people Hallie also got to do some new things.

Learn Geography from Grandma

Nap with Uncle Tyler

Ride a Lawn Mower with Dad

Spend the night at a friends cabin

We had sooooo much fun in Utah. We can’t wait for Christmas so we can go back and have Ben stay with us. (Boy did we miss him!) Thanks Nanna and Grandpa for buying our plane tickets and making the trip possible. We love you and miss you tons. (Especially Hallie-she cries for you all the time!!)

The highlight of my trip to Utah was my little brother’s wedding.  Shortly after moving to DC Ben and I received a phone call from my brother Chris telling us that we needed to get another family picture taken because he was getting married.  This came as a huge shock to us because we didn’t even know he was dating anyone.  When Chris and my parents came out to visit when Hallie was born I can honestly say that I have never seen Chris so happy.

Chris and Katrina were married on October 18, 2008.  They had a beautiful ceremony and a phenomenal reception.  It was great to see the family and friends who came to congratulate the happy couple.  Katrina seems to fit Chris really well. She is beautiful, active and independent.  We love her and welcome her into the family. Thanks Katrina for making Chris happy.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Romrell

The Crane’s (at the beginning)

The Crane’s (at the end)

Upset Hallie

Stressed Mom

Grandpa Crane’s joke

Hallie’s Auntie T

My cousin Tiffany found this adorable penguin costume in Utah for 8 bucks. It was a little big but with Hallie’s size every costume would have been.  Unfortunately she and I are both fighting colds this Halloween which means we don’t get to show her off.  So here we are in our usual spot-Hallie nursing and me typing.  Hopefully next year will be better.  Happy Halloween everyone!

While my parents were in town we went to Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is George Washington’s old estate.  It sits on the Potomac River and is beautiful. The weather was great but the lines were long. His house sits on quite a few acres of land and is extravagant even for today.  He had a house for not only his servants but also for his guest’s servants. We didn’t get to spend as much time as we would like to walking around the museums.  They are amazing!  Good thing we bought season passes-we’ll be back.  Anyone want to come?

Visiting George Washington’s home made me wonder, “With everything going on today, would he be proud of the Country that he is considered the father of?”

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we give our babies a blessing when they are infants. We dressed Hallie up like a little princess and Ben gave her a beautiful blessing. He blessed Hallie with health, honesty and a love for all people, among other things. We were able to invite our friends and family out in the DC area and we had a great turn out. We are so grateful to be surrounded be such good people who support us. What was really neat for me was that I got to see some of my friends from my mission who I hadn’t seen in a year and a half. It was Fabulous!! Thanks again every one for coming!

My parents splurged and bought plane tickets so that they could be there when their first grand baby was blessed and I’m so glad they did! They flew in on Friday and we blessed Hallie that Sunday. It was a quick trip but they needed to get back for my brother’s wedding. (I will post pictures of their trip later.) My mom was a huge help when it came to the luncheon that we had after the blessing. She throws such great parties!! Thanks again Mom!!

All and all it was a wonderful day. Hallie looked beautiful and Ben and I were overwhelmed at how much we love our little girl and how much the Lord loves her too. We are grateful she is our daughter and can’t imagine life without her.

Here are some pictures of Hallie in her dress.

As I have thought about 6 things people don’t know about me I realized that I’m not sure who knows me best. I think different people know different aspects of me. Heck, I don’t even know the “whole” me.

1. I am a germ freak.  Some of you may know this. However, did you know that I have a sixth sense of being able to feel the germs on my hands. It’s true I can actually feel them and until I can wash them off it’s all I can think about.

2. I hope to write and publish a book one day.

3. Since I was 14 I have wanted to be an inspirational speaker.

4. I’m OCD when it comes to washing my hands.  I soap and then rinse and then have to do it a second time- just to make sure.

5.  I am always afraid of inconveniencing people. Often I would rather suffer than ask for help. (However, I never seem to have a problem asking my parents or BF Tiffany for things.  Yet at times I’m sure they wish I did.)

6. I am very competitive.  When someone thinks of a good idea or answer I get upset that I didn’t think of it first.

There you have it. I tag Shanna, Marci, Bree, and Lindsie

This past Saturday we took our little family to see Great Falls Park. It is where the Potomac river divides Maryland and Virginia. Hallie was really good until she wanted to eat just as we were leaving. (Add nursing in the car to my list.) Everyone kept owing and awing at Hallie- asking how old she was etc. Wherever we go Hallie always introduces us to new people. Now I can see why guys use babies to pick up on women. haha

That’s right I’m coming to Utah!  My little bro is getting married October 18th (crazy I know).  I’m flying in Oct. 13th and will stay until the 28th.  I’m hoping that I get the chance to see everyone so please text me so we can arrange something.  I should be free as a bird!  I can’t wait only another month. Boy do I need this trip!!!!