The Last Two Days

I've had the last two days off and spent them with Kim. Last night we watched Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and tonight we watched Chuck after Logan's baseball game. I love spending time with my wife. If I'm not called for overtime tomorrow, we'll be spending another evening together.

Whispers is selling on Amazon.com which I'm grateful for. Thanks to those who have purchased it and I sincerely hope you enjoy the read.

Redlands Temple

Kim and I at the Redlands California Temple a few months before we were married in the Logan Temple.

Mixed Emotions

I've been a huge University of Utah football fan for 26 years. I have to admit, when I was attending the U in the early to mid 80's I actually rooted for BYU, embarassing I know. When the cougs won the national championship in 84 I switched and became a devout die hard fan of the Utes. The change came because of BYU fans, they believed they were the best team in the country when in reality they were the only team to go undefeated...against inferior opponents. Washington was the best team in the country that year as well as several others being much better than BYU. The cougs won the Holiday Bowl to win the national championship against a Michigan team that came in 4th in the BIG10 that year. Anyway, to make a long story longer, It's all Utah now and has been since my misguided youth. I've been right there when they won two BCS bowls and also when they haven't done so well. Now, my middle daughter Amber, attends BYU as a freshman. I want to cheer when BYU starts out 2010 at 1-3 but I do feel bad for my daughter. No matter how the Cougs do, I hope Amber enjoys her time there and catches the spirit...oh yeah, and I hope the Utes cream them in November.....!!!!!!!!

Good day in Sports !!!!

Eleven years ago was the last time the Texas Rangers made it to the playoffs in Major League Baseball. Today, they clinched the game that will send them back. Texas Rangers, the American League West Division Champions !!!!!!!

also.....The University of Utah is playing San Jose State at Rice Eccles Stadium, sure wish I could be there. The Utes are 3-0 so far this season with some very tough games still on their schedule including Notre Dame, BYU, Air Force, and TCU.....Go Utes !!!

Bachelorhood

Tomorrow afternoon, saturday, will be a bachelor for about 36 hours. Kim is going home to visit friends and family and I'll be stuck in Texas doing my real job. I pray for her safe trip and hope she looks forward to returning to me as much as I look forward to having her return.

Two exciting things today !!!!

First and more important, I'm so excited and proud for Kim, she is now an official Webelos leader in our local ward/pack. Her family goes way back in scouting from her father, brother, and even nephews and now she can take part in the great tradition. Second, I have 20 copies of "Whispers from the Past" that were delivered today. No more proofs, no more test runs...this is the real thing. I think Kim probably looks better in her uniform than anyone I've ever seen. Good luck to her, I know the Webelos will love her.

a LONG work week comes to a close

Nothing like getting home from a great vacation and going back to work. Tonight marks the end of my 52 hour work week after returning from Belgium. So many things are on my mind. Kim is leaving for Cali this weekend and I always miss her so much but at the same time I know how much she misses her family and friends so I try not to complain. I wrote two pages of the Ireland book tonight and feel pretty good about the direction it's going. I haven't really written anything for three years so for me this is exciting. Anyway, tomorrow finally a day off and I'm celebrating by going to the dentist and home teaching. The bridgework I had done in the mission field 28 years ago is giving up the ghost. Pffft, and they said it would only last 15 years.   :)

My Favorite Picture

This picture was taken in May at Keukenhof Garden outside of Amsterdam. The garden itself is only open for 8 weeks to visitors and displays every imaginable Tulip you could ever think of.

The Eye of Magog ?????

Okay, now I need some help. I'm currently writing a novel in the Kylee/Daniel series and I've tentatively chosen the title to be "The Eye of Magog". Without knowing the story, how does this title sound? Obviously since I've only written about a quarter of the story there is time to change it....Please give me your opinions. Oh, and BTW, this description on the back of the book is not what happens, just something I wrote so I could complete the cover.

Places

Those who know me know I love to travel. As I've said before, my stories are inspired by places I've seen. I would have to say one of the most interesting places I've been to, and probably the most unique and of mysterious history, is Machu Picchu in Peru. I took my oldest daughter Megan there in March of 2003. My second book, "The Inca Prophecy", takes place within the walls of the mountain citidel as well as some other Inca locations. I really enjoyed my time there with Megan. I think it was one of our best trips. "Whispers from the Past" was dedicated to my parents. "The Inca Prophecy" will be dedicated to Megan when its finally printed.

Another week has disappeared

It's saturday again. This means tomorrow starts a new week. As I reflect back over the week now ending I'm so grateful for everything I have. This week we returned safely from Belgium and now everything, or almost everything, is back to normal. I'm back at work. I'm reading the Old Testament again...only 84 pages left, I'm almost back to writing book 4, and I'm loving and adoring my wife Kim more than I can express. She is my biggest support and generally just enjoyable to be around. She says she is comfortable in her "nerdom" but I know she is very cool even though she is always looking for greenmen in Europe's architecture and that she enjoys brass rubbing. (may need to explain this one later) Thanks Kim for saving me! I love you!

Life is Good !!

Most of the way through my shift on my first night back to work. Already thinking of what we will do next. Kim and I hope to go to Morocco in October. Next year we are planning on taking Heather to Scotland and Connor to either Austria or Panama. There is nothing like taking people you love to distant lands. Is there a book in any of this?.......I don't know, I guess we will see.

Ten day vacation from work comes to an end

This is it....tomorrow back to work! I have to say its been an enjoyable ten days. Not only did Kim, Logan, and I visit Belgium but the last day I've been in Utah visiting my kids and parents. I watched my awesome daughter Heather play volleyball for her school and spent some time with Connor at a park. I wish I had seen Amber but schedules did not work out. For sure next time. I also got to spend a little bit of time with mom and dad...on my way home now. I look forward to being with Kim and getting back to work to pay for my vacation.

Whispers from the Past now Available

Whispers from the Past is now available from Amazon.com's Create Space......I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it!    Purchase it at this link  http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Past-Chris-Hale/dp/1453724249/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284779522&sr=1-13

Whispers from the Past now Available

My first book, "Whispers from the Past", is now available at this link.....I hope all who read it enjoy it as much as I loved writing it.

https://www.createspace.com/3472130

Home from Belgium

Home from Belgium! What a wonderful vacation! I only wish I could have shared it with all of my children. I asked Kim what her favorite part was as we were driving home from the airport and she answered, Gravensteen Castle, the Brugge canal cruise, and meeting some friends, Rian and Marc, from the Netherlands. I agree completely. Here are some last pictures of our trip.

On another note....the 3rd proof of "Whispers from the Past" was waiting for me in my mailbox when we arrived home. One quick glance and then approval which will make my first story available on Amazon.com at this link    http://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Past-Chris-Hale/dp/1453724249/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284779522&sr=1-13

In Belgium and having a Great Time

In Belgium and having a great time. We spent the first night in Ghent and saw the coolest castle. The castle of the counts or Gravensteen Castle for those who speak Dutch. My favorite castle I've seen. We also took a canal cruise and climbed a huge tower that overlooked the entire city....252 steps. Now in Brugge and doing a lot of the same things, canal cruise, towers etc. Ghent and Brugge are both Medieval cities and we've enjoyed them a lot.

On our way !!!!

Well the stupid storm Hermine didn't deter us yet. Kim, Logan, and I are on a MD-80 at this minute on our way to Chicago. The flight is full and I have to admit I perspired a little worrying about getting on. We made it though and tomorrow with further luck we will be on our flight to Brussels. Everything is going good, Kim even purchased me a big cookie. No pictures yet but hopefully soon. We will be staying in Chicago overnight and maybe even have a chance to participate in their pizza.......

My job....well...the one I make money at

I've been an aviation maintenance technician for around 15 years for American Airlines. I work at DFW airport and currently my job is to either taxi airplanes from the terminal to the hangar or park the ones that are taxied. I also goldhofer airplanes which is a tractor that picks the nose wheels off the ground and then drags/pushes it to wherever you need it. This was an MD-80 in front of us when we brought an airplane over tonight. Working for the airline has given me the ability to travel...its because of the travel I've been inspired to write the Kylee/Daniel Richards stories. I love both my job with American and writing.

On Labor Day...In honor of my parents who are the greatest examples I know

This picture was taken when I worked for Eastern Airlines in the late 80's. I went to Barbados with my parents and had a great time. The flight schedule was not the greatest out of Salt Lake City and here we were on the way home after having flown all night. My parents are 88 and 85 as of this last June. I want them to know how much I love them and how badly I miss them with me living in Texas. They really are the two greatest people I know and did everything they could to raise me right. I hope in some small way my life's accomplishments will honor them. I have a long, long way to go to come close to what they deserve. They have labored for me their entire lives.

Third proof on the way, Whispers from the Past should be available in two weeks from Amazon.com or www.chrisahale.com

Daniel Richards and his eleven-year-old daughter Kylee travel to the Netherlands on a daddy/daughter vacation. While enjoying the usual sights around the country, they also witness several things that are terribly out of place: things that should have only been seen decades before. While attempting to piece the strange puzzle together, they are mysteriously transported back in time to Nazi-occupied Holland. As they attempt to survive their dangerous surroundings, they are sheltered by members of the Dutch resistance who are fighting to liberate their country from the grasp of the German occupying force. Kylee quickly befriends a mute Dutch girl, and Daniel shares his expertise in aviation with her freedom-fighting brother. Although they become separated, they work independently to preserve the textbook history of the days leading up to World War II.

Belgium...here we come?

I should expect stuff like this being an experienced non-rev traveler on American. It's still summer and as a result the flights to Belgium, let alone Chicago where we catch the plane to Belgium, are filling up. I think we will still make it but it always ads a little stress in my life whenever I leave the country and its like this. Keep fingers crossed for us please.

San Antonio with Kim and three of our children

Connor with Sea World Lorakeet

Logan with Sea World Lorakeet

Now me with the kids at the Alamo

Kim, Logan, Connor, and Heather at Sea World San Antonio

Heather with Sea World Sea Lions

Connor at Schlitterbahn

Logan and Kim at Schlitterbahn

In June we had a family vacation to San Antonio. The difference between this trip and most we take is we actually drove a car on this one. We were able to stay at the Hyatt right on the Riverwalk which was a perfect location right next to the Alamo but unfortunately construction/renovation to the hotel was a pain. Here are some pictures of us at Seaworld, the Alamo, and Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels Texas

Leaving the country again on tuesday or wednesday

Either Tuesday or Wednesday we are leaving for Belgium. I've never been there before and I'm really looking forward to it. We will spend the first night or two in Ghent, home of the "Castle of the Counts" or Gravensteen Castle. We will then head to Bruges/Brugge (seen it spelled both ways) for two nights. Bruges is like the Venice of the south with canals. We will then spend the last two days in Brussels seeing the sights there such as the Mini - Europe. Be back hopefully on the 14th of September

The Netherlands

The wingtip of our KLM A-330

The Weeping Tower in Amsterdam.

Kim with windmill at Keukenhof

Kim and me outside the Keukenhof Gardens

Kim over one of the canals in Amsterdam

Within Keukenhof Gardens...never seen so many tulips

Trying on a larger set of shoes in Keukenhof

The Village of Muiden....beautiful and picturesque

Kim over a canal in Muiden

Kim in front of Muiderslot Castle in Muiden

I've had the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands three times since February of 2000. I became so enamored with the country it was the inspiration I needed to start writing stories, which I've wanted to do since I was a kid. There is so much history and character within the cities and the countryside including famous museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank house. Also you can enjoy old churches and extraordinary architecture. Kim loves the countryside itself, the tulips at Kuekenhof, and even the door knobs. Here are some of the pictures we've taken. I hope you enjoy!