Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas everyone!

It has already been a wonderful break for the Ballard family. The girls were given two weeks off school and Dad received two days away from the hospital as well. The weather outside has been quite frightful (compared to what we are used too), however, we have attempted to utilize our time with fun activities, slipping in a bit of R and R as well. Football games (when the weather reaches fifty degrees), kid outings, movies (loved Disney's "Princess and the Frog"), lots of board games, and treat baking have been among our favorites.

I asked each of the kids to stand in front of their favorite gift.

They ALL stood in front of Thatch's castle. They love playing with this thing!

Didn't they like the socks?

Haley lovin' the rain. She is now a full time walker and can dance like no other.

(Video soon to come)

It has been an enjoyable few weeks of celebrating this Christmas season and above all the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ. How grateful we are for His life and the perfect example He has set for each of us. We hope that you and your families had a wonderful Christmas and enjoy a very Happy New Year too.

GWO

My Dad passed away about seven years ago and regardless of the frequent coaxing and constant pleas for Mom to move closer to family she has decided to stay put in the Albuquerque area. I think deep down she feels safe and comfortable in the home that her and Dad lived in for over thirty years. She visits the kids frequently but still gets lonely at home.

To help ease that loneliness, last weekend Steven and my awesome brother in law put both her daughters on a plane headed to Albuquerque for a "girls weekend out". I was pretty nervous about the whole idea seeing as I had never before left Steven and the kiddos alone. I had Haley J with me, which lessened the anxiety a bit and brought me great comfort when my Friday travel plans turned out to be a little bumpy. Alright, they went absolutely haywire, however, the three days that followed completely made up for any rocky start.

Quick travel recap:

Liz came from Utah and made it in record time. I came from Tennessee and what was suppose to happen verses what actually happened were two very different outcomes. I was to arrive in Abq. at 1pm, choosing Houston as my layover city so that no weather problems would arise. As it happens, Houston can indeed get snow and thus all flights were cancelled. We waited five hours, got put on a plane heading for Denver, sat on the runway for three hours, took off for a two hour flight, sat in Denver for two hours, took off for a one hour flight, and arrived in Abq. at 11pm - all the while holding Haley J in my lap. Ironically my luggage did not come off the plane but was discovered in a airport office the following day. Below is a visual of my excitement in finding the luggage.

Our main activities included shopping and eating, however, the quiet Sunday at church followed by visiting and baking together was definitely my favorite. It was a wonderful weekend and one that Liz and I are hoping to make an annual event

(nudge nudge wink wink to our wonderful hubbies).

I returned Monday night to a clean home, very happy children, and a smiling but tired Dad. Thank you Brannon and Steven for making our weekend possible!

Good Mexican Food. Mmmmmm

ABC bakery cake. Mmmmmm

Thanksgiving 2009

This year the Ballard family began two new Thanksgiving traditions. We kicked off the morning by creating an obstacle course in which the kiddos had to complete tasks, first individually, and then as a team. They all did very well in the various events offered and each was able to bring home a gold medal.

"Cones and Trike"

"Putt It In"

"Jump It Up"

"Stack It Up"

Thatch running through the finish line. Behind him you can see our other two events,

"Hula Hooping" and "Shoot 'em Through"

Before Thanksgiving dinner could be enjoyed we held our first annual Ballard Turkey Trot, where each individual had to complete a lap around the cove and then "tag" the next family member. They each completed three full laps and were able to bring home a gold medal in that event as well.

On Friday and Saturday Ryley and Kadyn participated in a horse camp that's located a few miles from our house. Each day ran from 9am to 4pm and the workers taught them everything from grooming, to mounting, to riding their horses all around the 5 available acres. Needless to say they were in heaven for two days straight. We're not quite sure that any Thanksgiving in their near future will be able to compare.

Ryley and Scout

Kadyn and Beauty

They let Thatch feed and ride a pony as well.

How grateful we are, how much we have to be thankful for.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well.

Trevor Turkey. A tradition for many years.

Dad and Thatch prepping the bird.

Harvest Happenings

Our most recent activities have included a variety of events.

First, after viewing a news story that featured a beautiful nearby area currently blooming with fall colors, we decided to hop in the car and make the hour drive. While all nature is beautiful, we quickly realized the story must have been filler that had been taped several weeks previously. The leaves were at the end of their peak colors (to be honest- they were all brown and on the ground) and large amounts of rain had washed out two miles of the three-mile trail. Remind me next time to call the news station and check when the story was filmed. The kiddos, who are proving resilient in all of our last minute misadventures, loved the drive, the muddy walk, and the thousands of lady bugs that decided to visit (or rather infest) the woods that day- (honestly they were kind of scary aggressive). Thanks channel 5!

Next, Kadyn's kindergarten class, in conjunction with a fellow class across the hall, put on a wonderful play for Thanksgiving. It was so fun to see her perform and watch her individual personality come blazing through. I think that has to be one of my favorite parts of being a mother - watching each child blossom with their own unique strengths and talents. It's amazing to see. It was a great performance and concluded with a Thanksgiving feast for all.

Kadyn and Mrs. Welch (her amazing teacher)

Finally, considering that our current family portrait has Thatch as a four month old, we decided to head for a studio and paid Sears to take away the personal headache and stress of getting four young children to look in one direction, and smile, all at the same time. I have two words to define this exciting/highly stressful/absolutely necessary activity, "IT'S DONE".

They also took care of each child's individual shot, which helped me out tons seeing as I was eight weeks behind for Haley's and right on time for Ryley's. Now, I'm not only caught up with birthday pictures, I'm eight weeks ahead of schedule for Kadyn's! Yea. That never happens. I posted proofs below, but for our wall I had them crop all the pictures vertical and add a gentle black and white tone.

Eight Is Great, And Came Fast

Ryley turned eight last Wednesday and was baptized Saturday morning. It was a wonderful experience for our family. We had spoken with the kids quite frequently during family home evenings about the special things that would take place on this memorable day. It was equally a tender experience for Steven, who held it together quite impressively until her confirmation. As they sat down following that sweet experience Ryley leaned over to wipe her Dad's tears.

We are very excited for Ryley in making this important decision to be baptized and feel grateful daily for her strong spirit and wonderful example. Happy 8th Birthday Ryley!

Miss Washington (her awesome school teacher)

Mrs. Teresa (great neighbor and friend)

The primary presidency gave this to Ryley

Halloween 2009

In the beginning we had...

a skeleton, Batman, witch, and ballerina.

Five minutes later we had...

Superman, a skeleton, witch, and ballerina.

(Poor kid is torn between his super hero's)

We also had...

Ed McMahon's prize patrol and the million dollar winner (at home)

and...

Ed McMahon's prize patrol and the million dollar winner (at church)

(Yes, I actually went out in public like that)

This year the girls prepared the pumpkin, chose a picture....

then Daddy did this!

We also now believe that Halloween may very well be Haley J's favorite holiday.

I'm A Big Girl Look What I Can Do!

Haley J is thirteen months and suddenly on the go.

She has taken us by surprise because her brother and sisters were

practically running circles at ten months.

We are assuming with the high number of individuals that are constantly

sitting, playing, and talking with her,

she must have decided there was no good reason to move!

Secretly, I have loved every minute of it.

They grow way to fast already.

At this point she is still sitting on my hip in "monkey" position and with her constant snuggles

I feel as though time has stood still - or at least slowed down a bit.