Many Miles

While Steven finished up his last few weeks of residency the kids and I

(accompanied by my kind Mom)

hit the open road for a very long, very fun, but very glad we're home, trip!

It was 3, 397 miles to be exact - but whose counting?

It all began when we decided to head towards Kansas in search of a home.

We did just that.

A family we know (Steven went to med. school with the husband) is leaving Ft. Riley for fellowship.

They needed someone to rent their home and we needed a home to rent.

It was a blessing for all.

From there the thought process went something like this.

As long as we're in Kansas, might as well head over to Denver and

visit my sister and her family.

Kyle and Kadyn

Kaela, Kyle, Haley

Crazies

As long as we're in Denver, might as well head for Utah and visit my sister, brother, and their families as well.

BYU Creamery and "Y"

Brannon and Paige at her baptism.

Cousin Carson and Kadyn

The girls!

Grandma Darden, cousins Juliet and Ella, Thatcher, Kadyn, cousin Paige, and Ryley
Ella and Thatcher

Above are three of my awesome roommates from Ricks College.

Me, Lindsay, Liz (sis), and Julie.

We had a great time at "Jump On It".

Below is all of our posterity together. :)

A visit to Utah would not be complete if we didn't head to Southern Utah to see Mom and Dad Ballard.

Steven's sister Julia lives there with her family as well.

We had a great time playing at their home and getting to know their cute boys.

Cousins Robert and Ronin.

Mom and Dad had a pool put in this past Spring. It was SO fun.

Out of the blue Kadyn decided to take off her floaties and became a fish in water.

It was an amazing thing to watch.

She was diving and swimming all over the pool.

Now we have 2 out of 4 swimmers. Pretty good odds.

A great half way point from Utah to Tennessee is Albuquerque -

(which happens to be where I was born and raised)

and where my Mom and one brother still live.

Top of the Albuquerque Tram

The kids had the best time ever visiting with all of their cousins.

That alone made the many miles of driving worth it!

On a side note. We missed Father's Day by only one day.

Knowing this would happen I cleaned out the girls top drawer three weeks prior

and the kiddos laid out cards and suckers.

When the great day came we called up Daddy, sang "Father I Love You", and told him to go check the drawer.

It was a great surprise to him!

Hey, he's the best Dad ever - we couldn't just let it pass by! :)

Members Night 2010

Members night at the zoo is by far our favorite visit.

Usually the zoo closes it's doors at 5pm each day.

One night a year however they open back up at 5:30pm and allow all members to

enjoy the zoo for the evening.

They have food, treats, music etc...

It was fantastic.

Definitely at the top of our "favorite evenings" list.

Breaking News!!

In top news tonight....
"After five months in captivity, Batman has been found! His rescuer, Mom, came across him today as she was dusting various fake plants throughout the house. He was found deep within some shrubs, and although dehydrated, is said to be in good health. His guardian, Thatcher Ballard, was overjoyed at the return of this dear companion and was heard by various witnesses exclaiming the words, "YEA!! YEA!!! YEA!!!"

Don't you love it when you're the hero?!

Let Summer Begin!!

The girls finished school last week.

This is a picture before they headed out on Friday.

Walking back to the car at the end of the day was a whole different story.

With tears streaming down their cheeks and sobbing they made their way to the car

and climbed in for the last time here at Rivercrest Elementary.

It's been an amazing experience for our family.

The principal, the staff, and all the teachers were absolutely remarkable

and will be missed dearly.

Kadyn's graduation was awesome.

She cried for two days over the "loss" of her sweet teacher Mrs. Welch.

I'm so grateful that she had a wonderful experience.

Steven and Ryley had a "Daddy/Daughter Dinner and Dance" for Activity Days.

We made a big plate of these cookies and they headed off for a wonderful time.

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall.

Apparently Steven and Ryley not only danced for the entire two hours, but,

all agreed that these two truly know how to "get down"!

Regardless of any end of school "blues" the girls have been able to move forward quite well.

We have spent everyday at various pools and have included daily play dates with friends from school and church.

After all, we have to get it all in before the big move.

Summers just begun, and it looks promising!

2010 Celebrations!!

This year marks 10 wonderful and amazing years of marriage for the "Memphis Ballard's".

We thank Heavenly Father daily for the amazing gifts and blessings that we have frequently been given throughout these awesome years.

First of which, one another.

Steven's cute and thoughtful gifts delivered on our anniversary.

We also hit the town and tried P.F. Chang's for our very first time.

It was a perfect choice - delicious!

Our birthdays are just weeks apart so we often "share" the evening.

I planned a dinner with our favorite Indian food and wrapped on his plate a pint of lemon custard ice cream from Baskin Robbins.

My sweet husband knows me well too.

He made an angel food cake complete with whipped cream and berries.

Mmmmmm. My favorite!!

Last trip to Utah I was able to track down our first apartment.

I knew it was somewhere off the freeway - I just couldn't remember which exit.

9000 South turned out right.

I'm so glad I found it too.

We didn't have one picture from that time, most likely because we didn't own a camera. :)

We were the top apt. # 8637

"It Was Awesome"

Ryley and Kadyn both participated in the talent show this year.

Ryley played, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Star Wars Theme".

Kadyn decided to return to the very first song she learned and play "Twinkle".

They were awesome!

Every year Rivercrest Elementary holds a relay/play day.

It is two hours of non stop running and fun.

Thatch played at a friends house during Kadyn's because I didn't know he could join in.

When I brought him along to Ryley's her teacher added him into every one of her games.

I was nervous at first that Ryley might feel jipped.

No way.

She explained every game in detail and proudly ran with her brother to assist him in completing the various tasks.

They were all three awesome.

Ryley's class was asked to perform a half time show for all six of the relay blocks.

They worked for two weeks in learning choreography and perfecting their performance.

They were awesome.

With beautiful weather we have frequently utilized our ice cream ball maker as well.

It's been awesome.

(Or so the kids tell me. I'm on week 6 of my 8 week challenge and can't touch treats!)

Mother's Day.

With my hubby and these kiddo's.

What can I say?

It was awesome.

Spinach Can Soothe The Soul

Smoothie season is upon us and I have utilized this machine more than ever.

I am currently participating in an eight week challenge of health to better one's mind, body, and spirit. It has been an amazing experience for me and couldn't have come at a better moment in life as the stresses and trials of selling our home were about to overtake me. :)

I was in desperate need of drawing my attentions to more important and uplifting avenues and this challenge has brought all things back into their proper perspective - and I'm only on week four!

Don't let the color of the above smoothie fool you either.

It delicious in it's taste, and if you don't believe me we have four children under the age of eight who suck it down in all it's entirety and then proceed to beg for more. There are a number of great smoothie recipes too, all of which you can add a few handfuls of fresh spinach, and no kid will be the wiser.

Spinach Smoothie Recipe

Baby Spinach stacked to the top of the blender - just pile it in.

1/2 Can of Pineapple (*in pineapple juice, not syrup)

1 Banana

1 Cup Water/Pineapple Juice

1 Cup Ice (or you can freeze the banana/pineapple and skip the ice)

Sprinkle in a little Splenda

Enjoy!