Omaha Outing

We decided to hop in the car Saturday morning and take a day trip to Omaha. Steven and I wanted to visit the lds temple and show our kids the Mormon Trail visitors center and pioneer cemetery as well. Omaha also happens to have one of the best zoo's in the nation, and if you know our kiddos you know that the zoo is at the very top of their "favorites" list. Both destinations are just fifteen minutes from one another so with the kids happily discovering the zoo a switch off worked perfectly.

The temple and visitors center were amazing. Thousands of saints had encamped in this area as they waited out winter and regained their strength before continuing West. Learning even more about this historic time was inspiring, but to stand there, near the cemetery, looking at the Missouri River that so many crossed, was truly humbling.

The zoo was wonderfully huge and full of fantastic exhibits. Even with a full day we still only made it through a few of their larger ones so we purchased a membership and have resolved to return to the Omaha area frequently. It was one of our favorite outings yet.

Restaurants Vs. Recreation

Steven and I love date night. It's our moment to get out and enjoy one another as husband and wife, rather than "Wow, how many kids are you going to have?"

The Memphis area was filled with lots of unique restaurants. We would frequently use our date nights to try out the local cuisine, which was always fun. We always look for any good Indian and Thai places, and there were two good ones in Memphis. We also discovered Bonefish Grill and Firebirds out there- I'm hungry just writing about them.

The Manhattan area is quite different when it comes to restaurant options . . . which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just a new thing. It appears the Olive Garden is about as upscale as it gets here (which we do enjoy) or the newly built BBQ place (which is hard to get excited for after moving from a BBQ capitol).

Being short on eating options however has made us look elsewhere for date night possibilities. We recently found a Racquetball Club not five minutes from our home. On Friday night we were the only ones there- the manager told us that weekends are always dead and invited us to come and play as much as we wanted. I fully understood that this new experience would play out much like the time Steven and I went snowboarding, with Steven flying down the hill and me close behind - on my backside. As always he was a great teacher. So good in fact, I even won a few games myself (or maybe he let me). Either way, it was a blast learning to play what will surely become our new date night hobby.

Thatchers Taekwondo

We would like to announce that Thatcher Steven Ballard has now earned the rank of white belt in his Tiny Tigers Taekwondo class. Alright, everyone gets the white belt when they start the class, but truly, Thatcher wears his white belt with all the ferociousness and might of a tiny tiger.

He was pretty sad when the news came that the girls would soon be heading back to school. Due to this we thought he should try out some activities of his very own. Since they don't offer sports for his age we signed him up for the next most "boyish" activity we could think of. The manager asked me what Steven and I would like for Thatcher to get out of his experience in Taekwondo. I said, "We just want him to have fun. I guess it would be nice for him to get out a few wiggles too." It's been a great experience for him thus far and in just a few weeks his attention span and ability to yell "Yes sir" has taken a dramatic turn. He has a pretty impressive side kick too.

Summer, Then School

It will inevitably happen every year. The wonderful, care free, lazy days of summer come to an end and it's time to head back to school. I only cried for a few minutes and am proud to say I was tear free by the time we reached the driveway. Don't get me wrong. Steven and I have fond memories of our schooling years and hope and pray that our kids have similar experiences of exciting discoveries and memories that will last a lifetime. We have also been very lucky to have experienced amazing schools and teachers, their new school being no exception.

So for now, farewell to the enjoyable, relaxing days of summer. You will be a welcome site when you appear once again...especially after experiencing a Midwest winter of ice storms and freezing temperatures.

2010

2009

They look so little here!

Our welcome home treat

1+1= Baseball

We are always thinking up new ways to make learning fun. Last Wednesday Steven gave the kids a challenge if they could learn and memorize some important math facts he would have a great reward planned the following Saturday. They were very excited and took the challenge to heart.

Ryley's assignment, multiplication numbers 1, 2, 3 - all the way to fifteen. Kadyn's assignment, addition 1, 2, 3 - all the way to fifteen. Since this was Thatchers first "challenge" we went a little lighter and assigned numbers 1-100. He already knew the first fifty but occasionally leaves some out. Each received their assignment and understood a test would be given a week later with Thatcher needing to know them without any assistance and the girls able to answer from memory.

They worked hard all week long, made flash cards and tested one another over and over. The evening prior to deadline they approached us and asked to be tested. Steven said, "you have one more day". They didn't want one more day. They were ready and prepared and we knew it. Each one passed with flying colors and when Saturday came we headed for Kansas City. Steven's sister lives their with her family, which includes seven cousins. What a gift! We are so excited to have family near by. When we got to their home the kids immediately disappeared with their "friends" and a few hours later reappeared for pizza and a soccer game. We headed off for Steven's surprise after that but promised to return within the month. An hour later we were sitting in a beautiful stadium for the Royals vs. Yankee's game - our kids love baseball games. We're not sure if it's all the cheering or all the food but they sure enjoy the experience. This was the first major league game they had seen and regardless of who won or lost, we don't need to focus on scores :), it was a wonderful evening out at the ball game.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

One of the best thing about a move is discovering the many unique things that belong to the home and community in which you now live. The "Little Apple" has been no exception. In fact, I could easily imagine raising our children here, in a small town surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of the Midwest. In our short time here we have already discovered a number of wonderful things unique to this area. Here's a few of our favorites.

First, the mail, it comes right to your door. Right to it! I just open the door and there it is. Throughout the day you can find various postal workers walking to each door step as they push their mail bag and wave to passersby.

Second, our laundry shoot. It's on the third floor and is positioned directly above the washer so that clothes drop right in. Isn't that brilliant! Now, as excited as we were about this new found contraption we also believe that Haley J is petite enough to fit right in. Since we do not want to see this theory tested we decided to place the girls bed directly over this amazing device.

Third, fresh off the farm dairy milk. There is a great little market just minutes from our house that sells it each day. The price is comparable to regular milk and you even get a few quarters back when the glass bottle is returned. This particular flavor is root beer - they also have white, chocolate, and strawberry. Now, before you go knocking it let us tell you, it is quite the tasty treat. Fourth, the tire swing in our front yard. The kids love it. I love the huge tree that it hangs from and the many you can find all throughout the neighborhood.

Fifth, we found a great pool just minutes from the house that kids of all ages can enjoy. This was a very important discovery after our latest pool visit. (see prior post) We have been a few times this week and each day I had to coax them to the car.

Finally, and by far our very favorite, we have discovered what a 50 hour work week for Dad feels like. I have to give Steven props. When you work 80 hours a week you definitely have to make certain your family time is spent focused on quality verses quantity. He always did so and for that I will be forever grateful. We'll have another busy year when fellowship comes, but for now we'll enjoy the "extra" time we have, and yes, that is Steven taking out all of us with water balloons and the sink sprayer. Oh, and yes, that is Steven with his army helmet on for protection, however, I still believe our team was victorious in the end.

Boys and Babies

The following conversation recently took place with Thatcher. It's the first conversation he's had with me regarding where babies come from.

Thatcher: "Was I the first one here?"

Mom: "No. Who came to our family first?"

Thatcher: (with a smile) "Ryley...Kadyn....me.......then Haley?"

Mom: "Yes. Good job."

Thatcher: "Were you like, "ahhhh, look at all these babies"?

Mom: "No." (trying not to laugh) "You were all a few years older when the next baby came along."

Thatcher: "Did you have to drive far to get the baby out?"

Mom: "No. You go to the hospital and there is a doctor who helps the Mommy get the baby out."

Thatcher: "Oh. (thinking) Does the Mommy slam herself into a wall and the baby pops out of her neck?"

Mom: "Ummm." (trying not to laugh) "No. She works really hard and the baby comes out."

Thatcher: "Of her tummy?"

Mom: "Yes."

Thatcher: "Oh. O.K." (runs off to play)