Missouri Botanical Garden

The physician that's training Steven in fellowship has a great family. They have been super kind to us throughout our experience here and have made us feel comfortable and welcome from the beginning. On Thursday, while our husbands worked hard in surgeries, we were playing hard in the beautiful botanical gardens. We stayed nearly three hours, with a large portion of that being spent in an amazing children's maze. The kids just ran and ran. We also loved their biodome, which is a climate controlled rain forest. The plants and flowers inside are amazing! Seriously, if you ever make it to St. Louis visit the Ballard's and the Botanical Garden.

Entertaining Azure

Individuals will ask me all the time, "how in the world do you entertain FIVE children?" I have to say for the most part, they truly entertain one another. In this video they had been "entertaining" Azure for over ten minutes before it crossed my mind to grab the camera, and yet ten minutes later, she's still lovin' it!

St. Louis Science Center

The pictures alone will give you an idea of how awesome the Science Center is here. Would you like to know what makes it even better? As members of KU's Natural History Museum, (thanks Tamara!).....we get in free. We had a fantastic day and only made it through a few sections, and thus, our return visit is already on the calendar.

Christmas 2011

This year we placed our tree separate from the stockings and fire place, so naturally the kiddos were concerned that Santa may not know where to leave presents.

Thus.....

It's good to know that Santa comes regardless of the fact that your real tree is now very dead.

The girls came up with the idea to open stockings, enjoy our morning at church, and then, return home to open gifts.

It was a great idea on their part!

It set a wonderful tone for the true reason we celebrate this season.

Toy favorites of 2011.

Honestly folks, Lazer tag....we just can't say enough. Get them! SO FUN!

(P.S. I'm currently "top sniper")

Many, many, many, too many treats!

What am I saying? It's Christmas.

There's never too many treats at Christmas!

Ryley had a birthday party at Sky Zone.

It looked SUPER fun, so we stayed too!

Our cute niece is getting married soon, and thus, went through the temple.

I had the AWESOME opportunity to be with

her and their families on this special day.

Well, it's not much, but it'll do.

Our neighbor took them down the street where there's a big hill.

They had a blast!

Holiday Happening Thus Far

Our melting snowman!

The FIRST of many Christmas treats to be

made this coming week.

This BEAUTIFUL advent showed up in the mail a few weeks before December.

For a few years now Steven has wanted a calendar

like the one he remembers as a child.

With no machine or sewing skills I unfortunately could do little to help.

Mom Ballard did an amazing job AND made his wish come true.

It has been the HIGHLIGHT of every evening this month!

The 2011 Ballard CHRISTMAS Tree!

Thanks to Costco's Frasier Fur's for $29.99, and,

the Ballard children's 24 yearly Hallmark ornaments.....

it's one BEAUTIFUL tree.

Don't worry, we have decided to invest in higher quality lighting for next year.

Our "service" manger.

We did this with the kiddos a few years ago using a real manger and hay.

This route however has been just as effective AND much cleaner!

I work with an AMAZING group of girls at church.

They put together trees and gifts for a local shelter that houses families.

The girls did an incredible job. I feel blessed to work with them!

We're not quite sure what to think of the Santa that snuck up behind us at

WAL-MART, but..........O.K.

We DISCOVERED Krispy Kreme's! Oh no!

These are the kiddo's pirate faces.

I'm not sure why they chose pirate faces,

but Kadyn's would probably have to be my favorite.

The younger girls and I have enjoyed many festive turns on the mall carousel

this Christmas SEASON!

We have also ENJOYED the Nestle Toll House cart right next to it!

Shhhhhh....don't tell.

I had the good fortune of being placed on the Christmas Party committee for our ward.

We decided to RECREATE Bethlehem.

By order of Caesar Augustus all families were called to be "taxed".

You could dress for the time period so OF COURSE the girls were Bethlehem animals and Thatcher their shepherd.

We had various stores kids could visit and "buy" needed goods with

a provided knapsack of pennies.

Bethlehem had a cafe and bakery, along with a candle and pottery making shop.

It even had a candy and toy store with dradles and chocolate coins.

It was GREAT fun!

The photo above is me and a good friend trying to shut the closet doors once everything was put away.

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

Azure Ballard is now six months old. She discovers new things each day - like her voice, her fingers, and her ability to pick up anything within an arms reach. She smiles continually, melts our hearts hourly, and still retains the bright blue eyes that match her name.

"What? Too many?"

"Dad's reading in Alma, I prefer Pride And Prejudice"

"Sissy is SO funny"