Why Didn't I Think Of That?

Steven has always had a way of teaching our kids various life lessons in a fun and unique manner. While kind and gentle, when it comes to learning, cleaning, or every day tasks my mind is very "one tracked", very focused. Steven on the other hand can take an every day task and turn it into a fun filled time for everyone.

For example, Ryley is currently learning her multiplications. I would have just sat her on my bed and gone through flash cards until she had it down. Steven brilliantly makes a chart for each kiddo, offers rewards, and plays various games throughout the week to teach ALL of them their multiplications. Why didn't I think of that?

Then there's bedtime. We have our normal family routine of all the nightly essentials, after which I just assume a nightly ritual of the children climbing into their beds and being kissed goodnight by Mom and Dad. This is a frequent occurrence, however, Daddy in all his cleverness remembers to shake things up once in awhile and throws in games like "Tag to Bed". That's when you run around the house free from bedtime until Dad tags you. A short game before bed that's not necessarily essential? Yes. A game that the kids talk and giggle about for days following? Yes! Why didn't I think of that?

Finally there's cleaning. Oh, cleaning. In my mind this task is either easier by myself or.........well, it's just easier by myself. When we have destroyed the house over a weekend and Saturday night I begin to clean up, again, not only does Steven enlist the entire family for reinforcement but he also thinks to put a "spin" on the whole dreary idea of cleaning. He literally "enlists" the kiddos and as drill sergeant and soldiers they all work together as a team to clean up various rooms with time limits and penalties included. The kids eat it up and have such a fun time taking their cleaning seriously, a lot better then if Mom had said, "go clean your room". Once more, why didn't I think of that? I often commend Steven for his cleverness. He say's that's what makes us such a perfect team - my drive and his ability to make it fun. I'd have to agree 100%.

Baby Ballard #5

It's a...............................big baby! Once again the element of wanting to be surprised won out. I stared at the wall most of the time. Steven took his chances since watching them find and measure various body parts was exciting to him. The tech did great however and by the end of the hour even she was not aware of the gender! Thus far this baby appears to be very active, favors my left side, and teased the tech by refusing to show his or her backside and spinal area until the very end. I think the baby was just trying to be modest. :)

Vacation Jubilation

Christmas break was amazing. Two weeks visiting family and friends in Utah and Denver has left us with grateful hearts for such wonderful moments with our loved ones, and, very depressed youngsters who long for more time with their cousins and grandparents. I guess vacations wouldn't be so meaningful if they were the constant in our lives, however, I must admit it's both sad and difficult to return to ones everyday routine. I was pondering this, with thoughts of sadness, on our drive home and then something happened. As I looked around the car at my sweetheart and our dear children my heart filled with gratitude. As sad as it is to leave fun moments behind, if I am with the 5.5 individuals that surrounded me in that van, I am happy and I am home.

New Years never tasted so good thanks to Kathryn, Rachel and Mom Ballard!

Our final day was spent tubing at Brian Head!

It was awesome!

Aunt Julia made us these travel bags for our trip home.

We were SO excited!

Christmas 2010

Many activities and parties take place for all during this holiday season. Our family has kept busy playing, baking, attending various events, and enjoying the frigid temperatures of Kansas, (although I must say the lack of snow is shocking).

Some of our favorite moments of the past weeks are posted below. It's amazing how quickly the year goes by. We are so very grateful for all of our many blessings, most of all for our Savior, His birth, life, and perfect example. May you and your families have a wonderful Christmas season and a very happy 2011!

The kiddos get a new ornament each Christmas.

Between each of them we now have 21 Hallmark ornaments,

plus the awesome ones they make.

Together it makes for a very pretty tree.

A church here in Manhattan does an annual, "Bethlehem Revisited".

It was an amazing production.

They began with a bus ride into the foothills and over a few acres of land

recreated the entire Bible story, beginning with prophets foretelling of His birth

and ending with His resurrection.

They did a great job. It was a wonderful night.

Many crafts, including gingerbread houses...

snowmen on a stick...

reindeer cupcakes...

and Mom Ballard's yummy hot fudge.

Our awesome neighbors have

supplied us with more goodies than our bodies need.

We had to think of something amazing.

Christmas Morning!!

Mantle '10

Merry Christmas Everyone!! What do you think of our mantle this year?! :)

Another Omaha Outing

We had the opportunity to go back to Omaha this past weekend. It was such a wonderful outing too. The day got started with a blast from the past. A young lady that I was an EFY counselor to over 10 years ago lives in Omaha and offered to watch our kiddos for the morning so that Steven and I could attend the LDS temple together this visit. It was so wonderful to see her and meet her cute family. Steven took the kids to lunch afterwards so that Missy and I could sit and chat for awhile. It was a reunion that came to far out, and yet, I'm so grateful it came.

Once we left their home we headed for, where else, the zoo! It was only 34 degrees, however, the individuals that created Omaha's zoo were brilliant in their planning and development. Not only do they have some of the coolest animals around, but, they have multiple indoor habitats that only require a short walk between one another in order to arrive quickly (and unfrozen) to your next destination. We stayed until almost closing and still didn't make it through all of the indoor exhibits that are available to see. It was a great day for all!