Ballard Bunch

Every year, the kids and I go to Christmas in the Stockyards. This was our 4th year to go- I'm so glad I don't have to lug around the diaper bag or double stroller there anymore!! It's a great way to kick off the holidays, as it is always the first Saturday of December. This year was special because Jason was off and we ALL got to go!! We love to see Cowboy Santa, get our face painted, ride the ponies and pet the animals. It's a blast! Talking to Cowboy Santa and asking for Pillow Pets We also used this day to get our Christmas card pictures done. We took lots of pictures in different areas of the Stockyards before we did any of the activities, hoping to get a few good ones. We did great- the kids are fun to photograph now that they are older! Here are some from the photo shoot that didn't get put in the card: And the 2010 Ballard Christmas cards: Merry Christmas, y'all!!!

Walker has been so excited about his first day of kindergarten. He lost 2 teeth last month, and turned 6 a few weeks ago, and it seemed starting kindergarten was the final piece to his big boy puzzle. There has been nothing but excitement on the subject of kindergarten- no fear or anxiety, and I am so thankful for that!! I wasn't sure if I would get emotional, because we have all been so excited. It's just been such a happy subject, and I have felt no sadness at all. Heading out the door, first day of school 8/23/2010 Sitting at his table The drop-off went great the first day. We were a little behind schedule. Lucy was very sick, with strep and pink eye, over the weekend so she could not go to her first day of Pre-K. I had to drop her off with my mom before taking Walker to school, so we were more rushed than I had hoped to be. He was very excited and sat down- I gave him and hug and off I went!! At about 10 am, sitting in my own classroom of Pre-Kers, I got this longing feelin...

The fall has turned into quite a busy time of year for our little family. This fall was no different! Birthdays, bonfires and getting ready for the holidays- I LOVE FALL!!!!! Long sleeve T's, orange, brown, chili, chicken pot pie- just a few of my favorite things. OCTOBER Lucy girl turned 4!! Her birthday meal choices were pancakes, pizza and pancakes. The girl loves her some breakfast for dinner. She really loved the card her brother made for her (still taped up in her room) and her skinny jeans and fringe boots from Jojo. Halloween '09 Woody and Rosetta I love this pic!!! My sisters took the kids to the park and they were talking about exploring. My kids posed and luckily, my sisters got a great picture. This picture is awful quality- but I love it dearly. Jason went to California for a week in October. He never travels for his job, so it was really weird. I actually joined him out there for the weekend and then flew back. He was gone 8 days, and the kids were going crazy mis...

It has been raining SO MUCH lately. Thankfully, today it has ceased- for a few days anyway. We missed one Ranger game, one Walker baseball practice, one Walker baseball game and one Lucy soccer practice. Whew! We did get them some rain gear, so one afternoon when the skies opened up, I let them go run around in the rain. They loved it!!! Might as well make the best of it :) Today, we finally had some sun and we got to have soccer!! It was rained out last weekend. Lucy was very excited. She watched her bubba do this Tot soccer league last year, so she was ready to go!! She got a little upset when the first team scored first, but she scored 2 goals herself and she was happy and proud by the end of the game!! Go Lucy :) Oh my goodness, I love this little cutie!! Practicing with bubba before her team got together Concentrating... Tired after her first session :)

Summer 2009 Two weeks of summer have almost come and gone. I haven't had my computer for about 9 days of that 2 weeks, but I have still been taking pictures. Now the computer is back and good as new and it is time for a BIG post!! This is what we have been up to for the first 2 weeks of summer vacation: We took our bikes to the park to ride. We have a sloped driveway, and it was so fun to ride the bikes on flat ground!! Playing light sabers with Jojo Swim lessons!! These two weeks, we have had swim lessons almost everyday. We have a great teacher that comes to my mom's pool, and we have a small class so we get plenty of swim time. My kiddos love it! They would be happy with swim lessons everyday- and I am so thrilled with how much they are progressing. Bye Bye floaties!!!! We also have our weekly children's movie!! I bought all the tickets before summer ($5 for 10 movies). So far we have seen Space Chimps and Nim's Island. That is really fun and something we will be doi...