Ballard Bunch

Well, you find things like this in your backyard: There are lots of fun things about living "out" here and having more than an acre of land to explore. We have roadrunners, roosters, chickens, lizards (apparently!), bonfires, and lots of fun. The kids were so intrigued. They have really developed a love for animals and outdoors A close up of our friend

One of my favorite things to do as a child was read books. Babysitters Club started it all!!! My mom understood, but I used to irritate my dad and stepmom because I would ALWAYS be reading. Even if we were just going to be in the car for a few minutes, I would bring my book and read the whole way. It is something that has stayed with me, but since I became a mother, I have not had the time I once did. Right now, I have several books that I am reading. I have never done that before, because I used to finish books so fast. These are the books on my nightstand right now. Birnbaum's 2008 Walt Disney World. The kids favorite right now. You HAVE to read this if you are going to WDW. Really enjoying this book. Very encouraging Nora Roberts- just for fun, easy reads. Classic ROMANCE love the First Lady, but AM NOT enjoying this book This is a SMART book, with lots of good thoughts. Mary Higgins Clark- classic suspense novels. GREATNESS!! Favorite authors- Harlen Coben, Nora Roberts, Mary ...

Easter weekend. What fun!! Saturday- We had an Easter party at my cousin's house. They have two girls, and we always have fun together. Carrie is a great host; she had fun hats for the kids to decorate, cookies to decorate, eggs to find- we had a blast!! The Wright side of the family is small, and my cousin and I grew up closer than most cousins. I am glad we are staying close and our kids have fun together. Enjoying dinner at the special kids table Decorating Easter cookies she LOVED the sparkle paint Silly hats! Before the hunt Finding eggs, and finally getting the hang of it! SO CUTE!! Cate-2, Claire-4, Walker, Lucy Sunday- Great Easter lunch at Fort Worth Club. We EVEN got a picture with the Easter Bunny!! I couldn't believe it. They said they just wanted to tell him "hi", but they ended up doing a picture!! We also got to see Jason's nanny and do an egg hunt at Jason's parents' house. Luckily, the kids didn't have school on Monday- we needed a da...

I love the changing of the seasons, because it also means new recipes. In our family, we eat certain foods during certain times of the year. Some winter favorites: Pot Roast, Broccoli Cheese Soup, chicken pot pie, chili, cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, buttermilk pie Some spring/summer favorites: Cobb Salad, chicken salad, salmon, strawberry shortcake, outside grilling by Jason, lemon poundcake Here's a Spring Menu for you Bibb lettuce wedges with Thousand Island dressing Discard leaves from outside of Bibb lettuce. Slice the head in half, and then half each of those. You will have 4 wedges. Set on salad plates. Thousand Island: 3/4 C mayonnaise 1/8 C ketchup 1/2 tsp. lemon juice 1/4 tsp. Worchestershire sauce 1/4 C sweet pickle relish Starting with mayonnaise, mix all the ingredients. If it's too red, add more mayo. If it's too pink, add more ketchup. Taste and add to your liking. Pour dressing over Bibb lettuce wedges and serve. Sauteed Tilapia with Lemon Spaghetti Star...

This week Walker and Lucy are off from ARK School. They are actually NOT excited, they love school!! Caitlin is home this week, too, though so that is fun. We had a great weekend to end my break and kick off the kids. Saturday , we drove to a drive-in theater in Granbury. Colleen (my friend and Walker's teacher) told us about this drive-in and it was showing Horton Hears a Who!, so we decided to check it out. I am so glad there is still one around. Drive-ins are just one of those things I have great memories of and want to do with my kids. At the drive-in, with a good spot. Being comfy in our jim jammers!! Enjoying our picnic dinner. Fruit skewers, pb&j roll-ups, and cheetos!! Sunday , we had a great family lunch at mom's, then it was off to the TCU Easter Egg Hunt. The kids looked so cute, and had fun hunting eggs. However, they could not be persuaded to take pictures with the Easter Bunny or Super Frog. Oh, well. Lucy, looking around for some eggs Showing off his loot! My...

My great friend Rachel came into town this weekend, and we met at the zoo yesterday. What fun! Carson and Walker have the best time together, and Kindle was doing everything that Lucy did. Our kids have so much fun together and we have a great time catching up. The Kerbels and The Ballards Carson- 4 1/2 Walker- 3 1/2 Lucy-2 1/2 Kindle-1 1/2 Lucy and Kindle pushing the wagon Walker and Carson- two peas in a pod. They weren't out of each others' sight all day The girls! So glad to still be friends How funny to see a giraffe eating the grass on the ground!

Jojo came over today, and brought a surprise for Walker and Lucy. We love them so much!! These trays are great. We use them to eat snacks on, play Play-Doh, and can even take them in the car! She got them at Michael's and decorated them herself. Walker on Safari Lucy's Garden Thanks, Jojo!! **Unrelated Note** The kids were being silly today and kept asking me to take their picture. Usually, I am begging them to stop and smile, or hug, or something... Enjoy!! Pirate Walker and Princess Lucy Walker said, "Look mom, we're kissing. Take a picture!" My kids are affectionate...