Girls

When I was little I wanted a sister so bad that my younger two brothers were subjected to me dressing them up as girls-A LOT. I really don't know why they let me so much. Maybe secretly they liked it :) Anyhow, I use to think it was just because I didn't have a sister that I could do that girl stuff with. But the girls were 'playing' with Gannon the other day when I heard quite a bit of giggling coming from Kennedy's room. When I walked in this is what I found........

Me: "Come on guys your going to scar him for life. Can you 'man it up' a little?"
RESULTS:

It's about time!

I just have to say woo hoo to Todd and Kendall (ok really you Lisa) for finally getting a blog up! Now I can stay in touch better!! Thanks

Spring Break Fun

We went to Trafalga on Thursday. My poor deprived children had never been minature golfing. Cross one off the list of things to do before we die!

This is a stinking ugly picture of me...so ignore that half. This was the only one I had of Gun.

This was all Gannon did while we were golfing. Heck that is all he does most of the time.

We went up to Clark Planetarium on Friday
(rode Trax which I think really was where their fun was).

Haming it up for the camera

My martians!

Halla-freakin-lula

Gunnar finally cut his hair! I am so glad to see all that hair go.
I can finally see his face he looks so handsome.

He got a fauxhawk. I told him it was fine as long as I didn't get an attitude with it. He informed me that his long hair had more attitude than this did so....I am happy.

Catching up

I'll try to catch up a little. It is spring break and right now all the kids are upstairs screaming (in the happy way) and playing. Not to sure how long that will last. So I thought I could read everone's blogs and post one myself. I got everyone's read but posting may be harder. (The screaming seems to be on the move.)
Last Saturday was my birthday. Jared suprised me with tickets to go watch the BYU Ballroom dancers. It was a lot of fun. I think he got a little bored about half way through. But he endured it with a smile. The best part was not only did he suprise me with that. He has also planned an 'actual' date one day a week for the next five months. He gave me a little calendar so I have can look forward to what is coming next. Way thoughtful, I was so suprised. He also made me my favorite cake---chocolate with 'sticky' frosting. In our 15 (almost) years of marriage he has never done that. It was such a nice suprise. He bragged about his frosting all day. He did so good it was a great day.
Friday we were able to go out with some friends to dinner and play games. It was so nice. I keep telling Jared we need to be better about calling people and getting together. I love hanging out with people and playing cards (or some other game). It is great for my sanity.
As much as I wish we were somewhere fun we are staying home this spring break so I have been trying to keep my children entertained. Monday of course was so easy it was beautiful outside. We went to the park and hung out. Until the kids thought they would die of heat (wimps) and we came home and they played in the water. We went from that to snow! Yesterday it snowed and snowed. How can you go from 80 degree weather to snow? You people in Arizona I am sure would have enjoyed the snow for a day.
Anyhow, I took the kids up to some museums at BYU. They were good sports about it even if they were bored. Today is an "unstructured" day as they tell us in Conference we should have. We will see how that goes. If I can escape the "I'm bored". I am hoping to hide somewhere and get some reading in.

Gannon's Birthday

Gannon is one! I seriously can't believe it. I look at him and think "slow down, slow down". He is the center of every one's heart here. I love to see his little face light up when the kids come in the room. I love tickling him on the floor. I swear he has the best little laugh. I love his blue eyes that just suck you in. I love his little bowlegged walk. I love when he gets his feelings hurt and the bottom lip comes out.....way out. I love that he thinks he is so big to walk all around the house. I love his kisses. (But somehow I am going to have to teach them they are suppose to be closed mouth before he gets much older) I love that this kid can pack away the food. I have never seen a baby eat so much. I wish my other kids would take some pointers. I love that when I ask him for his binky, he will spit it out in my hand. I love that he likes to knock knock on things. Now if I can just teach him not to do it to people. I love that when you ask him if it is time to go night night he'll wave good-bye almost like he is saying "alleluia, let's get going"!

He still has no teeth. He still only says "dada". (I think there is seriously something wrong with that.) I try so hard to get him to say "mama" but he'll just look at me and say "dada" instead. I think he knows he is teasing me.

I am so grateful to Tia. She can't possibly know how much I appreciate her sacrifice and love for Gannon. I don't know how she did it, but I know he belongs here. Sometimes I will just look at him and thank him for working so hard to find his way to our home. (I can be a little hard headed).

Jared also did his first dutch oven of the season. We had a pizza cook off (every family made their own) and homemade cheese garlic rolls. Everything was so yummy. We had a ton of fun.

Here are some pictures from the big bash. Mom, sorry I can't get the video on here you would love it! On the couch Jared's brother Bryan his wife Yuko. Jared's sister Lenay is on the floor and her husband Matt sitting on the love seat. And of course the King of the day, Gannon.

Gannon's cake. I am a self-taugh decorator so don't look too close.

Presents......

and more presents....

and more. He didn't really get the whole 'rip open the gifts'.

Jared cutting the cake. McKenna, Courtney, and Seth

Awe let the fun begin

PS.Thanks Amie. I thought your letter writing was a great idea. So I did it. I ended up doing it for all my kids. It was good for me and them. Hopefully I can make it a tradition like you did.

Easter Video

My sister-in-law posted this video on our Ballard Family Site. It is awesome! All of the pictures are photographs. They are some highly gifted people. Check it out. Thanks for sharing Lori! (Just click on the word below)

Easter