I HOPE I WIN!

So... freebies2deals is having a new giveaway! An ipad2!!!!!!!!! I really hope I win. Brad wants one so badly. This website is so awesome and my "go to" for almost every deal I get. I think the best deal I ever scored from that site was getting 48 2 oz. bottles of formula totally and completely FREE!

Muscle Man/Cutie Patootie

Told him to flex his muscles for me. This one looks more like a funky dance if you ask me. haha

SnOw

The weekend before thanksgiving we got a good 2 feet of snow in a matter of 3 days. Funny how it takes almost as long to get the kids all geared up to play in the snow as the time they are actually in the snow. This is just on our side yard!



Tree in front of our house. Beautiful!

On the Ball Handyman Services

After much thought and prayer we decided to start up a handyman business to help pay the bills while Brad is in school the next 4 years. Check out the website.....www.handymanbrad.blogspot.com

Brad also landed a VERY part time job at Channel 2 news on the production team. After his first day he said he couldn't believe he was getting paid to do this. Hanging out with the news anchors and meteorologist= heaven.

Idaho trip in August

Parker, Brad and Grandpa went fishing at the lake in their neighborhood. This is Parker's first fishing trip and first catch that he got to reel in all on his own. A word of advice... if you can't catch a fish, have Parker say a prayer. Worked at least 10 times on that trip. That little boy has so much faith and trust in Heavenly Father. Mom and Garrett hanging out in the jacuzzi after load of fun on the home made slip n slide. We had a good 50 feet of sliding fun down grandma and grandpas hill in their backyard.


Cousin fun. Parker, Garrett, Blake and Cameron

Monkeying around

Just a typical day in the Ball house. :)

Parker turns 4.

At Parker's party Calvin and Julie and the Rossi family came to celebrate. These photos are not digitally enhanced. This really is how high the boys got in the air. THEY LOVED IT! Bonnie and Kate. Once again, not digitally enhanced...same eyes, same nose, same chin, same cheeks, same EVERYTHING! Amazing.

Kellie made a cake for Parker. Its in the shape of a cupcake. Thanks Kellie, it was delicious and FUN.

On the Road Again!

July 1st,2010

We made our way back from California to West Jordan, Utah. Emily's mom and dad came along for the ride to help with the moving process. We are getting so excited to Brad to get started on his Meteorology degree and to finally follow his dream.

Fun

Half the time Parker and Garrett are best friends and half the time they are fighting. Today was one of those "friends" days. (click to enlarge the picture) Digging for pirate treasure in the jungle of death. (this is what Parker said they were doing)

This shot is from a couple months ago but I had to post it. Garrett LOVES his binkies. One day Brad figured out we could link them together. Garrett thought it was hilarious.

What... a blog entry?

Yep, that's right.... I new blog post. These photos are from our first Easter Egg hunt for Easter 2010. Not much to say except we love these boys! Oh and also, they do have Easter baskets but thought it would be way easier at this point for Garrett to run around with a bag. So, that's what both of them got for the hunt.

So, as for blogging. I kinda got in a non-blogging non- picture taking funk. No reason for the blogging hiatus, just lazy I guess. After editing these pictures, I am motivated again to get the "ball" rolling.

Another BIG day

Transition to primary was seamless. From what his teacher told me, he did great and was such a good boy. We are so proud of you Parker!

Christmas Day

My Cousins and Aunt came over for Christmas. This was after we were all sugared up. It was only the beginning of the night of laughter.
Playing Kismet

Christmas Morning

I think this was one of our best Christmas mornings since we have been married. Parker is old enough now to understand the gloriousness of Santa and also old enough to understand it was about Christ's birth. 3 year old + Christmas= FUN! This letter to Santa are his exact words he wanted to tell Santa. Then he proceeded to draw his bike and then he said "wait wait, we can't forget about Garretts presents." He was worried Santa would forget Garrett so he had to draw a picture of his "2 presents." Then he had me write his name with dots so he could trace over it himself.
So, the morning began. ***preface, Parker is attached to his blanket*** he carried his blanket down with him and to his astonishment, SANTA CAME! He dropped his jaw and froze his body as he dropped his blanket to the floor with just a slight movement of his fingers. Still frozen he noticed his bike, but most importantly, he noticed that Santa ate the Rocky Road we left for him.

This was his face for about 5 minutes. ASTONISHMENT. (Sitting next to the rocky road plate is his elf that went to visit Santa every night to report on Parker's good/bad status)

First time on, riding like a pro.

Then there was Garrett, not quite understanding what was going on but thought it was all great. Parker being the "good brother" that he is, helped open Garrett's presents. He even helped play with his toys too.

Click on the picture below to see it better. This was his favorite toy of the morning.

December Part 2

Day in the life. Parker helping Grammie in the kitchen. Pancakes for sunday dinner is one of our favorites.
Garrett snuggling with GG. He will go into her room, climb on up her lap and watch TV with her for at least 15 minutes at a time. 92 years apart in age and they still have things they enjoy doing together.

This is a rare photo. Brad and I, ALONE, in a picture. Lately we always seem to have someone hanging on us. This is from our ward's Christmas party.

Kinda random and not posed. I have been waiting for an opportunity to do a color/black&white picture. So here it is.

December part 1- short and simple

OK, maybe not short, but simple.

I was able to get together with my two best girlfriends I have ever had and will ever have. They are simply the best. Left to right, me. Heather. Jerilyn.
This is "before" seeing Parker at preschool

After... notice a difference in the fun meter. We were really bored waiting for the doors to open.

Parker's preschool class put on a christmas program where all the kids shook their jingle bells as the parents entered the room and proceeded to sing Jingle Bells and other ADORABLE songs and poems. Those who know Parker know he is rather loud at home and won't stop singing, but in public...silence. He did 3 things during the program 1. shook the jingle bells 2. said "hey" during the song jingle bells 3. put his fingertips together above his head for "I'm a little Christmas tree." The rest of the time he smiled and did his shy face, but we could not have been beaming with more pride than we did while watching him stand still with all those little kids. This picture is of him "getting ready" to go to preschool that day. Such a cool kid with Mom's sunglasses.

Eating cookies in his classroom afterwards. What you don't see is the girl (Ava) sitting to his left...as Parker would say "the prettiest girl in his class" with out any hesitation.

Fire Station

A few weeks ago the boys and I ran into some fireman in the grocery store. Parker did not let go of the sticker they gave him for the whole day. The fireman told us we could stop by any time to check out the big fire truck, so today that is just what we did. Parker and Garrett were both a bit apprehensive at first but after a few minutes they were able to enjoy the whole adventure. A special thank you to the fireman who took the time to make today special. Both boys even got little fire chief hats. If you have not done this yet in your neighborhood, I would highly recommend it. ( I would call first just in case they aren't as friendly in your town) So fun and so free!