This is the story of the Ballard family down South. I married a guy named Derek. I'm enjoying him. We've been married for 12 years and have 3 great kids. Lake the oldest is 9, Mailey is 5 and Leila is 18 months. We live in Santa Clarita and love being around my family. I am adjusting to being a head coaches wife. He loves it and has an outstanding program. I've posted a link to his site. Take a look. We seem to be plugging through just fine. Here is just part of our story......

Sunday, December 21, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Utah Trip!
Sherri took Jackson and Gracie, I took Mailey and Leila (Lake stayed home to spend some good quaility time with dad), and we took mom with us. We had a great time and loved spending time with Janine & Brian with their 3 awesome kids, and Mike and Jennifer with their 5 really cool kiddos. Its always so fun to get the cousins together. Lots of chaos but even more fun.
Leila really wanted to show some love to Gracie!
Having Fun? Not sure? You be the judge.

A few of the cousins trekking uphill after a good run.

Ashley & May! So cute.

Snow is not really my thing, but my girls sure do love it.


Mailey and her Oompa Loompas!

These cousins are all within 5 weeks of each other. This picture is hysterical.

My love bug, loved the snow!



Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Prepping for Halloween!

We were going through our old Halloween costumes and of course the kids couldn't resist playing for a while. I loved watching them get so excited over the silliest things. There were a couple of priceless moments.


My big, strong Lake. Or wait, is it Lake?
He's so scary, I can't tell!!

Peach, just showin' what she's got!

This is one of those priceless moments!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Pumpkin Patch!!!

Daddy is helping Leila pick out her perfect pumpkin.

Got Mine!

Famous $4.50 ponyride that lasts about 2 minutes and
only takes 30 minutes in line to get on the dang
pony! Weeee!


These are our final picks! Can't wait to carve em.



Daddy is dazzling the kids with his amazing pumpkin toss!
Aren't daddy's so strong?


Awe, cute couple! We're happy to be leaving the
pumpkin patch! 98 degrees outside. Whatever! It's almost
Halloween for goodness sakes!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Mailey's Ear Surgery


Mailey was having a very hard time hearing us for quite a while. We were giving her nose spray and allergy medicine. Anything to clear it up. It would clear up for a few weeks but then it would get worse. Dr. Sherman finally decided it was time to put tubes in. We were so excited for Mailey, but of course we were nervous too. We knew it was a very common and quick procedure, but still.....






The morning of the surgery. We were waiting to go in.
She is trying to put a brave face on. I'm not buying it.


They were prepping her for surgery. It was all
starting to sink in. It was so hard to see her
so scared. I'm glad they let us stay with her
until they wheeled her in.



Brave Face Again!


We were there the second she came out.


Need I say more?

Sunday, October 19, 2008

The Munchkins!

WE LOVE EACH OTHER, WE REALLY, REALLY DO!


Lake with his 2 favorite people, his little sisters. He's such a good big brother!


Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A little of the lots of summertime fun!

We love the waterpark. We spent many days trying to cool off there!

Leila-Peach having a good time!
Mailey had ear surgery so she had to wear this ear wrap! It cracked me up, half the time it would slip over her eyes! She's better now.

Daddy's love bug!


Makenna, Malayna, Landon (cousins), Lake & Mailey in Ventura!


Leila Peach!

May-May and Malayna!

Daddy & Lake trying to play smashball!


Sand Castle that Aunt Katinka helped build! Fantastic, isn't it?


Summer Cruis'n with friends! Good times!

This is a must every year. We took a quick getaway with our buddies. We had a blast and are trying to figure out our next trip.






Sunday, October 12, 2008

The Science museum

Mailey beat the pants off her cousins!
Mailey & Keith
May-May & Jackson
Laker- I think the outfit is a tad small!