Avoiding Mommy chores...thanks, Nicole!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I love wrapping paper. Have you checked out the beautiful selection at The Container Store? Love it...but too cheap to buy it. I will stick with the Costco rolls...

2. Real tree or artificial?
My husband refuses to have a real one...he says because its a major fire hazzard.

3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as I find the time...usually by the first week of December (still working on it this year--we have a major "pre-lit" disaster on our hands right now...)

4. When do you take the tree down?
I like to leave it up as long as possible (it takes so much effort to get it up!) Has anyone heard of a Valentine's Tree or a St. Patrick's Tree?

5. Do you like eggnog?
Only in a latte.

6. Favorite gift received as a child
Can't really remember. We mostly got stuff we "needed."

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Several, and the Little People version is my absolute favorite.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Lance's parents.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My adorable children...and want to know what Katie told Santa she wanted this year? (I'm going to tell you anyway...) She would like anything he wants to give her. But she has dropped some big hints of things she would like to have from him.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Umm...can I say this? Pretty sure she doesn't have my blog address so here goes...Lance's mom bought us all matching Christmas sweaters. SERIOUSLY...

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Whoah! I love tinyprints.com, too! I actually got on, designed them, but when I saw the price I quickly closed the browser. I love Christmas mail. Period.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
White Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I never stop. It's a year-round pleasure for me.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes...my favorite is the one that keeps being recycled (you know who you are!)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
All of it. I have NO self control in the holiday eating department and I am so not a picky eater!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
None (see #3).

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home?
Both...I'm holding out for the year Lance surprised us with a trip to Hawaii for Christmas--Melakaliki Maka anyone?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes, Ma'am.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
PJ's & stockings on Christmas Eve, everything everything else during the day. Of course, this is always subject to our travel plans.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Ummm...the credit card bill?

23. What I love most about Christmas?
The smell of Christmas--the cinnamon, pine trees, food...enough said.

24. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
No, but the kids do and although we don't make a big deal about it, it is a fun tradition for now.

These little piggies...

Let me preface this by saying feet are hideous. They get callouses, they stink, they are just plain dirty. This picture was taken last Christmas Day when we were snowed in and I was bawling my eyes out because we were not able to get to Indiana for Christmas to see my family. I remember trying to focus on what I was thankful for so that I could get away from my little pitty party. So Will was just 1 month old. I get a little teary when I look at this picture. These little blessings grow up way too fast.
Just the other day I was just giving the kiddos a bath and when they got out, everyone got their finger and toe nails trimmed and after the trimmings, I kissed each toe and tickled their little feet and told them how much I love them. A dear friend was reminding me last night of the Father's love for us--its lavish. 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God." And as much as I love my little blessings, God's love is bigger, and better, and perfect. We are loved by the creator of the universe, and even though we break down, screw up and stray away, He loves little ol' us enough to know the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30). Can't quite wrap my mind around this one so for now I'll just be thankful...and praise Him...and in an effort to show some TLC to my own piggies (not so little or cute anymore,) maybe I should go get a pedicure.

Three more adorable pictures

Happy 1st Birthday, Will!

Happy Birthday!

September, October, and November are busy birthday months for us as well. All three kids have their birthdays during this time, which is actually kind of nice because when one of them gets a little jealous of the attention, we can say, "you just had a birthday," or "your birthday is in a few weeks!" We have tried really hard to focus on the joy of giving and celebrating each child and encouraging them, especially the girls, to do the same, rather than feeling sorry that its not their birthday. This is a tough lesson for selfish, sinful little creatures. Another thing I seem to pray daily for is that God would show us how to teach them in love, how to love one another--with joy! Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun celebrating. We have a few traditions, one is going to dinner on your birthday to Red Robin, two seeing as the circus has been in town every year around Syd's birthday, we make an effort to go (sans all of the expensive treats and toys!), and three being not a lot of gifts! Not sure if anyone feels overwhelmed by the attention given to giving gifts to children, but it almost makes me sick to my stomach. So we gave each girl 2 gifts (one from us and one from their siblings), and in fact, Will didn't get any gifts from us (but plenty from the rest of the family!) Katie is our content child who rarely asks for anything. She did ask for the talking "Sharpay" doll, which we did get her--against our better judgement. Two full months later the batteries have yet to die. Not to be outdone, Sydney got the talking Gabriella doll, because of course she wanted what Katie had. Oh well. I love the pictures of Will eating his cake--he dug his hands into it before we could even set it down all of the way, and he went NUTS when I took it away. Now that we are done with birthdays for awhile, we can turn our attention to preparing our hearts for the greatest birth in history. Yeah for Jesus!

Stuck in the middle

I am not sure what it is like to have siblings since I am an only child. I loving having 3 kids although it definitely has its challenges on many days. Sydney is my middle child. She is the most cuddly and also the most persnickety. There are many-a-day in our house where she gets pretty emotional when Katie is at school and she does not get to stay, too. I have found that somewhere deep inside of her she is (already!) struggling with being a little sister AND a big sister. I pray every day that God will show me how to love her the way she needs to be loved; and at the same time not give into her whining and pitty parties. When Katie is not around, Sydney relishes the role of being Will's big sister. I have found that she is a very willing and abled helper, and she loves the praise that comes along with her positive attitude!

This is Bronco Country

The most famous Bronco fan, Barrel Man, paid a visit to our section; and the cutest little cheerleaders you have ever seen! Go Broncos!

Happy Fall, Y'all

I love the autumn season. Growing up in the midwest, it was my favorite season--Purdue football games, the Feast of the Hunter's Moon, baling hay at the farm and the new barn kittens--you could even say that Fall has its own scent, and I loved it. I am beginning my 10th year in Colorado and this has been, by far, the most colorful and fragrant Fall thus far.

School is in session!

The end of August wrapped up a very fun-filled month. While we were still enjoying the hot lazy days of summer, and fellowship with sweet out-of-town guests, in the distance you could almost hear the school bell ringing; and feel the excitement of the kids as they anticipated the start of the school year. This was BIG news in the Baller household. Katie started kindergarten and Sydney started preschool at Cherry Hills Christian. We are so grateful to have the opportunity for our little ones to be in an an environment where the values we have at home are supported and encouraged. Our girls have 4 of the most wonderful, loving & nurturing, and most importantly, Godly teachers a mom could ever hope and pray for. What a blessing.

Visitors

One of the great perks of living in the beautiful state of Colorado is we get lots of fun visitors! Family and friends are a true joy to have in our home. The Conners came for a visit in August, as well as the Sammons family. Jack and Katie were fast friends (we LOVED his southern drawl!) and Will had a ball with little Maddy!

Road trip!

We took the mother of all road trips to Indiana this summer...we endured 2 days in the car (just on the way there,) accompanied by motion sickness AND the flu. All in all the kids did great and had a blast making memories with family and friends. Two more days on the way home with a side stop in Iowa to celebrate Lance's grandmother's 92 nd birthday! (Pictures from top to bottom: Jess & the girls in the yard of the little 100+ year old bungalow where I grew up and Great Great Aunt Mary still lives, Katie driving a tractor at the State Fair, Sydney milking a cow at the State Fair, Lance & Will with Great Grandma Baller.)