Father/Daughter Campout

The girls were so excited to go camping at Mt. Diablo with their dad. Ainsley was so happy in her little camping outfit complete with tennis shoes. Our camera, unfortunately, was on low battery so I was just lucky enough to snap these few pictures before they left. No shots of the actual camping.

Talk about an easy night for me! The boys and I went out to dinner, saw a movie, and then had ice cream sundaes. I didn't have to give anyone a bath, brush any teeth (except my own), read any stories, or even get up in the night. I don't even think I woke up at all before my alarm went off. How long has it been? Perhaps...maybe...a glimpse of the future...???

Mother Earth

The other day I was doing something in the kitchen while Hayden was watching a show on her favorite channel, NOGGIN (the channel that "Max and Ruby" come on). The announcer on the show was talking about everything that "Mother Earth" created, like water, trees, mountains, etc. I was curious to see if Hayden would even notice. Sure enough, a few seconds later she began laughing. Between her giggles she said "They don't even know that Heavenly Father made everything, not Mother Earth!"

Off to school...

Every MWF Hayden waits for her ride to preschool.

Storybook Dance

Hayden started Storybook Dance last week and so we had to take some pictures. She had so much fun and can't wait to go back!

just because...

My baby is getting big. These were taken the other night when Jeremy was pumping up soccer balls. If you want to make her happy...give her a soccer ball!

Happy Birthday Marisa!

Happy Birthday Marisa! Last week Marisa came and celebrated her birthday at our house. The kids were thrilled! They couldn't stop laughing over the fact that she was wearing a birthday hat that said "I'm one". Marisa is a great aunt that my kids adore. She is so thoughtful and never forgets a birthday. She is talented. She is creative. She is fun. She is beautiful. She babysits! She also has made the sweetest baptism DVDs for my boys that mean the world to me. We love you Marisa...you are the best!

Preschool

Hayden started preschool last week. She loves it!

She loves taking pictures too!

What am I going to do all morning?

With her friend Megan.

Parker's Baptism

September 12th was the day that Parker got baptized. He was so excited. We had lots of family come into town including his grandparents from Canada. After the baptism we had a little dinner with family and friends. It was a great day.

*Always at the end of the big day I wonder why I didn't take more pictures...hmmm...I guess I was a little busy?*

First Day of School 2009

The kids were up before 6 on the 1st day of school! This year we are at a new school. The kids are so excited!

McCall in 1st grade, Austin in 5th grade, Parker in 2nd grade

Austin is a big 5th grader...next year middle school...yikes.

McCall in line. I asked her how she liked her teacher...she responded excitedly"I was hoping she would have long hair!"

McCall in her class...as you can see, her teacher has long hair!

The kids at home...Hayden starts preschool next week.

**Parker didn't want us to go with him to his class (sniffle sniffle) so I missed getting a picture of him in line.**

Parker is 8!

It is hard to believe that Parker is 8! His birth was the best...I went in expecting a c-section (like with Austin) but out he came with no complications. That kind of sums up the kind of kid he is...easy-going. He has his moments but for the most part he is a happy, helpful, active boy who loves baseball, soccer, and his little sister. He loved babies and is always the one to tend Ainsley when I need some help. We love Parker so much and are so grateful he is in our family.



Parker has the best birth date! It is still summer ...but close enough for school starting that most of his friends are back from vacation. He had the best day this year starting with a breakfast with his dad.

Parker had a fun birthday party at Super Franks with his friends and family. Parker loved the zipline!

Hayden and McCall

McCall and Parker playing on the bikes.

8 candles...

Clara, Aliza, Parker, Hayden, and McCall

Summer Top 10

Ok...this is getting ridiculous...why is it so hard to sit down and do this? Summer has been over for awhile and I have a million things worth blogging about. Rather than boring you I will list the highlights of the past few months (in no particular order).

10. SIX FLAGS...With season passes to Six Flags in Vallejo, we made every effort to go as often as we could. The kids love it there! The boys love the water rides (we always must bring an extra change of clothes) and the girls love the little kiddie rides. We are lucky to have a grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins to go with us.

Austin and McCall posing...Aust wanted to look fierce

Hayden and Ainsley on the merry go round


9. O CANADA! Every year I try to take my family home to Southern Alberta for a month. It takes about 22 hours to drive...and driving with 5 kids...especially my 5 kids... is not fun. It is, however, well worth it. This year we had the best time ever! We did lots of fun things but the best part by far was spending time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that they rarely see. Some great bonds were formed that will hopefully last forever. My kids are being raised in a much different enviroment than me so I feel it is vital for them to experience a slower way of life...even if it is only for 1 month.

Beautiful southern Alberta...when we were there the canola fields were gorgeous.

Balderson homestead...home sweet home.

My Great Grandpa Balderson's barn...my brother is building a house on that farm.

8. AINSLEY IS A WALKER! We were so excited when Ainsley began to walk 2 weeks after her 1st birthday. We are not so excited now.

This should be a picture of her walking...but I liked this one more!

7. The Magrath Trading Company is gone! The "store"...that I grew up working in was sold over the summer! It has been in our family for generations. I began working there in 8th grade on Saturdays (in the clothing department) with my grandma Marge. Memories... It is very sad but now my parents will have more time to come and visit us! It is under new ownership and will be renamed "ROOSTERS COUNTRY MARKETPLACE".

This is a picture of our beloved MTC on parade day.

6. DANNY BALDERSON BASKETBALL CAMP...for the past 11 years my brother, Danny, has been running a youth basketball camp in Magrath. This is one of the highlights of the summer for my boys. This year he had almost 150 kids! My boys loved the 1 on 1 tounaments, elimination, the 3 on 3 tournaments, and meeting new friends. The 5 on 5 tournaments were a little intense and they got a little upset they didn't win, but they had a great time. Thanks Uncle Danny!

I didn't take any pictures except this one of Parker sitting at the award ceremonies.

5. We caught up on our SLEEP. Even though it doesn't get dark until about 11 pm in the summer, we still managed to get a lot of sleep this trip. After a long day of outdoor play, we all were exhausted!

A common bedtime Parker.

I walked in one night to see the girls holding hand while they slept...awwww.

4. WATERTON...if you have never been to Glacier National Park, you are missing out! It is stunningly beautiful. Way back in the early 1900's when my great grandfather brought his young bride from Iowa to Southern Alberta hoping to convince her to move, she was not impressed. When he took her to Waterton...she quickly changed her mind. She left her entire family as my grandfather promised they would return to beautiful Waterton often. My kids were excited to go for a dip in the icy water, go for a hike, play on the playground, and of course get a Big Scoop.

Austin, McCall and Hayden

Austin couldn't wait to jump in!

So gorgeous!

3. MAGRATH CELEBRATION PARADE...the Magrath Parade is the best. Even though it lasts for under an hour it is one of the best things about going home. It is really fun to see old friends there...because the entire town is there. My kids LOVED being on the float this year and throwing candy. Austin decided he would rather catch candy and came home with a HUGE bag. This year we had a team in the family softball tournament. Since Austin is 10 he got to play!

Last Trading Company float EVER!

Uncle Danny, Brooklyn, Levi, and Bayley riding their horses in the parade.

2. GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, UNCLES, AND COUSINS...there is nothing better than being together with your family. We loved spending time with each other.

Aunt Patti, Grandma and Aunt Debbie at Aunt Patti's new house.

Cute cousins Gracie, Brooklyn and Bayley.

Ainsley loved her big cousin Maysa...I think they will be great friends someday!

Great Grandpa...has had a hard year...it was so good to spend time with him.

1. My kids continue to grow...it seems like over summer they grow a foot. It must be all the sun and swimming! While it is exciting to see them get taller, bigger and smarter, it still makes me a little sad.

People always ask me if McCall and Parker are twins.

Hayden will be in preschool this year.

My baby is growing up.