CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

OK, Here's a ton and tons of you are in them, so I expect to here some comments people...

if you have any to add, just let me know via email.





























Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Thanksgiving Extra

See Bri's blog for a few more:
http://brightynballing.blogspot.com/2012/12/thanksgiving.html

Girl Party at Bear Lake

"Just girls can come. But not dad.  But grandpa Jack can come too.  That would be ok.  It will be a fun party at THE LAKE!!!"  -niki

Lily Views: Sunday and Shopping

California Trip

TX friends in Sparks, NV now 10/05

Park Picnic 10/06

Beach Day 10/08

Oakland Temple 10/10

Train Museum, Sacramento, and Driving 10/10

Grandy's Sweater and Matching Hat

Of course, Lily had to take a picture of Grandy's house too.

Tom Yum Soup - Yummy

Fall leaves in Lambs Canyon

Stevens in ID

Giant Camp Chair

Witness Utes BEAT BYU

Hike in Muller Park

The girls were super troopers - 45 mins uphill without stopping!!!

Lily Views: Saturday

2 old to let me Dress her

She picked it all out herself.  Nice huh?

Green River

Our Favorite Family Trip

Messy Muffin

Idaho with Nixons

Payson Lakes

Cherry Hill

Bear Lake with Sharps

Lily Views: New House and Mom

Uintahs - Duck Lake

Road Trip Balloons

Our road trip was very un-eventful.  Yea.  The only thing we bothered to take pictures of were the balloons of course.

Farewell Friends

We're Schlitterin'

Moving Week

The "Expert"

Tyler and I were in the our room when we heard Niki crying (over who knows what) again.
As Tyler got up to go help her out he said something about how she was getting too emotional lately and just needed to stop it.
I told him she probably had to go to the bathroom and that was making her cranky.

Trying to be funny, he asked:
"What are you, some kind of Niki expert?"
Uh, YES. At least I hope so. I've been trying all day for the past 2 years to figure out what she needs and how to help her solve her problems. If anyone is going to be a Niki "expert", I'm it.

Tyler couldn't even begin to argue with that.
I'm still laughing over it.

Niki's Tricks and Thoughts

We were leaving Walmart and Niki started pointing saying "I see Old McDonald in the store"
Half listening I responed with something like "Old McDonald huh? Does he have a farm?"
As she stuttered and giggled to Lily, it all started making sense...
"But, but, but it's McDonald. To eat at. Except, It's not have a farm. No, that would be silly. I see it. I see McDonalds at the store. It's not Old McDonald, but it's McDonalds at the store."
Apparently we've gone to get ice cream cones too many times because she remembered what those golden arches mean. Had to laugh.



She's up to her balancing tricks again.

And this week (since we're moving and cleaning carpets anyways) Niki was potty trained. With only 2 pairs of wet underwear and nothing on the carpet or floor, she's done AWESOME!

Niki now fits into the Crayon dress that Grandy made for me. It's still super cute!

Lampassas

That's a little town near here that we went to "explore" when we needed a packing break.

Through Lily's Eyes

Look what I found on my phone.  I didn't know she knew how to turn on the camera:

West TX

Do you believe this town exists?

Dallas

Almost time to move and we're checking off the TX todo list.

We spent an awesome day in Dallas with our firends... we'll miss you.

Lily sleeping where?

Day Date

Tyler and I thoroughly enjoyed an entire day together.  The only thing you might see of note here is that there are no kids in the pictures.  It's about time!

Rodeo and Lily's Future

We went to our first Rodeo (free military tickets).

Now Lily wants to be a cowgirl and help "rescue" baby cows from the wolves, tie them up safe, and take them back to their mothers.  She says she will also learn to ride a horse fast and do a few tricks, but not the dangerous ones, just the careful ones.  She will start by learning to ride a sheep first.
She figures she will live in a small town somewhere in Utah, but not by Disneyland because California is too crowded.  She will marry a boy who loves to be a farmer and have kids and they will all take care of the animals together.

Well, at least her dream is realistic.  Power to you Lily.  If that's what you want, go for it.

Singing in the Rain

The best part of Texas rain is that it is WARM.

On her B-day Lily said

We explained that at 4 years old she was half-way to being 8 years old.  We then asked what she can do when she turns 8 and her reply was "get a credit card."   Oh dear, she is already wanting one of those.

Janna was at a church practice and Lily said "While Mom is gone, I will be the momie.  I'm 4 years old so I'm old enough now, but Niki is still too young"  Then after getting in trouble for smothering Niki and not letting her up, Lily said "I guess I'm not a very good momie"

Tyler went out to wash his car and the girls were really excited to help.  Lily said that "washing the car is so much fun, it is the most fun thing you can do with a car"

Lily's Four ... and so easy to please

"I got all the things I ever wanted.  This is the best birthday ever!"

Hangin Around

Just some pictures of nothing

Continental Divide

Diane Wedding Day

We had so much fun with Aunt Diane and Uncle JT.  You guys should get married again!!!

Excited for Presents!!!

Thank you everybody

Road Trip - At the FOUR CORNERS

Lily's been thinking...

randomly out of know where yesterday morning:

"I think Heavenly Father knows which one is the real Santa Clause!"

then today after church...

"The Holy Ghost sends an email to Heavenly Father when he needs to tell him a message."

"Oh he does does he.  Where did you learn that Lily?"

"I just learned it from my mind."

Sun, Surf, and Planes

We visited Corpus Christi on the coast this weekend. What a fun trip!!!

They aired a new 3D movie on the USS Lexington, and we got to shake hands with the star: the winner of the Reno AIR RACERS. Lily was so cute, she even made the local paper - link to article



We got sunburned, bruised, and cut. Gotta love surfing!
Oh yea, and the girls LOVED the beach and the OCEAN.

Girls Playing

Tyler's SOS Trip

Lily, what's your favorite thing about Daddy?

That he likes to eat candy with us.
But, he eats it way too much. I don't think that will be very healthy.

A Mother's Day Questionnaire

by Lily

(in Sharing Time today they passed out this survey)

What is your mom's favorite song?
singing: "I often go walking, in meadows of clover"
How old is your mom?
I don't know.
What is your mom's favorite food?
Macaroni and Cheese?
What is your mom's favorite color?
Green
Why does your mommy love you so much?
Because I love her and try to obey her and sometimes I get it right and sometimes I get it wrong.
What is your favorite thing to do with your mom?
I like to let her stay alone with me without Niki bothering us.
What make s your mom so pretty?
Because of me. (just like when we ask How did you get so pretty? Because of Mom)
How does your mommy make you feel better when you are sick?
She takes me to the doctor sometimes.
What TV show does your mom like best?
Grownup Commercials
When are you the most proud of your mom?
For helping me when I get hurt and giving me band-aids when I'm bleeding.
What does your mom do best?
Help me when I get hurt.
How do you show your mom that you love her?
By being good and helping her and being very nice to her.

Thanks Lily.  I love you too.

Girls take the pictures

Cavalry Field Trip

How do you learn to clean tile?

Explosion while we were gone

Apparently, I was sicker than I remember when I left... The house was a disaster.

And check out the garden growth, hard to imagine they were all tiny seedlings just 3 weeks ago.

Last Time With Tyson

See our postings at:
Pictures of Tyson Anyone?
and
Tyson's 22

Wall Climber

More Pool Time

Niki likes Okrah?

Last of Montgomery

The Airport


Maxwell AFB

New Hats

I finally finished a project. Perfect to match Niki's cute sweater from Grandy.  I made one for Lily while I was at it.

Temple Trip

Tyler and I took time out together.  Thanks Henley's for babysitting!!!

Hanging at the Hotel

What you can get for 99 cents.


And where did Niki finally fall asleep?

Biscuts Baseball Game

Destin FL and Dolphins

Montgomery Zoo

Niki Monkey Climbing Tree

After just 2 minutes, not only had Niki figured out how to climb the tree, but she refused to do anything else the rest of the time we were there.  This would have been OK if she wasn't climbing higher than my head and if she was wearing non-slippery flip-flops.  Scare me to death!

Pool Time

Montgomery AL

Tyler did a FANTASTIC job of finding a hotel to stay at:


And we went out to see the town highlights yesterday, including the Art Museum and Riverwalk

We love to FLY

Another typical flight for the family. The girls slept the entire second leg.  Yea.

Easter

The neighbors were kind enough to take the girls to the Ward Egg Hunt since I was so sick:


Tyson played Easter Bunny and we had fun watching the girls find the eggs over and over again as they spilled out of their baskets onto the grass.

Silly Girls

Subway

Thanks for the BDay card Gpa!!! We needed a dinner break.

Tyler goes to Dinner

Niki plays piano

Singing Time

I was lucky enough to perform in our Stake RS celebration program.  We performed the music from the Women of Destiny.  I'm so grateful for the spirit that touched me over the weeks as we practiced and performed.

"Let me listen to mine music"

Niki's un-Birthday Party

What a spoiled little girl.

Packages n Potty Song

Thanks Gpa!!!

Austin with K's

We love hangin with our friends.  What a fun day!

FHE with Rudy's

Tyson agrees, Rudy's has the best TX BBQ.  And everyone had fun playing on the playground in the dusk.

Hotel Break

2012_0310_Hotel Break

Niki reads to baby

Lily's Shiner

Some thoughts from Lily:

 "He He. Isn't she cute, but not as cute as me." -2/10/12

 "Dad, Mom's asleep and I need attention a lot. Niki's asleep too." -2/11/12

And now for the shiner...
     We were at the church for singing practice and lily tripped just before the stairs going up to the pulpit, smashing her face into the stair edges. "Your daughter is bleeding" I turned around to see Lily, face pointed to the sky crying, bloody nose, careful hands saying something about bleeding and trying not to make a mess. Only Lily would survive such an injury and manage to keep her surroundings including her clothes completely blood free. After many wet wipes and quickly calming her down, I looked and couldn't find a single drop.
     Now she's sporting a nice goose ache on her forehead and various scabs and scratches all over her nose. When ever someone tells her nice shiner she takes it as a compliment and sticks her face up so that can further admire it. What a trooper.

Fair and Swimming

FHE doughnuts

Good lookin

It was time for Tyler to get an official picture update at work

No Pain No Gain

What happens when a kid with a very high pain tollerance craves attention? Watch the movie for yourself. Ouch!

Austin with Cunkle Tyson

Road Trip to Houston

Bowling

Happy happy me...

Lily and Niki were playing and asked me if I had any pumpkins for a coach.  I suggested using the exercise ball and couldn't help laugh at what they came up with.
As gpa dave would sing:
"Happy happy me I'm as happy as a girl can be.
 Happy happy me I am going to the ball"

Sleeping Time

The girls set this up all by themselves, well, Tyler made the fire.

Bday presents

A day late. We were too busy playing to get to presents on time.

The Ark

Welcome home Eric

Boat and RV Show

FHE with Tyson

Road Trip Dust Storm

Santa Fe

Powder Day, well kind of

Niki "Dressed" herself

Grandy's Hot Tub

Hanging with Ballings

Presents with Ballings

Natalie in Park City

Flying with Bruce

Lily can SKI!!!

Piggyback Pushups

Nate's Hotel Pool

Sledding

HoHo Gourmet Lunch

Chilling at Sharps

April and Painted Nails

Jump and Bounce

Balling Family Pictures

Surfing on Dallas airport train

TX Road House

Snow Day

Presents with Sharps

Bunkbeds

Dress up girls