Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Getting the Christmas Tree



This year we got a NORDMAN FIR Christmas tree. You can't tell with it all wrapped up in its mesh, but it is beautiful and we love it.

(As you can see Mason is missing his 2 front teeth. He lost them before Halloween and his adult teeth still had made their way in. He has lost a total of 6 teeth now and he feels so grown up.)
Family Picture
It seems like we never get pictures with all of us in it anymore. I love Kennedy's cute little face.
SANTA 2009
Ryker looks thrilled. I'm sure if he could speak, he would have told us no thanks....not sittin' on his lap, just like Kennedy said. Later in the day Mason told me he knew that that wasn't really Santa, that it was just one of his workers dressed up.
Big Sister



Kennedy is such a good big sister. She is so helpful and loving towards Ryker and he gets excited when she comes in the room.

Yesterday Ryker woke up from his nap while I was cooking dinner so I asked Kennedy to go down and talk to him until I could get him up. Ten minutes later when I got down there she was standing next to him, rubbing his back, and in her sweet voice saying, "Here she comes, momma's almost here." It was really cute.
RYKER-IS-A-MOVIN'



This little guy has been keeping me on my toes for the last month. He is constantly moving and is into everything. He can pull himself up to standing anywhere, and gets himself stuck often. He has fallen off the dishwasher a couple times and down the bottom half of the stairs. He does successfully climb the stairs now, and is pretty fast, but I'm sure he will take a few more spills. He is very determined and will figure out a way to get where he wants.

He has his 4 front teeth now and has had a few haircuts. His diet consists of fruit, vegetables, rice, oatmeal, and he still nurses.

If it can fit into his hand, it goes in his mouth. I check his mouth all day long, and find various things in there.

He is a very good baby and is so much fun for us.
Mason's Fall Festival


Mason had a little "Fall Festival" for us this year. He decorated his room by making a large pilgrim and a turkey out of butcher paper. He set up stations with various activities, like puzzles and games. He made invitations and gave one to the neighbors and we had a great time. Mason asked me to get things to make little turkeys for dessert. So I quickly ran to the store before the festival began.

Friday, November 20, 2009

MOUSE

Last week....
Kennedy: MOM! I just saw a mouse run across the kitchen.
Me: Hmmm, are you sure?
K: YES!

When Don got home I was telling him what she said and she could hear the doubt in my voice and piped up with "AND IT WASN'T A SHADOW!".

Subject dropped.

Yesterday morning....
Don: It wasn't a shadow

bummer....

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Parent/Teacher Conference

WARNING: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ A BRAG SESSION, SKIP THIS POST :)

We had Mason's first parent/teacher conference this morning, and it was wonderful. Mason had a + or an E (exceptional) on every section of his report card AND he has scored VERY TOP in his class for literacy.

I am so grateful to have a smart little boy who strives to do his best and wants to please. I am also grateful to a Grandfather who always said not to start a boy with a summer birthday in school until he is 6.

Mason SHOULD score well because he technically could be in 1st grade. However his teacher did say he also scored very well for a 1st grader and that his penmanship is also great for a first grader.

She also said that he always listens to instructions and follows all directions. This is something that we work really hard on at home so I am glad that it is showing at school.

I know that we made the best decision for him and I hope that we continue to get these great reviews through out coming years.

(A funny little note...I told Mason last night that I was going to his conference today and that his teacher was going to tell me all the bad things that he does at school. He knew that I was teasing and grinned but then got a little nervous and said, "I did get in trouble once in line for talking". Then a little while later he said, "Mom, I did get in trouble one other time for talking over Ms. Perkins. But I didn't get a yellow card."

Don't worry I assured him that I was teasing and that I knew his teacher had wonderful things to tell me.)

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Crazy Few Months

We have had the most crazy few months. Here is a short list....

-Grandma Ballard died
-Ryker born
-Fam reunion in Utah
-Renter #1 died
-Renter #2 give notice and move
-clean/paint/clean/paint
-find new renter
-Renter #3 give notice and move
-clean, clean, clean
-find new renter
-Family of renter #1 halfway empties house
-Gut rental and start renovations
-Don's Dad died
-Renter #4 gives notice and moves
-clean/paint/clean/paint
-Find new renter
-Grandpa died
-New bathroom goes in
-New kitchen goes in
-Renter #5 gives notice
-Finish renovations
-Renter moves in

Did you follow that. Ya, I know....CRAZY! We have had 3 family deaths and have had 4 renters move in the last few months and one moving in the next couple of months(hopefully after Christmas).

So not only have I been a busy mother lately, I have been a professional house cleaner, painter, contractor, and slave.

awesome.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Portraits

Kennedy got in trouble the other morning for being disobedient.

Kennedy drew this picture of Don.
She drew this picture of me.
Me: Woooow, Kennedy....I look....a little upset.
K: Ya. I drew you angry because you were angry with me this morning.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Friday, October 23, 2009

babylicious

Don't you just want to EAT your baby sometimes. Don't tell me you've never had that feeling. Their skin is just so soft, and squishy, and smooth, and buttery, and yummy.

Anyway, this afternoon I knelt down next to Ryker, and with his huge smile, he leaned his big head over to touch his face to mine. ahhhh! I was immediately hungry.

almost 7 months here
CRAPPY day at the eye doctor


So Kennedy's pre-school has people come in and check their hearing, eyes and teeth. They take pictures of their eyes and then if needed, refer you to an optometrist. Her pics came back, and didn't look good, so they told us to take her in. I really didn't think much of it. She seemed to see things just fine. After a few months went by, I decided I would take them both in, just to see....

Mason first. "Your son doesn't have perfect vision, but he won't need glasses at this point. However, he does have serious tissue damage around his optic nerve." WHAT?

The doctor wanted to know what happened to his eye. He gets hurt ALL the time and I don't keep track. I can vaguely remember him hurting his eye and thinking, I'm glad his eye is okay. Short story is that we don't know the extent of the damage yet and will have to watch it. They can do tests later as he get older. Appears that he will just have a very LARGE blind spot.

Kennedy was up next....BLIND. SHE IS ALMOST BLIND. (her scrip is a +6.) I was totally shocked and devastated. I didn't want her to have to get glasses at such a young age. Especially THICK magnifiers. I did have a good Mom moment and I let her pick out the glasses of her choice. She choice the pink/purple ones with butterflies and rhinestones on the sides (not my fav). She is happy as a clam and knows she looks BEAUTIFUL.

Now I have to say that after I cried a little, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm so thankful that we found out so young, (she never complained about it...she didn't know any different), and so glad that there is an easy fix!

Here are a couple of pics of the new specs...

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Goodbye Summer



So long to riding bikes in flip flops and tank tops, swimming, and fresh summer produce.
Hello jackets, crunchy leaves, caramel apples, costumes, and fun decorations.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Ryker

I haven't posted many (or any really) updates on Ryker.....

He is doing great. He is 6 months now and is happy, healthy, and very loved. I don't know his weight...haven't been to the doc since 2 months, but he seems very big.

Here is a little video clip from a couple of weeks ago, so about 5 1/2 months. (Please turn down your volume so you don't have to listen to me and my baby talk.)

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Kennedy

Place: In the car
Me: Told Kennedy something (can't remember what)
K: "I know; that's what I was thinking in my ear"
Me: "You mean your head?"
K: "No, my ear."

Next day....

K: "Mom teach me that song again"
Me: sang the song
K: "Okay, Okay, stop singing now, I've got it in my ear."

Must be nice to have ears with multiple functions.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Empty. Drained. Exhausted. Sad. Tired. Spiritual.

(This is Ferris with Mason in '03)

That is how we feel. Don's Dad passed away Friday night after a sudden heart attack. He was 67. About 20 years too young. We are too young, my kids are too young. Ryker will not know this wonderful man whom he was named after.

I'm too drained to write more.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Camping at Priest Lake

We only managed to go camping once this summer but it was so great. We went up to Priest Lake Idaho and happened to go the only 4 days it rained all summer. BUMMER. However, we set up a great shelter and still had lots of fun.

Ryker was such a trooper and did great. He never complained about the cold weather, or anything for that matter. Mason and Kennedy also had a blast. What isn't to love about trees, sticks, dirt, bugs, water, bike riding, great food and friends?

I brought my camera....without the battery in it. So these pictures are from my Missy's camera.

Ryker at 4.5 months

This picture does not do our shelter justice. The tarp was HUGE.
Emma and Kennedy
Mason, Kaden and Ethan. We had a few minutes of sunshine here and there, but it was still so cold, I was surprised they wanted to play in their suits.
Kennedy
Ryker was so spoiled by Taylor.
One of these girls didn't have her hair combed for 4 days. She did go ahead and make herself a headband with her necklace. nice.
Mason
Ethan and Taylor

Thanks for the great trip Moody's!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

4 months....

Has it really been over 4 months since I last posted? We have been having a great summer and I am sad to see it coming to an end while also looking forward to the kids being in school again.

Ryker is doing great and growing way to fast.

I'll update with photos soon.

Monday, April 13, 2009


don't you love when you go to get your hungry baby and he tucks his legs up, arches his back, and stretches? i. love. it.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

SO IN LOVE....


Ryker Ferris Hatch
(Ferris after Don's Dad)

March 26th, 2009
9 lbs 11.3 oz

Most people find a super cute picture of their newborn to post, but I had to post this picture so you could see the size of him!
(Special thanks to Ryker for placing his foot just so)

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Pregnancy Gift

Don't we all deserve to splurge on something after being pregnant for 9 1/2 months? I think so. So I went ahead and got myself this TOTALLY CUTE diaper bag. I am so excited for it to come, I hope I love it as much when it arrives as I do now.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

My Dancing Princess
Kennedy started ballet and since this is my first child in a dance class, I am so in love.
(sorry the pictures are so blurry...my camera isn't great AND there is glass between us)


So in the picture below, they were "stretching". Kennedy leaned back so that she could do a FULL butterfly with her legs. Then, they were supposed to lean forward to get a good stretch....
It must have been too hard so Kennedy went ahead and moved her legs to the back and influenced her friend next to her to do the same.
(notice the teacher and the other girls doing it correctly)

I thought it was too cute. I loved watching her at ballet. She was so happy and loves it.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Friends

Aren't friends the best. I love my friends. I am sitting here crying because I am so thankful for my friends. I have always cared about friends and it is important to me to have good friends and to be a good friend.

I had a little pre-term labor problem yesterday and had to go spend a little time at the hospital and get some meds and a (really fun) shot. I am doing okay today, the contractions are slowing down as I rest and my cervix is (thankfully) holding strong so far.

(I am 32 weeks so this baby needs to wait and he seems to be doing just fine.)

So news spreads fast when you have good friends and they all want to help. One offered to bring dinner tonight and I convinced her that we were fine and that my great husband is perfectly capable of cooking of dinner. (He does it often)

Another friend insisted that she come over to get the kids ready for school. I told her no thank you ...she came anyway (and she folded a basket of laundry and cooked lunch while here).

My carpool friend insisted on driving both ways today AND on bringing over dinner. Which I again politely declined and she wouldn't hear of it. So we are having salmon at 6:00.

I feel blessed and thankful and loved. Thank you friends.

(my sisters are going to kill me....I swear I have been laying down all day, I just stopped to blog for 2 minutes when I got up to go potty)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Kennedy

"Mom, can you take a picture of me because I look so pretty."

I agree Kennedy. You do look so pretty.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Genius

We are doing a little construction around here and Mason was wondering why we were putting a window in the baby's new bedroom. So... we talked about how all of the bedrooms in the house have windows and then I, being the GENIUS that I am, thought it was a great time to talk about fires. (which he has learned about at school and has meet the firefighters and been on the truck and gone through the smoke filled house)

So I explained that all the rooms need a window JUST IN CASE there was a fire. Then we could get out quickly so that no one would get hurt. Of course I went on to talk about smoke and signs of a fire and how he should quickly open his window, push the screen out, jump out and run to the neighbors and tell them to call 911.

His chin started quivering and then he said, "Well I'll run to Kennedy's room and help her out first." Then there was more chin quivering and with a very shaky voice he said, "What about all my new (sobbing now) books? I LOVE my books. And my bed, I really like my bed. ALL my stuff would be gone."

I'm a genius. I'll bet he doesn't sleep a wink tonight.

(We did talk more about it and I think he feels okay now.)