Christmas morning!

Well Christmas is done and lots of stuff to blog about. first, Jack and Georgia were WAY into it this year. This made everything so fun for Steven and I. Evan had no clue and didn't want anything to do with opening gift. Lucky for him his sister and brother were more than happy to help him. What is it with kids they would like to open meatloaf if was wrapped in paper with a bow on it. Evan had a rough night and was up for an hour crying form 1:00am to till 2:00 so, when Jack and Georgia were up at 7:30 he wasn't and they didn't want to wait for him. So, poor Evan is in very few of our pictures. Oh, well I guess that the curse of the third child!

Cookies, Gingerbread and PUKE!

Well all I can say is I'm glad that we got getting sick out of our system before Christmas! I say this because every other year or so some one gets sick on Christmas and I'm crossing my fingers that this is it for us in December. First Jack then Georgia then Steven and the baby last night. Everyone knows that moms CAN'T get sick! ( No, really even when we are we can't) So, I'm praying that this will just past me by as my Christmas miracle! Now that everyone is on the mend Jack and Georgia were able to do some gingerbread house and decorating Christmas cookies. Georgia put more frosting than cookies. They were also VERY crunchy form all the layers of sprinkles. Oh, well tis the season!

My baby is one year old!

I don't know how it happened, but Evan is a year old! To say that it flew by would be an understatement! I cried in the car the other day thinking that my LAST baby is a year already! Evan is the most laid back great baby!! I think if they gave prizes for the best baby HE would win hands down ( that's saying a lot because Jack was REALLY good) Evan loves balls and loves to say ball and points out balls everywhere. He can tell you what a lion says and what a monkey says. We just love him and I would five more if they could all turn out like Evan. He is a complete joy, and even though he was a very big surprise God knew what he was doing, I guess it goes to show we are not in control.

So, we had like 25 people over for his birthday and my little house was bursting at the seams! We asked everyone that came to bring an unwrapped gift that we could donate in Evans name to a sponsored family at the center for women in transition. Steven and I bought Evan a few gifts to open, but we thought that since it was thanksgiving and that we had christmas just four weeks away that this just felt right. ( really we don't need anymore toys or board books) We made Evan a stacking ring birthday cake that is his favorite toy since he has been six months old. I think we did a good job (were no cake boss) Evan loved cake and didn't make to big of a mess.

365 from today!

I know where I'll be........... Breaking Dawn!!

Why do I buy toys?

So Evan's new thing is taking apart my pots and pan cupboard. Georgia loves to play along with him. They have been playing up storm with this cupboard and the lids. I think to myself, "why do I even bother with toys" Right now Georgia wants everything she see on commercials it's crazy. I tell her we will just have to put it on her christmas list, now she will say "I want that! I gonna get lots of toys to my house for Christmas time" Oh, boy! How surprised when she see what Santa brings. Lucky for me she doesn't remember everything she sees.

Halloween!

Georgia was Foofa from Yo Gabba Gabba ( I love that show)
The whole group of us just before they went out Trick or Treating
My Jack!
Evan was sooo cute in this. He hated the hat and the costume only stayed on for pictures!
All I can say was it was fun and busy and like Christmas I'm glad it only comes once a year! They kids had a great time, only had a couple of melt downs but all and all halloween was a fun filled sugared up two days!

Getting Ready for Halloween

Today we went to Jack's school to see his halloween parade and party. I let Georgia wear her "almost" costume . I say "almost" because she changed her mind after I made it. So, today I talked her in to wearing it around town and to Jack's school so I could get some use out of my creativity. She looked so cute in her ghost costume but tomorrow she is going to be Foofa from yo gabba gabba ( I know some parents hate that show, but I LOVE YO GABBA GABBA!)

The kids are so excited for trick or treating! On Saturday we are going to Brent and Krissy house with most of my nieces and nephews. The kids have so much fun we do this every year and it's a blast! But, Sunday on Halloween Wyoming is doing their halloween and everyone is coming to our house. Kinda double dipping! Yeah! Two days of halloween!

It's a family outing! Were not the Griswalds but, sometimes feel like it!

Kendall and Georgia getting all the guts out! The kept yelling ewwww every time the reached in!
Jack couldn't find the "perfect" pumpkin. The is always a problem for Jack I hope this is a stage because he is going to be impossible as a teenager.
Georgia trying to pull all the pumpkins

The whole gang, minus Evan who was in the stroller!

On Sunday the whole Miller/Barr Family and all of their offspring headed to have fun at the pumpkin patch. We went to Country Basket on 9 mile and Alpine. I have to say that I was really happy! It was just big enough for two babies, two three year olds, three four year olds and a pair of seven year olds. It also didn't break the bank! I can't tell you how wrong it feels to spend $50.00 on a family of four to take a hayride, cider and a donuts and also a pony ride. Last year that is what we spent, I thought I was going to pee my pants at the prices last year. Much better this year! The kids got to play and have a ton of fun. After we were done with the farm everyone came back to our house for some chili and pumpkin carving. It was a fun day and the rain held out till night time it was great!

Love my cabinet painted black!

Love my cabinet painted black!

Steven spent a good part of last night repainting my corner cabinet black. I didn't mind it the tan, but it really needed something. With it now black it makes all the difference. I will show you before and after pics! Enjoy!

Summer fun and craziness !

We have been busy with Everyday summer stuff and Birthday and more birthdays and weddings! The summer is flying by and I just can't believe that it is almost over! Jack's 7th Birthday
My moms 60th birthday party

Playing at the water park
Georgia turns Three!!!!

Georgia Gets a Big Girl Bed!

We decided that it might be time for Georgia to get in a new bed! She has been having a few months of night terrors and we have been moving her to the couch to keep her from waking Evan up. When she is on the couch she seems to do better so, we thought that a day bed might help just like the couch does. Well, so far so good! We have had a few screams but just for a minute or so. We are crossing our fingers that it will become less and less. Will keep you updated!

Great Wolf Lodge

We decided to take a winter break to Great Wolf Lodge! We went with Kelly and Carlos and kids and also Kevin and Angie and kids. We had a super fun time! The kids played for hours at the water park. We ate dinner at and played at the arcade. We will for sure be going back! Hopefully Brent and Matt will go next year!

Steven took the kids to the circus on Saturday they had a great time! Now, every morning since Georgia wakes up and asks where's daddy? He's going to take me to the circus! It's very cute!

Going to try my hand at blogging! Yikes!

Well I hope this works!

I should explain my blog name first! For most of my life I heard my mom blurt the saying three kids and a mortgage later. She would say "Stacey three kids and a mortgage later I figured that out or this out!" This saying has alway gone through my head as reminder, that I better think about everything I do before I have three kids and a mortgage later!

So, here I am three kids and a mortgage later! LOL!

I hope that this blog will help me better communicate with people I have a hard time keeping in touch with. Although sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough hours in our day other days drag. Yet, I still don't get a chance to see or visit or talk to a lot of people I would like to keep up with. I'm hoping that maybe this will be a way for family and friends to see what the Ballards are up to and feel like people have had a chance catch up on our lives.

God Bless

Stacey and Family