Maggie

We were so blessed to welcome our sweet new little girl to the world.
Maggie Lisa Ball was born on Tuesday, December 8th at 5:55p.m.
She was 8 pounds and 20 inches long and perfectly healthy.
We feel so blessed to have her and so happy that she made it here safely.

Nick is doing well and is an absolutely amazing husband and father. He is so wonderful!
I (Lisa) feel really good and can't wait to get home and start getting myself back to "normal" - whatever that is!!
The kids are not able to go to the hospital due to the new policies around the H1N1 virus. But, Nick was able to work his way around the hospital's firewall/safety protocols and set-up a video chat for them from hospital to home. Thank heaven for someone who knows his was around the computer!
When Grayce and Emma were shown a picture of Maggie they were so cute and excited. They kept saying, "Oohh Baby!" I can't wait for them to meet her in person. It is going to be an interesting adjustment, but I think they will do great.
I really miss seeing the kids. It is nice not having to do the day to day stuff, but I really miss the conversations and the hugs and kisses I so took for granted every day!
It is Abby's birthday today. Hopefully I will be able to meet her down in the lobby for a few minutes tonight. i think she has been having a good day.

Well, now that Maggie has been properly introduced, here are her sweet pictures:

Halloween 2009

Halloween was a little crazy for us this year. Usually we go to the Lehi Legacy Center Halloween party and then trick-or-treating with friends. This year we were up in Idaho and had a fun birthday party for my mom, then went to a trunk-or-treat at my parent's church and then trick-or-treating with cousins. After the trick-or-treating we piled up in the car and drove back home so that we could make it back for Nick to attend meetings the next morning. Talk about a whirl-wind trip!!



We did get our pumpkins carved the night before we left, so that was a plus!!


Abby's...

Bryant's...

Tyler's...

Grayce's...

Emma's...



Nick, Tyler, Grayce, Emma, and I were all able to go to the school and watch Abby and Bryant in the annual Halloween parade.




There was a man dressed up in a giant scary costume that really freaked out the girls - as you can see.



These were all I got of the kids' costumes this year - Abby was a disco girl, Bryant was Mario, Tyler was Luigi, Grayce was an elephant (or as she says it, "elphanant), and Emma was a giraffe!

Ty's Birthday

My baby turned 5!! I guess I can't call him my baby anymore. He is so grown up and tall, tall, tall. He and Bryant share clothes even. Anyway, here are some pictures of his birthday! What a great boy. I am so blessed to be the mom to these great kids. I love you Tyler!!

The cake - a special request for ice cream cake this year! Good call Ty, it was great!!


Our traditional trip to Build a Bear. Ty chose an owl - so cute!!


Emma posing with one of Ty's balloons (they are still floating high)!!


Grayce being her usually photogenic personality!


Of course everyone getting a glimpse of the new DS game Ty got!


Abby posing with all of the ribbons and bows - what a girl!!


Ty opening presents - he has been so excited for his birthday and he was so cute when it finally came! We love Tyler!!

More Canyon Fun

We went back up to American Fork Canyon last night - we promised the kids we would do a hotdog roast and have smores. So, we took a few more "formal" pictures. Some are better than others, but - not being biased - I have really cute kids!!
Here are a few...








We went back up to American Fork Canyon last night - we promised the kids we would do a hotdog roast and have smores. So, we took a few more "formal" pictures. Some are better than others, but - not being biased - I have really cute kids!!
Here are a few...

American Fork Canyon

As our tradition dictates (and because we love it) we went up to American Fork Canyon over Conference weekend. It was so much fun. We decide every time we go that we need to go more often. The leaves were changing and the weather was great - about 55 degrees. The kids (and us) loved hiking on the paths, discovering treasures, throwing rocks in the water (always a popular favorite), and having a picnic lunch. It was so much fun we decided that we will go back again on Tuesday for a hotdog and smores roast. The kids talk about it every day!!

Here is a beautiful sample of the scenery we enjoyed!!

Emma enjoyed the trees so much she kissed them (yes, she is really kissing the tree in this picture).

Another view of the beautiful fall scenery.

One of the few things that I could find that was prettier than the scenery.

The leaves were such gorgeous, vivid colors.

Our girls. We brought coats for them all, but really didn't need them.

Such fun. They were running full speed almost the whole time.

Abby, Bryant, and Tyler walking by the water.

We are so lucky to live here. It is beautiful. We love this time of year. Can't wait to go back!!!

Summer Swimming Lessons

My Aunt Linda teaches Bryant and Tyler and my cousin, Derek, teaches Abby.
The kids LOVE swimming lessons. Linda and Derek are so great!!
There are even those occasional kisses that only an aunt can pull off!!
Derek threatens the occasional throw you in the water (which Abby thinks is great).
They have so much fun!!

First Day of School

Another school year under way!!
My two grown-up kids.
Abby, off to her first day of 4th grade (her teacher loves pirates, can you tell???)


Bryant, off to 3rd grade! He looks so grown-up!


Next year Ty will go to kindergarten. In a few short weeks he will be off to preschool. Oh, what to do with only 2 kids at home. I guess it will only last for a little while!