The Baldersons

Oh no, here comes summer...

2010-04-27T19:11:00.001-07:00

So, I'm about the only educator on the planet that dreads the summertime, and for many reasons I might add. But the biggest reason of all is that my precious BIG girl will leave me again for an entire month to experience an amazing adventure that most can only dream about. That's right, as June quickly approaches, one again the main topic of conversation at our house is all about summer camp. Bailey is excited to be going back to Heart O' The Hills for the entire month of July and so help me, she better write her mother some letters this year. Looking back to last year''s pictures, I realized I never shared them with the cyber world. So here it goes...

I'm ready- no more boys!!!!!

Her Shawnee Big sister!
Her counselor from England.
Bailey and Jane, the director.
Her first friend, Melainey.
With the co-director, Christi Lee, my dear friend who put up with all my phone calls:)
Posing with some older girls:)
FINALLY, CLOSING DAY!
Just chillin'...doesn't she look like she really misses her mother???
UGH...There are no words!
Ready to ride!
Midget Brave of the Week, the very first week!

What an Honor!
She's a GREAT GREEN SHAWNEE!!!!!!!!!
Here we come!
Saying good bye to Daddy!

Any chance, she'll changer her mind and NOT want to go this summer? She's already trying to "prepare" me for her absence. Lord, help me not miss her Too much!

OOPS...Are the Holidays Over?

2010-02-02T18:47:00.001-08:00

So, before I even knew it, the holidays were over and suddenly it's the first of February? Who knew...Here's a little taste of what sort of fun we've been up to in the past few months. Hang on, it's been a busy time for the Balderson clan!

We made slushies!

Played a little computer
Had sleepovers at Aunt Cheryl's house
Played at the park in the freezing cold...brrr!
Learned to spider swing with sister
Tried a few acrobat tricks of our own
Had Brunch at American Girl

Ate way toooooo much candy!
Played Dora way toooooo much
Attempted to make Riley pose for about a million pictures
Played Wii for 10 days straight, at least!
Added a little music every now and then
Cheered for our Longhorns baby! Hook Em!
Left Santa some milk and cookies, oh yah, and a page long letter
Stayed up way toooo late watching movies in Mommy's bed
Enjoyed the lights of the season...especially our house:)
Spent time with our family
Opened TONS O PRESENTS!
But, nobody's was bigger than RiRi's!
Saw Santa in our ridiculously cute matching outfits from Gymboree, of course:)
Even helped clean up when all was said and done!
Helped put up the Christmas tree as a family
Played a few games now and then
And, of course, we ate a LOT of this...
No wonder it took me 2 months to blog about the holidays...I'm exhausted! And, I didn't even mention the FtWorth Zoo??? Maybe next time:)

Little Miss Personality

2009-12-28T20:36:00.000-08:00

What can we say????

She sure is cute, but can you say TrOuBlE?

Something's Missing??????

2009-12-19T16:30:00.001-08:00

Happy Fall Yall!

2009-11-25T18:34:00.001-08:00

Lots of fun times in Fall...

Birthday Pictures 2009

2009-10-04T18:52:00.001-07:00

Well, my yearly trip to Picture People went relatively smooth. That is if you consider three photographers, both parents, big sister, and one grandmother all there to corral the 2 year old. Oh yah, did I mention bubbles were also involved???? That Riley Paige gives me more gray hair in one day than Bailey Grace has in 7 years, but no one will ever be able to say she isn't fun! And, she's not too bad to look at either:) I guess we'll keep her! Happy birthday to my two big girls! What sweet sisters they are...

Heart O' The Hills 2009

2009-09-26T19:12:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official! Bailey absolutely LOVED being an actual camper this year. This meant living at the girls' camp instead of the 300 boys she usually resides with. This experience was certainly an amazing adventure for Bailey, but a little bit harder on Mommy than anyone expected. I thought I was going to die- which also amazed me that I would take it so hard. Here are just a few pics that we were able to download from the Heart O' The Hills website during the July term. Before we could even leave to come home, Bailey insisted we sign her up for next summer, so I guess Momma better toughen up:) Thanks Daddy Gary and Teenie for helping make this the best summer ever!

Ahh, precious moments...

2009-08-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

At some point, hopefully soon, I will blog more about the summertime and camp, but for now, this picture says it all...

Summer time at the Baldersons

2009-06-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

So most peeople know that summertime for our family is not like the typical household. There is no lounging around for 2 teachers, playing with our kids all day long. Nope, No sirree! Daddy Jeff leaves the very first official day of summer to head down to Camp Stewart for Boys where he will work for the entire summer with hundred of little and big boys, while Mommy just tries to hold things together here at home. As July arrives, us girls will head down to Hunt, TX to join Daddy. Only this summer, Bailey will be a REAL camper at the girls' camp, Heart of the Hills for 3 1/2 weeks. Mommy is already dreading being away from her BaiBai:( Riley will be the center of Mommy's attention for July, which really means Mommy is going to be very tired! Already wishing there were baysitters in the hill country:) I know this is a sad little post -that is because Daddy takes the family computer for the summer where all of our pictures are stored, but thought I would type a little blurb anyway to tell everyone what summer time looks like for the Balderson household. No one ever accused us of being normal, that's for sure!

DADDY TIME

2009-05-25T10:30:00.001-07:00

These are the types of things that happen when Daddy is in charge...

Daddy is an awesome tent builder!

More Friends!

2009-05-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

Not only do I have a wonderful group of childhood girlfriends, the RahRahs, our family has been additionally blessed with a wonderful group of adult friends that we have made over the years. We have seen each other through all the trials of family life with work and children. They have been a significant source of strength, encouragement and support over the past few years and I know my life would never be near as wonderful without each and everyone of them. Thanks friends!

Some of the Woodbridge Hood

Jeff likes him some hot moms- and they love him!
Lisa Malhiot with Christy and Todd Elms
Jeff's work friends...

Laura, Jill, and me- Abbett friends

The guys...
Lisa and Larry Arnaud- previously known as the dog walker's parents
Kelly McCormac and Lisa Arnaud with Bai
Celebrating Lisa's Big 40!
Kelly McCormac and Jill Vincent
Christy Elms with Riley
Riley loves her some Miss Jill
Leslie Wilson and me- another Abbett friend
My girls- Christy, Jill and Lisa
Kelly and Lisa
My Louisianna chicks!

EASTER2009

2009-05-11T18:37:00.001-07:00

FINALLY, Easter Day and the day before...

Aunt Cheryl's house coloring eggs the night before

Coloring eggs with our cousins

Playing around at Ms. Christy's house at the end of the day...

Getting braver every minute about that bird

Playing at GG's house- lots of fun to be had
Daddy Gary and me
Bailey loves her Daddy Gary
SURPRISE Daddy Gary and Uncle Alex...confetti eggs
Mommy and BaiBai
Ready to hunt some eggs...
Sophia is excited:)
Posing with Daddy Gary and Teeny
GG
OUR FAMILY
Riley is not too keen about posing these days...
Look what the Easter bunny brought me
Searching for the eggs the Easter bunny hid
What'd I get?
Me loves chocolate
YUMMY!
Having fun at Aunt Cheryl's while coloring eggs

Pre Easter Celebrations

2009-04-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

So, what's Easter without a couple of Easter egg hunts? These hunts are getting more elaborate every year. My how times have changed:) First we went to Grammy Judy's church the week before Easter and then we went to our church's Easter Celebration the day before Easter. Oh yah, there were also some beautiful bluebonnets...

Bailey's good at posing

Do they smell?

These were an extra special treat from Daddy Jeff
Easter portrait
Big girls looking at their loot

You can't keep me in here forever...

Cousin Sophia got some serious eggs this year
Ahh, Daddy and RiRi

Sisters sharing the goods:)

Mommy and Riley

Cousin Olivia liked the candy:)
Cousin Isa
First petting zoo for Riley
Big girls are a little more gentle with the bunnies
AND, we are not even to Easter Day yet:) Hold on for more pics soon...

RahRahs

2009-04-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

I have the bestest group of life-long friends that are so precious to me. We've been friends for so long there's too many years to even count anymore. Every year we take the time to get away for a weekend with no kids or husbands. And with 6 husbands and 8 children between us, that is quite an accomplishment. This year we just went to the big town of Murphy, TX and hung out at Sara's house. The past 2 years have been pretty low-key, but we have already started planning a bigger, better trip for next spring. Can't wait. Oh the name, Rah Rahs??? We were all cheerleaders together at some point in high school. Although, we sometimes barely see each other besides this one weekend every year, I know these girls are family and will always be there for me, anytime I call. That's what life-long friends are for. I love you girls!

A Little Behind...

2009-04-06T19:39:00.001-07:00

Apparently March has come and gone- we had lots of fun. So much so that I never even stopped to blog about it all. Bailey and Riley are starting to have a lot of sister time together. It's really sweet to watch them play outside, and it helps Mommy to have time to cook dinner:)

sandbox fun in the backyard

     Riley will probably be driving before Bailey
   Higher Mommy!
Look who's learned to jump rope
As much as Riley hits her head every day, she needs a helmet:)
   Tattoo girl
   Church's Shrove Tuesday Celebration
Going on a trip...

Thanks a lot!

2009-02-23T19:42:00.000-08:00

Just a quick shout out to my friend, Lisa Malhiot. She was one of the friends who already had her own great family blog that inspired me to start my own. Now, she has taken the time to show me how to improve my own blog. Don't ya love my cool new border? Thanks again Lisa!

Somebody's Gettin' To Be A Big Girl...

2009-02-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

That Riley Paige is growing like a weed. Walking everywhere, following her big sister all around. She thinks she is at least 5 most days and tends to get frustrated when tasks are not as easy for her as she expects them to be. No patience! She must take after her mother...UGH!

Look What We've Been Doing?

2009-02-18T19:05:00.001-08:00

Santa brought Bailey some new "Big girl" puzzles that somehow turned into a family event. Many mornings, Bailey would waken to find more of HER puzzle completed after she went to bed each night. After the first one was finished, Jeff and I realized that we had to actually stay off the puzzle and let Bailey work it.

Two Crazy Girls

2009-02-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

What can I say? These girls are crazy. Their daddy seems to always bring out the silly side of them...Gee, go figure! Who's fun?

She wants to be big girl so bad.

Caffeine is the last thing Riley needs in her body.

It's not gonna fit, Riley.

Tickle torture!

There are no words here????

The splits-wow!

Who loves chocolate?

YUMMY!

How do I get out of here?

Since we were born...

2009-01-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

So, we were leaving my friend, Jill's house the other day- that would also be Emma's house- when the following conversation took place:

Bailey: Mom, how long have me and Emma been friends?

Me: I don't know Bailey, I guess forever.

B: Well, that's not what Emma says?

M: What do you mean? What does she say?

B: Well, when she introduces me, she always says, "This is Bailey. We've been friends since we were born."

M: Well, I guess she's right- yall have been friends since you were born, which is pretty much forever for yall. After a minute or two, she continued...

B: I guess we'll be friends forever.

M: I hope so honey!

Bailey and Emma have literally grown up together. Both girls are pretty comfortable at each other's houses and have spent countless hours playing dress up, family, barbies, and pollies. They have been having sleepovers together since they were about 3. Although the play is starting to shift from those little girl days to more sophisticated stuff, they are still the little angels I remember. Enjoy my walk down memory lane...

Emma Claire and Bailey Grace...

Abbett Carnival

Emma is 6!

Abbett Kindergarten Field Day

Getting all dolled up for the first day of kindergarten

The day Riley Paige was born

Dance Class Dec 07

Matching Gymboree Girls:)

From the Mouth of Babes...

2009-01-21T18:16:00.000-08:00

One morning last week, we were getting ready to head out the door to school, running late as usual, when Mommy decided to stop everything and wrestle with Riley in an effort to pull her hair up in a ponytail. Bailey came around the corner and said, "Why are you bothering to pull her hair up, Mom? You know she just pulls it out." I replied annoyed, "Because I can not stand her hair always being in her face." To that, Bailey replied, "Well, fine, but it's just gonna be a beat down!" and she proceeded to walk to the car and get in. Hmm, wonder where she heard that expression from?????

Sisters...& Daughters..oh yah, & One Brother:)

2009-01-15T19:24:00.003-08:00

Everyone knows that I have tons of sisters and one brother...and between most of us we have lots of daughters too. And in my opinion, there is no more precious relationship than that of sisters and daughters. Most of the time, it's one crazy circus that most people can not relate to, but it's my circus:) Although we live very different lives in several different places, the moments we are all together are very precious to me. Forgive me as I stroll through some of those memories and share a few with you.

Introducing Riley Paige

2009-01-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

Riley Paige is an energetic 16 month year old who definitely keeps us on our toes. She is walking everywhere, getting into everything she can get her hands on. She is very daring and attempts climbing feats of all kinds. She loves being outside and is starting to enjoy the trampoline and slide in the backyard. She is starting to show more affection to her family and especially loves giving kisses to her big sister. Riley has brought so much excitement to our family! This is Riley Paige...

Introducing Bailey Grace Balderson

2009-01-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

Bailey Grace is a delightful, easy going 6 year old girl who loves school and her friends. She is a bit on the shy side; however, to those who know her best, she is a silly comedian, just liker her father. She does things in her own time, despite her mother's pushing, but once she sets her mind to something, she jumps right in. She takes a combo tap/jazz class and recently started gymnastics. She loves her family, especially her little sister...too bad she won't change diapers:) This is Bailey Grace...

Favorites...

2009-01-11T18:54:00.001-08:00

A few of my favorite things... in no particular order

1. Gymboree! My personal addiction:)

2. Watching my soap operas at night after both girls are asleep

3. COKE!

4. Chips and Queso

5. Playing with my girls

6. Shopping

7. Going to the movies with girlfriends or sisters

8. Pedicures

9. Fake fingernails...i miss mine

10. Harold's clothes- i'm gonna miss that store

11. Music

12. Listening to Bailey sing in the back of the car when she thinks no one is listening

13. Watching the girls play with their Daddy

14. Times when all of my sisters are together in one place

15. Facebook

This is moi:)

2008 was a big year

2009-01-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

Riley turned 1 and Bailey turned 6, but who's counting?