Backyard with the Ballard Boys: December 2011

November and December have been full and fun! The first picture is of a Magic Treehouse Book Club that Jake is in. The club consists of 10 pre-kindergarten kiddos and their moms! The first one was at our house and was about dinosaurs so the kids are digging for dinos in hardened sand. The last picture is at the 2nd book club meeting which was at Glen Eyrie Castle (an amazing place in Colorado Springs). The book was about knights so this was a very fun location for our meeting! :)
The climbing and sliding pics are at fun climbing wall place in Colorado Springs! We went there for a birthday party and the boys loved it - of course!
We had Thanksgiving at Earl and Val's this year and it was fun. Following Thanksgiving we headed out to a little tree farm in Black Forest where we get our tree. Next year we will head to the mountains but this is about the perfect speed for our little guys!
Christmas is next and the boys are quite excited! We went to see Santa a few days ago and Cade just couldn't get enough of staring into his eyes. He first ran and jumped straight into Santa's lap. Then he stood in front of him holding both his hands telling him about the alligator that he wishes for for Christmas. The world stopped for Santa and Cade and it was quite touching for a momma to see!

Digging for Dinos!

Climbing!

Sliding!

Magnetite sand from Douglas, AK. Grandma brought it for us to play with and we love it!

Nickers thinks it is cool!

That cheese is something else! Cade likes to scoop it with his loader.

Jake likes to drive race cars in it!

Thanksgiving at the Ballards (Earl, Val, Derric, & Isaha's) house. We are very Thankful indeed!!!

Cheesin' with my Oma!

We deep fried another turkey a few days after Thanksgiving! The boys each got a big old leg to chomp on and they thought it was the best! Jake polished his down to the bone!