The Apple Doesn't Fall...

The Ballard Boys joined the Brown clan to go exploring before Hurricane Irene hit on Saturday to Charter Mountain Orchard! The Boys had a Fabulous time! I can't wait to go back when a hurricane isn't blowing in to spend some more time!

William had a blast with his best friend Hudson! And Jeb was Never far behind them!

Jeb probably ate his Weight in apples!

The scenery was Beautiful!

Momma, the House is SHAKING!!!

5.8 quake hits Va.; Felt along U.S. East Coast!!!

Yep, you heard right! We've encountered a lot during our short career in the Army, record snow storms, tornados, but this takes the cake! William was jolted from his nap because his house shaking like a Fun House! I was running frantically to collect all babies and the dog from the upstairs to get outside, but the house stopped before we made it... Shocked and confused we sat there and tried to figure out what happened! And thanks to Facebook, hee hee, we quickly realized we weren't the only ones that felt it! Hope that was the worst of it, but we still feel little after shocks about every day!

Fire Trucks, Aliens, and Shrink Ray Gun!

No... No... I didn't finally lose my mind! The Ballard Boys attended the JAGLCS Picnic! The Picnic was a hit, a Crozet Fire Truck complete with ladder allowed the kids to climb on in for a little fire safety!

Then Jason took William over to the Man making balloon animals and flowers for all the kids... and William comes back not with a dog, Zebra, or giraffe... but an...

Alien around his head and a shrink ray gun! Seriously?!?!? Who's kids is this?!??!

The Things Ballard Boys Do...

The Ballard Boys have been very busy since arriving in Charlottesville!

William with the first harvest of his Blueberry bush. His face wasn't quite as happy once he ate them... very sour!!! Maybe next years harvest will be sweeter!

Jason took over as the JAGLCS OBC Commander... that is the last he's been seen or heard from...

The Ballard Boys continue to do their tourist thing... (don't forget their travel blog...)

Jebby strolling the Downtown Mall with Uncle Chris and Grumpy!

William and Nonna doing a little Window shopping.

Jeb and William eat their way through Every Farmer's Market!

William enjoying Craft and Story Time at Whole Foods, thanks to our new Neighbors and Friends, Anna and Hudson!

William and Hudson enjoying their Sea Turtle craft!

Looking forward to many many more fun adventures in Charlottesville! Stay Tuned...

William Swims...

Well... Sort of...

William signed up for swim lessons this summer which started out ok... James and I were required by William to also participate in the lessons... which relatively ok the first week...

William reaching and pulling to catch his duck on the stairs while the other boys swim with Miss Roberta...

William's turn practicing his stroke with Miss Roberta!

Look at him go!

That was the last good day of swimming because at the end of this lesson they began trying to put their heads under! Not good for William! So began his screaming, yelling, crying, and refusing to participate... I toughed it out for two more lessons, with threats and bribes, trying to convince him Miss Roberta was not going to put him under but even I became too embarrassed to show my face at the pool during swim lesson time... William now tells everyone Miss Roberta asked him not to come back to swim lessons...

On a brighter note, he did learn Everything she was teaching from the beginnings of freestyle and the basic back stroke! He kicks and pulls himself to the side and will even actually put his Head Under! So I guess I can chalk swim lessons up to a success... sort of!

Beach Fun!

The Ballard Boys started off their beach vacation at Charleston Aquarium again this year! William immediately sat down at his favorite spot to watch the little fish. This year James really enjoyed the fish too! But the diver cleaning the big tank was still a "scarey thing" and William wanted nothing to do with him!

James followed one fish around the whole tank!

Finally we arrived in Hilton Head! YEAH! Here was our set up for the week!

The boys LOVED the sand! The played mostly under the tent making and destroying sand castles all week! William never made it actually into the waves this year! Both boys spent most of their water time either in the tide pool below our tent or at the swimming pool!

And the blog wouldn't be complete without a picture of William doing one of his dances for everyone!

Thanks to Grumpy, Nonna, Aunt Becca, and Uncle Dew for all the help! Can't wait until next year!

The Ballard Boys New Address

The Ballard Boys said good-bye to South Rushmore Dr...

And Hello to Empress Place and Charlottesville, VA!