Balch Family Blog

We had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday and we hope your family did as well. Camden and I (Heather) arrived in Buffalo on Monday evening. We met my mom and Ken in Chicago and flew in together. We were surprised at the airport by both Traci and Lee. We were only expecting one of them. My aunt Karen, Desi and Dan drove from Phoenix and arrived Tuesday. Mark flew in Wednesday at noon, and we were happy that everyone made it safely.

Our whole trip was very mellow. Lee’s dad went to the ICU Tuesday morning and my grandfather went to the hospital on Wednesday. Traci and Lee had their hands full with their father’s and families at the hospital. Lee’s dad had several seizures and was placed on a ventilator. His recovery status is unknown at this time. My grandfather has an infection but the source is unknown. The hospital is running some tests to see what is causing his problems.

When the family was together we had fun playing in the snow, drinking hot chocolate and eating. Hank and Krista came over almost every night. We also went to their house for dinner. They have done a lot of remodeling and it is beautiful. We got to spend dome time with Traci’s mom as well. Camden calls her Grandma Pat!

Mark and I were in charge of the turkey this year. We had watched Good Eats over the weekend and we came up with a plan! So we brined the turkey and baked it perfectly! It was so yummy and the 18 lb bird only took 3 hours to cook!

On Friday we went to the Fisher Price Toy Museum and Toy Store. It was interesting to see all the toys we used to play with. On the way home we stopped at a sledding park. Mark had fun on the sleds, but I stayed in the truck with Camden, who was not willing to wake up! Then on Saturday we went to Niagara Falls. It was cold, brrr! The falls are beautiful in the winter, but you can see and do more in the summer! We had lunch overlooking the falls and then headed back to town. Mark was on the phone as we were going through US Customs, and the customs guy was not happy about it at all!!! We were worried they were going to send Mark back to Canada.

Mark flew out on Sunday afternoon and had no complications with either of his flights. Camden, Mom, Ken and I left on Monday and only had a slight delay. I did discover that traveling alone with a child is not fun, and I will try to avoid it at all costs in the future! Our troubles had nothing to do with Camden, as he was an expert flier! We encountered some VERY rude personnel from American Airlines.

All in all, it was a very nice trip. We appreciate Traci and Lee’s hospitality amidst all the turmoil.

I will post a few pictures from our digital, but will have to scan the 35 mm ones in once they are developed! 🙂

Camden and I are heading out this morning. It should be an exciting trip to Buffalo. We hook up with my mom in Chicago and then all fly to Buffalo together. Mark is working a few days and then flying out as well.

We have a great house sitter so are animals will be well cared for.

We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

Mark celebrated his 34th birthday last Thursday. He had a fun day at F1 Racing, a Go-Kart facility in Phoenix. We met Mark’s parents there and Mark and his dad had a fun first race. Apparently it is more challenging that it appears to be. Mark’s dad was finished after one race, while Mark raced two and was sore the next morning. We had a delicious dinner at Abuelos, a mexican resturant in Chandler. Be sure to check out the photos of Mark and his dad racing in our gallery.

It’s a BOY!!! He is healthy and right on target! It was so fun to watch him today. Mark, Camden, my Mom and Mark’s Mom all enjoyed seeing this little guy on the big screen! I have new pics posted of this sweet little man. I am so in love with him already!

I forgot to take digital pictures of the night. I have 2 pictures of Camden in his costume in our gallery, and then I took a bunch with the 35mm camera, but spaced getting any digital ones. I will call it pregnancy brain! 😉

The kids really enjoyed themselves. We had Thomas the Train, Bob the Builder, and Dr. Lauren Reed visit the houses around our neighborhood. It was so sweet to watch the three of them walk up to the door and say “Trick or Treat!” They all used good manners and said “Thank you” as well.

Sorry about the pictures again. I will scan these once they are developed!