Wish I Could have Seen This!!!!!

Yesterday, I received some fabulous pictures from my Texas family. Son Mark is the coach of his youngest daughter's softball team. When we visited them in April, we had hoped to see both daughters play softball.. WELL---you may remember that it rained all weekend and we didn't get to see ANY games. I was so sad---but one of these days, I hope that we'll get to see them play!

In the meantime, photos are the next best thing!!!! This past weekend Coach Mark's team won a big tournament. Here is what Mark wrote on the team's webpage:

You brought home the Championship Trophy in this past weekend's Ballerz Bash tournament held in Southbelt. Great defense, clutch hitting, and outstanding pitching highlighted the weekend for the Surge. Led by tournament MVPs Sarah and Stephanie for their outstanding pitching performances, the Surge never gave up more than 2 runs in any inning and held their opponents scoreless in 14 innings. The Surge were tied in or trailed in four of their five victories, but showed incredible heart and desire by never giving up and finding a way to win those games. It was a FANTASTIC weekend to be a Surge! Great Job, Ladies!!

Pictured above is my son and my granddaughter (who incidentally is the team's catcher). Below are more pictures of the happy team.




This granddaughter of mine (age 12 --in March) is certainly VERY happy after the big win!!!! Isn't she a cutie????




Here is a picture of the entire team. Mark is on the back row in the center--barely visible!!!!!




After a big win, there's celebration for the ladies. They had a pool party at Mark and Lara's beautiful home. AND---as you can tell---they enjoyed their CAKE, in many ways besides eating it!!!! ha ha (Oh to be young again!!)



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This is my oldest granddaughter (Mark and Lara's other daughter--aged 15 1/2) who is also playing softball this summer. However, she is now EMPLOYED...... She took lifeguard training this spring and will be a lifeguard all summer at one of the local pools in their area. I wonder what this gal will spend all of her money on??????

It's hard to believe that I have a grandchild who is old enough to be gainfully employed... Yipes!!!!!



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Finally, after showing you my beautiful grandchildren (and my wonderful son), I will close with another beauty. This is my all-time favorite ROSE. I am partial to red ones --and this one is named VETERANS HONOR. It is a big rose (which I love)--and it smells SOOOOOOO good!!!!!

Hugs,

"Papa" Ballard and Family

The picture above is my mother with her father (she called him Papa), James Franklin Ballard. James Franklin Ballard (my grandfather) was born on Aug. 30, 1861 in Lynchburg, VA, and died on Jan. 8, 1936 in Bristol, VA. (I never knew him--or any of my grandparents. Isn't that sad?) His parents were William Alexander Ballard (born 11/21/1831 and died 1/19/1903) and Adeline Frances Doss (Not sure of the dates of her birth and death). William and Adeline were married 12/9/1857.





My grandfather, James Ballard, had three brothers (Bland E., Edgar H., and John C.). Above is a picture of the four brothers---and they were all very handsome men. From left to right: Jim--my grandfather, Eddie the youngest, Bland, and John. I haven't done much research on them yet, but did read that Edgar (Eddie) died at age 31. Bland was born Dec. 31, 1873, and was well-known in the Bristol area all of his life.

Bland is the only brother (my great uncle) that I remember. He was married to Myrtle Larmer in 1901 and they had three children (Vivian--Mrs. Guy Simmons, B.E. Ballard Jr--called Gene, and Margaret Ballard). They lived in Bristol at 715 Fairmount Avenue--and I remember that house well.




Grandfather James also had at least four sisters (four that I know of). These are the 'other' set of great aunts who helped raise my mother after her mother died. These four sisters (Lura, Eunice, Nancy/Nanny, and Aileen) were my great aunts---and I remember them as much as I remember the Bruce sisters/aunts. Lura and Eunice never married, but Nanny married Fred Pate, and Aileen married J..G. Cross. From left to right in the picture above: Nanny, Eunice, Aileen, and Lura. Lura was my favorite Great Aunt --and I had a dolly named Lulu after Aunt Lura.




The sisters lived in Bristol at 500 Lindsay Avenue. I remember that big two-story white house with a porch that wrapped around the house (pictured above). As a little girl, I visited the Ballards with my parents, and loved being in their home. It had an unusual smell (not a bad smell)--but maybe a smell of antiques....???? I also remember hearing clocks ticking in several different rooms. Isn't it funny (crazy) what one remembers as a little girl???? Pretty house though, don't you think? I'd love to see if it is still there.

Since I love Family History, I have enjoyed finding information on ALL sides of my family.. I have the most on the Bruce side (Mom's mother's side), and alot less on the Ballard side (Mom's father's side). And then comes my Daddy's side of the family (Banks and Witt)... I have VERY little information on them so far. Genealogy is fun--but like blogging, it takes alot of time. Maybe one of these years, I'll find more time!!!! ha

Hope you have a good Monday.
Hugs,