If these are up high on my house, how do I get to the controller to change the light function/colors?? Is there an extension cord for the controller?

As a follow up - the lights do remember the last setting, so if it's on a timer or you unplug, when you plug back in/time comes on, the lights come on with last setting selected. I'm now officially delighted with my lights! I hadn't dared shut them off since I put them up. Wondered how to get them back on without a ladder. No ladder needed after initial setting, unless you want to change light function.

There is a 12" lead wire for the set, which based on how you're describing your setup, will not be long enough. There is no extension cord for the controller, so the function you want your sets on would need to be set before you install the lights.