Weekend visit

 Ev always willing to help. He will be such a great Daddy someday.

 Trace loved Sage. Sage was getting used to being yanked around, but did great with Trace.

We spent the weekend in San Marcos, CA. One of Evan's friends had a wedding reception and our bro-in-law was being called to a Bishop in his ward. We went to support him and visit with everyone. We were able to spend time with Evan's Dad who flew in from Hawaii to support Marc as well. It was so nice to see him! Family is everything!

Thank you Hilary Weeks!

Hilary Weeks-- an amazing singer and song writer inspired this post. She posted this on her blog and I am pretty sure I am in love with the optimism that these words elude!

Wednesday @ work

with Grandpa!

Hiking Mt. Rubidoux

First timers! We did the 3 mile hike! And had a fun time too..Sage & Jade were troopers. They did such a good job with all the people and different dogs roaming the trek! Note to self bring more water for the dogs. I was telling Evan I think the dogs need running shoes too..their paw fur was filthy!

Ringing in 2012

Evs & I went to dinner at Chili's with my siblings, Josh & Britt and Jenny & Jesse, we laughed, had discussions, and just chatted about life. Its neat to share moments like this with my siblings. {no photo-Josh & Evan didn't think it was necessary to document it--they may be right I might be weird like that} We ended up just hanging out together. We had a slumber party--just in case the drunkards were out--we had our sparkling cider, the guys flew Ev's helicopter trying to strategically land it on something smoothly and they also played on the PS3. Since I didn't have work on Monday we ended up staying the night again. We awoke to Ru's usual early morning ritual of yelling out, "Mom, I'm awake..its me Rubi..I'm awake." I sure love that girl. I had lots of fun playing "kitchen" with Rubi, playing hide'n'seek, walking the dogs, being nice to the dogs, learning to play nice, and running around with her. My parents came over for dinner on Sunday night to J&B house and I showed Mom how to get addicted {adding free apps} to her tablet she got for Christmas. That night we ended up watching a movie my Mom brought over called, Hachi. Man it was such a funny then it got sad kinda movie..I hugged my doggies and cried at parts, while I swear the guys eyes were getting teary-eyed, but they wouldn't admit it.

 {Happy New Year Facebook!}

HAPPY 2012! 

                             

Here's to a great NEW YEAR!

Meeting up with Hawaii friends

Ever since we left Hawaii and another one of our married friends left, we always try to meet up during the holidays when another married couple (who still are at BYU-H) are in the mainland. Our get together this time was even more special because our friends Becky & Tyler were having a baby shower! It was a fun excuse to get together and play games with them. Even though we weren't able to spend too much time because it was New Years Eve and we had plans with my brother, we enjoyed our time with Chris & Dana Bradshaw and Tyler & Becky Waldron. Until we meet again guys! 

Ballantyne Family Party 2011

{not all family members were here-we were missing alot more cousins that live out of state or they were out of town for the holiday}

Every year growing up, I remember having a family party with all of my cousins, Aunties & Uncles on my Mom's side of the family. As the years passed..my teenage years came and went. Cousins started getting married, then having children and all moving away to have their own lives..Our family parties kinda came to a halt. With Grandma B passing in June, in addition to others reasons, I felt that as a family we needed to unite and enjoy one another. So with the help of everyone--bringing food, drinks, plates, utensils, cups, desserts and a HAPPY attitude..I think the party went well! We had a great time interacting with eachother. Getting to meet kids of cousins that we hadn't really seen much. It was a wonderful gathering and I am thankful we were able to make it happen!

Family is Everything!

three short happy years

Today we celebrated our 3 year anniversary. I worked most of the day had a doctors appointment and Evs was a bit under the weather. He did drop by my work and bring me breakfast and hang out with me for a little bit. Last night before we went to bed I had asked him, "What were you thinking three years ago, the night before our wedding? Were you nervous? Did you want to be a runaway groom?" His response was a vague one, "I was happy." He then drifted off to sleep. This morning when he brought me breakfast I found a post it note taped to my computer that said, "3 years ago I was at the Temple, excited to marry you for time & ETERNITY!". I sure love my sweetheart. We celebrated with some Japanese Teppanyaki {our favorite type of food to eat-first date, any date, celebrations, he asked me to marry him at one, my birthday..etc} We got dressed up all nice {for a casual dressed place} and it felt wonderful to have my hubby by my side to celebrate with him. We laughed at the chef. With the chef. At the bill. And exchanged many kisses and smiles. I love the small moments that capture our love.

Ev's bought me a new camera for our anniversary (in October) and I bought him a new wallet and stuff for his last semester of school.