The man of 89 years

July 13, 1923-September 9, 2012

Dear Grandpa "B",

Your body wasn't quite as strong as your spirit. But til the end you laughed, joked, yelled, and dreamed. 

I am so thankful for the chance I had to work with you the last year to keep your body strong and healthy. 

You were my best client!

ALOHA OE' my dear Grandpa Ballantyne. You will be missed. Thank you for your impeccable example of service. I am blessed to have seen your example in my life. I had so much fun doing the bread run many years with you and Mom. I always remember to never have a ponytail or braid when around you because you always pulled it. Your smile was contagious. I am glad you can now go to Grandma for reals now instead of just dreaming about her all the time and then waking up. The last year without her has been hard and you have fought a good fight. Go get her Grandpa! I love you and will remember you always! I hope heaven is good to you and you continue to serve as you did on earth! Thank you for your legacy!

Until we meet again.

Voting

Politics has never been something I completely understood. Give me a soccer ball and a pickup game and I am a happy camper. Since I was legally able to vote, I have never taken an interest in all the confusing issues that I dont understand nor do I really have an idea of how to run a country. I just live in my mediocre middle class world, as an individual who has been given many freedoms and abides by laws so I dont get thrown in jail. What I know is family, work, adventures, and lazy days with the hubby. Obviously, I know that everything functions {or attempts to function} because of the government and the policies and the taxes and the laws and etc...I watched both the Republican Convention and the Democratic Convention, giving each party an opportunity to showcase their policies and issues so that I could make a decision for myself who I believe would help create a better America. I took this random quiz about where I stood with each candidate and these were my results. 

My Beauties

They didn't start a new school year or start a new season of soccer, but they have become cat chasing hooligans {courtesy of my Mom having about 7 neighborhood cats camped out on her porch} I swear I teach them to love others unconditionally!!

Evan enjoying Labor Day!

He and Dad Stubbs went out exploring to beauty of the beaches!!

I asked Evan if people were swimming in the water and SUP. He said people are swimming, kayaking, and SUP. I am Oh so JEALOUS!!

Evan's Travels: Day 4

The final leg!! 

Today they traveled from Baton Rouge,LA through Mississippi through Alabama and FINALLY into Florida!! 

They had a lot of things to get done before Labor Day weekend and only a little time to do it. Evan & Dad and some help from our new neighbors, were able to get the U-haul unloaded and the Saturn jumped. See since the Saturn was being hauled on a car hauler, the battery actually died because the car was moving/swaying back and forth just enough to make the door sensors turn the dome lights on...pretty funny. So glad they got there and that they were able to get all unloaded!!

Evan's Travels: Day 3

Today's travels are from San Antonio, Texas to Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Texas & USA flag

Houston Skyline

A crazy looking swamp or a very flooded area-Evan thought it was cool with all the trees poking out.

Bridge going over the Mississippi River

Biggest goal for the day was to avoid Hurricane Issac. Evan's trip had impeccable timing!! Fortunately the category 1 hurricane, which started really forming Sunday has now been downgraded to a Tropical Storm. However, because it is slow going and festered right along the Gulf coast there was a lot of high winds and heavy rains causing flooding and damage. Seven years ago Hurricane Katrina pummeled New Orleans, LA and Hurricane Issac is doing pretty good damage as well, however because of the levees they built most of the city was saved. Some of northern cities really took a beating. Many roads are flooded and closed. Loss of electricity almost everywhere.

"I think a lot of people were caught with their pants down," he said. "This storm was never predicted right since it entered the Gulf. It was supposed to go to Florida, Panama City, Biloxi, New Orleans. We hope it loses its punch once it comes in all the way."

Evan and Dad Stubbs waited it out in their 3 star hotel{maybe motel} in San Antonio, Texas, watching to see which direction they should drive. The were going to try and drive up and over, but the storm seems to be moving north towards, Northern Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. It is currently pummeling the coast of Mississippi. I am so thankful for prayer. I prayed last night and this morning that Heavenly Father would provide a way that Evan and Dad could get to Baton Rouge, LA with no problems. And my prayers were answered.

They made it! Definitely had some hard rain and wind along the way, but they survived. They got one of the last 2 double bed rooms in Baton Rouge, LA.

They ate at Cracker Barrel for dinner. Yum!

Dad is 52

We all went out to dinner at Chili's. While we were waiting for our table Dad was entertaining the kids by having them climb up him and flip over and say "Ta-da" hands up in the air {just like he did when we were kids}

The girls being crazy inside Chili's waiting for food.

Naders, Jesse, Jen

Colee boi and Shoosh

Typical Dad picture

CJ

Bria, Ru and me

Shoosh, Dad and Tony

It was nice to get together and celebrate. 

Happy Birthday Dad!

Evan's Travels: Day 2

Today they went from New Mexico to San Antonio, Texas I-10 east

Morning view of his New Mexico hotel. Pretty flat and boring. 

Leaving New Mexico

Entering Texas

Dad Stubbs & Evan cruising. 

WELCOME TO TEXAS!! Texas is a big state. They arent quite through it yet, but will be tomorrow!

Evan's Travels: Day 1

Evan in the drivers seat, Dad Stubbs in the passengers seat and the snack, drinks and munchies in the ice chest between them, these two made good time and traveled from Southern California through Arizona and then finally stopped in Deming, New Mexico. 

New Mexico sunset

It was a long day for them. After checking into the La Quinta Inn, they headed to Denny's for a very late dinner.

Day one down!

Florida move Part 2-our life in a U-haul

Evan is FLORIDA BOUND with Dad Stubbs as his co-pilot!

Babe-I am going to miss you like crazy!! It will be a long month apart. I miss you already, especially knowing when I go home today, you wont be there to greet me. I love you!! Have the best trip and drive safely!!