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.

Merry Christmas & Mele Kalikimaka

Christmas morning we headed back from San Marcos, CA to go to church with my Mom. Then we went over to her house for my families Christmas celebration and a traditional Lasagna dinner {made from scratch by Dad}. Its funny how as you get older Christmas takes on such a different meaning than when you were a kid. This year not only because of our budget, but because I wanted to keep it simple, I gave Evs three gifts: Something he wanted. Something he needed. Something to wear. I enjoyed really thinking about what to get him, rather than just him getting a million things. It was a nice way to feel the Spirit of Christmas because it is more about..His Presence than Presents. We had a great time with all the kids and family. Theres never a dull moment in my family. But nonetheless, we sure love eachother! We sure missed all of the rest of my family members and Evan's family this year! Merry Christmas & Mele Kalikimaka!

Family picture 2011

Christmas Eve

We headed down to San Marcos, CA on Friday night to start our holiday celebrations with Ev's sister and her family. We decided this year that we were going to take our niece & nephews {Mia, Kai & Kade} ice skating for their Christmas gift. Saturday morning we did a Scavenger hunt with them, all the clues having to do with water or ice. They found their final clue in the freezer ice box. They were so excited. We went to eat first..if theres one thing I have learned in being an Auntie, it is that if you have well fed kids they are less likely to be grumpy and cranky, at least you buy yourself some time. We let the kids order whatever they wanted from Jack in the Box {we go all out right? A step above McDonalds?}. We had such a blast ice skating with the kids! It was fun to see how they progressed and became more confident in such a short time, with encouragement and advice. I enjoy giving these types of gifts because any memory is better than a toy that the child grows out of or it gets broken. Loved our time spent.

Holiday Fun

We were doing some final Christmas Shopping yesterday in Toys'R'Us {4 days before Christmas- this place sure was a disaster-DUH!} Well after looking around for over an hour, I was getting grumpy because the stye on my eye was hurting so bad and I was hungry and thats all..So my hunny decided to bring my spirits up by taking me to Chili's for FREE bottomless Salsa & Chips {Yes!} We had a good time and I was no longer hungry and grumpy..even though the stye on my eye still hurt. 1 Point for Evan. It's a good thing I have a thoughtful husband. Love our time together. I am sure grateful for him.

Caroling w/ the youth and missionary opps

Many leaders and many youth went out on a cold night and shared the message of the Savior's birth with the world. It was pretty magical to hear and watch. Since I work with the young women in my church ward, every Tuesday night we have an activity. Tonight's activity was to go to the Mission Inn & Hotel here in Riverside,CA, and go caroling. Over 20 youth and some leaders, sang about our Savior. About the night He was born. It was so neat to see people stop and listen. To see people clapping. Then to hear someone ask, "what school group is this?" Then someone's response was," Oh it's not a school, its a youth group, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." The youth had the chance to had out pass along cards-with Mormon.org on it-, Joy to the World DVD's, and even Books of Mormon. Some accepted. Some didn't. But the neat thing is that these youth were able to experience inviting someone to come unto Christ. I enjoyed being behind the camera and witnessing them going forth and serving.