Wonderful Blessings!

Well… the craziness of life has done it again, and I can’t remember all the things that have been happening in our little family. In fact, as I sit here sipping hot chocolate, watching Elf, and being so thankful for a fire and warm house… I really can’t remember anything that has happened besides our weekend in Oregon. I guess that’s a start…

Last Wednesday we left on a grand adventure to Nyssa Oregon. Never heard of it huh? Well, there’s no surprise there. It is a tiny farming town where the 2 of the most amazing people in my family, host our family Thanksgiving every year. My grandma and grandpa Ballantyne J Thanksgiving is always a huge deal in the Ballantyne family. In fact, it is pretty much like a mini reunion where not everyone comes, but we sure enjoy each other, make memories, go black Friday shopping, and enjoy every minute of the kiddos playing outside. I love Thanksgiving at Grandma’s house!

Our Thanksgiving weekend consisted of everyone loving on Carter, black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving day (so insane), board games, heated conversations, a talent show, late nights, sewing, being crafty, shooting, watching movies, and eating so much food, especially pie. I’m pretty sure we had over 15 pies… all were gone by Saturday. I made a delicious chocolate pumpkin pie that was hidden in the back of the refrigerator. I was so excited to see it had survived. Once it was seen however… gone in 60 seconds.

Enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner :) Yum!

Cute turkeys. The kids loved making these!

First time eating turkey!

Just chillin at great grandma's house

My delicious pie!! If you would like the recipe let me know :)

One of my favorite nights had to be Friday when we all got together to share our talents. We took turns in each family, and shared something that actually was very last minute. It was incredible to see all the talents of each of my family members. I was a little embarrassed, when all Jason and I had was teaching Carter how to do high five (yes he already high fives and he is only 7 months soon to be 8). I wished we had a little more notice so I could have brought my guitar, but to be honest I still would have been embarrassed. So many of my cousins can sing, play instruments, and memorize things like the Gettysburg Address. One of my aunts actually writes songs, and the song she wrote was so beautiful she had everyone crying. I would have been embarrassed to share my lack of talent compared to each and every one who participated.  It was so wonderful to have us all together and I could really feel the love that we had for each other. I think we all went to bed that night feeling more appreciation for each other.

Sadly Sunday afternoon we were on the road again back home. I was a little excited to be home just to get back into our routine and schedule, but I dreaded Monday when Jason would be away from us for 14 hours, and I volunteered to be a mother of 3 for the day. It really didn't help when we pulled into our garage and found the door to the house locked. That might sound funny, but a locked door is not a good sign to someone who doesn't have a key. Our key to the house on our key chain was missing. It is kind of funny to say however, we ended up breaking into our front window at 8 o’clock at night and found our heat never kicked on while we were away. With weather in the teens at night, our house was a whopping 50 degrees, or at least that is how low our thermostat goes, so it might have been cooler. We got our heat going right away and now everything is right in the world lol.

Last night we started our Christmas festivities and Carter helped set up his very first Christmas tree! Everything is so much fun when you have a little one! It is so fun to see the amazement in their eyes and how excited they get. I cannot wait to see what he does on Christmas morning J

Carter and Daddy next to the Christmas tree

He was helping to get all the decorations out

Silly little boy :)

Mommy and Carter after setting up the tree <3

Our next adventure is happening in T-minus 1.5 weeks!!! We will be flying with Carter for the first time to Tucson Arizona! I hope everything goes well… have a wonderful week!

P.S Carter is 7 months and words cannot describe how much I love this little man! He has already learned how to crawl and now gets into cupboards, has the cheesiest smile that melts your heart, loves giving sloppy wet kisses, and pulls himself up on everything he can. He is already started to stand up on his own :( My sweet little boy is growing up so fast! Enjoy these sweet pictures :)

He did this completely on his own. Flipped the basket and everything!!

Carter Loves to give mom kisses <3

Cute little man looking outside at the snow

He loves books!

Cutest and Cheesiest smile I have ever seen!

He loves that he can just crawl away...

Halloween Festivities and Unexpected News

Why hello everyone!  I know that it is the 2^nd week of November and I am just now posting about our Halloween, but life seems to be so crazy and well here we are.

It was Carter’s first Halloween! You already heard about our awesome experience with carving pumpkins, but dressing up and going out was a whole new experience.  In Spring Creek no one goes trick or treating, but there are things going on in Elko and our ward had a trunk or treat. We got Carter the cutest pirate costume and had to take him out to experience Halloween. Jason and I threw costumes together, bought a couple of giant bags of candy and headed out to our ward building. When we arrived we were shocked at how many people actually showed up. I guess no one told us all of Spring Creek actually comes to the trunk-or-treat…

Daddy and Carter are ready to party!

Mommy and Carter ready to go :)

Our little pirate family <3

As we pulled into a parking space we realized we totally didn’t buy anything to decorate our trunk with, and it was actually freezing outside. So what did we do? Kept Carter in his car seat and set him in the trunk so he could just chill and look at all the scary costumes. I’m pretty sure we would have won best decorated car, because everyone commented on our cute little decoration. Some people didn’t realize Carter was actually real, and a group of little girls walking by freaked out because we were the cutest pirate family. I’m so glad we weren’t considered the lame ones for not decorating our trunk.

Our trunk decoration :)

Carter and Daddy at the trunk-or-treat

Jason and I handed out candy for about 5 minutes and completely ran out!!! I could not believe how fast those bags of candy went! That gave us the excuse to wrap up our sweet baby pirate and walk around to see all the other trunks and get candy of course. Carter wasn’t really impressed with the idea of walking around and getting candy he didn’t get to eat, but he sure did have a fun time playing with it after wards.

Look at all that candy!

The rest of our week was very relaxing and fun. Carter started crawling all over the place and getting into everything his little hands can reach. He was also able to go to a fancy restaurant with us for date night, and sat in a little high chair for the first time. He was so good while we ate dinner, but I think it’s because he thought it was the neatest thing to be sitting in a high chair. He sure did attract a lot of attention with his beautiful eyes of his. I’m pretty sure he is going to be the biggest ladies’ man when he gets older.

looking so innocent...

Showing off his moves :)

Not so innocent anymore....

During the next week we were counting down the days to see our awesome friends in Logan Utah. We had planned to stay an entire weekend with them after Jason’s ortho appointment on Thursday. Monday I got a phone call from my mom that changed everything. My uncle John had suddenly passed away. No one was expecting it and knew the answer as to why he had died. He clasped at work and they were unable to revive him. Our weekend plans suddenly changed to attend a funeral for a dear sweet man.

Thursday we were still able to make it to Jason’s ortho appointment and received exciting new that in 2 appointments they’ll be coming off! Then we crashed at our friends place in Logan to make up for canceling and help break our trip to Oregon up so we weren’t in the car too long for Carter. In Logan we let our little ones play, had dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, and stayed up into the wee hours of the morning with a movie and ice cream. We were sad to have to leave the next morning, but it was so good to be able to get to my grandma’s house and give each of my family members a hug.

Jace and Carter chilling at Buffalo Wild Wings

Friday night they held a viewing at the church. Many showed to pay their respects and say their goodbyes. We were told many stories about the memorial held in his honor Thursday afternoon. John was a wonderful man who was so loving and loved by so many people that he worked with. His family was so touched by all the stories that were told about him and amazed to see all the people who would truly miss him.

Saturday was the funeral and despite having to say goodbye and bawling like a baby the whole time, the services were wonderful and it was a celebration of his life. I know that I’ll see my uncle again, it just won’t be in this life. He is where he needs to be. Something I found very comforting from all of this, is that he can finally see his kids again. He loved them with all of his heart. After not being able to see them for 10 plus years, he can look at them every day now. He will be an angel watching over them.  I was able to see family members I haven’t seen for years, share stories about my dear uncle, and show off my cute little Carter. I’m pretty sure Carter was being passed around 90% of the time we were there. He was loving it too. Every time I looked for him he was with someone new.

We love and miss you Uncle John!

RIP Uncle John... until we meet again!

We saw him when it was time to eat :)

That night while everyone went to see a movie, Carter had some time to play with my cousin who happens to be his age. He was also attacked by a tiny Chihuahua puppy and cuddled by his daddy. He was loving life and loving the fact that it wasn’t as loud with everyone there.

Chilling at great grandma's house

2nd cousin time with Deklan

The little puppy loved little Carter

Sunday was spent saying goodbyes to everyone and heading to our home. It’s so funny how I want to get out of here so bad during the week, but I am so thankful to come back at the end of the weekend. We are actually hoping for no adventures until Thanksgiving, but that never really works out. Until our next adventure, happy reading!

Our little cutie being so good in the car :)

A wild weekend in Reno!

Well, I guess I have experienced the best cities in Nevada now. First it was Vegas and now... Reno. This weekend that is where I went, while my two sweet boys stayed at home to give mommy some mom time. The truth.... I wasn't really excited about it. Then it happened and well... here's the story.

So, I have made many friends here in Spring Creek. I actually kinda like it here now for that very reason. It's awesome that I'm always busy with walks, visits, and play dates with the wonderful people that live. I have become really good friends with my neighbor across the street and her friend who lives about a mile away. We have actually done quite a few things together, and the friend who lives down the street (Christina) invited the both of us to got to Reno for the weekend. A mommy get away was in store for her, and she wanted us to come along. I was invited to my first every hotel and Spa experience at the Pepermill. We picked our room, looked at the spa menu, and counted down the long weeks until we would finally go.

To be honest... I was not that excited. A weekend get away sure, but I was nervous because I live a very different life style from these ladies. They are into drinking, dirty dancing, and partying, I am into chick flicks, crafts, and junk food. When we have our kids around it's easy to be friends, because we have the wonderful thing in common where we are all stay at home moms. Well... I was totally ready to make up an excuse for me not to go before the date came too close, but after talking to Jason he convinced me that it would be good to build these friendships and put the idea of a missionary experience in my head. So, I said yes, we decided to take my car, and before I knew it I was picking everyone up Saturday morning at 7.

The drive there was wonderful! It went by so quickly and I loved talking to Kelly (my friend from across the street)! She is such a wonderful person, and I kept looking for opportunities to share things about the LDS church (she would totally be LDS if it weren't for the drinking and partying issue). A opportunity didn't really present its self and before I knew it, I was in a hotel room with my friends getting dressed in front of each other. Well... luckily I had the excuse, because I'm still nursing, that I needed pump. When I came out of the vanity area, everyone had their bikini on, I was given my bag (they thought I'd take too long) and we headed to the spa.

This was my first ever experience going to a spa. We were checked in, given robes and sandals, then we were off to relax and do our own thing. I felt so fancy and almost like a queen. It was crazy to be in a casino/hotel like the ones in Vegas, have valet parking, and staying in a room fro the night. We spent the whole day in the spa relaxing in hot tubs, eating yummy treats, drinking amazing water, getting pedicures and other treatments, and falling asleep in the comfiest chairs. 7 hours later we walked out refreshed, relaxed, poor (expensive!!!), and hungry for some real food. That's when we hit up an all you can eat sushi place in the casino, and I found a new love for seafood. I LOVE SUSHI!!

Great story so far right? Well... while indulging in our delicious sushi, one of the men that had been hitting on Kelly said they got us on the list at an exclusive club. Normally the entry fee is $25, but not for us ladies. We were put on the VIP list. Sounds amazing right?! Well, not to me... but to them they were in heaven and so very excited. I was planning on not joining in their fun, especially when we went back to our room and they each drank a bottle of wine. We even had a conversation about not limiting our families to certain experiences on this earth. They all thought, we are here so party and have fun. We're all going to heaven, so let's do this! Some how I found myself showing my I.D and walking into to The Edge. I'm not sure I can describe the feeling I had when I walked into that place, but it wasn't good. Once we were on the dance floor (the whole reason we went to just dance) guys were all over us and offering to buy us drinks. Why turn down free drinks right? I should have left then, but my friends were wasted, and I was worried. I asked for some water and endured the experience...

2 am rolled around and we were finally back in our room, we brushed our teeth, took showers, and everyone was out within seconds, except for me. I couldn't help feel sad for my friends. They were not going to feel very good in the morning, and did they really have that much fun? Married women getting drinks from single guys and dirty dancing the night away.... hmmmmm....

Sunday was the day we were going home!!! We all got up, they took drugs for their awful headaches, we waited in the valet parking line to get my car, and then found ourselves at a charming little cafe for breakfast. I wish I could say that we had an amazing conversation about the church and they realized that maybe the choices they made the night before weren't the best, but that's not what happened. They did ask me if I wanted to go shopping, and I was able to explain why I don't shop on Sunday. Well, then I bore my testimony and they all realized they shouldn't be shopping on Sunday and we went home!! Ha ha not, the subject was changed very suddenly and then we were at the mall doing some shopping. I walked around and tried to enjoy myself, but it was a little hard when all I wanted to do was see my family and be home.

The drive home seemed so long, and I almost cried when I got to see my little Carter and my handsome Jason. I was able to tell Jason all my thoughts and frustrations, kiss my sweet little Carter's cheeks, and be so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I am so thankful to know that I have a Savior. He died for me that I might live with him again. I know he didn't die for me so that I could eat, drink and be merry on this earth, but so that I could prove myself to be worthy. I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have and that someday I will share what I know with these friends. They may not want to hear what I have to say or believe it, but it is my responsibility to share what I know to those around me.

Well, I don't want to end on too serious of a note, but right now it's snowing outside, I'm drinking hot chocolate, and little Carter is pulling out all the DVDs. I love that little boy! I hope you all had a great weekend!

Being silly before eating Sushi

I really do love these ladies

Us right before going to the spa

A picture Jason texted me. Carter was so good for daddy!

Weekends in Spring Creek Nevada

Weekends at home are actually pretty nice. I am starting to cherish them as it seems we are always traveling on weekends. This weekend we had plans to be in Utah with some amazing friends. Long story short, Jason got his dates mixed up for a very important training for work in Denver, and well… we ended up staying home and spending time together.

Our weekends here are never really epic, but they are very relaxing and full of creating little memories. Saturday we actually attended the first ever Lamoille pumpkin festival. Lamoille is tiny and only about 10 minutes away, so we ate amazing omelets made by Jason, invited our neighbors, packed our little sweetheart, and headed out with very low expectations. We were so surprised when we saw cars lining the road and the park full of people. There were vendors, drawings, kids roasting marshmallows, hot cider, families decorating and carving pumpkins, a trailer ride, performances, a pumpkin patch, and lots more. We were so excited for the pumpkin patch that we decided to walk instead of wait in the extremely long line for a ride. We had to laugh when we found the “pumpkin patch” 100 ft. away in a back yard. The pumpkins were kind of just set in there to look like a patch. It gave us a good laugh with our neighbors and it gave me comfort to know more people actually live out here and they were willing to create a pumpkin patch to create some community!

Carter on our walk. He's so happy :)

Our little family going for a walk <3

The rest of Saturday Jason and I cooked and ate amazing food, played skipo, and rolled around on the floor with Carter. It was so nice to just be together at home not having to be anywhere but together.

Sunday, we drove out to Elko for church and attended a wonderful meeting. Once we got home we ate some grub and then cuddled on the couch as a family for a nice nap. It ended abruptly when Carter started screaming in pain. Poor little man has had 2 teeth poke through in the last couple of weeks and another is threatening to be here soon. Teething is the pits!

That night we google chatted with the fam and could hardly believe my little brother will be leaving for a mission in less than a month! The next time he sees Carter will be when he’s 2 ½ years old! By that time he’ll probably be an uncle again! It is amazing how much our family has changed and will continue to change.

Last night, we decided we wanted to create some memories. On his way home Jason picked up some pumpkins, (Carter got his very own!) spice cake mix, chocolate chips and pumpkin puree. We made delicious pumpkin chocolate chips cookies and carved our pumpkin. It was so fun to have Carter join in on the fun! Even the bath tub afterwards was full of pumpkin guts, it was everywhere! Carter decided I wasn’t really dirty enough too, and so he put all the guts he was playing with on my lap. What a sweet boy to share so much with his mommy.

He was so excited to have his own!

What a fun family night!

He loved the guts!

Sharing everything with mommy while she carves the pumpkin

We were happy with the end result. Plus we had a clean happy baby :)

Today our sweet little man had to go to the doctors. It was the dreaded 6 month appointment where he was given yet another set of shots. I’m so glad the next ones are not until he is a year old. The most awful experience I’ve had as a mother is taking little Carter to get those awful shots. I’m excited today will be a cuddle day though. Have a great week!

A Forever Family

We went to Utah this weekend! Surprised?! Well, since Utah has become our home away from our home in Spring Creek, you shouldn't be. This time we visited for a very exciting and important event in our big family. It was so amazing to spend 2 days with the people I love in this world the very most. 

Friday we packed up our little bug, what seemed like all our belongings, and we headed toward Salt Lake City. I was not looking forward to the long ride, but we didn't stop once and ended up only having to drive for 3 hours!!! Normally it takes 4, so yes, I was very happy. Carter was too, especially when we finally decided to get out and stretch. 

Friday night wasn't as eventful as most. We made it to my sister's house, ate some Rumbi Island Grill that we picked up on the way, and then Carter got to be passed around all over the place. Aunt Kira sure does love our little cutie, and so Carter was loved on and posed for many pictures. Grandma and Grandpa were not back from their adventures with life long friends when we headed to our cozy place in Saratoga Springs, which happens to inhabit an amazing family who are pretty awesome to let us crash at their place. 

Saturday morning we had the most delicious pancakes and buttermilk syrup anyone could ask for. Then it was off to Kneader's to meet the rest of the fam where they indulged in delicious cinnamon toast. From there we went on an incredible shopping spree to Ikea, Costco, and Kid to Kid. Our poor little Carter was so wiped out he fell asleep while eating his squash. Jason and I had to switch off staying in the car at Costco so he could get at least one little nap in. We really had fun, and were completely pooped and excited to use all the new neat stuff we bought. 

Sunday was the reason and the highlight of our whole trip. My big bro Tain was able to come home to bless his sweet little baby boy (instead of baptizing babies, we bless them). Jason and I were nearly late because we were visiting with our friends, but we made it just in time for the opening hymn. Taylor was blessed and the meeting was wonderful. Afterward, pretty much the entire ward (which was all of my family, aunts, uncles, and cousins) headed to their house to eat some delicious food. I was able to see my Uncle Richard and some of his kids finally, which made me cry. I haven't seen them for 1 whole year and then some. I lived with them during my student teaching and before Jason and I were married. We both love their family so very much!

 My favorite part was probably when everyone left and we had the time to just be together as a family. Instead of all the Ballantynes, it was just the Mark Ballantyne family, together one last time. We were able to take a big family photo and individual family pictures as well. While sitting there with them I thought, this is what the celestial kingdom is going to be like, only there will never be any goodbyes. That'll be nice, because it took us like an hour to say goodbye just because we really didn't want to say goodbye. Driving in the dark with Carter is a little difficult lol. 

Tain is actually flying back tonight, and Dyelan will be leaving on a 2 year mission to the Philippines next month. It will be sad not to be together for a while, but I am so very thankful that I know our family will be together forever, even after this life. 

Tain with his cute little baby

Look how happy he is!

What a beautiful family <3

My boys are so handsome!

We like to be silly :)

I love these guys!

What a cute couple ;) ha ha

The ones who started it all :)

All the handsome guys 

All the pretty girls

Awww

Chilling with our whole family

Taylor Ballantyne <3

Carter with his best bud :)

Silly faces :)