Family!

Well… We are back from Utah, and what a fantastic weekend we had! I am so sad that our weekends always go by so fast, but then again they always give me something to look forward to.

We were on our way Thursday night and arrived at my sister’s house pretty late. They had just gotten back from watching a movie with my brother and his wife. It was a quick hello and soon we were all snuggled in our beds being sad and excited about the weekend’s events that would unfold.

Friday morning Jason and I met some work friends (Jason’s) for a delicious breakfast of Kneader’s French toast (life changing and delicious!) I had fun showing off Carter, while Jason and his coworkers talked about business, HR, and changes with their company. I had a very strange moment while listening… that wow… I’m all grown up now!

We had to say goodbyes and head up to Roy for Jason’s ortho appointment. A little secret… his appointments will be coming to an end soon! We’re excited!! While we were there I couldn’t help but think of our house, memories, and the amazing people we were able to make friends with during our short time in Roy. It will always be one of my favorite places we lived.

Later we were able to see some old friends from Logan and spend some much needed time with our whole family. As my sister Kira said, it was Mark Ballantyne Reunion Part II. Everyone was finally together, and who knows how long it will be until the next time we’d be blessed enough to be together again. The best part of the night was our entertainment… Carter eating his rice cereal J

Saturday was mostly spent at Scheels where we looked at everything. We even stopped and took pictures together and went for a ride on the Ferris wheel. When our bellies started grumbling we grabbed some lunch at Costco and ate our delicious hot dogs outside.

Karalee my brother’s wife (she is due any day with Carter’s first cousin!!) was looking pretty tired after our trip to Target, so we all split up with a plan to rendezvous later for dinner. Jason, Carter and I actually ended up visiting my Uncle Aaron in Pleasant Grove. He was awesome and was more than happy to have us stay the night with him. Having 8 adults and a baby camping out in a small living room at my sister’s house, while fun, was a little difficult. We were also able to visit with some of my cousins who will be racing away off on other life adventures of their own. One going on an LDS mission to Mexico, and another headed to D.C. in a week for an internship. It was so good to see them.

Our rendezvous dinner destination was chosen to be at Goodwood. It was there we laughed, played uno with tiny cards, and passed Carter around. Our poor little sport had been so good, but with only little cat naps all day and being toted around… I think he just had enough.

After dinner we all went back to my brother’s house where we played games, wore mustaches, and had our family picture taken. We are some very attractive people with mustaches. Around midnight with a very tired baby in tow and being sad we didn’t have a place where we could all stay together, we left for my uncle’s house.

Sunday was a very sad day. We got up, ate breakfast with uncle Aaron (he made delicious pancakes and hot chocolate), got ready for church while we waited for little Carter to wake up, and headed back to Tain’s house to attend church with him. Every one wasn't quite dressed for the occasion, but we attended a wonderful sacrament meeting, and the time when Tain would leave started to sink in. After lunch I found myself holding back tears, it was time for my family to leave not knowing when we’d all be back together again. My mom and dad heading off to Washington, my little brother preparing to leave on a mission for two years, Jason & I heading back to Nevada, Tain being deployed and across the world from us, and all of us being separated again.

My mom said something while we were all together laughing at Carter go crazy with his rice cereal. She said, “This is joy.” Every time I think of my family now, that’s what I think. Being surrounded by people you love and who love you, just spending time together and enjoying each other. Our families really are joy. I am so thankful that I have a family who is so loving, and finds joy in the time we are able to spend together. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to start my own family who will share memories like these. I can’t believe sometimes that I am so lucky to have my family for eternity. We will be together forever, and because I know this, I know that we have a wonderful opportunity to build this relationship here on earth, that we will have for forever. It’s all because we have such a wonderful loving heavenly father and God.

Now that we are home, I miss my family like crazy! Our next adventure will hopefully be in another couple of months when Tain will be able to bless his little baby. Oh I hope he comes soon! Here is to a wonderful weekend, and wonderful memories to have and share later on. Have a wonderful week!