Jason & Clarissa: December 2013

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 :)