January 6, 2021

A Year in Review

Highlights From 2020
Swimming pool fun with my little girl

Mark Ballantyne family reunion

Cutest decked out babies on July 4th

He turned 2!!!

Sharing a meal in a hotel

Visiting their sisters grave. 

He's crazy and I love it!

Life with 2 babies and a 7 year old

Camping shinanigans
Sequoia Nation Park 

wearing masks


My little squishy girl has grown up so much!
The best Easter pic I could get
Camping with 2 babies
Probably my fave pic of 2020

He likes to play in the strangest things

LOVE THIS

They were so little

Only the 500th pic with 2 babies


He is the cutest little thing!

Wow! I don’t know if 2020 went by fast or if it went by super slow. It definitely had it’s moments! It was a very strange year full of cancelations, a new normal, and the start of a journey. Although it was hard for a lot of people, I must say I would rather relive last year than relive past ones. All in all, I think I learned a TON! 

Cousin Time in Washington

To start, we ended the year perfectly! With a 15 hour drive through the night to Washington state and being surrounded by family! Our Christmas was filled with laughter and building a snowman outside (we California folk have warm blood so the 30 degree weather was one for staying inside for me). We stayed up till crazy hours of night, played games, and created memories. It couldn't have been more perfect! Here’s a little review of what each of us did this year.

Carter

Carter's freckles melt my heart!

Carter got lunch from school! He was pretty excited!

My social butterfly had a rough time after schools shut down. He missed his friends terribly, but we made home school fun and made the best of it! He was able to choose most of the topics he learned about while working on his reading and math skills. I think his favorite part was watching videos about neat creatures and wonders of nature.


Carter's first day of in person school

He was disappointed 2nd grade started via Zoom, but at the end of November he finally got to meet his teacher in the flesh! He loved meeting his classmates and playing imaginary football during recess/break/snack time. I think with only 2 babies at home to play with, we got into the bad habit of watching YouTube and playing video games.

Twin day at school. They decided to be quadruplets

For Carter’s extra curriculars (there wasn’t much to choose from) he chose to play flag football and start piano lessons. This little boy is incredible with how fast he learns and how awesome he can play a song even though he hasn’t practiced it. He has a heart of gold and loves to be a helper at home. What would I do with out him?

My silly boy <3

Daxton

My favorite Island boy
Love Love Love

This little fireball has been a blessing to our family ever since that evening on August 26, 2018 when I met him. It has been so fun to see him grow, gain a crazy personality, and start talking! He is the sweetest little boy and will give everyone he meets kisses! 

Their relationship is so sweet!

Sometimes he can be quiet and shy, but when you see his true crazy side… you know you’re alright in his book. Although he likes to push his little sister’s buttons, he really loves that little girl and misses her when they are apart. I think his very favorite thing to do is wake her up. He asks me to do it every day! If he could only learn to be a good eater, I would have no complaints. He’s a lot like his mama and LOVES all the sweet things in life!

Sweet sweet boy

Callie

My sweet baby girl 

Oh could there be a cuter little girl out there? She melts my heart every second of every day. That sweet little face gets her a lot of things, and I think she is secretly the favorite in our house. I love that mom is her favorite, and I love that she learned how to give kisses! Even though she acts like she is shy, she is almost as crazy as her big little brother (minus the mischievousness).


Cutest Little girl EVER!!!
She's the BEST eater!

In 2020 Callie turned one, learned how to walk, and learned how to say quite a few words. Her little voice lights up my heart, and I love it when she says, “uh oh.” She is an awesome eater just like her biggest brother and is always happy to try something new. I wish she could stay this little FOREVER!

This beautiful little girl turned 1!

Jason

LOVE him!

As always, Jason has won husband and father of the year! He has pursued many of his dreams including buying a brand-new house and landscaping a back yard. He has loved his job with Wonderful Citrus, and even received a premotion. He amazes me with how much he thinks about others and how awesome he is at playing with our kids.  I often think that I don’t deserve him, but I’m so happy he chose me!

A daddy and his little girl

He continues to help with a 22q Family Foundation and coaching adults how to beef up resumes, practice for interviews, and be a listening ear for concerned parents. He’s been a huge support with all the dreams I have, and even puts up with some of them. He’s incredible and I am so excited that we celebrated 10 years of being married! I am so happy he’s mine forever!

The boys

Me

Longest I've had my hair in a VERY LONG time!

The only half I was able to do

My goal of running 5 half marathons for my little angel girls came to an abrupt halt after the 1st one in February in memory of Shanna. I was struggling mentally and emotionally after the world shut down and I was with my kids 24/7. I needed something that made me Clarissa, and so I found a passion for health coaching. I became a health coach and hope to continue on the journey of helping people. I still teach a little on the side and try to keep a clean house. My favorite thing though, is playing with my kids and making them laugh! My little family is everything to me, and so I’ve learned that I need to take care of myself so I can take care of the ones I love most.

The start of a health coaching adventure

There is always a silver lining in the hard that we go through in life. It may not seem like it in the moment, but as I look back on the year we’ve had… it’s been pretty awesome! I hope we all can remember the blessings that came from a year of shut down and hard! Happy 2021 everyone!

Selfie with my favorite little girl on earth!

Visiting family in Colorado

More Colorado fun!
Love California weather and riding bikes with my little crew!
Jack-o-latern fun!
My Favorite selfie with my crazy boy!

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