Ball Family Reunion Y'all

We went to Snyder, Texas for my Grandpa's family reunion last weekend. It was nice to see people I hadn't seen in years and meet family I had never even met. My Grandpa is one of ten kids so there are lots of family members. I think the population of the small town doubled while we were there! It was fun and meant a lot to my Grandpa so it was definitely worth the trip. I hope we can continue to have these reunions and are able to stay in touch with each other. Thank you to Lesa and Dona who worked so hard putting it all together, it turned out great! To see the rest of the pictures of the weekend click on the link below~
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25423&id=1436413128&l=c1d2bd3329

Bailey, mom and Blake
Singing Karaoke after a few to many drinks

Grandpa, his 2 brothers, and all of their brothers and sisters kids

Western theme, of course, what else would you expect??

Happy 60th Dad!

What better reason to throw a big party then my Dad turning the big 6-0?? We had a great night of eating, drinking, dancing, drinking, black jack, drinking, and yummy cupcakes. There was even a little bit of drinking thrown in the mix, did I mention that already? It was so much fun seeing the family and good friends get together to celebrate my Dad. I don't know anyone that deserves it more, what a guy. I am so blessed to have the father I do. His family came from California for the weekend, an old friend from California even showed up and surprised him. The weather couldn't have been better, 90 during the day and 75 at night in June in Arizona? Are you kidding me?? Perfect. A special thanks to Blake and Bailey for all their help with the planning, decorating and playing hostess, you two are the best! Happy Birthday Dad, we'll have another big one when you turn 70! I love you!!

To see all the pictures of the night click on the link below~
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24701&id=1436413128&l=89bfaeddb6


The cool cake, cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries


Trying to give a speech between laughs
Sunset over the mountains

The party room

Rae Lynne and Uncle Jack relaxing on the patio before the party started

Nate, Uncle Jack, Uncle Jeff, Dad, me, and Grandpa Paul

Didn't she just start kindergarten???

Every once in awhile something happens that makes me step back and realize how fast time is flying by. I've had some of those moments in the last couple weeks. Blake had her promotion dance on May 8th. First it's hard for me to imagine that she's done with middle school and second I couldn't believe how grown up she looked after she finished getting ready. Wow, I think I'm going to be in trouble once she starts high school. No dating until she's married, at least that's what her Uncle and Joni keep telling me. I eventually got over the dance, just in time for her graduation ceremony. Again, she looked so grown up. I fought back the tears, I'm sure I'll have plenty in four years when she graduates from high school. At the rate things are going that will feel like a week from now! We had a great time at the ceremony and a really nice dinner together afterwards. Spending time with the whole family is always on the top of my list, especially when it involves celebrating and lots of laughter. Even though she's starting high school in the fall, she's still my baby. I wanted to post a picture from her first day of kindergarten but I knew she'd kill me! I love you more than I can say Blake, I am so proud of the person you are now and I am excited to watch you grow into the amazing woman I know you will become! You're going to do great in high school, you better :)

Getting ready for the dance
All dressed up and ready to go

After the graduation ceremony with Joni and Nate, her bodyguards

Blake and my Mom, she's got heels on but she's taller than my mom without them to

My Dad and Blake

Blake and Bailey before we left for the school

My mom and Bailey during the ceremony

Bailey, Joni and Blake-my loves :)

Dad, Bailey, Blake, me and Nate.

Britney Spears

For Christmas I got Blake, Bailey, and Tatiana tickets for the Britney Spears concert. After months of endless waiting last night was finally here. The concert was more like a Vegas show with it's lights, smoke, fire, magicians, trapeze artists, gymnasts, anything to make you forget you were watching someone lip sync the entire time. We did have a blast together though which is the most important thing. Love you girls, hope I didn't embarrass you to much with my singing and dancing!

Ugh, huh???
The camera died and I had to use my cell phone for this shot of Britney on an umbrella.

The girls patiently waiting for the show to start

Pussycat Dolls, I think they may have actually sang live a little bit

Outside of the arena

On the way in to the arena

Bailey, Blake & Tati

Happy Easter!!

I can't believe that it's Easter already! It seems like we were just celebrating Christmas. Time flies by, which is the main reason I take tons of pictures and try to keep up with this blog. So we can all look back on these times in our lives and say "remember when?" Yesterday was another great time with friends and family. It was nice to be able to visit with everyone, relax and enjoy a beautiful Arizona day. We won't have many of those left, it'll be 115 out before we know it! The girls, Joni, Nate, & I went to my Dad's house for brunch. My Grandpa Paul was here visiting so that was another plus. Rae Lynne cooked an awesome meal and her homemade sangria was almost TO good! After a few hours, a few to many drinks and lots of laughs we headed over to my Mom's for an easter egg hunt and some yummy lasagna! Thanks for another wonderful Easter Mom and Dad. I hope everyone's was as nice!!


Blake and Bailey, Easter 98. How sweet is this??
Jaelynn looking for eggs
Did you think the drinking would stop just because it's Easter????

Rae Lynne and her family-dad, mom, sister Rox Anne and her boyfriend Bob

Bailey had a long day.........

Blake and Nate

Dad, Joni, Nate, & Dale

Told you it was a beautiful day

Grandpa Paul and Mae

Dad & Elvia

Nate and Joni, their signature pose, just the background changes and maybe the drink

Joni and I, my brother trying to get original with the picture taking angles

Weekend at Grandpa Weldon's

Joni and I flew to San Jose on Thursday to spend the weekend with my Grandpa. Since we lost my Grandma almost a year ago we try to spend as much time with him as possible. It's always nice to go there because we get to spend time with a lot of friends and family. I feel good everytime we're around the neighbors because it is easy to see how much they care about and take care of Grandpa. A big BBQ has turned into a tradition when we visit and this time wasn't any different. I think we had about 20 people over on Saturday night, a lot of work but definitely worth it. I love you Grandpa, it's your turn to visit us now!!

My Uncle Tom, Grandpa's neighbor Ray, and my cousin Roy
Joni and my Great Aunt Wanda. I think I have this exact same picture with Joni and my Grandma, the same pose and everything. It's such a sweet picture but I feel like crying when I look at it, makes me miss my Grandma!!

My Grandpa's awesome neighbors, Troy & Ray

My Aunt Sharon and cousin Matt

Joni and some of his San Jose friends, Gigo and Ray

My cousin's wife Wendy, Aunt Sharon and Wanda's boyfriend Jim

Grandpa & Me

Matt & Grandpa Joni & Roy having a drink, so odd for Joni glad I had the camera ready :)

Visit from Aunt Judy

This post is about a month overdue! My dad's sister, Judy, came out to visit with her friend Arla. My dad took some time off work and they went to all kinds of cool places. That was the weekend Joni and I went to San Diego so I didn't get to spend very much time with them. We did all get together for a nice dinner and some card playing. Thanks again Raelynne for the awesome salmon and squash-wow!! Looking forward to the next visit, love you!!

My Dad, Aunt Judy and Arla
Blake, Aunt Judy, Me, Bailey, Nate, Dad, Raelynne and Jaelynn. Notice Nate's new shirt :)

Happy Birthday Nate!!

My baby bro turned, well, one year older on March 8th. We had a little party for him on Saturday night at Joni's house. Saturday night turned into Sunday morning and that's about all I can remember. I do know everyone had a blast and it was really nice to spend time with family and good friends. It was one of those "I swear I'll never drink again if I make it through this!" mornings though. I finally started feeling better Monday. Celebrating with my brother was worth the pain, I'm sure we'll be doing it again next year! I've got tons of pictures, I'll post a link to the slideshow in the next couple days. For now there's a couple of my favorites below. Happy Birthday Nate, love you very much and I'm so proud of the man you have become!!

**Click here to see the other pictures
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16520&id=1436413128&l=25e86**

Cool cake huh??!!


Uncle Nate with Blake and Bailey

This isn't very clear but I thought it was so funny The guys