The snotty nose is disgusting, but even with bronchitis, Blake couldn't stay out of the dirt. Oh, and that's not a shadow on Blake's head, it is 100% dirt, courtesy of the shovelful he just dumped over his head.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Dirt
So I think I mentioned before that our backyard is primarily dirt. We have planted a little grass, but the dirt is still the children's favorite play item. Blake is by far the biggest dirt fiend. Plus, his curly hair is an excellent dirt trap. 
The snotty nose is disgusting, but even with bronchitis, Blake couldn't stay out of the dirt. Oh, and that's not a shadow on Blake's head, it is 100% dirt, courtesy of the shovelful he just dumped over his head.
The snotty nose is disgusting, but even with bronchitis, Blake couldn't stay out of the dirt. Oh, and that's not a shadow on Blake's head, it is 100% dirt, courtesy of the shovelful he just dumped over his head.
Hummingbirds
Sunday after church I went outside, and there was a tiny hummingbird sitting on the bricks. After much excitement, and a bit of convincing the children it was not a good idea to pet the hummingbird, Lindsey and Alan came out for a look.
Our hummingbirds are "desert" hummingbirds. They have slightly irridescent feathers on their backs, but other than that they are mostly brown.
Lindsey and Alan couldn't get enough. They were fascinated with how tiny it was, it's long beak, everything about it.
Robert tried to put it on a tree branch, and it decided to try flying. It flew just far enough to land on my back, and then Robert had trouble getting it off. Evidently, hummingbirds have tiny little claws that cling very nicely!
We finally convinced the bird to perch on a branch, and after an hour or so it flew away. We think it must have gotten wet in the sprinklers and been unable to fly until it's wings dried. We also think it was a baby hummingbird because two larger birds kept hovering around it until it could fly. All in all, it was a fantastic adventure for the kids, and for us.
Our hummingbirds are "desert" hummingbirds. They have slightly irridescent feathers on their backs, but other than that they are mostly brown.
Lindsey and Alan couldn't get enough. They were fascinated with how tiny it was, it's long beak, everything about it.
Robert tried to put it on a tree branch, and it decided to try flying. It flew just far enough to land on my back, and then Robert had trouble getting it off. Evidently, hummingbirds have tiny little claws that cling very nicely!
We finally convinced the bird to perch on a branch, and after an hour or so it flew away. We think it must have gotten wet in the sprinklers and been unable to fly until it's wings dried. We also think it was a baby hummingbird because two larger birds kept hovering around it until it could fly. All in all, it was a fantastic adventure for the kids, and for us.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Update
No pictures today, but I thought I would post an update on some very exciting news for our family. . .No, there is no new baby (how many kids do you think I can have in less than five years!?! (:) but this news is almost as exciting. Drum roll, please!
Robert has passed his dissertation defense and is unofficially Doctor Robert Butler!! We think his new nickname will be Dr. Bob. He won't be officially finished until the end of his internship at University of New Mexico, but we are still VERY happy. It has been five years of extremely long hours, late nights, learning, hard work, sometimes frustration, not even mentioning the low pay and lack of benefits and then there is all Robert has gone through on top of that! Just kidding. (: He has always been a wonderful husband and father first, and a student next. He has never lost sight of what matters most, and I am so grateful for him. I must admit that the thought of a real job in the near future appeals to me greatly, but I also think we will always look back on these grad school years with fondness.
On a brief aside, we are loving Albuquerque. The kids have been thriving in the dirt of our backyard (: and all the things that made me nervous about city living (traffic, noise, claustrophobia, etc.) have not been bad at all. It is really nice to be able to get to absolutely anywhere in ten minutes or less. I am auditioning for the Opera Southwest Company chorus with a dear friend from my days at Ricks who just happens to live here, and I must admit that singing again has been good for my soul. Robert is thriving at work--no real surprise to anyone who knows him--and seems to be happy reunited with his crazy little family. All in all, life is wonderful.
Robert has passed his dissertation defense and is unofficially Doctor Robert Butler!! We think his new nickname will be Dr. Bob. He won't be officially finished until the end of his internship at University of New Mexico, but we are still VERY happy. It has been five years of extremely long hours, late nights, learning, hard work, sometimes frustration, not even mentioning the low pay and lack of benefits and then there is all Robert has gone through on top of that! Just kidding. (: He has always been a wonderful husband and father first, and a student next. He has never lost sight of what matters most, and I am so grateful for him. I must admit that the thought of a real job in the near future appeals to me greatly, but I also think we will always look back on these grad school years with fondness.
On a brief aside, we are loving Albuquerque. The kids have been thriving in the dirt of our backyard (: and all the things that made me nervous about city living (traffic, noise, claustrophobia, etc.) have not been bad at all. It is really nice to be able to get to absolutely anywhere in ten minutes or less. I am auditioning for the Opera Southwest Company chorus with a dear friend from my days at Ricks who just happens to live here, and I must admit that singing again has been good for my soul. Robert is thriving at work--no real surprise to anyone who knows him--and seems to be happy reunited with his crazy little family. All in all, life is wonderful.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
WARNING!!!
Warning: Multiple pictures of adorable kids follow. Research has shown that repeated exposure to such pictures can cause 'warm fuzzyitis,' a condition characterized by excessive smiling, heartstring tugging, and permanent contortion around little fingers of said children. Proceed at your own risk!
This first series is primarily of Blake, but keep looking, because I posted about 30 pictures tonight. Enjoy!
Enjoying the tradition of climbing into bed with Mooma every morning.
Pirate Blake, who is adorable in spite of being extremely difficult to photograph!
Blake's favorite spot. . .surrounded by a jillion rocks to throw. He crawled to that spot, by the way. Ouch!
From the very beginning Blake and PopPop had a special connection, and even though the rest of us look silly, you can see that connection in this picture.
I absolutely love this picture, because it represents to me all the love and caring and gentleness and joy that are my dad. Thanks for being great, Dad! I love you so much!!
This first series is primarily of Blake, but keep looking, because I posted about 30 pictures tonight. Enjoy!
Enjoying the tradition of climbing into bed with Mooma every morning.
Pirate Blake, who is adorable in spite of being extremely difficult to photograph!
Blake's favorite spot. . .surrounded by a jillion rocks to throw. He crawled to that spot, by the way. Ouch!
From the very beginning Blake and PopPop had a special connection, and even though the rest of us look silly, you can see that connection in this picture. 
I absolutely love this picture, because it represents to me all the love and caring and gentleness and joy that are my dad. Thanks for being great, Dad! I love you so much!!
Pinata
So, have you ever tried to do something, only to find it a frustratingly and seemingly impossible task? That was the pinata for Alan's birthday. After trying valiantly (or was it violently?) to crack the thing open, Mommy finally decapitated it and just dumped the stuff out. We hit it so hard that several things inside were too broken for play, including some bubble-filled mini guitars. M&Ms and Skittles dipped in bubble sauce anyone?
Decorating Ukranian eggs
The kids enjoyed their first ever experience decorating Ukranian eggs, in spite of lighting a kitska on fire, burning a hand with hot beeswax, and narrowly avoiding 'egg drop soup' (:)!
PopPop's jeep
The kids all had a blast taking turns getting rides around the bumpy track in PopPop's jeep. 
Slip 'n Slide Rules
1. Crawling is just as much fun as sliding, and you get significantly wetter.
2. It never hurts to stop and take a drink when you are playing in the hot southern Utah sun.
Only run in opposite directions towards each other if you aren't actually going to slide.
2. It never hurts to stop and take a drink when you are playing in the hot southern Utah sun.
Only run in opposite directions towards each other if you aren't actually going to slide.
Alan's Birthday
Alan's reaction to the 'Surprise' Lindsey planned for his birthday--He was pretty happy!
The decorations that were Alan's surprise
Alan and his Island cake
Happy Father's Day!!
A Dad is someone who's always there,
to rub your back or brush your hair.
He flies kites and reads you books
and usually is the best of cooks.
His hugs are magic, his kisses, too,
will always help you if you're blue;
And even if you make him mad,
he still loves you 'cause he's your Dad!!
So Daddy, on this Father's Day,
even though you're far away
we want to tell you loud and clear. . .
WE LOVE YOU!!!!!! and can hardly wait 'til you are here.
Love,
Lindsey, Alan, Blake, and Mommy
P.S. All artwork is original to the child holding it, with much love and effort.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Quote of the day
Mooma(a.k.a. Grandma):Lindsey, we saw a video about predators at the garage sale! Do you remember what a predator is?!?
Lindsey: Yeah! Like a butterfly!!
Lindsey: Yeah! Like a butterfly!!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
This little piggie went to market. . .We were playing this little piggie on the way home from the airport and Blake took it a little too seriously. (: 
Alan and Lindsey had so much fun at the semi-annual "Touch a Truck" event in Opelika. They had helicopters, backhoes, cement trucks, dump trucks, etc. in addition to the usual ambulance, police car, and fire truck. It was every little boys dream, and Lindsey was surprisingly involved considering her usual dislike for all things dirty and non-princess.
Lindsey driving a big semi.
Yep. that's Alan up there. He's a little hard to see, but this seemed to be his favorite--it was a little hard to get him out of some of them. (:
This one's for Auntie April--Lindsey knew what the ambulance was for, and described it as "This is where a hurt person would go (pointing to the gurney) and then the smart doctor people would take care of them." I guess that makes April a 'smart doctor person,' which sounds so much more official and cool than paramedic. (:
Alan and Lindsey had so much fun at the semi-annual "Touch a Truck" event in Opelika. They had helicopters, backhoes, cement trucks, dump trucks, etc. in addition to the usual ambulance, police car, and fire truck. It was every little boys dream, and Lindsey was surprisingly involved considering her usual dislike for all things dirty and non-princess.
Lindsey driving a big semi.
Yep. that's Alan up there. He's a little hard to see, but this seemed to be his favorite--it was a little hard to get him out of some of them. (:
This one's for Auntie April--Lindsey knew what the ambulance was for, and described it as "This is where a hurt person would go (pointing to the gurney) and then the smart doctor people would take care of them." I guess that makes April a 'smart doctor person,' which sounds so much more official and cool than paramedic. (:
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Our New House
This is our new house in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are really excited about it! It is a 3 bedroom, 1.75 bathroom home with a two car garage. Lindsey's school is within walking distance, there is a park one block away, it is ten minutes from the temple, fifteen minutes from Robert's work, and in a fantastic neighborhood (and it didn't even go over our rent budget!). 
The only downside is this lovely wood paneling in the living room, though the owner did tell us we could paint it if we want to.
The kitchen has good cupboard space, newer appliances (less than two years old), an attached dining room, a dishwasher and a garbage disposal, as well as a cutout looking into the family room.
This is one of the small bedrooms, which are the same size. Lindsey is very excited to get her own room.
It is hard to take a good picture of the backyard because there is privacy fencing all around (the fence you see is the only one comprised of wooden slats). In addition to the large tree, there is a covered patio, and a pecan tree in our neighbor's yard has grown over the other side of the yard, so the owner said we get quite a few pecans. Yum! There is no grass, but with a park about a two minute walk away, I think we'll do fine. Plus, what kid doesn't love the dirt?!
I have more pictures, but I thought it might be a bit much to post them all, so if you want more, email me and I'll send them to you (Yes, Mum, that is mostly a comment for you (:). I love you all!
The only downside is this lovely wood paneling in the living room, though the owner did tell us we could paint it if we want to.
The kitchen has good cupboard space, newer appliances (less than two years old), an attached dining room, a dishwasher and a garbage disposal, as well as a cutout looking into the family room.
This is one of the small bedrooms, which are the same size. Lindsey is very excited to get her own room.
It is hard to take a good picture of the backyard because there is privacy fencing all around (the fence you see is the only one comprised of wooden slats). In addition to the large tree, there is a covered patio, and a pecan tree in our neighbor's yard has grown over the other side of the yard, so the owner said we get quite a few pecans. Yum! There is no grass, but with a park about a two minute walk away, I think we'll do fine. Plus, what kid doesn't love the dirt?!
I have more pictures, but I thought it might be a bit much to post them all, so if you want more, email me and I'll send them to you (Yes, Mum, that is mostly a comment for you (:). I love you all!
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