Butler Family

Michael!

2011-04-16T22:32:00.000-07:00

..So we when we read scriptures together, for Michael's turn he just repeats after me. Sometimes he'll change what I say or he'll add extra words, (most times we let it slide unless it's terribly inappropriate) sometimes it turns into a teaching moment. For instance in Alma we were reading about Korihor and how he demanded a sign from Alma, so I say "Korihor was struck dumb," Michael repeats "Korihor was struck dumb..and stupid"

I say, "Michael!!"

he says, " ..what, dumb is stupid."

(teaching moment!)

I say, "Michael, in the scriptures it means like if mom, (I put hands over my mouth for a moment) can't talk, then I would be called dumb."

Michael gives me a very serious look and says solemnly, "Mom....I would never call you dumb."

(sigh) "Thank you Michael."

I guess I can agree that Korihor was dumb and.....stupid.

About Time!

2011-03-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a long winter-again-I know. We've been busy and kids are healthy and growing. Brandon is taking violin and piano lessons, and will be a senior next year. He's pretty popular with the girls, and is enjoying his friends. He works part-time after school for us doing the bread. Matthew is taking violin lessons and enjoying boy scouts. Ellie is in ballet and loves kindergarten. Michael...Michael..has changed his name to Rover, much to our dismay, has started putting Rover at the top of his paper in preschool. We told his teacher NOT to call him Rover. We never know what to expect when he prays, right now you'd hear.. "Please help us to always choose the right...not the left." The kids need to play outside, we try to be creative but sometimes it backfires, example: the other day I found play money so I told them to go downstairs and play "store". Everyone was mad at Ellie because she took everybody's things and held them for ransom, Matthew came upstairs in only his underwear, he claimed that Michael bought all his clothes. We pretty much skipped Family Home Evening tonight, got through scriptures and the melt down began. Ellie didn't want Michael hugging her and was crying because I wouldn't let her suck on my arm. Matt was acting out so Brent threatened to undo his bellybutton which he said (in his words) "your butt is going to fall off". This made Matthew hysterical, completely refused to calm down, until we said it was time for cookies. The upside to getting a new calling in Relief Society is that I am reminded everyday that I am incredibly blessed, I see the trials of the sisters in my ward, and they have it all (health, financial, marital, spiritual) huge trials..it makes me want to just hug these crazy kids as long as they'll let me. So sorry for going so long without any posts, we're still here and when I have the patience, I'll load some new pictures.

2010-10-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

We have had a great summer. It was way way too short. The kids our growing up so fast. Brandon is a dating machine. He is a junior in High School and will be off and gone on a mission before we know it. Matthew got baptized and it's been wonderful to see the difference it's made on him. Ellie continues to blossom, she is our sweetheart. Michael makes us laugh, we love the 4yr old uncensored attitude towards life, for example, on the way home from church, he is in the back seat and yells, "I call to be the first one to get naked!"

We are Vikings!

2010-10-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

To contrast Ellie's tea party, Matthew had a Viking party. The kids loved the How to Train your Dragon movie so it was our inspiration. They shot arrows, had an epic water balloon fight, and killed a dragon, lots of destruction and mayhem.

A perfect day

2010-10-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

Matthew turned 8 this year. He wanted Brandon to baptize him, Dad to confirm him and me to give a talk. He got his way. It was a very special day, but maybe not to Michael...he was not happy about getting dressed up in church clothes on a Saturday. Thank you to all of our family that came, especially Ben and Mauvia who literally drove through the night and then Mauvia and Zoe performed a beautiful muscial number. Thank you, we love you.

A beautiful day

2010-10-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

We went to General Conference, well we just stayed on the Temple grounds and listened to Sunday's session. It was a lot of fun. Brent was teasing that I was trying to get our picture in the Ensign, I told him I didn't think that was very funny. What was funny was coming home and finding a picture of Michael pointing at Angel Moroni in The Scroll (BYU-I's newspaper)

Happy Halloween

2010-10-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

Our ward Halloween carnival is always a huge deal with the youth providing the activities, like golfing, bowling, fishing..nail painting. For the first time I think ever, the whole family dressed up, I thought Brent was a good sport..by the way he is DJ Lance from Yo Gabba Gabba, a kid show.

Let's go for a ride!

2010-10-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Ellie's Halloween costume was so cute we had Jess (cousin) take some fun pictures. Ellie loves horses and was excited to finally get the chance to ride. The other cute girl is Annie, she is our bishop's daughter and Ellie adores her.

Best Friends

2010-06-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

We had the best week!! Matthew was in heaven because of Isaac. Our house feels sad and empty without Isaac, Eliza and Smith. We can't wait to see them again.

Michael's haircut....

2010-06-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

After many, many months of pleading, Michael finally let us cut his hair. It was torture for all of us, but probably worth it. Brent had to promise to take him golfing, (and the real golf, not mini!). We can't get over how small his head is!!

Ellie's lemonade party!

2010-06-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

We kicked off summer with a Lemonade/Garden party. Ellie enjoyed having her cousin Eliza all the way from California to visit. Thanks again to Dave for the awesome pics.

2010-06-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

Brandon has a good group of friends. They had a great time at Prom and many thanks to Dave for the great pics.

Butler update: We Want Summer!

2010-03-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, we may look like we're having fun, but we are so done with winter.

Instead of a Valentine's party in Matthew's class, we opted for a Chinese New Year Celebration, dragon parade and all. Instead of Valentine cookies, we had eggrolls. Good fun.

Ellie is building a tower out of magnets.

2010-01-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

This has been a great year for the Butler family. Here are some random pictures from this year, the professional looking ones were taken by cousin Dave. We look forward to all the things to come in 2010. Matthew will be getting baptized, Ellie will start kindergarten, and hopefully Brandon will be getting his driver's license. We have been incredibly blessed and wish all of our friends and family a wonderful New Year.

This may be one reason the blog does not get updated so often, when he's not on the wii, he's usually on the computer.

Ellie and Monica, or the Pink Ladybug and Snowwhite

Ellie participated in two Nutcrackers this winter, as a snowflake and as a chinese dancer.

Michael turned 3 this summer, and by the way, he loves golf.

we found a baby bird in the yard.

Santa Cruz

2009-10-05T21:07:00.001-07:00

the beach across from the condo

2009-10-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

California trip

2009-10-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

Lisa and Ryan. Isn't she gorgeous?

Firefighter combat challenge

2009-08-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

We went to watch cousin Dan in the Firefighter combat challenge but we didn't get a picture of him (he's just too fast) but we did get one of Annie and Sara cheering him on.

Matt and Ellie in the Jr. Challenge

2009-08-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

At the zoo

2009-06-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

The one handed pink glove is not a tribute to the late Michael Jackson, rather

Ellie being Ellie.

Hungry baby chicks.

The Splash Park

2009-06-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

St. Anthony Sand dunes

2009-06-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

Goof Troop

2009-06-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

2009-06-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

We just had the best week of summer so far. The rain finally stopped long enough to enjoy out time with Sam, Mish and the kids. Our niece Betsey also came to visit. Doesn't Ellie take after her Aunt Mish?

2009-03-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

It can get a little boring here in Rexburg (too cold for outside fun) so we get a little creative, possibly bordering on a little strange. Summer please hurry!

2009-03-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Ellie loves to pose, can you tell?

2009-03-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

Coming to a Christmas card near you.

2008-12-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

You probably couldn't tell that this was pure torture on everyone. But I really wanted to make this year's Christmas card special, so hope you all will enjoy them.

2008-12-12T21:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes Michael goes to timeout when he's upset with me, and that's just fine with us.

2008-12-12T21:48:00.001-08:00

Brandon a.k.a. Dr. Bone (as in trombone)

2008-12-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

Someone got a hold of the camera and snapped a ton of pics, we weren't sure who did it until we came to the last picture, (this one). A little incriminating don't you think?

I loved this birthday cupcake a friend made for me. Ellie liked it too.

2008-12-12T21:34:00.000-08:00

2008-11-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

October has been a fun and busy month. Uncle Bob came for a visit and brought the kids lots of candy and Halloween fun with him. For Halloween, Brandon was.. Hershey man?, Matthew was Link from Legend of Zelda, Ellie was a BYU cheerleader, and Michael was a chicken. Michael hated his costume but forgot all about it when he realized "treat or treat" = "candy please".

sand dunes

2008-09-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

We went out to the dunes the other night.

The kids felt like they were in a giant sand-

box. They had so much fun.

Ellie

2008-09-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ellie had fun in gymnastics this summer, she also spent a lot of time having tea parties with friends.

Michael

2008-09-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

Michael turned terrible two this summer!

Matthew

2008-09-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

Matt played soccer this summer. He had a great time learning the game.

Brandon's mud run

2008-08-31T19:33:00.001-07:00

Brandon is in cross country this year and kicked off the season with a mud run. Brandon got quite the work-out, a 5k that took him up sand dunes and through a creek and under obstacles in the mud. It was a lot of fun to watch!