Last Weekend of Summer Vacation

I don't think we could have added one more thing to our last week of summer vacation and had it be any better. Phew, what a weekend we had! The kids and Dan had been sick all last week and I was looking forward to a weekend at home to make sure everyone was completely mended before the first "official" week of school began, but that was not to happen. It started off innocently enough. Friday afternoon Dan was helping me in the kitchen put together our favorite family casserole (the Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti) for dinner that evening. About halfway through Dan starts talking about going to Disneyland. That sounded great to me, but we were up to our elbows in chicken and it was 3:30. He suggested us baking the casserole and putting it in the refrigerator for the next day, and while it baked we could pack up and get ready to go. Okay, twist my arm, make me go to Disneyland. We had been blocked out during the summer and this would be our first trip back. So in the oven the casserole went, and upstairs we went get packed up and ready to go. I suddenly got an idea, what if we were to find a room and spend the night? I checked the Disney hotels. Ha Ha, not going to happen. Then I checked Howard Johnson's. I had heard they were a great hotel and an easy walk to Disneyland. I called and got a terrific rate. There was no parking fees, and the hotel would let us check out Saturday and give us a room to their pool area so we could stay and play for as long as we wanted. Perfect! I packed up two bags for the family, an ice chest with green juice and milk, the casserole went in the fridge, and off we were.

Luke's favorite ride.

One of these days that sword will come out for us!

We can not come to the park without going on this one.

Zach and I opt to sit this one out, but those three LOVE spinning.

Last ride of the night.

The hotel was perfect! The walk to the park was only 5 minutes and easier than the Disneyland parking lot. We got to the park at 6:00 and played until midnight. We walked back to the hotel, had a great nights sleep, and got to play at the pool area for a good part of the day. Then when we got home Saturday evening, all I had to do was pop the casserole into the microwave and dinner was done. Ahhhh.... It was even a mini vacation for mama!

That's Zachary getting clobbered by water.

Dan and Luke going down the water slide.

This little 1 foot pool was a perfect way to stay cool.

A perfect afternoon indeed.

I slept in Sunday morning and was awaken by my lovely husband who was dressed and saying something about, "the car is packed up, we're gong to the beach..." Once I came to I jumped in some clothes and off we were again. Except I had no idea that the beach was not our only destination. Dan had found a beach cruiser for me on Craigslist in Irvine and we were on our way to pick it up. From there we headed up to Gardenia to pick up another bike he had found on Craigslist for himself. So with three kids, two adult bikes and a car load of beach stuff we headed to Seal Beach to try and find a parking spot. This was not to happen, so we called Nana, changed our course and headed south to meet her and Papa in Mission Bay to have a beach day and enjoy some fun on the bay. A few tacos (and perhaps a couple Corona's later) we were home again to sleep the night away.

Teacher got to have sandy feet the day before school starts. Not bad at all ;)

Monday morning... Labor Day... 1st day of school... to be continued...

Donut Break

The boys and I drove down to pick up Emma from Nana's house a couple days ago and decided a walk to the beach via the donut shop was in order. We love the beach and we love donuts, so put them together and you've got one great time. Throw in Papa's awesome wagon and getting to see two trains, and well, that just (almost) too much fun to have on a Tuesday. To top that all off, Emma lost another tooth while eating her donut.

Lately...

I love how my iPhone is so kind to send the photos I take on it directly to my computer. It's quite convenient. Here are some of my faves from the past several days.

Zachary is totally schooling his father in Backgammon. He serious rolled no less than 15 doubles. It was awesome, and at the same time scary. I'm thinking of checking the Google search on his iPod for "weighting dice"???

I got to "borrow" a baby for a couple hours one night. Awww, two weeks new and snugly as can be. This is good stuff for my soul.

We had a Disney day last weekend with the cousins again. While the dad's took the big kids on Soaring Over California, the moms went for a glass of wine. We found these guys on the way to the wine bar. Luke was so excited to meet "Ka-chow" and Mater. He got a little camera shy when we had our turn, but he really was amazed. I was amazed that we got a relaxing glass of wine while the men corralled the kids :).

On Monday we had Astronomy class at the park. The weather was perfect and the labs were so fun. There were rockets, Mento's and diet cola geysers, and marshmallow guns. A GREAT science day indeed.

This photo was taken by my mom of my dad on his new yacht. (Well, perhaps "yacht" is a bit of an exaggeration, but I'd hardly call it a kayak) I can't wait to see this in person, perhaps with a grandchild on board?

What have you been up to lately?

Right Now

Outside my window... it is sunny, but chilly.

I am thinking... we should be doing spelling, but I would love to get his post done first.

I am thankful for... the fact it is Thursday, which means tomorrow is the start of another three day weekend with my love.

From the kitchen... my crock pot is my friend. Tonight it's making split pea soup for us. I believe it is the third time it has been used this week.

I am wearing... my new favorite pants. Black cotton yoga pants with a built in skirt and wide legs. I could seriously live in these pants.

I am creating... nothing at the moment. I'm between knitting projects (recently finished a beautiful shawl). I have had the urge to scrapbook lately. Perhaps that will happen soon??

I am going... to be taking the youngsters to dance class in a couple short hours.

I am reading... just finished The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. A fun and fast read.

I am hoping... the events in front of us this weekend go smoothly. (Perhaps more information on this in an upcoming post?)

I am hearing... Zachary practice piano. Both he and Emma started lessons last month with our favorite science/piano teacher. They both seem to be enjoying it, and I love to hear practice going on in the house.

Around the house... cars, Legos, books, dolls, school, and lots of dust... need I say more?

One of my favorite things... time spent with my hubby on Wednesday nights at a new class we are taking.

A few plans for the rest of the week... taking things one day at a time, as much as I can. Butler taxes on Friday, desert property on Saturday, and visiting the "Mouse" on Sunday. Time with my family.

Getting Slim and Trim

The Standard Process cleanse is officially over, and all in all I would have to say it was a success. We completed the 21 day cleanse and decided to go back and repeat the first 7 days. We are both feeling great, and have both lost weight. Dan has lost about 25 pounds, and I have lost a little over 15. It's a great start, and done in a healthy way. We hope to continue eating healthier, but I can honestly say I can't wait to have a slice of pizza, the cheesier the better!!!

On the subject of getting slim and trim, we have decided to take it one step further and slim down our expenses. It is time to get in control of our eating AND our money. We decided to look into Dave Ramsey, so I checked out an audio book from the library and Danny and I really liked what he had to say. I won't get all preachy here, but after a few days I was moved to check out Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University on-line and see what the classes where about. Lo and behold there was a introduction to the class at our local church the next morning AND there was childcare. (ahem... okay God, we're listening) So we went, we loved it, and we bought the t-shirt (meaning we are now signed up for the 13-week class). Our first class was last night and it was great. This is not going to be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.

By the way, while we are going to the class the kids get to go to Adventure Club, which is a weekly Bible Study that they have attended in the past and loved. Unfortunately our youngest has never gotten through a Church service in the nursery without someone having to come get us. He cries and screams and just wont be consoled. Surprisingly the first night he got through the whole class, he did a craft, played on the playground, he went to music and the teacher said he loved it! He was even sitting at the table with the other kids praying when we picked him up. And last night when we picked him up it was again a success, he was excited to show us the Valentines he made in class with his Bible verse on it. All thanks goes directly to God for this!!! His work is being shown in this place and so, as a family, we have decided to pursue the Grove as our families church.

So here we go on another adventure together. I'm so blessed to walk it with my hand in my husbands and Christ in my heart (and all three of my kiddos HAPPY at church!).

Welcome 2012

A new year has started, and with it comes promises of change. I could list all of the things I hope to "do better" or "do more" or "do less", but then there would be let down for me when not everything changed. So I start this new year trying as best I can to slow down and take every moment in. Life is full of moments not to be missed by other things getting in the way. I want to be more present in the day to day things going on around me. In doing that, I believe there will be change in many things.

So blessings to you and yours for a very happy and healthy 2012, and slow down with me and breathe in life all around.

Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I love the way the house feels when it's decorated for Christmas. I love getting into those old boxes and getting out the decorations. So many of those decorations have great stories behind them. I thought I would share a few...

This tradition was started the year I was born. Grandma Butler started buying me a Reid and Barton cross every year. Each one is different and each has it's own story. I hang them on the tree each year on red ribbons. One year, before we had kids, this was all that was on our tree along with white lights and baby's breath. It was truly beautiful. This collection of crosses started a few years before I was born, and my mom was so sweet to fill in those missing years for me. She has also kept the tradition up since my Grandma was no longer able to get them for me. Year after year I am surprised at how many crosses there are on our tree.... hummm, guess what that means....

This reindeer was given to my mom by an old neighbor. It hung in our house every Christmas when I was a child. My mom passed it on to me. He has graced the back of our door since I got him. This year when the Christmas boxes came down I had three sets of little hands wanting to get into them. I made the mistake of popping Mr. Reindeer out of the box a little too fast (and maybe with a little growl - I know, bad mommy!). This made Luke scared of it, and he refused to come downstairs on his own for the first few days. Since then he has become friends with the reindeer and has enjoyed pointing them out whenever he sees one. (note to self: don't do that again!!)

Danny got me this train one Christmas after we got married. I think it's cute and the kids have always loved it. I love that he picked it out and got it for me.

Another year Danny got me this beautiful nativity. I love it! The characters expressions are so soft and lovely. I hope to treasure it always. I'm pretty sure there was no snow in Bethlehem, but the painting behind the nativity was done by Dan's Grandpa Browne and I just love the way it looks behind the nativity.

This nativity is so special to me. It's the one that was in my house growing up. I think I was 2 or 3 years old when my mom painted these characters. She let me help. Of course I don't remember, but these characters are like old friends to me. The cow has lost his horns, so has the donkey. Joseph's hand and staff are missing. There are many chips and glued heads, but I think that just adds to it. I'm sure that most of those bumps where done while me, my sister, or my brother playing out the scene of the nativity. I have this on a low shelf so my kids can touch and explore with it too.

This is our Jesse Tree. I made it two years ago, and we have really enjoyed adding the tradition of the Jesse Tree to our family during the Christmas season. It is a wonderful way to celebrate Advent - which means "coming" referring to the coming of Jesus. We read a story from the Bible every night along with a devotional and a prayer. We also add a leaf to our Jesse Tree that represents what we read about that night. This photo shows the first three days done. Day 1 was creation where we read about God creating the earth and about how Jesus was there then (John 1:1-4). Day 2 we read about the first sin and how God made a way for us to get back to Him through Jesus. Day 3 was about the flood and how we can have eternal life through Jesus. There is a lot of information on the internet about starting a Jesse Tree. Ann Voskamp has a beautiful free downloadable book. This is the book we have used the past couple years.

This is the jewel tree. Grandma Butler had this hanging in her house every Christmas. She made it long ago with costume jewelry. It has multi-colored lights that blink on it. For years I always thought it looked a bit tacky. This year however, I have a new appreciation for the jewel tree. Grandma Butler passes away last month, and having this hanging in the house is very comforting.

This cute stained glass Santa was made by a dear family friend. He found his place here in our front window the year we moved into this house and has hanged in the same spot every year since waving to all who pass by.

These are some of the items that make our couch cozy in December. I made these pillows after Zachary was born along with our family stockings. I also started a quilt, which has yet to be finished (someday...). I do however have a cute quilt made by a sweet friend from church. It has jolly Santa's on it, but I leave it out all year because this as the first quilt she ever made and was such a beautiful gift to our family.

And these are just some of the many (many) Christmas books that litter our couch most days. My kids love to read and be read to. Even Luke will sit still for most books. I got wise a few years back and packed all the Christmas books away with the Christmas decorations at the end of Christmas. It was so nice not to be reading Rudolf in July! It also made it so much fun to get them down again in December.

So those are just a few of our Christmas decorations/traditions that grace our home each year. A mix of old and new, comfortable, and uniquely ours.

Birthday Post

I am more than a week overdue, but I wanted to share a little from my birthday. Danny and I left all three kids overnight for the first time and it was GREAT!! My parents love having them overnight, and my mom has been waiting to get Luke overnight since... well, probably the day he was born. The kids love it too! And mommy and daddy really enjoyed it. We got a room at a beautiful hotel in Carlsbad and had dinner at a wonderful steak house. I had a great nights sleep and actually slept deep enough to dream. Ahhh, lovely. Dan took me to the outlet center the next day and we walked around eating Godiva chocolates, yum.

Honestly, I couldn't wait to get back to my babies by then and loved walking in to hugs and kisses from them all. My mom and dad were already hard at work on my birthday dinner. Dad made an amazing crab bisque and giant crab cakes and mom made fresh pasta. In lieu of a traditional birthday cake I chose whoopie pies, which were wonderful.

Feeling blessed and celebrated by family all around!

Beautiful Cloudy Morning

We're enjoying a cool cloudy morning. The boys are riding their scooters and Emma and I are doing school. I know the summer weather is not gone for good, yet... but I am enjoying this glimpse into fall.

Summer Wrap Up?

With school starting next week, I guess I could call this a summer wrap up. Although the weather outside says summer is here to stay. We have been enduring 100 degree temps for what seems like forever. Hiding in the air conditioned house is getting a little old. So it was nice to come across some more photos from earlier this summer to remind me we haven't been cooped up here forever.

I love this little boy of mine. He is a mama's boy through and through.

Oh... and this big boy! I am truly a blessed mama!

My hunky husband (and in the background, another sandy blessing).

Dance recital was a very busy day this year. Emma was in two different shows on one day. She did great, and it was the first year I got to be in the audience instead of back stage with her.

We took a field trip to Gilman Ranch and learned all sorts of new things. Here's Emma making rope. Luke decided he would plop right down in the dirt and watch.

They also got to try their hand at roping.

We found the BEST swimming lessons. The kids have taken swim lessons from the city for the last several years, but this year we took them from Mr. Tim who teaches in his pool. It was amazing. We got to do four weeks and I'm proud to say all three kids are swimmers now. Well, Zach and Emma are completely independent, but even Luke was kicking to the side of the pool and grabbing the edge by himself.

My big fish!

Summer wouldn't be complete without a few beach visits with the von der Lindens. We LOVE these boys and are so blessed to have them and their parents in our lives.

Ahhh... so the whole summer has not been spent held up in our house. It's not really a terrible place to be. It's filled with three loud, but cute voices all day long. The man of my dreams walks in every night happy to see us. And the air conditioning works :-).

Nope, not a bad place at all.

More Summer Highlights

My parents decided to travel cross country this summer and so it was up to us to keep their house company ;). It just so happens their house is a few blocks walk to the beach (yes, I know what you're thinking, "poor us!"). We spent several weekends and a couple weeks down there and really enjoyed some great beach weather and a slower pace of life. Someday....

Anyway, here are some of the highlights:


Sunset walks on the pier


Sunset ukulele sessions on the patio.


Happy kids on the beach.


Happy boy on the beach.


Happy feet on the beach.

Yes, we enjoyed the beach, the house, and the time away from the 100+ temps at home, but if Nana and Papa leave for that long again they have to take a couple grandkids with them ;).

Summer Highlights

Since School is right around the corner, I thought it would be nice to highlight some of our summer fun this year.

Our family has spread out a bit around the country over the past few years, and so it is so special when we are together. We enjoyed a visit from my brother and his family very early this summer. It was so fun to have the cousins together for a couple days. My parents treated us to a trip to the Scripps Aquarium.




I love this photo of Papa and Luke together. Luke has quite a thing for his Papa, which I think is not only very cute, but very good for both of their hearts.

Just after we said goodbye to my brother, my sister came for a visit. (Next time some better planning needs to go into timing!!) Dawny tries to make it out twice a year for a couple weeks at a time, and we sure enjoy it. This year our parents treated us to a very special long weekend on a houseboat on Lake Havasu! Such a treat! It was so fun to all be together all weekend long. We all had a great time in the water and on the boat. Papa was Captain and Chef (and did a wonderful job at both!). Mom rented a 2 person kayak and two stand up paddle boards for us to play around on. We found a lovely little beach in a cove and beached the boat there for the weekend.


Co-Captain Emma on the top deck


Zach enjoying a lazy float


Danny getting lucky


Mom and Dad relaxing on the top deck


Lukey loving on Aunt Dawny


Perhaps my favorite photo of the weekend. From mom's camera. Enjoying the sunset.

Yes, great summer memories!