Our Little Fam.

Everyone is Growing Up!

2010-09-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

I need to do some serious blog updating, someday. For now, Adee had her first day of Kindergarten, Shep has POTTY POWER (don't ask) and is wearing his big boy underoo's as he calls them, and Baylor is still eating like a champ and is all belly! :>

Here's to Baylor!

2010-08-24T07:40:00.001-07:00

Well, apparently I can't slack on my baby posts! As you will see in the pictures two weeks in a baby's life makes a HUGE difference! Baylor looks like a different baby from his week one picture to his week three picture. Maybe that is because the little man likes to eat every two hours ALLLLLLL day and ALLLLLLL night! He is kicking my can, but I am glad he is growing so well. We are all so happy that he made it here safe and sound. Adee and Shep love him and always ask if they can hold him or kiss him, it is sweet. I have to keep my post short because my eyes are not focusing on the computer and Adee and Shep are unsupervised which always means trouble. I will try to be better at posting pics, but I'll make no guarantees. Love to you all! The Butlers

Lots of DANCE!!!!

2010-06-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

Adee had two dance recitals this year. She had a lot of fun in both. She loves getting her makeup done, and the costumes are the best part for her. :> My mom came down and spent the weekend with us, which was a big help because we had rehearsals Friday and Saturday and Shep was not as into it as Adee was. :> The last two pictures are of Adee in Shep's crib reading to him. I asked her to go in and keep him company after he had awoken from his nap and I walked in to find a picture perfect little moment. :> Hope everyone is great!

WHEW!!!

2010-05-30T19:28:00.001-07:00

Okay, still a terrible blogger! We have had so much going on! Adee played soccer again this spring and she did very well until the last two games when she decided she was "bored with it." What to do? She also learned to ride her bike with "none wheels" as she says. It was so funny because she learned on a Saturday and on Sunday we went out again to get some pictures of her and when she got on and started pedaling she said, "Yep, still got it!" It made Sam and I laugh so hard, since we continually tell ourselves that EXACT same thing! ;> HA! Adee also graduated from All American Preschool, they had a program and Adee played Marie Had a Little Lamb on her harmonica, she did it perfectly - this girl loves to be center stage, could be a problem! :>
I threw in some pics of Shep since he is always along for the ride. He is such a sweet boy and he always asks when the baby will be here to play trains with him. We are at 30 weeks with our little guy in the oven, can't wait to meet him. I have to say I am still nervous to have a new little one even though it is number three. We have a ton of stuff to keep us busy till he gets here, so hopefully it will go fast. Wishing you all well, The Butlers.

I know, about time! :>

2010-03-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

Adee had a little dance competition where she was a dinosaur and danced to the song Everybody Walk the Dinosaur - which is funny because I actually remember that song when it was cool, not something silly for a kid to dance to. :> She did well and had fun of course. Please note that in the pictures there is no coaching from me on posing. Adee comes up with it all on her own, not sure where that comes from, but it is cute. :>
We found out that we will be having another little guy in our house this August. Adee fell over in her chair and cried. I would like to say that maybe we could try for a girl later on, but I am thinking maybe not more than maybe so. :> I hope that Shep and this new little one will be great buds. He really gravitates to other little boys, so I am excited for him. We are ready for Spring and warmer weather, can't wait to get out and plant the garden and do OUTSIDE stuff. We hope you are all happy and well, The Butlers.

My blogging is terrible.....

2010-01-26T21:44:00.000-08:00

BUT, I have the best excuse ever! ;> Baby Butler #3 is on the way, set to arrive on the 10th of August. YAY!! This little one is already showing me who is boss!
The last three months have been a bit rough. :>
I have Christmas pictures and sledding pictures and so on that I could post, but I am too tired and what is the point now, right? We hope you are all doing great, I promise I will get better at blogging soon.......I hope. Ashlee.

A little behind...

2009-11-15T20:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, so Halloween is long past and so is Shep's second birthday. I am behind!!! :> Adee and Shep were Dorothy and the COURAGEOUS Lion for Halloween and I guess you all know what that made me... the GOOD witch! :> They had a ball and I think they both thought they were very cool on their costumes, they kept looking in the mirror and smiling. Shep tried to hide his happiness with himself, but not Adee, she never does. :> Shep also turned two November 3. He is getting so big!! He can talk up a storm and he holds his own with his smart sister. He wipes my kisses of his face these days and when I ask for one he says "nope" and smiles. Love him. :> We have lots of party pics thanks to my wonderful sister in law :> so hope you all enjoy them. Ash.

Adee is 5!!!

2009-10-26T18:54:00.001-07:00

Adee grows up more everyday - I guess that is what they are supposed to do, right? This year she is very into a book called Pinkalicious, so EVERYTHING was pink! :> She asked me to make her pinkalicious cupcakes for school and a pink princess cake out of her princess cookbook. Adee gets what Adee wants. :> We had a fun celebration this year and it is so hard for me to believe that she is 5. She is so mature and smart and witty, we love her to death. Adee also got to sing a solo in the primary program this year. She did so great! The kids sang the first two verses and then Adee sang the third verse to Beautiful Savior while the other kids hummed in the background - not a dry eye in the house. :> She stood right up to the mic. and sang beautifully, I was really wanting to hold it together so when I finally tried to take a deep breath I snorted really loudly, it was awesome!!!! I am so proud of this little girl and I can't believe that she is ours, her talents and confidence amaze me everyday. We are lucky to have her! Love you Ad's! Mom and Dad. Oh!!! I almost forgot. We also got Adee's ears pierced on her birthday. It was super! :> She was so upset after the first hole that she was ready to leave. Sam thought he would be sly and told her that if she didn't calm down and sit in the chair to get the other side done then we would just go and she would look really funny. Adee just looked up at him and said "Okay, let's go!" :> I had to be the voice of reason and pull the tough love card, it was hard to do, especially with the mall cop hovering over me. :> (apparently he was concerned about the screaming kid????) We made it through and Adee now has some pretty earrings and I have some GREAT shots of all the drama. ;> Oh yeah, and a special thanks to Lys, Luke, Jake and grandma for the fun October B-day sleepover, it was Adee's favorite part! :>

Camping Trip.

2009-09-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

So camping is going to wait for a few more years after our last trip. The kids are just a bit young to really enjoy it, or so I am telling myself! :> We went to Phi Kappa camp ground near Sun Valley for two nights and my favorite part was when we got to drive into Sun Valley to eat breakfast at The Kneadery, yum!!! Ok, so the kids each caught a fish, and that was also fun. :> But the "let's go for a walk or a four-wheeler ride and enjoy nature" just wasn't their thing. Oh well.... maybe when they get older. :>
Sam had his 32nd b-day and I don't even think we got a cheesy picture of him. He is not like me when it comes to birthdays, silly, silly man. :>
Adee started her second year of preschool and is loving it, she can't wait to get home to do her homework, let's hope she stays that way FOREVER!
Now we are into my favorite part of the year. I love fall soooo much! YAY! Hope you are all doing well! :>

From Dillon to West Yellowstone and LOTS in between!

2009-07-23T15:18:00.001-07:00

We went with Sam to work in Dillon and then took a drive over to West Yellowstone for a few days. Good times. :> Dillon has a great Patagonia outlet, but not much else, so that is all I have to say about that leg of our trip. :> The drive from Dillon to West was very pretty. We stopped in Silver City and took a train ride up to another ghost town which I can't remember the name of. It was quite neat, there is one street that is completely preserved with all the old shops and items that were in them, and a GREAT candy shop that Adee and I enjoyed. :> We got to our hotel around nine and let me just tell you DO NOT trust the ratings on Hotels.com, they lie - flat out. :> Our hotel was rated 3.5 stars and to sum it all up I'll let you know that I had to shower with my thongs on, it was TERRIBLE!!! Stagecoach Inn - no thanks!!!! We went through the park and saw all the animals and Old Faithful - our car about got plowed over by a buffalo who was not going to let us block his path - so Sam finally decided we better get out of the way - and made it through a few crying spells from Shep who was tired of the whole trip. :> It really was good times all in all. :> Shep also got his big boy haircut, which was sad for me and happy for everyone else (picture overload, by the way). He sat so still in the chair and I think he actually enjoyed it. He looks sharp, I must admit. Onto more summer adventures. :> Ashlee.

Brahms' Lullaby

2009-06-08T20:11:00.001-07:00

Yes, Adee dances, and she is actually very good. I know. She must get that from her dad????? Because we all know, I have no rhythm. :> This year the dance was to Brahms' Lullaby and it was a ballet. Adee came on stage and immediately started scanning the audience to find us - while nailing all her dance steps mind you. :> She did an awesome job and since I am "that" mom I yelled "good job Adee" as soon as the dance was over and she yelled back "thanks mom!!" Seriously, so cute! It made me cry, of course! :> She loved taking pictures in her costume and she even threw in some ballet positions for your viewing pleasure, don't ask me which ones - because I have no idea. :> Enjoy. Sam and Ash.

April Fun.

2009-05-07T08:01:00.001-07:00

We had a busy Easter this year, but as always it was fun. We got to see almost all of our family and that was nice. We went to Porter's baby blessing and then had dinner at Todd and Raelynn's, headed out to see grandma and grandpa Colleen as Adee calls them, then went to Sam's grandma's house for an Easter Egg hunt and more food. Adee was in heaven. :> I love Easter, it seems like no matter how bad the weather is up until then it is always nicER on Easter Sunday. :>
I turned 31 in April, and I kept telling everyone that I was 28, again. I am a firm believer that on your birthday you should do whatever you like and that it should be all about you (hence my birthday theme song :>)- I mean really, how many times a year can we do that? :> I think Sam has come around to my way of thinking and he says that I basically have a birthday month. Works for me. :> My dad and Colleen took the kids and Sam and I had some time alone, it was nice to have a dinner that we actually got to eat, not to mention the uninterrupted conversation. :> After the kids had gone to bed and we were in our pj's Sam decided to remind me exactly how old I was with a big 31 shaped out of 31 candles on my birthday cake. Thanks Sam. Good thing he will ALWAYS be older than me. :> We are looking forward to summer and can't wait for the warm weather. Hope all is great. Ash.

Updates, Updates!

2009-03-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

So, we have been doing some fun stuff. I, however, do not have any pictures of it. booo.... me! One of my friends asked me if I had been using my high tech camera to take lots of pictures of my kiddos and the answer is no, and now I feel guilty, so be prepared for a picture overload in the next few months. :>
We all went to Salt Lake a few weeks ago and Adee and I braved Disney on Ice while Sam and Shep looked at Harleys and ate lunch at Dick's Sports Bar. (What a boy thing to do.) Sam said that Shep had the waitress wrapped around his finger - I guess I can't leave those two alone for to long! :> Adee LOVED Disney on Ice, but apparently the production team that puts on these things has failed to notice that there is a SLIGHT economic downturn these days. :> We paid $4.00 for a drink, $6.50 for a pretzel, $10.00 for a snow cone and $16.00 for a SNAPSHOT with a plastic Mickey and Minnie! A little spendy, but the picture of Adee grinning ear to ear was so dang cute, that it made it all well worth it!
We also took a trip to Boise so that Sam could watch March Madness with his highschool buddies. They had a good time and I am glad that they can all get together and hang out, it is good for those boys! Adee and Shep and I did some shopping, sledding and relaxing up on the hill. ;>
The pictures that I DO have posted are of Shep enjoying his first Oreo, and of Adee and Shep eating an early Easter treat. I know, not so entertaining, but pictures all the same. I just have to say that I am so grateful for my kids and for Sam. I love them so much and do not know what I would do without them. I think I am FINALLY starting to slow down and enjoy the SMALL stuff. It does not always have to be a huge trip or something really exciting in order for it to be fun or memorable. Sometimes the ordinary things can really make you realize how lucky you are. Adee is such a good example of this for me, she gets excited over EVERYTHING, and it is great for me to learn from her. Love you all and hope you are doing well! :> The Butler's

Training Website

2009-03-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

Okay ladies - here it is, http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm - scroll down to the bottom and it will give you a print option, print it - and GET RUNNING!!! I really like these training schedules, they gradually build up and all of a sudden you are running 10 miles! I used his program with the 6.2 mile race, and liked it. :> Keep me updated on how everything is going for you! It is a 12-week program, but I think it is good to give yourselves a few weeks of cushioning just in case you get hurt or sick or anything like that. ENJOY!!! :> ALMOST forgot - register and pay ($85.00, which is not to bad for a good event) at http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K.aspx!

OKAY, it's a half marathon!!!!

2009-02-27T08:12:00.001-08:00

June 20th, in Boise. Who wants to join me, the date gives us plenty of time to train, and this event is sponsored by See Jane Run. It is a GREAT store and it is also a race for the cure! This is an all woman’s event along the green belt and totally flat. They will have chocolate and champagne at the finish line, not to mention massages! :> I think it will be a fun race, and if you are going to run 13 miles you might as well have chocolate waiting for you, right???? Who's coming with me??? Come on ladies, See Jane Run's motto is - "If you can run a mile you can run a marathon!" :>

8 BLISSFUL years!!! :>

2009-01-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been eight years. :> So does that mean we are officially over the 7-year itch, or is there another scratch that is coming up? Just say no, that is what I want to hear!
I hope it just keeps getting better. It seems like over the years Sam and I have learned to understand and work with one another more and more. I joke with him that we are a TEAM, and that we both need to make sure we are being good players. Sounds lame, but it really is true, and boys tend to relate to the whole "team concept" much better than the whining about feeeelings. :> (I do plenty of that, too) Anyway, Sam is a good man. I have no doubt that he was made just for me, and I know how lucky I am that I found him. Here's to many more anniversaries, Love ya babe! Ash.
Okay, I added the picture after the post.:> Yes, we were cool, and YES full eyebrows were in back then so PLEASE no comments on the size of ours, and NO, I am not sure why I am sitting like that. ENJOY! Yes, that is OUR song playing also....ahhhh! :>

MERRRRRYYYYY Christmas!!!!!!!

2009-01-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Wow, I am behind! We had a great Christmas. Adee and Shep got a Gator and they LOVE it - but it has been parked until spring because my walls and trim and doors can't take much more! :> I got some really cute outfits for the kids to wear to church and when I sent Shep out in his Sam said "That there's an R.V." (line from Griswalds) and Shep was reffered to as cousin Eddy the rest of the day. I did not agree, Shep totally pulled of the plaid pants! :> It seems like Christmas was forever ago and I can't even think of anything fun to write! It was a good Christmas, and hopefully you all had the same!
Now that the Holidays are over it is time to find things to look forward to until it gets warm.......... anyone have any good ideas!!!???? I am already done with winter.
On a side note, we got in the car the other day to meet Sam for lunch in Idaho Falls and Adee asked me if we could have a little Johnny. Yes, Johnny Cash. She has great taste in music. :> So, I got to listen to Ring of Fire and Get Rythm about 60 times. (She said they were her favorite songs and they had good beats. :>) Funny girl.
Stay warm everyone, hopefully I will get better at keeping this thing updated! Ash

Great Turkey Day!!!

2008-12-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving. It was at our house this year and I decided it was time for me to do the whole "Thanksgiving thing." It went really well, thanks to an episode of Oprah and lots of help. :> We cooked a great turkey with all the trimmings, it was quite yummy. Adee is a new fan of sweet potatoes, and you can see by the picture what Shep is a new fan of. ;> He LOVED the whipped cream, I think he really likes the noise the can makes as it sprays into his mouth. Just as long as it is always whipping cream that he is shooting - I am fine. :> Christmas is coming fast and Adee is still on the naughty list. Every day she says she is going to get back on that "nice list" but then the day passes and we have not succeeded. :> 20 days left, hope she can pull it together. Happy Holidays to everyone, we wish you nothing but great times and good memories. Sam and Ash.

THAT SUCKED!!!!

2008-11-15T21:36:00.000-08:00

But I have unconditional love! :>

Call me a nerd....

2008-11-13T19:41:00.000-08:00

Really, go ahead! I just have to say that I am soooo, soooo excited for the fight on Saturday. Randy Couture is my ALL time favorite. Sam called me from work tonight and said Dawson ( a guy he was working with) had two tickets to the fight and that the good news was we were going, the bad news was he would be wanted for murder. :> I guess it is nice that he would go to those extremes for me since I have mentioned once or twice that I might consider leaving him for Randy or Chuck, whoever got to me first. :> Anyway - Randy is 45 and taking on a GIANT of a man Brock Lesner (who we got to see in SLC at a WWF event years ago, again, sorry for that Sam, Tyler and Cynthia! :>). I wish him all the luck in the world because (get ready for my list)
1. He is a NICE guy
2. He is a HOT guy
3. He is a somewhat OLD guy
4. He is "The Natural"
5. I LOVE him
6. I LOVE him
and last but not least
7. I LOVE him!!!!
You all get the point. Also, please enjoy the song that I have dedicated to Randy! :> It is by another of my favorites, Kenny Rogers! See, told ya you'd call me a nerd! :>

Yeeeaaahhh Sheppie!!!

2008-11-08T15:52:00.000-08:00

I know I should separate my posts, but that takes to much effort. So, Halloween and Shep's first b-day are going to be together. :> First, let me explain the song. Adee was in the tub the other night and as I walked back to check on her I heard - "na,na,na,na,na,na,naaa,na,na,na,na,na,naaaa - guess I just lost me husband, I don't know where he went." followed by the rest of the na,na,na,na's.....!
Oops, guess I should watch what I am singing around the house - good thing I never sing the rest of the song. :> Quite funny, I must admit!
We had a great Halloween. I knew Shep would not want to be in a costume so I bought him a little pumpkin hat and booties and he hated that too, he kept ripping the hat off his head and kicking the booties off, maybe next year. Adee went as her most favorite friend in the whole world - Minnie Mouse. Alicia and Koy gave her a pink minnie for her 1st birthday and Lil Old Minnie sat in our toy box for about six months until one day Adee picked her up, and decided to never put her down again. She LOVES her minnie and takes her everywhere. :> ( I can't find a backup, so if anyone ever comes across an all pink minnie, please, call me. :>)We trick or treated at grandma and grandpa Colleen's (as Adee calls them) and Great Grandma's and Grandma's house, (Sam's mom and grandma - Adee thinks they live together because we have dinner there every Thursday and they are always there before us) made a quick stop in at her preschool and then Shep and I called it a night, well Shep did and I had to go with him. :> Adee and Sam went to trunk or treat and Adee was successful in filling her orange pumpkin to the top, she was happy. :>
On Monday Shep turned 1!!!!! I CANNOT believe he is one already! He has been such an easy baby. I find myself thinking that we really need another one. I know, scary. :> He ADORES Adee and everything she does (even when it is not so nice) and is pretty much always happy and smiling. At one he can walk, kinda run :>, wave hello and bye bye, say mama, dada, dog, and hi. He loves his books and baths, playing with his toys and long walks on the beach. :> I could go on and on about his sweet little personality, but I am sure I have in plenty of previous posts.(I know, I ADORE him too!!) He was not to into opening his presents, he liked his ice cream cake, and was ready for all the commotion to be over by bedtime. All in all it was a great 1st birthday. Get ready for the picture OVERLOAD of our sweet little guy, can't help it! We are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas and hope that you are all doing well. Love ya, Sam and Ash.

Sweatheart Tag!

2008-10-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

Here are the rules:
1. Each person answers questions about their sweethearts
2. At the end of the post the person then tags 6 people and post their names, then goes to there blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they are tagged!

WHAT IS YOUR HUSBANDS NAME? Samuel Christopher Butler. :>
HOW LONG HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN MARRIED? 8 years on January 19th.
HOW LONG DID YOU DATE? Not sure on that one, we were undefined for quite a bit. (odd, yes. :>)
HOW OLD IS HE? 30
WHO IS TALLER? Sam
WHO CAN SING BEST? Depends on the song, anything other than lullabies would be Sam. :>
WHO IS SMARTER? OF COURSE Sam would say him.... which he is on most SCHOOL type subjects, but not ALL!!!!!! :>
WHO DOES LAUNDRY? Both of us, but Sam is the designated folder.
WHO PAYS BILLS? Me, not a fan of it, but Sam has NOOOO sense of urgency! :>
WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED? Sam, when he is home.
WHO MOWS THE LAWN? Sam
WHO COOKS DINNER? For the most part me, but Sam does every now and then.
WHO'S FIRST TO ADMIT THEY ARE WRONG? Probably me, I usually have to ask Sam if he has an apology ready, or something he would like to say. :>
WHO KISSED WHO FIRST? Sam kissed me after I gave him the GUILT trip. :>
WHO WEARS THE PANTS? We both have our days. :>

Okay - Alicia, Ashlee, Tracy, Tessa, Summer,and SAM.... (if he ever reads this!!!) it is your turn! :>

Boys weekend and Adee turns 4!!!

2008-10-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

I got to go to a scrapbook NIGHT with the girls last Friday - I capitalize night because it is always toooo short. :> Adee stayed with grandma and grandpa and Sam and Shep had a boys weekend. Picture Sam on the chair looking the EXACT same as Shep's picture - Pillow, blankie, drink, football. Good times. :> They both had a fun weekend, and I seem to be losing my "favorite" status with Shep - I gotta work harder. :> I had a great time with Leash, Tess, Tiff and Koy, it is always so fun to get away and chat and get a LITTLE scrap booking done, I think I am going to try to plan these things about once a month. :> As always, thanks girls! :> Love you all!
Onto Adee's b-day! She surprised me with a request for a GIRLIE cake. Tinker Bell..... wow! She also opened a present before school, it was a crown, and she would not take it off the whole day, very cute. We had cake and ice cream with everyone that night and Adee scored in the present department, as always. She had a great time and keeps asking me how many days until her next birthday, when I tell her three hundred and sixty whatever she gets really mad and says she can't be expected to wait that long. :> Sam saved the day and told her that Christmas was coming up soon, so she better be good. We move right onto the next bribe in this family! :>

Stitches come out and I am crippled. :>

2008-09-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Sooo, Adee had her stitches out today. It only took about 20 minutes to get her out from under the chair at the Dr.’s office, and because I had Shep I was not asked to participate in the holding down ritual. It was bad, but not half as bad or LONG as last time. She kept screaming I NEED TO GET UP!!!! And then it was all over and she about ran out of the Dr.’s office. I can only imagine what her next set of shots is going to be like. :> SUPER FUN!!! I am crippled because I ran my first 10K on Saturday. I like saying 10K because it sounds like a longer distance than 6.2 miles, therefore it makes me feel better about being soooo sore! It was quite hard, I had been training for the last seven weeks and my longest run was 5.5 miles. My goal was to finish in under an hour and I did, no thanks to the WONDERFUL set up of the race! It was really unorganized and I had to ask about 15 different times which way to go. Oh well, it was good and hopefully the first of many races. My mom was down and she decided to join in the fun and run with me, she did great and had soooo much fun, right mom??? :> Next time it's in Boise and I am dragging her along again! :>

STITCHES SUCK! (And other good stuff from the Butler family. :>)

2008-09-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Just ask Adee! What a bummer. We were getting ready to head out the door to go to lunch with Becky and the twins when Adee tripped and fell on our kitchen tile, which is slate. (Bad idea to do slate in the kitchen!!) I was in the bathroom and I heard her fall - which is quite normal for Adee because she is always going 90 miles an hour - but she was really quiet - and I knew that was bad!!! I made my way into the hall and as I turned the corner I saw Adee staring down at her hands which were covered in blood. I about peed my pants. Really. :> I have never seen blood on my kids, especially not THIS much blood. Of course Sam was out of town, so I knew I had to be calm and deal with this on my own, not fun. I knew I would not head to the ER because our last experience with Shep was less than impressive, so after a few phone calls I headed up to Adee's Dr.’s office - HOPING that he would say it was not that deep and it just needed a butterfly bandage. No Luck. He walked in the room and started shaking his head and saying "oh no.” He said if you looked close you could see her skull - no thanks! I knew we were in for it. I asked if I had to help out and he said it was time to man up (yes, he said MAN UP :>) He explained to me that because of where the cut was it was really going to hurt Adee to have it stitched and that the numbing SHOTS (plural) were going to be the worst. He put some cream on her head to try to numb it a little before the shots and left the room for about 25 minutes to let it work. In that time I tried to prepare Ad's and myself for what was going to happen. I told her she needed stitches and she asked what those were - couldn't bring myself to explain that one - so I just said something that would make her head all better. Needless to say I did not succeed in preparing EITHER of us! Adee LOVES Dr. Burton and she told him that she trusted him, (which brought tears to my eyes) and laid down on the table for him to fix her head. First shot, bad news. Adee screamed. Mind you, this is a girl who does not even like her hair touched, let alone brushed, because her head is so tender. She had a few more shots in which the nurse and I had to hold her down and then Dr. Burton started to stitch - worse news. Adee was not numb yet and she came UNDONE!!! The nurse had her head and I was pretty much laying on her to try to get her to hold still because at that point there was no turning back. I HATED IT!!!! It was all I could do to not scream right along with Adee, and I think I did once or twice. WHY do they make parents hold their own children down? I guess I know why - but it still sucks. Back to Adee - Dr. Burton had to give her more shots in her head and she finally calmed down and he finished stitching. When it was all said and done Adee's face was bright red, she had sweat dripping from her hair and a very good idea of what stitches were. Poor girl. She really was brave, and I KNOW it hurt her really badly because she is a very tough girl - plus the pitch of those screams was not something that could be faked. I felt REALLY sorry for the kids who were sitting in the waiting room listening to her, wondering what was going to happen to them. :> So after all of that - I decided that it would be a good day for an ice cream cone. :> Ice cream always brightens Adee's spirits, and I think she will be okay until we have to go back in and have the stitches removed. Dr. Burton said it will probably scar because of where it is on her head, so if anyone has any good scar remedies please pass them on. :> WHEW!! Now on to the other good stuff! We got our yard in, there is a spot for my garden (never gardened in my life, wish me luck) and a spot for the trampoline and our 18ft. above ground pool. :> I know, maybe a bit W.T., but I think it will be fun. :> Our lovely dogs are happy because they just got a ticket back into the house once they get a bath. I am pretty sure they have STRONG distaste for us at this point, but I think we can win them over. AND Sheppie has taken his first steps on his own. It was cute! He was holding on to the coffee table and I was sitting on the floor he turned toward me and let go of the table and took about five steps into my arms. He was quite proud because as soon as he sat down he started clapping for himself! Good job buddy! We also got some family pics taken so I can FINALLY take the Christmas one off. :> There you have it. All updated! Adee and Shep's b-days are coming up, so those posts should be happy go lucky. :>

BURNING UP the Track!!!!

2008-08-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

No, seriously! That is the backpack that Adee had to have for preschool. I tried to sway her to the princess ones, Tinkerbell, even Dora.... not having it, she wanted red car (as she calls him) from Cars. She would not let me take her picture until I got a picture of her backpack first. As I was taking the picture I had to laugh because I had the thought that "Burning up the Track" could be the subtitle to the documentary of Adee's life. Adelynn Butler : Burning up the Track. :> This girl has no slow speed. Everything is 100%. (Maybe 110%) She is so sure of herself that she cannot understand why everyone that she talks to does not want to be her best friend. I used to try to contain her chatting with people but then I realized that it was really a good thing - go ahead Ad., be who you are and let the other people adjust. I have to admire that! :> I am proud of her for being so secure with who she is, at almost four she is SOOOO independent and confident. When I dropped her off at school she asked me if she could go play, I said yes, she gave me a quick hug and said see ya later - that was that, no crying here - for Adee anyway. :> When I came back to pick her up her teacher told me that she is a Montessori teacher's dream, so creative and ready to learn. That's our girl!
Sam also had a big day!!!!! :> 31 years for him! I broke down and bought him a Wii, which I may regret. He did work up quite the sweat last night playing it - not me. I am in shape! :> (right!) I think he had a good day, and he deserves it. He had to frost his own cake (help me frost it) because I hate to admit it, but it was the first three layer cake I have ever made, those 9X13's are soooo much easier. It was a yummy cake (thanks Ashlee S. for the recipe) and I even got a few pics of the masterpiece.
As far as Shep is concerned, life is good. He is loving new food and figuring out how to walk despite his parents lack of help. :> We have alot going on in the next few weeks, so expect updates - maybe MONTHLY since I am so slow these days! :> I'm not sure WHY I am so behind on everything, but I am! Love you all, Sam and Ash.

Summer Fun!

2008-07-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

It seems like summer is flying by! We went to Boise for a bit and then to Downata with my family overnight, it was tooo short! All the kids loved it and Adee was a daredevil as usual. She came out of the big tube face first on her tummy, backwards on her back and everything in-between. She was not intimidated at all. I decided not to go down the black hole because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to get her to NOT go. I think the smores cooking took a close second to the swimming and the kids and I definitely wanted to stay another night, not to sure about the rest of the campers. :> We will have to make another trip before summer is over, Sam and I both have really good memories of being at Downata, so it is nice to be able to take our kids there also.
Shep is standing up now and walking while holding things, he may beat Adee's walking time of 10 months, and I am not sure how I feel about that. :> He also got to have lunch with his gal pal, which we all enjoyed. Hope you are all having a great summer! Ash.

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

We hope everyone had a great weekend. We had fun, no fireworks for us because Shep hates loud noises and I assume that fireworks are the loudest loud noise you can get, so we spared him. Which, I was bummed about because I really like fireworks, and the 4th of July for that matter. We went to a parade, and they had the flags presented by the soldiers, and I have to admit that I got a little teary eyed. I know, not a big shocker to those of you that know me because ALOT of things make me teary eyed. :> I do appreciate all the sacrifices that have been made for our country and our freedom's, we are truly a nation under God and I think we tend to take that for granted. I have to say that it really makes me angry when I see all the media and clips of people making fun of President Bush. Not because I think he is the greatest president or anything, but because he IS the President of our country none the less. How does it look when we are tearing him to shreds in our OWN country? Sorry, just venting, it really does bother me though, we should respect him because of the position he holds, even if we do not agree with all of his decisions. ANYWAY.. :> I am grateful for the country that I live in and for all of those that have fought and still fight for our freedom. We love and appreciate you. THANK YOU!
Now that I have vented. :> Updates..... Shep is crawling, sitting up, screaming VERY high pitched when he wants something or does not like what he has, eating like a horse, and shooting up teeth left and right (which he is NOT a fan of). He loves his big sister and she makes him laugh all the time. Adee is getting MORE feisty everyday and making me wonder what the H... I am going to do when she gets to be a teenager........ it's all you Sam!!!! She was in her room the other day and I walked in to see her with her 4-wheeler helmet on, a lei, socks on her hands and a CD in her mouth - she said she was dressing up to make me laugh. (yes, see pic..) She is a funny and STRONG - WILLED little girl. She is taking swimming lessons and the other mom asked me how many lessons she has been in because she is not afraid of the water at all - I laughed and told her none, she is not afraid of ANYTHING. Please Shep, be more cautious. Gotta love em! Hope all is great for everyone and that you are all enjoying your summer. Ash.

Beauty Treatment Tag!

2008-06-29T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged by Ashlee Stone and I LOVE these things I LOVE to hear about good products. Yeah!!!!

MY FOUNDATION: Don’t do foundation, I always look like I am dead if I have to wear it, it is bad news for me.

MY BLUSH: No blush, can’t apply that either. :>

MY DAY CREAM: Skin Food by Weleda, mixed with Kiss My Face by Jason

MY LIPSTICK: chapstick - burt’s bees - they also have some great glosses that moisturize well.

MY ESSENTIAL BEAUTY PRODUCT: two brush mascara by Elizabeth Arden

MY FAVORITE PRODUCT: Really like True Cosmetics under eye concealer, it has a brightner in it.

MY PERFUME: Lots, but my favorite is Jasmine essential oil mixed into my lotion.

MY NAILS: short because of massage.

MY FEET: should be covered with socks at all times (as Sam says :>)

MY HANDS: Dr. Hauschka Rose Hand Therapy

THREE PRODUCTS TO TAKE ON A DESERT ISLAND: burt’s bees lip balm, lavender essential oil, my mascara.

WOMEN I ADMIRE FOR THERE BEAUTY: I have to say Angelina Jolie, she is pretty hot in her recent movie clips. ;>

WOMEN WITH THE BEST SENSE OF STYLE: I always loved the way Meg Ryan was dressed in her older movies. (Post plastic surgery, not so much.)

MY ULTIMATE DREAM: Ditto Ashlee, feeling comfortable in a swimsuit, that would be VERY nice.

I TAG: Tessa, Alicia, Misty, Tracy, Jessica, Melody, Tiff and Summer. (told ya, I LOVE new products!! :>)

ODE to Big Sam

2008-06-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

Since it is Father's Day I figure it is the perfect time to thank Big Sam for all he does. Sam is a great father and husband. He really takes the time to help me out and to take care of the kids. I know I am so lucky to have him. On Friday Alicia, Tessa and I went down to SLC for the night (thanks Leasha and Tess, I needed your company SOOO much - LOVED IT!!) and Sam played mommy. Keep in mind Shep is breast feed and not a fan of anything OTHER than the breast. :> I was worried, and Sam joked alot with me which stressed me out more, but before we left he said don't worry - we will be just fine, and I knew they would. Sam is so good at helping me out and letting me take a break without making me feel guilty for doing it. He has always taken the time to listen to me and TRY to understand my feelings and ME in general, which, is no easy task, believe me. He is also so great with the kids. No one can make them laugh like he does, makes me jealous. I am so grateful that I found him and that he decided to put up with me, I know I can be alot. ;> Sam has always had this way about him that calms me down, and I have noticed he can do the same with the Adee and Shep, it is so neat. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me, I love him with all my heart. Here's to you Big Sam, you really are the best guy I know (besides my dad. :>) Lovingly, T-Bone. (Sam's choice, not mine. :>)

Update.

2008-06-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

Shep is doing alot better. The Dr. said he looked good on Tuesday, so I guess it was just some nasty bug, lovely. We hope it is the first and last time we get it on our house. :> Thank you all for your comments. They really helped me feel better and not like the crazy over protective mother that I thought I was being! I really appreciate it, honestly! We hope everyone is doing great! Thanks again! Sam and Ash.

Worst vacation EVER!!!!!!!

2008-06-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

Warning, if you are looking for an uplifting post, this is not it! :> Sam had a week of vacation and we were planning (mostly he) on getting the fence up and doing some fun things with the kids. Plans change. Adee got sick the first of the week, and she is a strong little bugger and pulled through it, but when Shep caught it it was a different story. I noticed on Saturday that he was a little warm and not so happy, but figured he was teething. I stayed home from church with him on Sunday and by Sunday night his temp was 104. I called my Dr. and he said to just keep an eye on him. I was sitting with him in the chair and just had a bad feeling that things were really not so good, so I called my Dr. again and he said to take him into the emergency room. Seriously, what a joke an EMERGENCY room is!!! We got there at 9:30 and were not seen until about 12:30, of course by that time Shep is tired and has sooo had it, but they want to start an IV and take blood and urine samples. Obviously Sam knew what Shep was in for because when they came in to start the IV he said "I am out of here." I looked at him and said no way, you are the nurse you will stay. For about the next 25 minutes I stood in the hall and listened to Shep scream his little lungs out, it was the worst thing ever. Come to find out, the first time they tried to get in on his right arm they went through the vein (nursing degree) and then had to go to the left arm. That was only the beginning of Shep's fun vacation - he had to have his temp read rectally and tylenol administered that way too! At about 2:30 a PA comes in and says that Shep's white blood cell count is at 32,000 and the normal rate is between 6-10,000 and that he was calling our Dr. to see what he wanted to do. Ten minutes later he comes back in and listens to his lungs, Sam asks if the chest x-rays were okay and he said he did not see anything on them, then walks out. Back in after talking to our Dr. to inform us that Shep is being admitted and that he has pneumonia. WHAT???? So up to the 4X4 room with the metal cage that they call a crib. This is getting long, isn't it??? :> I will get to the point - Shep basically screamed for the next two nights as they poked and prodded him and stuck things you know where. Honestly, I was so mad at times that I wanted to beat the crap out of people. He kept looking at me like "Why are you letting them do this to me???" I HATE feeling helpless and seeing your child sick and not being able to make it stop is the most helpless feeling in the world. I am so glad that Sam was there with me, we shared a fold down chair (really comfy) for the majority of the stay, and I guess got to spend some really close time together. :> Shep ended up not having pneumonia (thanks PA) our Dr. said he did not see anything on the chest xrays that would even point to that and he even let the GOOD nurse (Sam) check them out himself. They are not sure what he caught, but the antibiotics and fluids seemed to help, we have to take him back in on Tuesday to make sure everything is okay. As I sat in the hospital I thought I don't know how parents are able to cope with kids that have serious illnesses because I don't think I could. Two days of sitting and doing nothing was enough to do me in, I can't imagine something constant. I am so glad we are out of that hospital and at home, and yet again I am reminded that children are little miracles and should not be taken for granted. I am so happy to see Shep smile after all the crying that it brings tears to my eyes, I know, corney, but true. Hopefully I don't need anymore "reminders" for a LOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGGGG time.

HALLELUJAH!!!!

2008-05-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Cue the music! I know pictures of a baby with food on his face are not exactly a reason to sing Hallelujah - unless you have been me for the last two months! Shep has been SOOOOOO stubborn (he gets that from his dad) about eating food. Anytime I did get him to open his mouth for something it usually came right back up. Our Dr. suggested that we take him to a speech therapist (confused me too!) to see what she could do. I decided to call one of my teachers from massage therapy school (she works with preemies and has some amazing talents) and ask her to come over and see what she thought. She worked on Shep for about an hour and then fed him some bananas like it was no big deal. WHEW!!! So these long awaited pictures are of him with potatoes and gravy all over his face. He LOVED them. I think a bit too much because he ate WAY to many and threw them up all over his crib later that night. :> He is still not a HUGE fan of baby food, but he is taking it and keeping it down, which is a big relief to me. I was starting to get more than worried about him, so I am glad we have made progress. I think it is so easy to take our kids health for granted and to forget what little miracles they truly are.

The Yellow Rose of Texas

2008-05-20T04:05:00.001-07:00

Adee had only been in dance for about 2 months before her first recital. I have to admit that I thought it was going to be a train wreck, but she totally proved me wrong. Everytime we went to dance I told Adee that she had to watch her teacher and do what she does because that is how she would learn the dance, and she rarely listened. Well recital time came and Adee blew me away. Let me describe for you the scene right before Adee went on stage. I was out in the hall with Shep and I see Adee, she has a huge goose egg on her head because even though Sam and I told her a million times NOT to run in her tap shoes she did anyway and fell, on her head, of course. She is getting a drink with one of the teachers and has water all down the front of her, not to mention the red from the licorice that the teacher has given her to help her stop crying. Her mascara (though waterproof) is running down her cheeks and blending with the red blush that she was required to wear - she was looking hot. She told me she was ready to go on stage. (SUPER!) :> I went back and sat next to Sam and informed him that Adee was in rare form and to get ready for who knows what. Well, Miss Adee came out on stage (they do not let you record the night of the performance, BUMMER) with a HUGE smile. The music starts and Adee steps forward from the line and zones in on her teacher who is down below doing the steps. She follows every step WITH the smile and at the end looks in the audience to find her dad and I and and gives us a big wave and HIIIII!! She totally pulled it together and amazed us. She really does listen to what we say, sometimes. :> What a good feeling.

Samuel Shepard Butler gets blessed

2008-05-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

It only took us six months. ;> Before I start, no one get offended that we did not invite you, because we did not invite anyone. :> This was Sam's first blessing and he did not want anymore pressure then he already felt, so it was just our little fam. ;>. Sam did a great job, calm and cool. Shep was mellow as always. Adee was climbing all over the chairs in her dress, showing her bloomers, and I was crying - we all carried out our roles perfectly. It was very nice to have Sam holding our little boy and to hear him say we give you a name and that name is Samuel Shepard Butler, I love that his name is the same as Sam's but a little different. It was a very nice blessing and if I get too in-depth I will never get my blog up to date. :> We tried to get some family pictures beforehand, not alot you can do with one person taking the shots, but it works. Great husband, great kiddos. Love em. :>

Soccer, Cowboy Hats and Photographs.

2008-05-02T06:11:00.000-07:00

So, Adee had her first soccer game last Saturday. I was stuck in the car with Shep while he slept, which was okay because it was cold! :> All I could do was laugh at Adee as she chased after the ball. She kept telling me before the game how fast she was and that she was going to get to the ball first so she could kick it. She did such a good job, and even though she is probably the youngest on the team she still keeps up with them all and does not give up. She had a lot of fun. She also found my "big cowboy hat" as she calls it, which is actually my hat from the Kentucky Derby (just wanted to clarify so that you all did not think I was wearing a hat like that to church or something. ;> It was hard enough to wear it to the Derby and not feel totally ridiculous :>) She loves to play dress up and has come up with some very interesting outfits. The pictures here are of her big cowboy hat (like Dora) and her wrappy thingy (like grandma B) - she was pretty impressed with how she looked in the mirror. :> And of course I have to add some pictures of Shep. I got a camera last summer and have yet to read the manual, someday I will take some really good pictures, but for now it is set to auto EVERYTHING. Shep is such a sweet little boy, and soooo charming. I know that is odd to say about a six month old, but trust me, he is. He knows just when to smile or whimper or laugh and he always works it to his advantage. The other day I was trying (again) to get him to take some food and he was refusing (again) and I looked at him and said "your stubborn" and he starting laughing like I had said the funniest thing in the world. Now everytime I tell him he is stubborn, he laughs, which gets him out of pretty much anything he does not want to do. I am such a sucker. ;>

The Big 3-0!!!!

2008-04-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, so on Tuesday I turned 30, yes 30!!!! It was pretty emotional, which everything is these days due to my lack of sleep. I know I am not OLD, but let's face it 30 is on the other side of young. :> So, as I thought about my life and what I had done in 30 years I have to admit that I was VERY glad that I could count Adee and Shep as two of my major accomplishments. I am so glad that we have them and that they are healthy and happy. I can always count on one or both of them to make me smile, and that is a nice feeling. I am definitely realizing how important family is, and that in the end the memories that you have made with your friends and loved ones are the things that you will cherish most. Here's to the next 30 years! Wish me luck!

Shep's got a GIRLFRIEND!!!

2008-04-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist putting this picture on here, it is too cute! Shep is with his first girlfriend Mia, she is one of Becky's twins. Yes, Mia does look a little scared of Shep, but I am sure that will change as their relationship grows. :>

Ohhh.... chocolate, again.

2008-04-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

The other day my little smarty tried to out smart me again. She ALMOST pulled it off. The Easter Bunny brought her some cadbury eggs and I kept forgetting to let her try them, well, she decided it was time. I was in feeding Shep and she was really quite (bad sign) I figured there was something going on and had already started to guess what it could be when Adee peeked her head in the room. Our conversation went a little like this.
"Hey Ad's" (me noticing the chocolate around her mouth)
"Hey mom." (sly smile)
"What ya been doing?"
"Nothing"
"What you been eating?"
"NOTHING!!!" (very shocked)
"Did you have some chocolate?'
Then she couldn't take it anymore, she HAD to tell me how good those chocolate egg things were and that they were the best treat she had ever had. I asked her if she ate the whole package (they come in a box of four) and she said "No, I saved one for tomorrow."
Yeah, three WHOLE cadbury eggs, no drips, no wrappers, no belly ache...... if only she would have looked in the mirror before she came to see what I was up to! :>
She really is soooo smart, she even pushed the wrappers way down in the trash. Funny girl.
So before we washed away the "evidence" with her bath I figured I better take some pics.
I had to have one of my not so little guy too, it is a good thing he is not old enough to learn from his sister, yet!

Happy Easter!

2008-04-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

We had a fun Easter. I heard Adee wake up (as I always do) and waited for her to come into the room and get us like she does EVERY morning - bright and early. However, she ventured into the living room and saw that the easter bunny had left her some eggs to find. I figured she would be in to get us up for sure, but then I heard an egg crack open and Adee say "ooohhhh, chocolate!" and I knew that if we didn't get out there quickly we would miss the egg hunt. :>
She really loved her easter dress, and she kept moving from side to side to hear the "swooshing" sound as she called it. Grandma B got her a book about the real meaning of Easter and we have read it every night since, she really loves it.

Have to join in the fun!

2008-03-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am going to get this blog thing going, I am a follower so since EVERYONE else is doing it I just HAVE to join in. :> This little picture is of Miss Adee doing some sledding at grandma and boopa's - she loved it!!! (can you tell)