First Day of School

Today is the first day of school at Eaglecrest Elementary for Parker and Grace! Grace already has a ton of friends and even has a friend in her 3rd grade class. Parker has also made friends in scouts and know 2 people in class. They both share a nervous excitement concerning how class works at the new school, but are extremely happy about the lunch menu and not having to suffer through prepackaged lunches anymore. Good luck Parker and Grace! The kids and teachers will fall instantly in love with you.

Walking through the front doors. Parker was a bit stressed about where to meet his classmates before school. He just didn't get which door to enter in. I'm sure that Mr. Greenwood will help him. Grace was just thrilled to be alive. After a long and busy summer, we are all glad to be back in a routined schedule. They both attend the 9:15 am to 3:30 block this year. We're going to need the extra sleep in the mornings, but wish that school ended a bit earlier.

Katie Bug and Emmy took a celebratory lap around the block with Daddy. It's "Just Us Girls" club now that school has started.

The Importance Of A Sister

A sister is someone who loves you from the heart,
No matter how much you argue you cannot be drawn apart.
She is a joy that cannot be taken away,
Once she enters your life, she is there to stay.

A friend who helps you through difficult times,
Her comforting words are worth much more than dimes.
A partner who fills your life with laughs and smile,
These memories last for miles and miles.

When she is by your side, the world is filled with life,
When she is not around, your days are full of strife.
A sister is a blessing, who fills your heart with love,
She flies with you in life with the beauty of a dove.

A companion to whom you can express your feelings,
She doesn’t let you get bored at family dealings.
Whether you are having your ups or downs,
She always helps you with a smile and never frowns.

With a sister you cannot have a grudge,
She is as sweet as chocolate and as smooth as fudge.
Having a sister is not just a trend,
It is knowing you can always turn to her, your best friend. 

by Shiv Sharma Sister Poems

Butler Reunion

This years Butler family reunion was in Glendale just outside of Bryce Canyon. We stayed at an awesome KOA campground with an awesome view, fun trails, lizards, clean bathrooms, swimming pool and great company. Did I mention clean bathrooms? With showers? Lin did a great job planning the trip.

First night camp fire roasting marshmallows and starbursts.

Our gorgeous backyard view.

Swimming in the pool was cold, but the kids didn't care. They had a blast and it was a great way to break up the camping fun.

The kids favorite past time? Lizard hunting! The boys and some of the girls would spend most of their time in the backyard trails catching and chasing lizards. Grace's lizard has a beautiful blue tail and Zac decided to take his lizard for a dental floss walk.

Don't forget about the Boule Ball competitions. Grandpa was a great competitor and came back for more. This is the guys measuring the distance between balls to determine who got the most points.

Bombs away!

A Butler get-together just wouldn't be complete without a whole bunch of gaming. Bring it on!

Cute girls on the playground.

Inside the cabin was nice and cozy. Kate loved the top bunk and Emmy slept snug in her stroller.

Most everyone went hiking up a wonderful trail just a few minutes outside of our KOA. The trail was naturally carved through beautiful sandstone cliffs. The kids loved climbing up and down the rocks and finding little nooks to cram into.

The hike was short and just right for all of the family. We all had a great time even when it started to rain and we had to run back to the cars. We ended up soaking wet and giggling the whole way down.

All along the trail people carved their names and words in the rock walls. Someone even asked their fiance to marry them at the top by carving the question into the cliff wall. My kids thought it would be fun to try. Please don't tell the authorities!

Grandpa Phelan brought popsicle sticks one day and taught the kids how to make stars. Grandpa learned how to make them at a deaf camp when he was about 10 years old. After everyone had a handful of stars made, they would stand in a circle and start throwing stars at each other. The last one standing wins.

 When the stars would hit you the popsicle sticks would explode. It was great fun.

Ready for battle!

Zac, Isaac and Parker were inseparable. It's great to have best friends as cousins.

Future best buddies Kalia and Emily. They even have the same haircut!

Daddy lovin'.

Snacking buddies.

We celebrated the last night by having a good ol' fashion campfire program. From magic tricks to frying bacon and cousin songs to David's birthday surprise. It was everyones favorite night. We all participated and had a great time, but the cousins, lead by Parker, was the best part of the show performing, "If We Weren't Cousins Wonder What We'd Be." Their surprise performance was a hit! Nobody does fun like the Butlers!

First Real Bites Of Food

Today Emmy got to try her first bite of rice cereal and she loved it! She has been watching us eat lately and is enthralled with each spoonful we put in our mouths. She looks like she is watching a tennis match of eating because her little head rotates up and down from the plate to our mouths with each bite we take. She made it so hard to eat in front of her that Grace said, "Why don't we just let her suck on a piece of sausage or something? I just feel so bad for her! It's like we are torturing her."

Here's how she enjoyed each delicious bite: 1. Slurped up a spoon of rice, 2. Looked around to watch us eat wondering where her food was at, 3. Cried for more, 4. Opened up for the next spoonful.

Pimples, by Kate

While sitting in her car seat, Kate noticed that her body was changing....

Kate: "Moooooom! I'm growing pimples all over my body!"

Mom: "What? Where?"

Kate: "All over my legs and arms." (Proud to have passed the next phase of grown up girlhood.)

Mom: "Let me see. Oh, those are goose bumps!"

Kate: "Aaahhhh... Shucks!"

TWF

Sometimes I am amazed at how creative my kids are! TWF stands for Thumb Wrestling Federation. Parker saw a commercial on TV with some thumb wrestlers similar to this and decided to start his own federation. Parker and Grace created several different masks for the whole family to enjoy.

Parker and Grace recruited Alicia and Noah and added onto the TWF's popularity.

Amanda used her photography talents to showcase each thumb wrestler mask that was custom made for each individual.

Gifted and Talented at 4 Months Old

The rumors are true! Emily is advanced for her age! Dr. Johnson said so in her 4 month check up today. Now we have a real doctors opinion to confirm what I  have suspected from day one. She truly is a gifted little baby! She is so engaging and is doing things that a 6 month old would do. She is the smilingest little girl have I ever met, she rolls over to her tummy and even enjoys tummy time. Little Ms brings light to everyone that she makes contact with and makes friends with even the sorriest of looking people. She is truly a special spirit brought to our family to remind us of the miracles we all share together. We love you Emmy!

Here's her growth stats:
Length: 26.25 (97%)

Weight: 13 lbs 3 oz (25%+)

Head Circ: 41.5 cm (50%+)