The Butterfield Family!

SO THANKFUL!

2009-12-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for my Daddy! He was baptised on November 7, 2009. The weekend in Utah for his baptism has been so hard for me to put into words. It had been 15 years since all of my siblings had been together. We ALL were able to go to Utah and support my Dad. It was so awesome spending time with everyone together. We laughed hard, played hard, cried hard, (and the guys passed gas hard) It was a very emotional trip for me. Our family has been through so much. To see us come together and just love each other was amazing!
I am in awe of my Dad. The light is back in him, and his testimony is so strong. He has been through a lot to get to were he is today. I am proud of him and SO THANKFUL!

(I didnt realize how many bald dudes there were in this pic)

DAILY REMINDER!

2009-10-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

Love this quote. I need this as a daily reminder.

DONT MESS!

2009-10-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

We were in Utah a couple of weeks ago. One morning while the men were golfing my sister and I decided to take the kids to this beautiful park by her house to feed the ducks. The kids decided to feed the ducks their fishy's.

I brought my camera along as I always do. The all were having so much fun throwing their fishys in the water and watching the ducks come so close to eat them.

In the distance we noticed this bigger duck(0kay, I apologize if this is really a goose but I dont know really the difference.)This duck looked very confident, and alittle cocky to say the least.

The duck weasled his way right up to the kids............

and began eating right out of Zachs hand. I thought this was very cool and tried get a close up picture of it...............

The duck quickly turned towards me as if it wanted me to take it's picture.........

It looked me right in the face, or should I say right into the camera lens and started to charge me! I bolted from the edge of the water, up the embankment and onto the grass and the sucker was right on my tail. What the heck! This thing had its beak/bill wide open and was hissing at me! (the kids were laughing at me) (I mean come on what do you do? Its not every day you get charged by a stinkin duck!) I yelled, "Don't mess with me Stupid duck!" It turned and got right back in the water. I looked pretty tough, but it actually scared the crap out of me! (DONT MESS!)

BRAYDEN, OUR FOOTBALL STAR!

2009-09-27T14:14:00.001-07:00

B-kinda surprised us this year when he told us he really wanted to play football. Honestly, I didn't think he was going to like it. HE LOVES IT! On offense he plays quaterback and on defense he plays cornerback. He is loving every minute of it. He seriously comes home every night from practice with a new bruise, cut or scrape, but he does not stop talking about football. Yesterday in his game he made a tackle and the kids cleet went right into his chest. He has a nice shiner from that. He also made his first touchdown! We are so proud of B. He is amazing and has worked so hard. Zach is their ball boy and loves being around all the boys. He wants to play next year. Ahhhh! (Nobody better hurt my boys or their is going to be one upset momma chargin the field)

ASHY TURNS FIVE....PARTIES, PONIES, AND PRESENTS!

2009-09-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn turned 5. Okay so time is flying by way to fast! My baby girl started Kindergarten. She has a fabulous teacher, but is having some seperation anxiety. She goes full day two days a week. If anyone has any suggestions in dealing with this feel free to share.

A- has been was in a dance class over the summer. She absolutely loved it. The dance recital was so cute. I am really working with her on keeping the beat to the music. She is going to continue this class. She loves it!

A- had a pony party with her friends. A has always loved horses, but it is so cute to watch her around them. She feels so comfortable and really cares for the horses.

We actually ended up going to a Yankees game on A's birthday. She did not mind, in fact she was thrilled when we told her that was what we were doing. One of the players threw her a baseball. Braydo caught one too! She loves going to ball games. All in all A's birthday turned into a birth week. She is getting way to big!!!!

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL 2009-10

2009-09-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

I don't like it! Not one little bit. The boys are at school and it is way to quite. Brayd was totally excited this morning and Zach was not. He does not want to go to school. I tried to pump him up, but he just wasnt having it. I just hope that when I pick him up this afternoon that he actually had a great day. Bob keeps reminding me that I am going to have all this free time and to enjoy it. It hasnt been that easy for me. I have spent almost eleven years just 100% dedicated to raising my kids and now all of the sudden BAM!............silence!!!!!Ashy starts kindergarten on Fri. so this will be an adjustment. Dont get me wrong, there is a lot that I will be able to get done and it will be easier with the kids in school, but alz I'm sayin is ITS JUST DIFFERENT!(does anyone feel the same way or am I crazy?)

LISTEN TO THIS!

2009-08-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZIIJ0_R_Ok
This YouTUBE video is INCREDIBLE!.
Ever since my boys were little infants I played a CD for them when they would sleep. The CD was Paul Cardall piano music. If comforted them and when they would hear it it would soothe them and they would drift off to sleep. Paul Cardall is fighting for his life, waiting for a heart transplant. His website is amazing(http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/) He tells of his life and journey while waiting for a new heart. This man is amazingly strong!!!! His friends Jon Schmidt and Steven Nelson(who he has recorded tons of music with) made this remix which really lifted Pauls spirits while in the hospital.

JUST CUZ.......

2009-08-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Ashy is so fun to photgraph. I dont have my normal editing program(cuz my computer got wiped out by a virus) but these pictures turned out so cute I just had to share. When the kids go back to school, I am going to take photography classes. I am so excited!!!!!(side note: Those of you who enjoy photography, what editing program do you like?)

JUST CUZ.....CONT'...

2009-08-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

WATER + SUNSHINE = HAPPY KIDS

2009-08-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

The kids had the best time playing in this little water feature. (No huge water park), but the kids had a blast. I am not ready for my kids to go to school. I have enjoyed this summer with them.

ZACH'S BAPTISM

2009-08-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Zachay was baptised on July 11, 2009! It was so awesome to have so much family with us on Zach's special day. Zach said he felt so loved and couldn't believe everyone was there for him.
Zach is just so amazing. I can't believe he is eight. He is growing so fast, but is growing up to be such a fine young boy. We love you so much Zach!(Thanks to eveyone who came, and made this all so special!)

YEP, I BROKE THE MAN CODE!

2009-07-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you have to understand. There is a unwritten Man Code, when the guys go golfing. "No Girls Allowed!" Well say goodbye to that! You got that straight!!!! I went golfing with the 'Men.' I just took golfing to another level, that's all!!!! I got to see the Man's point of view, out golfing, while us women are home slaving away in the home attending to the children. I was sworn to secrecy as to what goes on out there. (It's actually quite commical to say the least) Alz I know is that I had a blast. Taking pictures, enjoying the peacefullness, giving golf tips, oh and I can haul bootie on those golf carts. Those things rock! I know they just loved having me there, right guys??????? LOL.....

GONE FISHIN!!!!

2009-06-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

(These pics are in a funny order but bare with me)Saturday Bob tooked the boys fishing for Zach's b-day. They got up bright and early and set out for Lake Merwin. I had called the boys a couple time throughout the morning and they were in heaven. Zach caught a fish right when I was talking to him on the phone.
Ashlyn and I had a girls day filled with hair cuts, getting nails and toes painted. Shopping etc. etc. what we came home to seemed like a comedy show.
Just try to imagine this with me.....
Us girls arrived home a few minutes before the boys all dolled up. We heard the truck pull up and ran out to greet our boys. Man did they reik! The boys were sunburned, tired but excited at the same time that their fishing trip had been a success. The boys began to talk about how they caught their fish and pulled the fish out one by one to show us how 'big' they were. Ashyln was kinda grossed out, okay so was I. We took pics as they posed and played with their dead fish. Things from here just kept getting grosser and more discusting. Brayden began to tell me how they got to pee off the side of the boat and that Dad had been gasey all day. They are all such boys!!!!!Bob called for Brayden and Zach to come in the house so they could gut the fish. They did not want anything to do with that part. Bob threatened them with never going fishing again unless they gutted their own fish. (Ashy and I stood off to the side and cringed as the boys began this awful task.) Brayden cut the head off of the fish and man did it reik. I said, "Ew Bob that totally reiks go do that outside!" Bob pipes in and said, "It's not the fish, it's me!" Seriously that was it for me. That was Ashy and my que to leave the room. "Let the boys be boys!"
Ashy and I continued to watch from the other room, cuz it was all kinda funny in a weird sort of way. The boys gagged, laughed and cringed the whole way through the gutting process. When the boys finshed with their fish, Bob would pick it up and slap it on their face. For some reason the boys were pretty okay with that. I pointed the way to the showers as Zach said, "Mom, now we are real men!" I laughed so stinkin hard. (Boy are so greasy!)

ZACH TURNS 8!!!!!!!!

2009-06-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe Zach is 8. Where has time gone?
Zach is the man. He is so funny! This year he wanted to switch things up alittle. Intstead of birthday cake he wanted choc. chip brownies. Instead of eating at a fancy restaurant he wanted Taco Bell. He milked this Birthday for all it was worth. It seems like we had 5 parties.

Things I love about Zach:
-His cowlick!
-His smile!
-The way he dances (he can bust a move)
-The way he makes people laugh!
-Even though he is on the smaller side, he is determined to always do his best!
-He gets along well with others.
-He loves his Heavenly Father.
-The way he loves his Family and Friends.
-His laugh!
Man, I love this boy! Happy Birthday Zach!

GOING PRIVATE!

2009-06-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am going private with my blog. PLEASE e-mail me your e-mail address and I will invite you to my blog. Thanks so much! (butter2929@comcast.net)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!

2009-06-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

How could you not love this guy? He is the greatest husband, the Best father, a loyal friend, a loving brother, a kind neighbor, and just an all around great guy. Bob turned a year older today. Dont tell anyone but next year will be his 40th!
The kids and I just finished getting things ready for when Daddy gets home from golfing. We have a few birthday surprises for him. We made strawberry shortcake(his absolute favorite) and decorated the house alittle. I was asking the kids how we could make Daddy's birthday special. Zach piped up and said, "just give him the remote and let him lay on the couch all day." Boy would Bob love that about now. He has been so busy lately. (We did send him out golfing, followed by a massage.) We all hope you have a wonderful Birthday Hon! We love you!

ALL BECAUSE A BALL HIT HIS NOSE!

2009-06-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is Brayden just before his nose surgery. I am so proud of how he has handled all of this.

Aren't his jammies cute?

(Brayden waiting for doctors to take him back for surgery) I was able to be with Brayden at this point. I talked to him about what they were going to do. I told him he would drift off to sleep and when he woke up it would be all over with. I told him his Dad and I would be right there when he woke up.

Bob and I waited in the waiting room for about 45 min. The Dr. came out and told us that the procedure was more difficult than he thought. Brayden's nose was broke in a couple of places. He then proceeded to tell us that someone would come and get us in about 5 mins. 5 mins. turned into 45 mins. Bob went and asked when we could see him. The Anesthesiologist came in and told us that Brayden had a really rough time waking up. He was thrashing around, coughing and yelling. They had to put him back to sleep and have him wake up again. We waited 20 more mins. We then were allowed to go back and see him. Oh my GOSH! I was not prepared for what I saw. He looked horrible. He took one look at us and tears came streaming down his face. He was having a breathing treatment and was in so much pain. He just kept whispering to us that he was in so much pain. I had to sit down while Bob reassured him we were there and that everything would be okay. My heart felt sick to see him like this. I prayed that I might be strong for him, but I litteraly had to walk out and take a deep breath. I couldnt take it!

When I was able to come back in, Brayden was still in so much pain. He was not breathing well and his oxygen level was really low. He began to cough and just let out this horrible scream. "My chest hurts, my chest hurts!", he would say. The nurse came up to Brayden and said, "No Brayden, its not your chest that hurts it is your nose. Your just fine." She then proceeded to tell us he was disoriented and confused and that sometimes kids complain because they have had a tube down their throat.

Brayden continued to cough and this time he coughed up so much blood and continued to do so. Again the nurse reassured us that this was normal. Brayden kept complaining about his chest. The nurse told him to stop crying and take some deep breathes. He looks at me so helplessly. He couldn't!!!!!!! Something was not right and Bob and I both knew it. The nurse called the anethesiologist and he thought that Brayden may have pulled a mucsle in his chest. He told them to just give him some tylenol. They gave him tylenol and asked us if we felt comfortable taking him home. I told them no and that I was very concerned about his chest pain. Once again they told us not to worry, and that eveything would be fine. His oxygen levels were still not were they should be and they started to take out Braydens IV and prepared him to leave. Bob and I were very uneasy, but trusted the nurses and took Brayden home.

Does he look well? Not at all! Poor Champ! (Ashy was excited to get her brother home so she could take care of him.)

Brayden slept and slept when we got him home. He woke up in so much pain. I gave him his pain meds. and off to sleep he went. I slept on the couch next to him that night because I was so worried about him. (This was Brayd the next morn. Still not looking well.)He continued to scream out in pain that morning. The Dr. called in the afternoon to check and B and we told him what was going on. He told us to get him the the ER. Quickly! Bob took him up there while I found someone for the kids and I met them up there. They had to give B Morphine he was in so much pain. (He was out of it.) They took x-rays of his chest and within minutes we knew what was going on. He Has Pneumonia!!!!!! He had inhaled so much blood into his lungs it created pneumonia. They admitted him. Bob and I were upset to say the least. Our boy suffered when he came out of surgery. Come to find out when he was waking up, poor little guy was just struggling to breathe because so much blood was going down his throat and out his nose. He inhaled a lot of it and was in instant pain. With severe chest pain and low oxygen levels, the nurses never should have let him go home that night.

This was B after staying the night in the hospital. He looked so good when I saw him that morning.

This was how I found Bob that same morning. He stayed the night with Brayden. What and awesome DAD!

Needless to say his care in his hospital stay was great! He was well taken care of and we were comfortable taking him home when we got his pediatrician's okay.

Brayden is doing much better we are so grateful he is okay. Thank you to those of you who's thoughts and prayers were with Brayden. B is definitely being watched over. Where to go from here, I am not quite sure. The Surgery Center keeps calling, checking up on B and trying to cover their tracks. Although frustrated, I just dont want this to happen to anyone else. It is heartbreaking to see your child in pain. And to think all of this because a ball hit B's nose!

UPDATE ON BRAYDEN!

2009-06-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

Brayden will be having surgery tomorrow at 12:45. He has been so cute throughout all of this. We went to the doctors this morning and spent the day together. We visited his Grandmother and Uncle Ron, went grocery shopping and then I took him to school 15 minutes before school was let out. It was so neat to see all of his classmates run up to him. They surrounded him and you could see their concern. His teacher put a chair at the front of the room and let the kids ask all their questions. His friends had written him letters throughout the day.
Uncle Dave, Aunt Nancy and their whole fam called Brayd today. It was so cool to see his face light up. So many have called and have been praying for a speedy recovery. A girl from Braydens class stopped by the house tonight and dropped off a plate of cookies and a get well card. He made the comment, "Mom, she is so nice." He recognizes the kindness being shown to him, and genuinely appreciates it!
We will keep everyone posted on how he is doing. Thank you all for your kindness!

POOR CHAMP!

2009-06-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

BEFORE..............

AFTER!

Brayden had a tournament this weekend. In warm-ups, one of his coaches hit a line drive to him. It took a bad bounce and then hit straight into his nose. I was at Zach's baseball game when Bob called me to tell me he was on his way to the emergency room with Brayden. He knew it was broken. I could hear Brayden crying in the background. My heart hurt so bad for him. The doc in the ER would not touch his nose. Brayden will have surgery this coming week to fix and reset his nose. (Please say a little prayer for him.) He has been so brave through all of this and is really sad that he will miss out on baseball for awhile. We love you CHAMP!

WAY TO GO BRAYDEN!

2009-05-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

We were able to go to Redding California for Memorial Day weekend. Brayden's baseball team had a tournament there. I wished I would of taken more pics of the facility/fields he played at (BIG LEAGUE DREAMS), but to describe it, they were miniature big league fields. For instance, Brayden played in Yankee Stadium, on Rigley Field and in Cub Stadium(just down sized) They had luxury boxes with A/C just in case the Calif. weather got to ya. Sweet dug-outs with spraying mist inside, a playground for the little ones to enjoy, and a nice resturaunt inside, just awesome!
They played game after game beating almost everyone but the Eagles. They met up again playing the Eagles for the Championship. They beat them 8 to 3. THEY WON THE WHOLE TOURNAMENT! It was so much fun to watch. Brayden did awesome! We are so proud of him. He hit well, fielded well and just had a blast! When Brayden wasnt playing games, we went swimming, drove go carts, went shopping, and ate a whole heck of a lot. Good Times, I tell ya, Good Times!

TO CUT, OR NOT TO CUT???????

2009-05-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

Needing some advice. I am debating on wether or not to cut Ashlyn's hair. It is to her waist. I am seeking opinions, comments, advice, or tips on this topic. I would be really nervous to have it cut, but I do think Ashlyn would look cute with a A-line cut just above her shoulders. Let me know what ya think? Come on friends and Family, help me out here. I need your input!

GOOD TIMES IN ARIZONA!

2009-04-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Ashy and I were able to go to Arizona for a week. It was amazing! (Making this video on the other hand has been torture! I couldn't quite find the right music and I kept loosing everything I had put together.) So this is what I came up with.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our time in Arizona was so wonderful. Seeing family and just spending time together was just what I needed. I laugh so stinkin hard when I am with my family. (Probably because they are a bunch of DC's (if ya know what I mean) I was able to spend a lot of quality time with Ashlyn at the end of our trip. I cannot believe how big she is getting and I just love her to pieces. Mom, Thank you for being such a great Grandma. You are amazing with your Grandchildren. You have created memories that will last forever! I just love my family! Thank you everyone for making our vacation one of the most memorable one's!

EASTER 2009

2009-04-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Let me just start by saying, "Wow, what a day!" This past weekend Brayden had a baseball tournament in Oregon. His last game was Saturday night at 8:00.(He did awesome by the way). We did not get to bed till very late. Sunday morning came so quickly. I woke in a panic, wanting everyone to be at church one time with everyone looking their Easter best. The kids got to explore their Easter baskets, which put us even more in a rush. Needless to say we made it to Church just in time for Sacrament. My mind was racing. The meeting was really great and the music was amazing! I was then brought back to what that day was all about. My thoughts were turned to the Saviour and his life and Resurrection. I am so truly blessed.
We had family over after church for an Easter egg hunt. We went to dinner at Bob's mom's house. It was a beautiful day!

Spring Break in Sunriver,OR.......(Preview)

2009-04-04T20:01:00.001-07:00

This is just a preview of our wonderful trip to Sunriver. We had the best time! I am putting together a video of all the fun things we did. Man, I love my Family!

MAN COLD (Are you kiddin me?)

2009-03-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

I think it was Nat who shared this with me once, but I had to post it again. Bob came home with the sniffles. Don't worry everyone, he is resting comfortably on the couch watching the NCAA tournament. I am about to make his dinner, followed by a nice little massage. Let's hope he doesn't get any worse. (Ashlyn just watched this video clip with me. She went up to Bob, rubbed his cheek and said, "Poor Little Bunny!") LOL LOL LOL!