Home for a Grand Celebration

Yes, we're alive ( I know some may have wondered since my blogging has become nonexistent), I actually hope some very specific people read this blog because I unknowingly lied to them.  I was once known to have said that 3 children WASN'T too much of a difference than having 2 children.  Please note to those that I said this to, that I said this when I had had my mother, my mother-in-law twice and many friends bringing my meals for weeks while "adjusting" to "3".  The truth is, it only gets busier, much busier!  I've had to totally revamp the way I spend my time.  I used to be able to check my email a couple times a day, now it's a couple times a week...maybe...  I'd update my blog once or twice every two weeks, now 1 every 2-3 months :)
I wouldn't change a thing! I love these kiddos and they have taught me so much about love, and I've loved simplifying my life too, LIFE is GREAT! Just busy :D
Now, on to the Grand Celebration...

Ted's brother (Glenn) got married this weekend!  Wahoo and wonderful!  He's the last of the Butterfield boys to tie the knot. There are lots of reasons to love Glenn; he and I have known each other for over twenty years (and he still talks to me)! He is one of the most loyal guys I know! But the most important reason is this is the guy that introduce me to my Teddy and therefore he has a super special place in my heart forever.
The gal snagged (Mariah) is absolutely perfect for him and he for her.  She's confident, has a mind of her own, she's beautiful inside and out, she's outdoorsy and best of all she glows with love. 
It was a wonderful wedding and I felt privileged to be a part of it (plus it was nice that it made it necessary for Ted to come home for the weekend :)

I didn't get any close-ups of the happy couple, but I did get some pics of the family!  Congrats Glenn and Mariah!  I'm SO very excited for both of you!

 He is the cutest guy in the whole world!  Plus, it was one day before his birthday!  Happy Birthday my sweet and wonderful hubby!!!

 My sweet mommy was such a help to me and getting everything ready for the big day, not possible without 'cha mom!

I love this picture for the symbolism of the young couple looking to their future together while the mature couple sit close thinking of their past. -(at least that's my thought)-

A visit from Dad!

The end of June Ted was able to come and visit and boy-o-boy did we keep busy while he was here (I'm pretty sure the kids got to bed after 11pm every night).  We saw family, went on a promised hike to Stewart Falls, played in the play-pool and enjoyed fireworks at the Stadium of Fire.
I wasn't of the mind set to take tons of pictures, but I at least got some.

The Stadium of Fire was exciting, but it was a lot to ask of such young kids.  It started out HOT and ended late...which made for some unhappiness.  We loved being there with Ted's family and we're so grateful for such a wonderful memory.

Busy--As usual

Whew, what a fast pace this summer is.  I can't believe a month has already gone by (bye bye).  Ted just left this morning from his wonderful 5 day visit.  The kids got to bed late every night and we did fun things all day everyday.  Thanks for coming Daddy!
As Ted starts his new rotation in Indiana, we'll be going on a vacation to Bear Lake! --Pictures to come :)

Summer Smiles

Bitter-Sweet

It's been just over a week since we left our beloved state of Iowa.  These past 3 years have been indescribably wonderful.  The people we've come to know and love are the biggest pull to it.  Speaking for me, I know that I'm a different person now than I was before, different as in refined for the better.  I wish I could say that I changed due to my incredible self evaluating skills, but I know that's not remotely true.  I changed due to my wonderful friends surrounding me.  Their many words of wisdom, their example of kind loving mothers, a quality of ambition to better oneself and the service and care given so freely.  Amazing women I feel privileged to know.
Most the women I became to know will also be moving from Iowa now - 3 years, and knowing that kind-of makes it easier to say "good-bye", kind-of.  However, in my case, I leave a sweet-wonderful-amazing-hardworking-loving-funny sister in Iowa.  Being in a closer proximity to my sister Alexis this past year was beyond my wildest dream.  I so adore her and her children, oh and her hard workin' hubby too :).
I'll always treasure the memories made!

We left Iowa Wednesday at 9am and arrived in Utah at 3am Thursday morning.  Thursday we slept a bit, unloaded most everything, and had a quick Howard family dinner that night. Friday morning we quickly packed some camping essentials and left on a quick family trip down to Goblin Valley.  Sure we were tired and worn out, sure we were sick of being in a car and yes it's true camping can be miserable, especially with a newborn.  However, what better memory could my kids hold onto than turning over thousands of rocks, catching lizards, poking ant hills, roasting hot-dogs and marshmallows, filling their shoes with sand and dirt and hiking in the warm sun, and doing all this with their dad.  Defiantly one the best decisions I've ever made.  Such a perfect little trip.  And yes, Rainee did as she usually does and was an excellent baby the whole time!

Ted left Monday morning to start his first rotation of 6 before we'll get him back permanently in December, 6 months from now.  Needless to say we miss him SO much...  I just keep thinking of my blessing of having such a wonderful support group to help us cope with missing him.  Most my prayers of comfort are said for Ted, I also pray that he'll be super busy ALL THE TIME.  He's such a dedicated father and being away from his little treasures will be hard, very hard.
I'm thrilled to be surrounded by family again!  There seems to always be something going on and people on the move.  The best families ever!

A new era in the Butterfield family now begins... "good-bye wonderful Iowa", "hello Utah and family".

Rainee's Blessing 5-15-11

What a beautiful day to bless our sweet Rainee.  My sister and her family were able to make it down from Davenport and be a part of the blessing (thanks for being with us!).  I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people in Iowa that made Rainee's arrival - blessing day marvelous.  I think of all the people that brought meals and helped watch my kids so I could have a few moments to adjust to having three kiddos.  What a blessed life I have.
Here are some of the pics of the special day.  Thanks Lex for bringing your camera :)

The End of an Era

Ya know when you donate things to Goodwill or D.I,  it feels good to know you're recycling, giving to a good cause and clearing space in your home, right? Yeah, a good all around feeling, everyone wins! Well, today was a great day for making a donation in a different way.  Today we donated our pets!  Our dear salamanders, Mander and L.G, and Toady-Toady (our toad :), can now be found  at the Family Science Center in Downton Des Moines! AND our furry, but a little less cuddle'y pet, Flanuga (Chilean rose tarantula) has a new home at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines.  How awesome is that!

We have enjoyed our little pets for the past years.  Flanuga has been with us before Chloe was born.  Her name was initially Nuga (as in the hair that covers a baby in the womb), but after she ate our other tarantula, Flick, she took on his name as well and became "Flanuga". Then there is Mander and L.G (stands for Little Guy) and they have been with us almost as long.  The best part about these guys were when they ate, especially Mander, so much fun to watch.  Plus, a huge perk to these two were that they are kid friendly!  Toady-Toady came home with us from Utah's Strawberry Reservoir about 2 years ago.  I wasn't keen on keeping him, but when I heard the little croak he made there was no way to say "no".  Of course these weren't our only pets through the years: our fishes (Gekey, Gomey, and Deep), a handful of frogs: leopard frogs, bull frogs and cricket frogs.  There were possibly more, but those are the animals that I can remember.  Anyway, now that we'll be moving around a bit for the next year, this option of giving them to a great cause is just perfect!  

"Good-bye" Butterfield Animal Era... 

(for now)

These two pics of Rainee are just to show how big she's getting and how stinkin' cute she is!