Happy Birthday Baby!

Well my baby is three years old today. When I found out I was pregnant with her, it rocked my world. I was one week from turing thirty and had a 14 month old in my arms. Call it shock or denial, I haven't ever recoverd from the news. From the time I get up in the morning til the time I go to bed at night it is one adventure after another. On the other hand, this petite package of dynamite can melt your heart. She is my little snuggle bunny. This is the child with dual personalities. Regardless of her challenging spirit, she completes our family. I can't believe it was three short years ago that I had her. She has become an even bigger "baby"since I have had the opporutnity to stay home this year. I don't get a whole lot done in the day because she is always wanting me to stop and let her rub my skin. Yes, she has a skin fetis. She also is now "legal" to take dance lessons. Although she has been at lessons for years, she will be officially enrolled! Another thought that I have been having lately is the fact that I am so glad I had another daughter to name after a very important person in my life. Mia's middle name is Louise. Three years ago I did not have any idea that my grandmother would get sick and leave so quickly, but if any of you know my grandmother Louise, she was quite the spit fire too. I think it is so relevant to have a children with this same spunky personality.

Happy Birthday Mia, I love you so much!!!

Spring has Sprung

Well I thought Spring had sprung but today we are back to the snow on the lawn. Despite the weather we have done several things that indicate spring is here.

#1: Yard work: Between the weeding and the spreading of the sand or the hauling of the rocks, our wheelbarrow has been in overdrive. It is hard to keep up with Robbin. (She has been out in full force) However the girls managed to have some fun. I couldn't help but grab my camera and snap away. I think that they get into the playing more than the working end of all the projects. But they are kids and that is what they should be doing.

#2: Field Trips: I had the opportunity to go with Ellie to Thanksgiving Point on the second grade field trip. I had not seen the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point and it was really spectacular. They have amazing models of things and we had a lot of fun taking pictures. The highlight of the trip was the 3D movie. We watched sea monsters and it was quite intense.

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#3: Four Wheeling Rondevu: Both Butikofer families meet over the weekend and scoped out a camping spot for the upcoming Butikofer reunion. Despite the slow start and Sophie getting pulled over by the Fish and Game Warden, we had a fantastic time. This was the first time that we let Ellie ride her four-wheeler out on a "big" ride. I just have to say at this point she is much more her father's child than mine. I remember hot-roding on the three wheeler and, as Allen can verify, being a little too reckless on the four-wheeler. We spent a lot of time coaxing her to hit 10 mph. In all actuality I am glad she is so cautious. Tess got a short turn at driving with Kaylee's assistance and Mia was much more content to play in the mud and water with Kaleb. Thanks to the Butikofer's for inspiring the retreat. On the way home Tim also found his ultimate "home." It was a little to far away from civilization for me but since I am married to Charles Engles I could see the potential.







All in all I see the light at the end of the tunnel with the weather. Although if you have been watching the news, Woodland in about to float away; maybe I will have an exciting update.

What a difference a week makes.

I am just giving and early warning; this is an emotional post.

I have been pondering all day about the events of the past week. One week ago today I took my two oldest girls to visit my grandma in the hospital. As many of you know my grandma had been battling a form of leukemia for two years now. She had gone to the hospital to receive further treatment for the disease. As I sat in the room with many of the family members I was full of emotions and questions. Mostly questions for myself. How would I ever compare to this amazing woman? How could I provide for my children the way she has for hers? Would I be able to spend 65 years in love with my eternal companion?

The way I view my grandma is described in one word: strength. My entire life my grandma has been there. From the time we moved to the farm when I was four years old, I have memory after memory of my grandma. I was so fortunate to have her close to me for so many years. She always offered me advice, she always supported me, and she absolutely provided me with an example of unconditional love. This love was evident right down to her pets.

I have spent this last year trying to return some of the love for my grandma by fixing dinners and treats for both grandma and grandpa. I have enjoyed every minute of it. My mom has worked day in and out taking my grandparents to their appointments and seeing to their everyday needs. After the family was informed last Monday that they should bring my grandma home, I have reflected on that unconditional love.

As the days pasted in the week and I saw her fragile body weaken I just wanted to hold her hand once more time and compare it to mine. I think that my hands look just like hers and I wanted to have that memory with me. I love my grandma so much and am thankful that I have a child who will carry her name. I am a better person because of her influence and am so grateful for the time I had with her. I can only hope to live my life as well as she did hers.

She returned to our Heavenly Father late Friday night May 2, 2008. This week has allowed me to lean on my beliefs and well as the strength of my family. A family that grandpa and grandma started 65 years ago. Her influence will live for many generations. I am so grateful for her life and her legacy. I know that someday I will hold her hand in mine again.

Spring Break '08

We had the time of our lives this last week. I don't want to complain about the weather here because I get after Tim when he does BUT I was so excited to get to Southern Utah and enjoy the sun. I left on Saturday, April 12th with the girls and we headed straight to St. George. We stopped in Hurricane to drop off the their bikes so I didn't have to keep them in the car for a few days. We stayed in St. George at a hotel since the H.J. (not Howard but Hotel Johnson) had no vacancy. It was great for the girls and I to spend time together in a hotel and swimming in the pool. I could not believe the weather on Sunday and Monday. All I did was sit by the pool or in the park or in Chelsea's driveway soaking up the sun. The girls were more than anxious to get on their bikes and go. To ease Chelsea's fear on children getting injured on any wheeled device, I bought the girls helmets. I just want to add that none of the six children that my mom and dad successfully raised ever wore helmets as we rode up and down the main highway in Woodland. So I had to call my own kids safety geeks!!!



My addiction to the sun came out in full force. It was like I couldn't get enough and I wanted more and more and more. Tim came down Tuesday night and and brought a little of the Northern Utah glum with him. We couldn't go outside due to the "Hurricane" force winds so we opted for the Sand Hallow Aquatics Center. The water was ice cold and we only lasted about 45 minutes. I think this was the first experience of our test drive of four kids. (We had Jack with us) Tess started calling him her brother. It wasn't hard for me to handle four kids the real truth of it was that it was hard for Mia. She all of a sudden turned into needy little helpless baby.




Tim and the two older girls went on a four-wheeling excursion Thursday morning. I stayed home with Jack and Mia. By noon I was bored and so I put them in the car to head to Seagull Book. I thought I was capable of taking the two of them on a SMALL outing. Mia proved me wrong. To her credit she did fall asleep in the car and I had to wake her up. It was a very short experience and we headed back for La Verkin. This was the point I realized three is my magic number. Friday brought more riding and more sun. We went to a pool in Hurricane to cool off. The best part of the day however came with our night trip to Springdale. It is at the bottom part of Zion's Canyon. We went to a great pizza and noodle company. Followed by a round of ice cream!!




We knew Saturday was going to be our last chance to experience the amazing atmosphere so we planned a trip to Red Cliffs. Olivia and Dad were to meet us there on their way back from Mexico/Blythe/Las Vegas. Once we turned off and headed through Leeds, my heart started pounding. This was the place that many of my friends and I climbed, explored, but mostly just sun bathed for year while I was attending SUU. The warmth of the red rocks and the beauty they behold brought tears to my eyes. I was explaining to the girls this was one of my favorite places to go and they looked at me like I was from another planet. Like when the dinosaurs were on the earth. Dad was the only one who came to my rescue and told me he remembered seeing many pictures of me on these rocks. (OK- back from that trip down memory lane) The minute the kids got out of the car we could not stop them from their explorations. I thought it was great for Grandpa to be there to witness the genes in full force. No one could stop Mia and Noah from thinking they should climb higher or run faster. We made to the drainage pool where we all waded and played. It was just the perfect ending to a perfect Spring Break.

Thanks to Max and Chelsea for letting us once again take over their house and child. We really wanted to bring him home with us but apparently his parents like him too. I am not sure if we can top this vacation?!?!

Joining the Gang and Loving the SUN!

It is a well know fact that everyone who is my sister or sister-in law that has had a baby this year has had a boy. Starting with Jack in October, Luke in December, Drew in January, Baby Gunnerson to come in June and Boy named Sue in June as well. So a few weeks/months ago I decided to test my luck and see if Tim and I could cash in on everybody's good karma. I am excited to say that we will find out in October (again) if we have one more boy to add to the gang! Cross our fingers!

On to an actual update. We did head south for the weekend. There was a dance competition in St. George and it is one more way we can get a trip to St. George. We decided to leave Thursday night because the competition would take my entire day on Saturday and we wanted to spend sometime with the girls out doors. Can I just say that before this point I had been pretty patient with the snow and realize that I live in the mountains and this is just one of those "Spring-time in the Rockies." But now I am done with it!!!!!!! The snow must go or I am leaving!

Mia couldn't get enough of the park!

Ellie tried out every part of the park.

Friday we took the girls to one of the many parks in St. George. The girls just ran and played and the grins on their faces could have not been bigger. At one point Tess came over to me and said; "Mom I love St. George!" Once we got to the motel all they wanted to do is swim. Again they could not get enough of it. Their little eyes were red and Tess told me that when she looked at people her eyes were "steaming." The haze of chlorine really got to her. We had an awesome BBQ at the Johnson's and I just struggled to put my self back in the car to leave. To top it all off I went and test drove the new car that I want!!!! I will give Max and Chelsea the first call on it. Although we did not know that they wanted the same car as we did. (it seems to be a ongoing saga in our family) So we upgraded to the Buick Enclave and they can have dibs on the GMC Acadia or Arcadia (right MAX!)
When we returned home there was 7 inches of snow waiting for us in the driveway. My eyes seriously teared up.
The favorite part of the trip!

Getting to eat out at Applebee's.

The dance girls did phenomenal!!! We took six dances. Out of the six; 5 of them placed 1st, one took 2nd and of the 5 first places two received an additional trophy for overall grand champion.

To sum it all up I am not unpacking my bags because I planning on getting out of her the first chance I get! And as far as the first paragraph of this blog goes...APRIL FOOLS! What a day to update:)

Dental Miracle

OK, I will update. I truth is that nothing really significant is going on in my life.

This picture doesn't have anything to do with the dentist but I snapped it the other day. I heard this little voice calling for help. It was just Mia stuck in the doll playpen. Really no surprise to me!

It is still cold and there is still snow on the ground. I am counting down the days until we go back to St. George, 2 weeks today!!! ANYWAY- Tess and Mia had their 6 month dental visit on Thursday. It was actually Mia's first "official" dentist visit. I had taken her and let her sit in the chair on one of Tess' many visits. (I don't feel at this point I need to revisit the whole dental situation with Tess.) I had actually called the dentist office before it was even time for the six month appointment because I noticed another spot on Tess' tooth, SURPRISE!!! They told me we weren't up for our six month check up yet but to wait a month so the insurance would pay 100%. So we waited and finally went yesterday. I feel like I need to insert a video of me brushing/flossing/maintaining Tess' teeth so that people will know how diligent I am about her teeth hygiene and care but I don't take video footage of myself and the 30 minute routine. Let's just say that if I took as good of my own teeth as I do Tess' you wold have to wear sunglasses when you talk to me because my teeth would glow! So back to the visit, as usual Tess had her 3 cavity diagnosis. On to Mia... she is exactly the same age as Tess when I found out the "news" about her teeth. Mia jumps up in the chair holds perfectly still and they take x-rays; she lets Dr. Moffat look in her mouth and BINGO... not even a stain or imperfection. Dr. Moffat finally says something that doesn't make me feel like I am the worst parent, "her teeth are as solid as a rock!" This is after two years of him thinking I was lieing about what I did and didn't do with my kids and their teeth. LOVE IT! The good news for Tess in now we get to add one more thing to our teeth cleaning routine, prescription toothpaste. It only cost $10.00 a tube and it is half the size of a normal tube of toothpaste. It has high levels of fluoride in it and you can only use it once a day. They have to be old enough that they can't swallow it and that is the only reason we haven't been on it before now. On the way home from Park City I told Tess I wanted her to be a dentist when she grows up so she can work on her own kids teeth!!! I think I will start putting more money into her college savings account now!