The First Few Days

This is our home in Idaho.

We took the kids to the zoo.  Thanks Aunt Rachel for the wonderful day.

Anton, Isabel, Devon, Zachary, James

Isabelle, Grace, and Anne

Edwin and I took some time to go to the temple and the kids played with Grandma Peggy.

Jessica, Anne, Grandma, Kennedy, Amber, John, and Kaylee

The Slumber Party started on the trampoline and ended up here!

Can you find all eight bodies?

Gabe at the Rexburg Splashpad

Grandma was looking forward to the carousel with all the kids. 

She had the most fun I think!

Fun days with Grandma.

James, Grandma Peggy, Kennedy, Gabe, Kaylee, Mylee, Grace, John, Jessica, Jackson, and Anne.

Giving Loves

Kaylee loves babies

James tried the zipline at Aunt Kathy's

The irrigation water came in so the kids went out on the canoe.

Grace and Kaylee climbed the trees.

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Uncle Brent and Aunt Kathy bid us farewell.

Grace and Anne painted nails and enjoyed the morning with Aunt Maria

John hung out and was pretty relaxed the whole time.



Summer Migration to Idaho

We did again!!

 Every summer we drive to Idaho and back, but this year we enjoyed a few sites along the way.

Our first stop for lunch was this little place called Blue Earth, Minnesota.  We were quite surprised to see the Green Giant as we pulled off the highway to eat. 

Edwin practiced his photography skills.

We also stopped in Mitchell, Nebraska for a little bit to see the corn palace.  The mosaics in the background are all done with corn cobs.  There were several mosaics throughout the palace and along the walk.  It was a great little place to visit for a bit before journeying on.

Day 2 of our road trip brought us to the Petrified Rock Gardens in South Dakota.  We really enjoyed playing here and seeing all the fancy rocks and goodies they had on display.

I love this photo!

Later that same day we stopped at Mt. Rushmore.   The girls wanted to pat the presidents' heads in this photo, but they were a little too tall!

Day three we drove over the Bighorn mountains in Wyoming and then through to Yellowstone.

This witch's cauldron was quite smelly...but it is Yellowstone after all.

The Dragon's Cave was our favorite stop at the park.  The babbling, gurgling, and steam made a few of us wonder if the dragon was sleeping or getting ready to eat! 

Three days to drive....the fun is just beginning.

Summer Days

Pink Lemonade Never Looked So Inviting

Amazing butterfly balloon animals

James and the giant sword

Kitten balloon Animals

Anne, Grace, James, and Abigail pose for pictures after 4 weeks of everyday swim lessons.

Abigail is one of our friends from Kindergarten.  We were glad to have her join lessons with us.

Johnson County Fair days and our annual tractor driving photo.

This year Grace enter the county fair's "Ugly Cake" contest.  Her overall concept was a dirty diaper and she was thrilled to get a fair ribbon.  Next year all the kids want to enter their own cakes...I can't wait to see that mess!

Our homemade water slide/spray park

Edwin made a hammock for his camping trip (more details in an upcoming post).

Adorable Little Thumbsucker! 

Hot, Hot July

Edwin's been doing the most blogging lately, and well....I'm back in the driver's seat.  Here's a few things from this week.

Sunday we blessed Baby John.  Edwin gave the blessing while Bishop and President Anderson stood in the circle with him. 

For the 4th we spent the morning at the parade with a few families in our ward.

It was terribly hot and Grace spent much of the parade in the shade with John and me.

Edwin kept the kids in the shade with the umbrella the entire time and Anne was the only one to stay next to the road for the entire 2 hours.

Notice James's new flip flops.  Flip flops are a tale tale sign of growing up.

Edwin hung his Washington D.C. flag for the first time.  The kids all cheered.

Edwin and I spent the rest of the day making a gallon of blueberry syrup.  Part way through the process I vowed I would never embark on this project again.  However, we had blueberry syrup on our pancakes today and well.....I just might do this again!  Thanks Edwin for manning the stove!

Ah, it's good to be blogging again. I've got lots to post from the summer so stay tuned.

In memory of Grandma Butler

 I have a lot of different memories of Grandma Butler. Many of them are in her living room just sitting for a chat.

 We used to stop by to visit for an hour or so every Sunday after church. The grownups would sit around in the living room and talk while the kids would pile on the king bed in the back and watch TV or a movie.

 At Christmas or Thanksgiving we used to go to Grandma's and Grandpa's for a big feast. Some would sit around the kitchen table and others would use TV trays in the living room.

 Grandma often had a funny story or loved to hear other people's stories. Sometimes when Grandpa would say something she didn't approve of she would holler something at him in Finnish.

 When I was younger I used to think Grandma was grumpy all the time because of her usual facial expression. When I was a teenager I finally realized that she was one of the most loving, caring and friendly people I've ever known. All I had to do was go up and give her a big hug and a kiss.

 She would do all she could to help other people. She also loved flowers and animals. One summer I was working with Uncle Allan and he was raising some chicks. When we went away for the week Grandma would take them in her house to care for them. Uncle Allan told me that she has always been a big softie for cute little creatures.

 I love this picture of Grandma and Anne. Jen and I think Anne looks so much like Grandma with her blue eyes and light colored hair. They even have a similar expression on their faces. We will always think of you Grandma when we look at Anne.

Grandma, we love you and will miss you, but know you're in a better place.