And it's still snowing...

Here are some pics of what weathermen are calling the storm of the decade along the Mid-Atlantic!





So far we have more than two feet and we are supposed to get at least an additional ten inches tonight. Church has already been cancelled and Atley is hoping that it will stay cold enough for school to be cancelled on Monday as well. We have had a great time playing outside and we are thankful for our Eagle Scout who has managed to keep the fire stoked and warm most of the day. We made literal "snow" cones with Kool-Aid and sugar this afternoon, which the boys thought was the most awesome thing ever. We are thankful to still have power and to be among the lucky few who bought our food before the store shelves were completely empty.

Nash's Third Birthday!

Dear Nash,

It is hard to believe that you are three years old but at the same time it seems I can hardly remember my life without you in it. You have brought us so much joy and happiness over the last three years. You are such a special part of our family. You have a very unique personality that draws others, children and adults alike, toward you. We love that you love to snuggle us and that you are a junkie for chocolate milk and dessert! We love to hear the funny things you say, like on Saturday when you were mad at Atley and you said, "You need to buy some shampoo Atley, because you stink!" We love your spunky personality and the way you don't take any guff from anyone even if they are bigger than you. I love watching your chubby little hands play with toys and eat your food. Your sweet little fingers are such miracles to me! I love your gruff little voice and the way you love to sing off key. I love how you call us your little fluffy ones. And the way that you think it is perfectly okay to wear a diaper as long as they are big diapers and not baby-sized diapers. I love that you are confident enough to admit that your favorite color is pink. I love your fearlessness and courage and the way that you love your big brother. We love you Nash and we are having so much fun watching you grow and learn! Happy birthday my baby boy!

Love, Mommy

Per Atley's Request

Anyone who missed the new Disney Christmas special Prep & Landing need go no farther than our house to watch it. It has quickly become Atley's favorite show of all time. And he spends most of his waking moments trying to do his best to look like Wayne one of Santa's most trusted and naughty Elves. He begged me to put pictures of him and Wayne on my blog so I hope you all enjoy!


Atley aka Wayne the Elf!

Santa's Past & Present

Like most children, as a kid I loved Christmas. I would get so incredibly excited that I would inevitably make myself physically sick. Then when I was about thirteen Christmas started to lose some of its magic and I thought it would never be as fun again. That of course, was before I had Atley and Nash. Being a parent of little children at Christmas is even more magical than the Christmas' I remember as a kid. Here is a little trip down memory lane with my boys and Santa Claus!

Christmas 2004-Atley's First Christmas!

Christmas 2005

Christmas 2006. Nash was only 10 days old this Christmas. So he did not get to take a picture with Jolly Old St. Nick! Notice the shorts on Atley. Obviously we were not in D.C. but in Tucson!

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2009!

Happenings!!!

Happy Holidays and thanks to all of you who have inquired about why there has been no news from the Butler Family. All is well, just busier than usual! Let me just jump to the big news, the news you are most anxious to hear, the news I am most nervous to tell because I am still not totally convinced, but here goes. After two ultra sounds the doctor's are saying that we are having a GIRL!!!

Here are some pics and more news from the past month!



About two months ago a woman in our ward was giving away her piano. We jumped on the chance to get a free piano, perhaps not realizing just how much work it would require to get it operational and beautiful again. Scott worked tirelessly until he finally had it completely fixed, refinished, and tuned. I love it. It totally reminds me of that piano Doc Holiday plays in Tombstone in that Arizona Saloon! It is over a hundred years old and adds a lot of character to our home.

We traveled to Georgia for Thanksgiving! We had a great time despite the fact we were only there for 36 hours and in the car for about 28 hours! The only picture I managed to capture was that of Nash sucking Cheez Whiz off of his toes on the drive. Anything to keep him happy. It was great seeing the family and shopping on black Friday, and eating until I made myself sick but the highlight of the trip was definitely watching the Cougars beat Utah! SWEET REDEMPTION!!!!




We have also managed to create a lot of bonding moments with Scott's coworkers. We went bowling before Thanksgiving. And despite the fact that my family and I were in the minority of those not drinking I, the pregnant woman, managed to completely wipe out landing on my big fat butt in front of the entire crowd. Lucky Me!!! What can I say I like to keep things lively. The company Christmas party consisted of a corporate box at the Washington Capitals Hockey game. All of our babysitting prospects fell through but Scott's dad was gracious enough to fly up from Atlanta to watch the boys for the night. I would love to be able to say that we just don't know very many people here and that is why we couldn't find a sitter. But, the fact is because we know so many people here and they know our children, is why we couldn't find a sitter.


I desperately tried to take some really adorable pictures of the boys in front of the Christmas tree, but this is what I got. I think they are adorable but as far as sending them out on our Christmas Cards, I am afraid it might frighten people.





Today was our first snow day of the season. What a great day! The boys could live outside on days like today and I could happily let them. But, then I wouldn't get to hang all the wet clothes and boots around the fireplace, make hot cocoa, and snuggle with my sweaty little children. What a Norman Rockwell moment!

The LOBSTER

Yes, this 70 year old, 10 pound Lobster can be yours for the current market price of $19.80 per pound which of course equates to $198.00. But, Legal Seafoods in downtown D.C. will also throw in a free appetizer and dessert if you purchase this monster for your eating enjoyment. Atley wanted to keep him as a pet and Granny just wanted the creepy thing off of the table.

Halloween Week!

We had a busy week full of Halloween Festivities and an exciting visit from Granny. As tradition demands we carved our plethora of pumpkins on Monday night for Family Home Evening and as usual Nash was completely disgusted by the pumpkin guts.


Tuesday night was Trunk or Treat at the church. Unfortunately, it was raining and the treating was done in the halls of the church instead of outside. My favorite costume was the man who dressed up like the H1N1 Virus. Because of our brief stint on the Activities Committee Atley and Nash always feel compelled to put away the chairs after an activity instead of running wild with their friends. It is pretty sweet even if their efforts are not always appreciated.



Thursday Granny flew in from Colorado. The boys were very excited to see her and I felt relieved to have some extra help with the kids and around the house. I have felt so awful the last few months because of the pregnancy that I have merely been in survival mode. Granny was a tremendous help and I feel more rested today than I have in at least 3 months. Thanks Granny!
Friday I was in charge of Atley's Kindergarten Halloween Party. A late bus put a damper on all the activities we had planned but the kids, (including Nash-notice the turtle tagging along) were able to parade around the track in their costumes and complete the skeleton craft I had planned before their teacher insisted they get back to their hard-core Kindergarten Curriculum.





Halloween was spent working in the yard. Poor Granny will probably never come back again! I assume she is having nightmares about piles of laundry and mountains of leaves attacking her while she sleeps. After the work was done we went to the mall for Trick or Treating. When we returned it was raining again and so Atley and Nash spent the evening handing out candy and critiquing every child's costume instead of braving the rain like the creepy little souls.

"Kid"versations!

Nash: "I'm thirsty!"
Mom: "Okay!" I hand him a glass of water.
Nash: "I want something different than water."
Mom: "What do you want Nash?"
Nash: "I want coffee or maybe some pumpkin beer."

Nash: "What are these called?" Pointing at his nipples.
Atley: "Those are your nipples."
Nash: "What are they there for?"
Atley: "They are just decorations, but if you were a girl they would have a purpose."
Mom: Thinking, "Wow, I really hope the purpose Atley is talking about is feeding
babies."

Nash: "My arm hurts."
Mom: "What happened?"
Nash: "My nursery teacher kicked me in the face."

Nash: "Mom, I don't feel good."
Mom: "What's wrong buddy?"
Nash: "I am really nervous."
Mom: "Why are you so nervous?"
Nash: "Granny comes on the morrow and that makes me nervous."

Conclusion: Perhaps a "Word of Wisdom" and a "My Body is a Temple" Family Home Evening is in order along with some counseling for Nash to settle his nerves.