Happy Anniversary to these two!

Happy 11th Anniversary to Michael and Darcy! I'd say something like I hope you have a great day, but we already know how the day was spent: driving to Long Beach for Darcy to fly here for a visit (yeah!), Darcy being told the flight has been canceled, Darcy calling Michael to come pick her up again, killing time for most of the day and then driving back to Long Beach to fly out. So our fingers are crossed. It looks like she'll fly out at 5:00pm, and should arrive here about 6:20pm. We are super excited!

Back to School, Part 2

Bailey went back to school yesterday, 8/25. She is now a 5th grader. The top of the food chain, so to speak. Haha. Of course, that will be short lived when next year she becomes a 6th grader at Cooley Middle School and is knocked down to the bottom rung of said food chain. She was ready and excited to get back into school. Her words: "it will give me something to do during the day, and it still leaves me time to play and do fun things after". Haha. I wonder how long she'll feel that way? I give her til Friday. :)

Little Fender Bender.

Damn, damn, damn. Actually, the word that came to mind last Friday when Austen bumped into a parked car in Bailey's school's parking lot, was a whole lot worse. Think "f". Anyhoo ... we had gone to her school to see what teacher she ended up with (Mrs. Hull). This was good news for her. She was hoping for that. After, Austen asked to drive home. I hesitated. Thinking .... ugh, I hate for him to back up in this busy parking lot. But I went ahead and said "ok" (figuring he's got to learn by doing). Of course, 30 seconds later I was regreting that decision. He managed to back into a car that, thankfully, was parked with no one in it. Now, in a perfect world this just wouldn't have happened at all, or at the very least he'd have backed into a crappy car, where the person said, "No biggie. There's no damage". But no. In my world ... he backed into a 2006 BMW 720i. Yeah. The darn thing looked brand new. And it was brand new to the woman who owns it. She'd only had it a few days, and was still waiting on her personalized plates. Damn. Here's the kicker ... there is most definitely more damage to our car. Mainly the bumper. And I honestly think our bumper mainly hit her tire because she only had a tiny bit of white paint transfer around the wheel well. I can only imagine what this little oops will cost us (in the way of increased insurance rates, etc.) But what can you do?

Serious Blast From The Past.

I know I've mentioned here before that I love to pull pictures from my picture vault. Haha. I don't really have an actual picture vault, but when I find a doosey like this one, you'd think it came from some long lost vault ... somewhere. Right? I was actually looking for a picture to put with my quote for the day:

"Masquerading all day

as a normal person

day after day

is exhausting."

Tee hee. I don't know why, but that quote just makes me giggle.

Anyway, the picture ended up not going with the quote, but I thought I'd post it anyway. This is circa June 1984. I had just graduated from high school. I liked chartreuse green MG's, Journey, and apparently very short-short shorts.

A wonderful weekend.

Bailey and I headed here this past weekend:
Where is here, you say? Grandma and Grandpa Butler's house. Who else do we know has a colorful purple door as her entrance to her garden? Isn't it the cutest thing ever? Of course, not only is it adorable and colorful, it also keeps the deer out her garden. Cute and clever!

Bailey and I decided it was time for a visit. So we just invited ourselves up. Haha. I don't think they minded too terribly much. :) Originally, Carcerys Vale had two shows: one on Saturday in Marysville and one on Sunday in Modesto. (Last minute, the Modesto show got cancelled). Thus the reason for just the girls going. We figured the boys and Shawn would be plenty busy over the weekend, and it seemed the perfect time for us to go up on our own. We even left Roxy home, which was weird, but also a nice break. We headed up Saturday and got there around noon.

Grandma and Grandpa have put up a wonderful sized above ground pool. It's about 20' across. Just the perfect size for cooling off and swimming around. Bailey loved it.

Grandma doesn't know how to swim, so she uses the noodles to "swim" around the pool. It is quite apparent from the look on her face that this is very peaceful and soothing to her. I loved watching her enjoy herself with Bailey.

Bailey had her giggling the entire time. So grateful to be able to spend this time there with them.

Grandpa got in on the action by teaching Bailey how to fill the noodle with water, and then force it out by mouth. Kind of like a water gun. She tried and tried to get the hang of it, but couldn't get the water to shoot out very far. Grandpa continued to spray she and Grandma with water, and finally Bailey got smart and just splashed him back. Good girl. :)

Drying off and sunning themselves (for a few minutes) afterwards.

Sunflower in Grandma's garden. There's always something wonderful to photograph up there.

She stuffed us silly, as always. Forget about dieting while you're at Grandma's. It just isn't going to happen. Haha. For lunch, she whipped up some chicken salad sandwiches. They were so good. I'm getting hungry just thinking about them. For dinner ... oh my. Do you see those four steaks there? Crazy huge, I tell you. And then she also did big 'ol shrimp on the bbq. Actually, Grandpa did the bbqing. Grandma and Bailey did the prep, and I took pictures. (Always, right?)

I think Grandpa did this while the girls were prepping food. Haha. He was tired from keeping the pool clean.

After dinner we made carmel/chocolate dipped apples. Fun and tasty.

We also played Mexican Train (dominoes). Have you ever played? We had not, but we enjoyed it so much. I will definitely pick up a new set of dominoes so we can play it again. We then watched Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. Aside from the movie being extremely long (so long, in fact, that there were several occasions where I thought it was over and it just wasn't) ... it was a beautiful movie. Good story, with a good ending. We went to bed around 11:30pm.

Day 2: Breakfast in town at The Waffle Shop, a little shopping around (Dollar Tree, Claypoole's, Safeway) looking for some fly swatters, BLT's for lunch and more swimming, of course.

Oh there I am. I knew I was there this weekend. :)

The best picture of the weekend. So sweet.

Bailey and I both had a wonderful visit with Grandma and Grandpa. We are grateful and happy for our time spent with them.

Two things for today.

I loved this picture that Dad snapped, so I snagged it. Yep. I surely did. I actually like a lot of Dad's pictures, and decided (if he doesn't mind too much) that when I run across a quote I really like ... I just may have to put it with one of his lovely pictures. Because I can't do a blog post without a picture. What do you think, Dad?

And that brings me to this quote: "Love life, not stuff".

So simple. Yet so very true. Don't you think?

Are you loving life? I am.

What is the wall of wonderful, you say?

Well, this. Of course. Austen had mentioned a few days ago that he would like to have a copy of each flyer, from each show they've done so far, put up on his wall. Ask and ye shall receive. Haha. Not really. But he did plant a seed in this brain of mine, and one day I set out to print each flyer in approx. 8x10" size onto semi-cheap photo paper to do just that. So, this is the end result. Placed in date order (duh ... of course), starting with their very first show, the High School Highlight show at Club Retro. We are missing a few (I think a few places didn't have flyers or ??) But what I love about it is the ability for him to add to it as they play more shows. So cool.

Buccaneer Beach - Scrapbooked.

As I previously mentioned, I like ordering wallets sizes of certain pictures. This is the reason why. Obviously, I already did the mini album for the boy's entire trip, but I also wanted a page about Buccaneer Beach for our album, Places We Love. This is a super simple layout. Very minimal embellishments, and no journaling except for the title and date. And as usual ... I do believe I included a picture of every single family member that was there. A perfect little addition to my Places album.

SoCal Trip Mini-ish Album.

This is the cover of an album I put together for the boys of their trip to SoCal. I call it mini-ish because it's a smaller size (12"x6"), but it has a whole lot in it. I printed all the pictures in 4x6" format, along with wallet size. I love this size, and at Walmart, you end up with two wallets on a 4x6" print, so you have extras to do whatever you'd like with. I want to thank everyone who took pictures for me! You know this means the world to me. I have posted all the other album pictures on my picasa, if you'd like to take a peek. Let me know if you need the link.

A bit of a fashion show.

Hmmm ... I wonder if you can call it a fashion show, when the photographer apparently stinks? I suppose you can. It's not the model's fault that her Momma couldn't get a decent shot anywhere.

Bailey was feeling inspired the other day to try on her new school clothes. I personally think it had something to do with her new book, and the entry titled How To Put On A Fashion Show. Grandpa and Nana had also sent her a few things (because she didn't get to actually go to SoCal), and they wanted to see some of the outfits on her.

(Yes, she was being lazy and began to not change the black capris. She does have other colors).

Now she just needs to decide what to wear the first day of school.

My Girl, the Goddess.

Bailey's best friend, Lauren and her mom, Lisa, were nice enough to take Bailey along to Barnes and Noble the other day. I sent her with $10 in case she wanted to buy something (she always wants to buy something at B&N). Which is a good thing, in my mind. Anyway, Lisa was such a sweetheart and bought this book for Bailey. Lauren picked out the same book. Such a "best friend" move, don't you think?

I love the cover of the book. It's bright and colorful and even seems a little old fashioned. Well, since the day she got it, Bailey has just been devouring it. It includes topics like:

• How to make a good first impression.
• How to make your own lip gloss.
• How to put on a fashion show (more on this later).
• How to make your own bubble bath.
• How to deal with zits.
• How to make your own body glitter (There hasn't been much interest in this. Thank goodness. I'm not a huge fan of glitter).
• How to bathe like Cleopatra (yes, it includes adding milk to the bathwater).
• How to give yourself a mini facial.
• How to eat spaghetti.
• And of course, how to be a Goddess.

There's easily 100 different topics. And Bailey has just been loving it all. Making notes, making lists of things to purchase. Apparently, she really loves to pamper herself. She has soaked her feet twice, had me buy tea tree oil (for a few pimples on her chin), asked to add milk to her bath (I said "not this time"), layered cream on her feet, put on socks and went right to bed, and then she had me buy plain yogurt to add to lemon juice and honey and she did this:

Yes, that's a yogurt mask complete with cucumbers. Sadly, she decided to lay on the kitchen bench, which didn't exactly look comfortable, but she didn't want to make a mess on the couch. Now if this doesn't scream goddess I don't know what does.

Back-to-School, Part 1.

These two are back to school today. Talk about a shock to the system. Geez. 6:10 sure snuck up on me this morning. Ugh. And I know the boys were feelin' it too. They've been going to bed so late this summer. Well, Bailey and I have been too, for that matter. It's fun! And did they take their momma's advice and start gradually easing back into a semi-regular schedule? Heck no. Last night was the first night they were in their bedrooms by 10pm. They probably didn't doze off right away, but at least they were in there.

So this guy is now a big Junior. So amazing. I hope it's a great year for him. Which translates to a great year for me. Haha. Less stress, I hope. You likin' the new vans? Dang. Reminds me of the year all four of us kids (Darcy, Nathan, Brandon and I) lined up for first day of school picture. I was in 8th, Darc in 6th, Nathan in 4th and Bran in 2nd. And there we were all wearing our brown Vans. So funny to think about. This is actually the first year that Austen has decided to wear the good 'ol classic vans. Good choice, I do believe. Of course, Kale has been rockin' vans for years! He has a collection of boxes to prove it. (Not sure why, but he insists on keeping the boxes??)

So on to the haircut (or lack, thereof). Yeah. He needs one. Real bad. And we were hoping to get one over the weekend, but he was busy recording both days, and once he got home last night, all the places were closed. After school today. For sure.

Now onto this guy. He's a big 10th grader. Two days ago at Coldstone, the girl behind the counter asked if we (Kale and I) were having a good day. I said that it was a great day, and we had been doing school shopping. You know the conversation ...

Her: oh, what school do you go to?

Kale: Roseville.

Her: Oh, I'm a Woodcreek girl. What grade are you going into? 12th?

Kale: No, I'm a Sophomore.

Of course, her mouth fell on the floor. Haha. I think he loves to do that.

I can't believe we've been doing this whole school thing with Kale for 10 whopping years. I say "we've" ... not because I physically go to school with him, but because I believe these grey hairs I've acquired over the last 10 years or so are directly attributed to Kale being in school. Haha. I say that with love in my heart, of course. He really hasn't enjoyed school. And that would be fine with me, if he liked it. Even a little bit. But "like" is such a strong word in this case. Haha. I'd say that he tolerates it, and even that is a stretch. Each new year, I hope for a miracle. That miracle being that he'll just like school a litte bit more, maybe have that light go on in his head ... some sort of an "aha" moment, when it all begins to click. When it all becomes a little more interesting, and my stress level goes down.

Hey, a girl can dream.

Happy Birthday Quinn.

A great big Happy Birthday wish from the Butler family to Quinn. We hope you have a great day, and an even better year ahead!

Love,

Uncle Shawn, Aunt Kristen, Austen, Kale and Bailey

Happy Birthday Darcy.

Christmas 1968

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of the three of us. Memories galore from Buena Park. :) My baby shower for Bailey. Much skinnier days. Dang.Tenaja ... boy, we had a huge tv. Haha. Summer 2008

Dear Darcy,

All I can really say is "you're the best".

And even though it sounds so cliche', it's just the truth ... plain and simple.

You have been there for me through it all.

The good, the great, the bad, the ugly and the very ugly.

Haha. Thankfully, there hasn't been a whole lot of ugly. :)

And for that I'm forever grateful.

I love you with all my heart, and wish the very best for you.

Not just on your birthday, but every day.

Love,

Kristen

Dear Makayla ...

Hey girl. I'm finally posting a picture of the adorable turtle you created for Bailey and I. I wanted to wait until I had it framed and hanging on the wall. :) Anyway, it turned out just perfect. So perfect, in fact, that I have confiscated it and placed it in my office, right at the entry as you walk in the door. So, basically, we get to see it every time we walk into the office. And you know I spend a lot of time in there ... so it will be seen very often! Bailey was agreeable (don't think I just snagged it without her approval ... haha). Her room walls are pretty well covered with Twilight posters, and a few other things and she knew I'd really like to see more of it, too.

I wanted to thank you for making something so special for us. We will treasure it always.

Love,
Auntie Kristen and Bailey

P.S. Your payment will be on it's way Friday.

Happy Birthday Dad-ee-o!

A random sampling of pictures, in honor of Dad/Grandpa's Birthday today.

Neat self-portrait. (Almost) always with a camera in hand. So cool that you've come back to photography after all these years. I honestly think you may have missed your true calling. I mean seriously ... you've taken amazing photos for 40+ years. Thankfully, I have the proof in all those incredible shots you took of me as a baby and small girl. And now ... my kids see it. As I mentioned to you ... the boys just go on and on about your mad skills. (Yes, I'm getting a slight complex, but I'll get over it). Especially when I blow you out of the water (Haha. Someday. When I get that new camera I want/need). Maybe it's my calling, too? I'm happy we have this thing that we are both interested in. And that I can always bounce ideas off of you. I love that.

Dear Dad/Grandpa,

We hope you have a wonderful birthday. Of course, we wish we could be there to celebrate it with you. Instead, we will be there in spirit!

We love you!

Shawn, Kristen, Austen, Kale and Bailey